Liquid Lens Optical Axis Alignment via Immiscible Sealing Liquid
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical axis orientating devices for liquid lenses are complex and costly to manufacture, often resulting in inaccurate focusing due to miscentered droplets in electrical tuning lenses.
Innovation Solution
An optical axis orientating device comprising a transparent substrate with a symmetric electrode structure and an insulating layer, where the lens liquid is disposed on an optical axis orientating structure and sealed with a non-conductive, immiscible sealing liquid, ensuring the optical axis is coaxial with the electrode's central axis, allowing for simpler manufacturing and adjustable curvature using an electric field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a droplet is used as a liquid lens with electrowetting mechanism, then the lens volume is reduced and thickness is decreased, but the droplet may not be centered well causing optical axis skew and inaccurate focusing
Solution Approach 1:
A non-conductive liquid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the droplet and the substrate. This intermediary liquid creates a stable interface that centers the droplet on the optical axis through surface tension forces, eliminating the need for complex mechanical centering structures while maintaining accurate optical alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the inherent surface tension properties of liquids to achieve self-centering. The droplet automatically positions itself on the optical axis through the interface with the non-conductive liquid, without requiring external mechanical centering mechanisms or complex manufacturing precision
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical tuning lenses are used to achieve focal length tuning, then focusing accuracy is maintained, but the lens thickness and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical tuning mechanism is replaced with an electrowetting mechanism that uses electrical fields to control the focal length. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts, reducing lens volume and thickness while maintaining focusing capability through electrical actuation of the liquid droplet shape
Solution Approach 2:
The focal length is controlled by changing the electrical parameters (voltage) applied to the electrowetting electrodes rather than changing the mechanical position of lens elements. This parameter change approach allows for compact design while maintaining precise focal length tuning capability
3Manufacturing precision
If a recess or additional liquid is used to center the droplet, then optical axis alignment is improved, but the manufacture process becomes complicated and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses homogeneous liquid materials throughout the lens structure. The non-conductive liquid and the droplet are both liquids that can be introduced through simple capillary action, eliminating the need for complex recess structures or multiple material types, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving effective droplet centering
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 effectively orients the optical axis of liquid lenses, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity, while enabling precise focus adjustment, and can be applied to various liquid lens operation principles.
Implementation Method 1
The shape and curvature of the droplet can be controlled by use of an electrowetting mechanism to adjust the focal length of the droplet
Implementation Method 2
another centering method is to dispose the droplet in a fluid chamber and then dispose another liquid to assist in centering the droplet. Because these two liquids are immiscible, a cambered interface in FIG. 2 is formed after the surface tension is balanced
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an optical axis orientating device for a liquid lens. The optical axis orientating device includes a transparent substrate, a symmetric electrode structure, and an insulating layer. The electrode structure is capable of supplying an electric field and defines a central axis. The insulating layer provides an optical axis orientating structure symmetric with respect to the central axis. In particular, at a rest state, an optical axis of the liquid lens and the central axis of electrode are substantially coaxial.