Deformable Membrane Mirror Thermal Actuation Focal Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems face limitations in varying the focal distance or position without moving the measuring system or object, leading to restricted performance in applications like confocal measuring and barcode reading, due to high costs, complexity, and size issues with traditional mirror-based solutions.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized deformable membrane mirror using materials with different thermal expansion coefficients, which changes curvature in response to temperature changes, allowing for adjustable focal distance through thermal actuation, and potentially assisted by additional actuator principles for enhanced deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional planar mirrors with electromagnetic drives are used to vary focal position, then the optical path length can be changed, but the constructional volume becomes large and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electromagnetic drives with piezoelectric actuators that convert electrical signals directly into mechanical displacement. This substitution enables precise focal position variation through the piezoelectric effect, achieving the same optical path length change with significantly reduced constructional volume and lower costs, making the system suitable for mobile applications like scanner guns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and operational parameters by using piezoelectric materials that exhibit dimensional changes in response to applied electrical fields. This parameter change approach allows continuous focal position adjustment without mechanical moving parts, reducing the system volume while maintaining measurement precision
2Volume of stationary object
If micromechanically manufactured translatory mirrors are used, then the device size is reduced, but the achievable optical path length changes are small requiring complex lens systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex lens systems with a straightforward piezoelectric actuator-mirror assembly. The piezoelectric actuator provides sufficient optical path length change directly, eliminating the need for additional complex lens elements and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining compact size
3Adaptability or versatility
If deformable mirrors with piezoactuators are used, then focal distance is adjustable, but the systems are very complex, expensive and have large volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the deformable mirror into multiple independently actuated regions using an array of piezoelectric actuators positioned beneath the mirror surface. This segmentation allows selective deformation of different mirror zones, providing versatile focal distance adjustment and beam shaping capabilities while keeping each individual actuator simple and compact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining piezoelectric ceramic materials with flexible mirror substrates. This composite approach enables the mirror to deform controllably under piezoelectric actuation, achieving adjustable focal distance with a compact design that is simpler and more cost-effective than traditional adaptive optical systems
4Adaptability or versatility
If membrane mirrors with electrostatic or piezoelectric actuators are used, then deformation is achieved, but high electrical voltages are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the piezoelectric actuator parameters including material composition, thickness, and electrode configuration to achieve the required membrane deformation at reduced voltage levels. By changing these physical parameters, the system maintains effective focal adjustment capability while lowering the electrical voltage requirement and energy consumption
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
Enables simple and cost-effective variation of focal distance in optical systems, reducing the need for complex lens systems and high-voltage actuators, while maintaining beam quality and offering flexible deformation profiles.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane which is formed with at least two layers or with one layer and a substrate, which are formed from materials or material mixtures with different thermal coefficients of expansion (bimorph). Upon a temperature change which can be achieved by a heating or temperature control mechanism, the two layers or the layer and substrate expand to a greatly differing degree, which leads to a change in the curvature of the membrane
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to active microoptic reflecting components for adapting or changing the focal length or focal position in optical systems. It is the object of the invention to make available a miniaturized reflecting microoptic component for focusing or defocusing incident electromagnetic radiation, with which a variation in the focal distance can be achieved simply and at low cost. On the component according to the invention there is an elastically deformably membrane which is formed at least with one reflecting layer comprising a first material or material mixture and at least with one further layer or substrate which is formed from a second material or material mixture. First and second materials or material mixtures have thermal coefficients of expansion which deviate from each other. In addition a heating or temperature control mechanism is present.