Flexure-Based Actuator for Optical Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuators for optical beam steering and scanning face challenges in achieving high positioning accuracy and fast response speed while minimizing mechanical wear and power consumption, particularly due to the use of mechanical bearings that suffer from wear and fatigue.
Innovation Solution
The development of flexure-based actuators that eliminate the need for mechanical bearings by using a magnet stator and a coil rotor mounted on a flexure, which provides a bearing-free pivoting mechanism and reduces rotational inertia, along with a position sensing circuit and servo control circuit for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical bearings are used in actuators for optical beam steering, then the actuator can achieve rotation and positioning, but mechanical wear and fatigue occur reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical bearings with a magnetic field-based suspension system. A magnet array creates a magnetic field that levitates the coil assembly, eliminating all mechanical contact points. This substitution of mechanical support with electromagnetic field support resolves the wear and fatigue issues inherent in bearing-based systems while maintaining rotational capability and positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. By transitioning from a mechanically-supported rotating system to a magnetically-leveled system, the patent eliminates friction and wear mechanisms while enabling continuous operation without degradation, directly addressing the reliability and lifespan contradiction.
2Speed
If traditional actuator designs with mechanical components are used, then structural support is provided, but rotational inertia increases reducing response speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes all heavy mechanical support structures (bearings, shafts, housings) from the rotating assembly. Only the essential functional components (coil and magnet array) remain, suspended in a magnetic field. This extraction of unnecessary mass dramatically reduces rotational inertia while maintaining structural integrity through the magnetic field, enabling faster acceleration and response speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static mechanical support structure to a dynamic magnetic field-based support system. The magnetic field can dynamically adjust to maintain positioning while allowing rapid rotational movements. This dynamic approach enables the system to achieve high response speeds by minimizing inertial constraints while maintaining precise control over the actuator's position and orientation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If bearing-based mechanical actuators are used, then positioning function is achieved, but power consumption increases due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces friction-based mechanical positioning with magnetic field-based positioning. The magnet array and coil interaction provides contactless support and actuation, eliminating energy losses to friction. This substitution maintains positioning accuracy through precise magnetic field control while dramatically reducing power consumption compared to bearing-based mechanical systems that must continuously overcome frictional forces.
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 flexure-based actuators achieve repeatable positioning operations with reduced mechanical wear and fatigue, high positioning accuracy, and low power consumption, enabling efficient optical beam steering and scanning applications.
Implementation Method 1
two capacitor sensor charge plates spaced from each other and formed on the second side facet to form a gap with the capacitor charging plate on the first side facet of the platform
Implementation Method 2
a position sensing circuit coupled to the two capacitor sensor charge plates and capacitor charging plate to apply an electrical sensor signal to the capacitor charging plate, the position sensing circuit including a processing circuit that receives first and second electrical signals from the two capacitor sensor charge plates
Implementation Method 3
a servo control circuit coupled to the position sensing circuit and the actuator, the servo control circuit operable to produce a servo control signal based on the position signal and operable to control the actuator based on the position signal
Implementation Method 4
Electromagnetically activated actuators can be configured to use a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field to electromagnetically cause rotation of the coil by controlling the direction and amplitude of the current in the coil
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of actuators and capacitor-based position sensors for monitoring and controlling positioning of the actuators are provided, including implementations of actuators that use flexures to provide support to actuators and pivoting mechanisms to the actuators. Such actuators can be electromagnetically activated actuators that include a magnet stator and a coil rotor mounted on a flexure. A positioning sensor, such as a capacitor sensor, is provided to measure and monitor positioning of the actuator and is coupled to a feedback circuit which uses the measured positioning of the actuator to control the actuator.