Light Deflector Rib Structure for Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light deflectors with cantilever structures face limitations in deflection angle due to stress concentration on connecting parts, leading to potential damage from increased amplitude and frequency, which restricts the resolution and durability of image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rib structure in the connecting parts between torsion bars and drive beams reduces deformation and stress, thereby increasing the deflection angle at which the light deflector reaches a breaking point, allowing for higher amplitude and frequency operation without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the amplitude and frequency of the light deflector are increased to improve resolution and scanning performance, then the productivity and measurement precision are improved, but the stress concentration on connecting parts increases causing potential damage and reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting part is designed with a rib structure that extends in a direction orthogonal to the first axis (rotation axis). This adds a structural dimension (the rib) that does not interfere with the rotation motion but provides additional structural support to reduce stress concentration, allowing higher amplitude and frequency operation without damage.
2Measurement precision
If the deflection angle is increased to improve measurement precision and resolution, then the productivity is improved, but the stress on connecting parts increases leading to potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure extends in a direction orthogonal to the first axis, adding structural support without interfering with the rotation motion. This allows the connecting part to withstand higher stresses associated with larger deflection angles while maintaining the necessary rotational freedom for precise measurement.
3Productivity
If the amplitude of the mirror unit is increased to improve scanning range and productivity, then the productivity is improved, but the stress concentration on connecting parts increases causing breaking points
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure extends in a direction orthogonal to the first axis, providing additional structural support that reduces stress concentration. This allows the mirror unit to operate at higher amplitudes for expanded scanning range without the connecting parts suffering from excessive stress concentration that would cause breaking points.
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 rib structure enhances the light deflector's ability to rotate at higher amplitudes and frequencies, increasing the deflection angle before failure, thus enabling higher resolution and durability in image forming and scanning applications.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric actuator has a structure in which the mirror unit having a reflecting surface; a torsion bar, and a beam (e.g., an elastic beam) are formed as a single integrated unit on a wafer, and a thin film of piezoelectric material is formed on the beam
Implementation Method 2
the pair of drive beams being configured to deform the pair of supports to rotate the mirror unit around a first axis
Data Source
AI summary
A light deflector including a mirror unit configured to reflect light; a pair of supports, one end of each of the pair of supports coupled to the mirror unit to support the mirror unit; a pair of drive beams each coupled to the other end of a corresponding support of the pair of supports, the pair of drive beams being configured to deform the pair of supports to rotate the mirror unit around a first axis; and connecting parts connecting the pair of drive beams to the pair of supports, respectively. Each of the connecting parts having a rib.