Variable Focal Length Lens Resonance Lock Delay Controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Variable focal length lens devices with resonance-lock systems face issues with image resolution and stability due to large frequency changes, causing inconsistency in image acquisition timings and flickering during image measurement.

Innovation Solution

A variable focal length lens device incorporating a resonance-lock delay controller that gradually changes the frequency of the drive signal in step-by-step increments, preventing sudden changes and maintaining image stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the resonance-lock system tunes the drive signal frequency to track resonance frequency changes, then the standing wave formation efficiency is improved, but the image acquisition timing consistency deteriorates due to large frequency changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestanding wave formation efficiencyVSAvoidimage acquisition timing consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency tuning process is segmented into multiple small incremental steps rather than a single large change. The resonance-lock delay controller divides the frequency adjustment into discrete stages, allowing the system to track resonance frequency changes while maintaining timing consistency at each step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the drive signal frequency in real-time based on resonance frequency changes, but controls the rate of change to maintain image acquisition timing consistency. The resonance-lock delay controller manages the dynamic tuning process to prevent timing inconsistencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the drive signal frequency is tuned to track resonance frequency, then the standing wave intensity is maximized, but image stability deteriorates due to flickering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestanding wave intensityVSAvoidimage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs dynamic frequency tuning to maximize standing wave intensity while the resonance-lock delay controller manages the tuning speed to prevent image flickering. This dynamic approach maintains both intensity and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resonance-lock system uses feedback to detect resonance frequency changes and adjusts the drive signal accordingly. The delay controller incorporates feedback about timing consistency to prevent flickering during frequency adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the resonance-lock system adjusts frequency to maintain resonance, then the lens system efficiency is improved, but image resolution deteriorates due to timing inconsistency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens system efficiencyVSAvoidimage resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Frequency adjustments are segmented into small incremental steps that maintain timing consistency, ensuring image resolution is not compromised while still achieving resonance for efficient operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically balances resonance maintenance with timing consistency, adjusting frequency in a controlled manner to preserve both efficiency and image resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 ensures high-resolution images by slowing down frequency changes, preventing inconsistency in image acquisition timings and flickering, thereby enhancing image stability and resolution.

Implementation Method 1

a cylindrical oscillator made of a piezoelectric material that is immersed in a transparent liquid. When an alternating-current (AC) voltage is applied to an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface of the oscillator of the lens system, the oscillator expands and contracts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

when the frequency of the applied AC voltage is tuned to an intrinsic frequency of the liquid, a concentric standing wave is created in the liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

when light is introduced into the oscillator of the lens system along the center axis of the oscillator, the light follows a diffusing or converging path according to the refractive index of each of the concentric regions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11215788B2Variable focal length lens device and variable focal length lens control method

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 MITUTOYO CORP

AI summary

A variable focal length lens device includes: a lens system whose refractive index changes in accordance with a drive signal to be inputted; an objective lens disposed on the same optical axis as the lens system; an image detector configured to detect an image of a measurement target through the lens system and the objective lens: a resonance-lock controller configured to tune the drive signal to a resonance frequency of the lens system; and a resonance-lock delay controller configured to divide a change in a frequency of the drive signal by a change amount set by the resonance-lock controller to step-by-step changes for n times by a preset reference value to delay the change in the frequency of the drive signal.