Collimation Assembly for Imaging Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical scanning systems with over-filled polygon facet designs face challenges in achieving robustness and cost efficiency due to the complexity and cost of multiple prescan mirrors and lenses, which introduces alignment issues and reduces system robustness.
Innovation Solution
A compact collimation assembly that combines multiple light sources and collimation lenses into a single unit, using a body with hollow portions to support the light sources and lenses, reducing the number of prescan mirrors and lenses, and employing diverging collimation lenses to over-fill the polygon facets, thereby simplifying the optical design and improving alignment precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If multiple prescan mirrors and lenses are used to expand laser beams in over-filled facet design, then beam width is sufficient to cover polygon facets, but system complexity increases and alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple prescan mirrors and lenses into a single integrated prescan assembly. This merging of multiple optical components into one unit reduces system complexity while maintaining the necessary beam expansion function to cover the polygon facets in over-filled facet design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated prescan assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it expands the laser beam width, directs the beam onto the polygon facets, and maintains proper alignment. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate prescan mirrors and lenses, reducing the number of components while achieving the required beam width.
2Area of moving object
If multiple prescan mirrors and lenses are used to expand laser beams, then beam width is sufficient, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple optical components into a single prescan assembly, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, procured, and assembled. This integration lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining sufficient beam width for over-filled facet operation.
3Area of moving object
If multiple prescan mirrors and lenses are used, then beam expansion is achieved, but system robustness deteriorates due to alignment tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple optical components into a single rigid prescan assembly, eliminating the need for multiple separate alignments. This merging reduces the cumulative alignment tolerances that would otherwise degrade system robustness, while still achieving the necessary beam width for over-filled facet design.
4Length of moving object
If polygon mirror diameter is reduced for cost efficiency, then manufacturing cost decreases, but beam width control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated prescan assembly is designed to compensate for the smaller polygon mirror diameter by providing precise beam expansion and positioning capabilities. This multi-functional assembly ensures proper beam width control despite the reduced polygon size, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling cost-effective design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the robustness and cost efficiency of the scanning system by reducing the number of optical components, minimizing alignment tolerances, and achieving precise beam expansion, resulting in improved optical performance and reduced production costs.
Implementation Method 1
Each collimation lens is disposed at the second opening of one of the at least four hollow portions to receive the light beam emitted by the light source disposed at the first opening and diverge the light beam as the light beam passes through the collimation lens
Data Source
AI summary
A collimation assembly includes a body, at least four light sources, and at least four collimation lenses. The body has inner surfaces that define at least four hollow portions extending through the body between opposed first and second sides thereof, each hollow portion having opposed first and second openings at the first and second sides of the body, respectively. Each light source is disposed at the first opening of one of the at least four hollow portions and controllable to emit a light beam therethrough. Each collimation lens is disposed at the second opening of one of the at least four hollow portions to receive the light beam emitted by the light source disposed at the first opening and diverge the light beam as the light beam passes through the collimation lens. The at least four light sources and the at least four collimation lenses are supported by the body.