Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter Array for Laser Scanner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser scanners with mechanical rotating motors suffer from decreased scanning accuracy due to wear, complex structures, and high production costs.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal phase shifter array with a plurality of units arranged in an array, featuring substrates with a liquid crystal layer and electrodes, where different voltages control the refractive index to adjust the laser beam direction without mechanical components, simplifying the structure and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotating motor is used to drive a multifaceted prism, then the laser scanning function is achieved, but the scanning accuracy decreases due to mechanical wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating motor and multifaceted prism system with a liquid crystal phase shifter array that uses optical phase modulation to achieve laser beam directional control. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear components while maintaining the scanning function, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical rotation angle to liquid crystal phase shift. By controlling the phase of laser beams passing through different liquid crystal phase shifter units, the beam direction is adjusted without mechanical movement, thereby eliminating wear and improving scanning accuracy over time.
2Ease of manufacture
If a rotating motor and multifaceted prism are used, then laser scanning is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical components (rotating motor, multifaceted prism, bearings, drive mechanisms) with a solid-state liquid crystal phase shifter array. This reduction in component count and mechanical complexity directly lowers production costs and simplifies manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary mechanical components from the laser scanning system, retaining only the essential optical modulation function through liquid crystal phase shifters. This extraction eliminates complex mechanical subassemblies, reducing both component count and manufacturing complexity.
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 maintains scanning accuracy by controlling the laser beam direction through voltage adjustments, eliminating mechanical losses and reducing the complexity and production costs of laser scanners.
Implementation Method 1
By controlling a voltage applied to a liquid crystal layer, phases of a plurality of laser beams may be controlled
Implementation Method 2
a first waveguide tube provided on a side of the first base proximal to the liquid crystal layer. The first waveguide tube has a refractive index n1, and the first base has a refractive index n2
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a liquid crystal phase shifter array, a driving method thereof, and a laser scanner. The liquid crystal phase shifter array includes a plurality of liquid crystal phase shifter units arranged in array, a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other, a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first electrode provided on the first substrate, and a second electrode provided on the second substrate. Each liquid crystal phase shifter unit includes a first optical waveguide provided on a side of the first substrate proximal to the liquid crystal layer and arranged to be in direct contact with the liquid crystal layer.