Laser Scanner Beam Deflection via Radial Refracting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of mirror pyramids with multiple sides at different inclinations for laser scanners is challenging due to manufacturing difficulties and polishing issues, which complicates the creation of scanning fans that cover the same angular sectors effectively.
Innovation Solution
A beam deflection device with radially protruding optically refracting elements, such as prisms, is integrated into the laser scanner, allowing for the creation of scanning fans with different inclinations without the manufacturing complexities, by placing these elements in the beam path in front of the mirror surfaces to achieve the optical effect of a pyramid with varied side inclinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mirror pyramids with multiple sides at different inclinations are used to create diverging scanning fans, then the scanning capability is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty and polishing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beam deflection function into separate components: a standard mirror pyramid and separate prismatic elements. Each prismatic element can be independently manufactured and then assembled onto the mirror pyramid, allowing complex beam deflection patterns to be achieved without manufacturing the entire complex structure as a single piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces prismatic elements as intermediary components that are attached to the mirror pyramid. These prismatic elements serve as mediators between the simple mirror pyramid structure and the desired complex beam deflection pattern, allowing the system to achieve versatile scanning capabilities while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mirror pyramids with multiple sides at different inclinations are used to create diverging scanning fans, then the scanning capability is improved, but the polishing complexity and surface quality issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical elements into a mirror pyramid with standard surfaces and separate prismatic elements. The mirror pyramid can be polished to high precision with standard surfaces, while the prismatic elements are added separately. This segmentation avoids the need to polish complex multi-inclination surfaces as a single integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The prismatic elements act as intermediary components that are attached to the polished mirror pyramid surfaces. This allows the mirror pyramid to maintain its high polishing quality on standard surfaces, while the prismatic elements provide the additional beam deflection functionality without requiring re-polishing of the entire complex structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radially protruding optically refracting elements are added to the mirror pyramid shaft, then the beam deflection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the prismatic elements to serve multiple functions: they provide beam deflection, can be arranged to create different scanning fan patterns, and can be modularly assembled. This multi-functionality allows a single added component type to achieve versatile beam deflection capabilities without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs rotatable mirror pyramids that can dynamically adjust their orientation to create different scanning patterns. The prismatic elements are positioned to work with this rotational movement, allowing the system to dynamically generate various beam deflection patterns rather than requiring multiple static complex structures.
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 the simple production of multiple diverging scanning fans, allows for modular assembly of mirror pyramids with different optical elements, and reduces manufacturing difficulties, while maintaining uniform beam deflection and minimizing distortion.
Implementation Method 1
at least one radially protruding optically refracting element which refractes light rays in each plane containing the axis of rotation in the manner of a prism
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a beam deflecting device (21) for a laser scanner (1), comprising a reflecting pyramid (2) installed on a rotatable shaft (3), the pyramid axis (21) of the reflecting pyramid forming the rotational axis and the pyramid sides (6 - 10) of the reflecting pyramid that are angled from the pyramid axis forming the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting pyramid, wherein the shaft (3) bears at least one radially projecting refracting element, which refracts light beams in each plane containing the rotational axis (2') in the manner of a prism and which is arranged in front of a reflecting surface (6 - 10) of the reflecting pyramid (2) as viewed in the beam path of the laser scanner (1). The invention further relates to a laser scanner (1) equipped with such a beam deflecting device (21).