Liquid Crystal Switch Pinhole for Optical Measurement Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical systems with fixed pinholes lack the ability to adjust the Z-direction of the pinhole position and aperture, limiting their precision in filtering stray light and achieving optimal image quality.

Innovation Solution

An optical apparatus and method utilizing a liquid-crystal switch with adjustable transparency, allowing for precise adjustment of the pinhole position and aperture along the optical axis, enabled by a processing unit determining the signal beam's projection position and adjusting the liquid-crystal switch's transparency and movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a fixed pinhole is used in the optical system, then the structure is simple and stable, but the position and aperture cannot be adjusted in the Z-direction, limiting measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepinhole position adjustment precisionVSAvoidoptical system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pinhole structure with a liquid crystal switch that uses electro-optic effects to control light transmission. Instead of physically moving or adjusting a mechanical pinhole, the system uses voltage-controlled liquid crystal properties to dynamically adjust the pinhole's position and aperture in the Z-direction, achieving precise measurement adjustment without complex mechanical mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the pinhole by utilizing the voltage-dependent transparency characteristics of liquid crystal materials. By applying different voltages to the liquid crystal switch, the refractive index and transparency of the material change, thereby dynamically adjusting the pinhole's effective position and aperture size without physical movement, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the pinhole position is fixed, then the optical system is stable, but the focusing position calibration cannot be achieved in the Z-direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocusing position calibrationVSAvoidoptical system stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static pinhole structure into a dynamic one by incorporating a liquid crystal switch that can be electrically controlled. The pinhole's position and aperture can be dynamically adjusted in the Z-direction through voltage control, enabling focusing position calibration while maintaining optical system stability through electronic rather than mechanical adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed aperture pinhole is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the ability to filter stray light and improve signal noise ratio is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestray light filtering capabilityVSAvoidpinhole structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs liquid crystal material whose optical parameters (transparency, refractive index) can be changed by applying voltage. This allows the pinhole aperture size to be dynamically adjusted, enabling optimal filtering of stray light and improvement of signal noise ratio for different measurement conditions without requiring multiple physical pinholes or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances the precision of optical measurements by allowing real-time adjustment of the pinhole's position and aperture, effectively filtering stray light and improving signal noise ratio and contrast.

Implementation Method 1

The signal beam is focused and projected on a liquid-crystal switch. The projection position of the signal beam on the liquid-crystal switch is determined, and the transparence of the liquid-crystal switch at the projection position is adjusted to form a transparent area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal switch transparency adjustment: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS8822902B2Optical apparatus having adjustable pinhole by adjusting the transparence of a liquid crystal switch and method using the same

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 IND TECH RES INST

AI summary

An optical apparatus for adjusting the position and aperture of a pinhole and a method using the same are provided. A light beam is provided. The light beam is focused on an object and reacts with the object to form a signal beam. The signal beam is focused and projected on a liquid-crystal switch. The projection position of the signal beam on the liquid-crystal switch is determined, and the transparence of the liquid-crystal switch at the projection position is adjusted to form a transparent area. The signal beam passes through the transparent area and reaches a light detecting unit to form a detecting signal. The aperture of the transparent area is adjusted according to the intensity of the detecting signal. The liquid-crystal switch is driven to move, so that the position of the transparent area in the moving direction of the signal beam is adjusted.