Inter-Pupillary Distance Adjustment With Rack-and-Pinion Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinged mechanisms for inter-pupillary distance adjustment in imaging systems, particularly those using focal plane arrays, cause skew and distortion in infrared imaging systems due to the skewing of focal plane arrays, making them unusable.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a pinion gear and carrier plates with gear teeth meshing with the pinion gear, enabling rectilinear motion of focal plane arrays to maintain parallel orientation during adjustment, eliminating skew and distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinged mechanism is used for inter-pupillary distance adjustment, then the adjustment mechanism works satisfactorily in conventional optical systems, but the focal plane arrays become skewed and distorted in infrared imaging systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional hinged mechanical mechanism with a rack and pinion gear system. The pinion gear rotates about a first axis and engages with rack gears on the carrier plates, transforming the rotational motion into precise rectilinear motion that maintains parallel orientation of focal plane arrays while enabling inter-pupillary distance adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the adjustment mechanism from angular rotation (hinged) to rectilinear translation (rack and pinion). This parameter change ensures that the focal plane arrays move in parallel along straight lines, maintaining their horizontal alignment and preventing skew during inter-pupillary distance adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If focal plane arrays are moved during inter-pupillary distance adjustment, then the inter-pupillary distance can be changed, but the horizontal edges of focal plane arrays no longer lie on the same horizontal line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the pinion gear can rotate to different positions, enabling continuous adjustment of inter-pupillary distance. The rack and pinion mechanism ensures that during this dynamic adjustment, the carrier plates and attached focal plane arrays move in synchronized parallel rectilinear paths, maintaining their relative orientation throughout the entire range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier plates act as intermediaries between the pinion gear and the focal plane arrays. These carrier plates are positioned parallel and opposite to one another, and their gear teeth mesh with the pinion gear to provide rectilinear motion while maintaining the parallel orientation and horizontal alignment of the focal plane arrays throughout the adjustment range.
3Device complexity
If a hinged arrangement is used, then the structure is simple, but the focal plane arrays experience skew that makes them unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple but flawed hinged mechanism with a rack and pinion gear system. While this increases structural complexity compared to a simple hinge, it eliminates the skew and distortion problems, ensuring reliable image quality and making the focal plane arrays usable throughout the adjustment range.
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 accurate inter-pupillary distance adjustment without skew or distortion, allowing for smooth operation and precise imaging by maintaining parallel orientation of focal plane arrays.
Implementation Method 1
a pinion gear. The pinion gear is mounted on a first pin of a plurality of pins. The pinion gear rotates about a first axis. The device includes a plurality of carrier plates. Each of the plurality of carrier plates has a gear teeth on a first portion of a side. The gear teeth on the plurality of carrier plates are in mesh with the pinion gear.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a device for adjusting inter-pupillary distance between eyepieces of imaging systems. The device includes a pinion gear. The pinion gear is mounted on a first pin. The device includes two carrier plates. Each of the two carrier plates having gear teeth on a first portion of a side. The gear teeth on the two carrier plates are in mesh with the pinion gear. The two carrier plates are positioned parallel and opposite to one another. The device includes two focal plane arrays. Each of the two focal plane arrays is rigidly affixed with a carrier plate of the two carrier plates and movably supported over other carrier plate of the two carrier plate. The device enables inter-pupillary distance adjustment between eyepieces without causing skew or distortion of image.