Flexure Actuator for Optical Beam Steering

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical beam steering and scanning systems face challenges with mechanical wear and fatigue in bearing-based actuators, which affect positioning accuracy and response speed, and require high power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The use of flexure-based actuators with a magnet stator and coil rotor, eliminating the need for support bearings by employing crossed flexures to provide support and pivoting mechanisms, allowing for electromagnetic activation with reduced mechanical wear and fatigue, and achieving high positioning accuracy and fast response speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bearing-based actuators are used for optical beam steering, then mechanical support and pivoting are achieved, but mechanical wear and fatigue occur after repetitive uses, affecting positioning accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical bearing support system with a flexure-based support mechanism. The flexure acts as a compliant element that provides rotational motion without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating wear and fatigue associated with traditional bearings. This substitution maintains positioning accuracy while significantly extending the service life of the actuator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexures—thin, flexible mechanical elements—that bend to provide rotational motion. These flexures replace rigid bearing-based support structures, enabling repetitive pivoting operations without mechanical wear. The flexible nature of the flexures allows for smooth, wear-free rotation that maintains positioning accuracy over extended service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If bearing-based actuators are used for optical beam steering, then mechanical support is provided, but mechanical wear and fatigue increase power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical bearing support system with a flexure-based support mechanism. The flexure acts as a compliant element that provides rotational motion without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating wear and fatigue associated with traditional bearings. This substitution maintains positioning accuracy while significantly extending the service life of the actuator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexures—thin, flexible mechanical elements—that bend to provide rotational motion. These flexures replace rigid bearing-based support structures, enabling repetitive pivoting operations without mechanical wear. The flexible nature of the flexures allows for smooth, wear-free rotation that maintains positioning accuracy over extended service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If traditional actuators with mechanical components are used, then structural support is achieved, but mechanical wear affects response speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidresponse speed

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical bearing support system with a flexure-based support mechanism. The flexure acts as a compliant element that provides rotational motion without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating wear and fatigue associated with traditional bearings. This substitution maintains positioning accuracy while significantly extending the service life of the actuator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexures—thin, flexible mechanical elements—that bend to provide rotational motion. These flexures replace rigid bearing-based support structures, enabling repetitive pivoting operations without mechanical wear. The flexible nature of the flexures allows for smooth, wear-free rotation that maintains positioning accuracy over extended service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 actuator design minimizes mechanical wear, reduces power consumption, and enables precise and rapid positioning of optical beams, with the potential for a long lifecycle and low operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

an electrical current in the conductor coil electromagnetically interacts with a magnetic field present at the conductor coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS8274724B2Optical beam control based on flexure actuation with positioning sensing and servo control

Publication Date: 2012.09.25 MSSL CONSOLIDATED INC

AI summary

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.