Electro-optical Lens Mounting Assembly with Integrated Electrical Contacts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical movement in electro-optical readers for adjusting focal lengths is cumbersome, generating vibrations, dust, and consuming power, and is difficult to integrate with fixed optical lenses in compact devices due to the need for discrete electrical connectors.
Innovation Solution
An electro-optical mounting assembly that directly electrically contacts electrodes of a variable focusing element, such as an electrowetting liquid lens, with a lensholder, eliminating the need for discrete connectors and allowing fixed optical lenses to be mounted closer, enhancing optical coupling efficiency and light throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical movement is used to adjust focal lengths in electro-optical readers, then the reader can focus at different working distances, but it generates vibrations, dust, and consumes power while increasing device complexity and size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lens movement system with an electrowetting liquid lens that uses electrical fields to change focal length. The liquid lens comprises a liquid droplet between two electrodes where applying voltage changes the droplet shape and thus the focal length, eliminating mechanical moving parts while achieving variable focusing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the liquid lens by applying voltage to alter the droplet shape. By controlling the voltage applied to the electrodes, the focal length parameter can be adjusted continuously without mechanical movement, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If discrete electrical connectors are used to contact liquid lens electrodes, then electrical connections can be made, but they occupy space and increase device complexity in compact readers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function with the lens holder structure. The lens holder is designed with integrated contact points that directly touch the liquid lens electrodes, combining the mechanical support and electrical connection functions into a single component, thereby eliminating discrete connectors and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens holder is designed to serve multiple functions: it holds the optical lens, provides structural support, and makes electrical contact with the liquid lens electrodes. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate electrical connectors, reducing the number of components in compact readers.
3Use of energy by moving object
If fixed optical lenses are mounted farther from the liquid lens due to discrete connectors, then electrical connections can be made, but optical coupling efficiency and light throughput are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical connection function from separate discrete connectors and integrates it into the lens holder structure. This allows the fixed optical lens to be mounted directly adjacent to the liquid lens without the spacing required for discrete connectors, maximizing optical coupling efficiency and light throughput.
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 reduces noise, vibration, and size requirements while maintaining efficient light focusing over a range of working distances without mechanical movement, improving performance and compactness in readers.
Implementation Method 1
a variable focusing element which is a liquid lens of the electrowetting type that changes its shape when a voltage is applied across a pair of electrodes
Implementation Method 2
an electro-optical mounting assembly... a variable focusing element... in which an electrical voltage is applied to the liquid lens across two electrodes to change an optical property, e.g., a focal length, thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A lensholder holds at least one fixed optical lens and a variable focusing element in a spaced relation along an optical path through which light passes in an electro-optical reader. The variable focusing element has a pair of electrodes across which a voltage is applied to optically modify the light passing through the fixed optical lens and the variable focusing element. The lensholder directly electrically conductively contacts the electrodes and establishes an electrically conductive path between each electrode and an exterior of the lensholder.