Lens Alignment Assembly With Controlled Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional optical systems face challenges in maintaining consistent focal lengths due to variations in lens and spacer sizes caused by non-zero thermal expansion coefficients, leading to complex designs, high costs, and potential failures.
Innovation Solution
Fabricate lens retaining members and focal length spacers from metallic materials with controlled thermal expansion coefficients to stabilize focal lengths across temperature variations, using methods like deformation to achieve predetermined thermal expansion ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional materials with non-zero thermal expansion coefficients are used for lens retaining members and spacers, then the system can be manufactured with conventional materials, but the focal length varies with temperature causing image aberrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal expansion parameter of the lens retaining members and spacers by selecting materials with controlled thermal expansion coefficients that compensate for lens expansion, thereby maintaining consistent focal length across temperature variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material selection where lens retaining members and spacers are made from materials specifically chosen for their thermal expansion properties to counterbalance the thermal behavior of the lenses, creating a thermally compensated optical system
2Reliability
If complex designs are used to compensate for thermal expansion, then focal length stability can be achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves focal length stability by changing the material parameter (thermal expansion coefficient) rather than adding complex mechanical compensation mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials are used for lens components, then manufacturing is easier, but the system mass increases due to over-engineering for thermal compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects materials based on specific thermal expansion parameters that provide thermal compensation without requiring excessive material quantity or complex structures, thereby reducing system mass while maintaining ease of manufacture
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 approach results in a thermally neutral optical system with reduced complexity, lower mass, and increased reliability by maintaining consistent focal lengths, thus eliminating image aberrations.
Implementation Method 1
transforming, in response to the deforming, at least some of the first phase into a second phase, wherein the second phase comprises martensite
Implementation Method 2
deforming a metallic material comprising a first phase and a first thermal expansion coefficient
Implementation Method 3
the metallic material, subsequent to deformation, comprises a second thermal expansion coefficient, wherein the second thermal expansion coefficient is within a predetermined range, and wherein the thermal expansion is in at least one predetermined direction
Data Source
AI summary
A lens alignment system and method is disclosed. The disclosed system/method integrates one or more lens retaining members/tubes (LRM/LRT) and focal length spacers (FLS) each comprising a metallic material product (MMP) specifically manufactured to have a thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) in a predetermined range via selection of the individual MMP materials and an associated MMP manufacturing process providing for controlled TEC. This controlled LRM/LRT TEC enables a plurality of optical lenses (POL) fixed along a common optical axis (COA) by the LRM/LRT to maintain precise interspatial alignment characteristics that ensure consistent and/or controlled series focal length (SFL) within the POL to generate a thermally neutral optical system (TNOS). Integration of the POL using this LRM/LRT/FLS lens alignment system reduces the overall TNOS implementation cost, reduces the overall TNOS mass, reduces TNOS parts component count, and increases the reliability of the overall optical system.