Kinematic Optical Mount Hinge Biasing for Repeatable Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical mounts lack repeatable and stable positioning capabilities, making alignment of optical systems time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The development of kinematic optical mounts featuring a first body member with hinge extensions and positioning registers, a second body member with a hinge recess, and a biasing mechanism that applies a constant force to engage bearing members, allowing for precise and adjustable positioning of optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical mounts are used to secure optical elements, then the optical elements can be positioned and secured, but repeatable and stable positioning is difficult to achieve, making alignment time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The optical mount is divided into separate body members (first body member with hinge extension, second body member with hinge recess) that can be independently positioned and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be precisely positioned independently, enabling repeatable alignment while reducing overall assembly time through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
Positioning registers and positioning elements act as intermediary features between the first and second body members. These intermediaries provide precise registration surfaces that guide alignment during assembly, ensuring repeatable positioning without requiring time-consuming manual alignment procedures
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable optical mounts are used to position optical elements, then positioning flexibility is achieved, but stable and repeatable positioning remains elusive
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member applies a constant biasing force in advance to pre-load the hinge bearing members against the bearing engaging member. This preliminary action ensures that the positioning elements maintain consistent contact with the positioning registers, providing both adjustability and repeatable stability without requiring complex locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The constant biasing force applied by the biasing member changes the contact pressure parameter between positioning elements and positioning registers. This controlled parameter change ensures reliable engagement while maintaining positioning adjustability, resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability
3Reliability
If hinge bearing members are engaged without constant biasing force, then the structure is simpler, but stable coupling between body members cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member creates a self-service mechanism where the constant biasing force automatically maintains engagement between hinge bearing members and bearing engaging member. This self-maintaining force ensures stable coupling without requiring additional complex fastening or locking mechanisms, achieving reliability without excessive complexity
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 efficient and repeatable alignment of optical components, reducing assembly time and ensuring consistent load application, thereby improving the stability and ease of use in optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one biasing member configured to apply a constant biasing force to one or more hinge bearing members, thereby forcing the bearing members engage at least one bearing engaging member
Implementation Method 2
one or more positioning elements in communication with the second body member and configured to be force biased to engage the positioning registers
Data Source
AI summary
The present application disclosed various embodiments of kinematic optical mounts which include a first body member having at least one hinge extension defining at least one hinge passage extending therefrom and a mount surface configured to receive at least one optical component thereon, one or more positioning registers formed on the hinge extension, a second body member having a hinge recess sized to receive the hinge extension therein and at least one coupling body, one or more positioning elements in communication with the second body member and configured to be force biased to engage the positioning registers, and at least one biasing member configured to apply a constant biasing force to one or more hinge bearing members, thereby forcing the bearing members engage at least one bearing engaging member in communication with the second body member thereby coupling the first body member to the second body member.