Flexure Focus Mechanism for Handheld Infrared Camera Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld infrared cameras face challenges with weight and precision in focus mechanisms, as existing systems are either heavy and complex or prone to unwanted pitch, roll, and yaw, making it difficult to maintain alignment with distant targets.
Innovation Solution
A flexure assembly is used to control the displacement between the detector and lensing assembly along the optical axis, providing precise linear movement with minimal displacement in other axes, coupled with an actuator for controlled focus adjustment, which can be manually or electrically powered.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a motor controlled focusing mechanism is used, then focus precision is improved, but device weight and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex motorized focusing mechanisms with a passive mechanical system using flexure elements. The flexure assembly provides precise focus adjustment through elastic deformation of flexible beams, eliminating motors, gears, and electronic control systems while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the focusing system by using flexure elements with specific geometric configurations (beam lengths, thicknesses, material properties) to achieve the desired focus range and precision without active control mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If a motor controlled focusing mechanism is used, then focus precision is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy motorized components with lightweight flexure elements made from thin flexible materials. The passive mechanical system eliminates the need for motors, power supplies, and electronic controllers, dramatically reducing overall camera weight while preserving focus precision.
3Device complexity
If a linear rail system or threaded interconnection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates due to unwanted pitch, roll and yaw
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin flexible beam elements that allow controlled linear displacement while inherently constraining rotational movements. The flexure elements' geometric design provides compliance in the desired degree of freedom while maintaining rigidity against unwanted pitch, roll, and yaw motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the focusing mechanism into separate flexure elements, each responsible for specific movement constraints. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each element to provide precise linear motion while blocking rotational degrees of freedom.
4Weight of moving object
If manual manipulation of the focusing mechanism is used, then device weight is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates due to unwanted focus variation when adjusting camera positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexure elements that provide smooth, controlled manual adjustment while maintaining alignment precision. The flexible beam structure allows operators to make fine focus adjustments without introducing unwanted rotational movements, combining lightweight construction with precise control.
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 enables lightweight and precise focus control, reducing unwanted movement and maintaining optical axis alignment with distant targets, even when the camera is handheld or tripod-mounted.
Implementation Method 1
a flexure assembly operable to control variation of the displacement between the detector and the lensing arrangement along the said optical axis
Data Source
AI summary
A flexure assembly operable to control variation of the displacement between a detector and a lensing arrangement along the optical axis of a camera so as to vary camera focus, and a camera incorporating such a flexure assembly. In some embodiments, the flexure assembly provides for precise control of linear displacement along the optical axis and minimal displacement along other axes or modes. A flexure assembly can additionally be relatively lightweight in construction. In some embodiments, the flexure assembly comprises one or more flexure elements adapted to permit movement along a movement axis and resist movement along axes other than the movement axis. In some embodiments, the movement axis of the or each flexure element is aligned with the optical axis of a corresponding lensing assembly.