Handheld Laser Pointer Stabilization via Inertial Gimbal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-held laser pointers are hindered by user hand tremor, causing undesirable motion and jitter in the laser beam, which limits pointing resolution and can be distracting and credibility-damaging.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held laser pointer design featuring a gimbal-mounted inertial mass with a counterweight and magnetic damping system, allowing the laser beam to be stabilized against hand tremor, with the gimbal pivoting on intersecting axes and employing magnetic interaction for damping effects to isolate high-frequency angular movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hand-held laser pointer is used, then portability and ease of operation are improved, but hand tremor causes laser beam instability and dot jitter
Solution Approach 1:
A counterweight is rigidly attached to the mirror by a bridge, forming an inertial mass with the mirror and bridge. The counterweight compensates for gravitational effects and provides rotational inertia to resist hand tremor-induced angular movements, thereby stabilizing the laser beam direction while maintaining handheld operation
Solution Approach 2:
The gimbal mechanism is pre-configured with pivot axes perpendicular to the laser beam axis, creating a passive inertial stabilization system that automatically counteracts tremor frequencies before they can significantly affect the laser dot position on the target
2Measurement precision
If the laser beam axis is made perpendicular to the gimbal pivot axes, then tremor isolation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization system is segmented into independent functional components: the gimbal mechanism with two perpendicular pivot axes, the inertial mass consisting of mirror-bridge-counterweight assembly, and the magnetic damping system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall design and assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge serves as an intermediary structural element that rigidly connects the mirror to the counterweight, forming a unified inertial mass. This intermediary component simplifies the mechanical design by providing a straightforward rigid connection that maintains the perpendicular relationship between the laser beam axis and gimbal pivot axes
3Measurement precision
If magnetic damping is employed to reduce angular vibration, then laser dot stability is improved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic damping system converts the harmful effect of angular vibrations into a beneficial stabilizing force. The magnetic or ferromagnetic material on the inertial mass interacts with the ferromagnetic or magnetic material on the housing through magnetic field attraction and eddy current damping, dissipating vibrational energy while providing a restoring force that returns the gimbal to its neutral position, thereby stabilizing the laser dot
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 solution provides a low-jitter laser beam, effectively isolating hand tremor-induced vibrations, ensuring a stable laser dot position and improved pointing accuracy without active stabilization, making it suitable for presentations and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
The means for biasing the inertial mass to a neutral position preferably employs a magnetic field interaction between a magnetic or ferromagnetic first material disposed on the inertial mass, and a ferromagnetic or magnetic second material affixed to said housing
Implementation Method 2
An electrically conductive non-magnetic material may be disposed on the inertial mass in proximity to a second magnetic material affixed to the housing. The magnetic interaction therebetween provides a damping effect by the generation of eddy currents therein
Implementation Method 3
a counterweight rigidly attached to a mirror by a bridge, the mirror, counterweight and bridge collectively forming an inertial mass having a center of gravity disposed on the bridge; a gimbal affixed to said housing and said bridge at the center of gravity of said inertial mass
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held laser pointer is disclosed wherein the laser beam is isolated from unwanted hand tremor motions of the laser pointer housing. A laser beam is directed toward a pair of passively inertially stabilized mirrors disposed within the housing that are biased to a neutral position by a spring and damper. Both the laser beam that exits the housing and the laser dot appearing at a target are minimally affected by laser jitter associated with hand tremor.