Deformable Lens Actuators for Rotary Laser Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotating lasers face challenges with high energy consumption, weight, and limited self-levelling capabilities, particularly due to complex mechanics and moving parts, which hinder precise alignment and adaptability to various positional deviations and environmental influences.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a deformable lens system with actuators, such as polymer or liquid lenses, that can adjust the laser beam's alignment and divergence, allowing for automatic leveling and compensation of angular deviations without mechanical adjustments, and enabling flexible alignment of the laser plane in multiple directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If motor-driven inclination compensators are used for self-leveling, then alignment capability is improved, but energy consumption increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces motor-driven mechanical inclination compensators with an optical system comprising a deformable mirror and a spatial light modulator. The deformable mirror adjusts the laser beam path using electro-optical actuation rather than mechanical motors, thereby eliminating the need for high-energy-consuming motors while maintaining alignment capability. The spatial light modulator further refines beam direction through electro-optical control, substituting mechanical adjustment with field-based control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a deformable mirror whose surface shape can be dynamically changed through electro-optical actuation. By altering the mirror's surface parameters (curvature, tilt, focal length) in response to detected positional deviations, the system achieves alignment without mechanical movement. This parameter-based control replaces the need for motor-driven mechanical adjustment, reducing energy consumption while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If motor-driven inclination compensators are used for self-leveling, then alignment capability is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy motor-driven mechanical compensators with lightweight electro-optical components. The deformable mirror and spatial light modulator use electrical fields to control beam direction rather than mechanical motors, significantly reducing the weight of the alignment system while maintaining or improving alignment precision.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical lens displacement is used for compensation, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases and maintenance susceptibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical lens displacement systems with an electro-optical approach using a deformable mirror and spatial light modulator. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms and their associated moving parts, thereby reducing device complexity and susceptibility to maintenance issues while maintaining alignment precision through field-based control.
4Measurement precision
If mechanical lens displacement is used for compensation, then alignment precision is improved, but alignment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow mechanical lens displacement with rapid electro-optical modulation. The deformable mirror and spatial light modulator can adjust beam direction and focus almost instantaneously in response to positional deviations, eliminating the time delay inherent in mechanical systems while maintaining alignment precision.
5Adaptability or versatility
If self-leveling is implemented for positional deviations beyond +/-5°, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an electro-optical system with a deformable mirror and spatial light modulator that can dynamically adjust to a wide range of positional deviations without the mechanical complexity limitations of traditional systems. The electro-optical components can handle deviations beyond +/-5° through field-based control, avoiding the need for complex mechanical adjustment ranges.
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
This solution simplifies the rotating laser's construction, reduces energy consumption, and enhances its adaptability, allowing for precise alignment and operation in various positions without the need for complex mechanics, resulting in a more user-friendly, robust, and cost-effective device.
Implementation Method 1
at least one lens (5) of the optical system (15) being a lens (5) that can be deformed in a targeted manner by actuators (50a-50h)
Implementation Method 2
an optical system (15) made up of one or more lenses (5), which intervene in the laser beam (7)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a rotary laser (1) and a method for operating a rotary laser (1) according to the invention, wherein the rotary laser is provided with a laser light source (3) for generating a laser beam (7), a deflecting means (11) rotatable about a rotation axis (9) for directed emission of the laser beam (7), and with an optical system (15) with one or more lenses for manipulating the laser beam (7), wherein at least one of the lenses is a lens (5) that can be selectively deformed by actuators. According to the invention, a control unit (17) is provided for manipulating the at least one lens (5) which can be selectively deformed by actuators, wherein the at least one lens (5) which can be selectively deformed by actuators has at least four actuators (50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, 50g, 50h) distributed along a circumference of the lens (5) which can be selectively deformed by actuators and controlled by the control unit.The control unit (17) is configured such that by controlling the actuators (50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, 50g, 50h) the optical refractive properties of the at least one lens (5) which can be selectively deformed by actuators can be varied, so that the laser beam (7) can be manipulated in its orientation and/or divergence.