Variable Liquid Lens for Compact Dental Camera Focusing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental cameras require additional space for separate actuators and electric motors, which hinder their miniaturization and compromise ergonomics, despite enabling simple focusing.
Innovation Solution
Employing a variable liquid lens with electro-optical components that change imaging properties via electrical voltage, eliminating the need for motors and actuators, and incorporating an adjustable liquid crystal diaphragm for automatic focusing without power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional actuators and electric motors are used for focusing, then focusing function is achieved, but device size increases and ergonomics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical focusing system (electric motor, actuator, adjusting spindle) with an electro-optical component (variable liquid lens) that changes imaging properties through electrical voltage. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical moving parts, significantly reducing the housing volume while maintaining the focusing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable liquid lens changes its imaging properties (focal length, focus position) by altering physical parameters through electrical voltage application. This allows focusing without mechanical movement, eliminating the space required for traditional mechanical actuators and reducing overall device size.
2Ease of operation
If electric motors are used for focusing, then focusing is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-consuming electric motor with an electro-optical component that requires minimal electrical power to change imaging properties. The variable liquid lens uses electrical voltage to alter its optical characteristics without the continuous power consumption associated with mechanical motors, significantly reducing overall power usage.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical actuators are used for focusing, then focusing function is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary mechanical components (actuator, adjusting spindle, electric motor) from the focusing system, retaining only the essential variable liquid lens that performs focusing through electro-optical means. This extraction simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining focusing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the focusing function into the existing lens system by using a variable liquid lens that is integrated into the optical path. This eliminates the need for separate mechanical actuators and reduces the number of discrete components, simplifying the overall device architecture.
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
Enables compact dental camera design with electronic focusing, reducing power consumption and simplifying maintenance, while maintaining image sharpness without manual adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a lens (40, 41, 42) arranged in front of the image sensor (7), in particular a partial lens (40) which generates a real intermediate image and with a further optical arrangement (41, 42) which projects the real intermediate image onto the image sensor (7), wherein the housing (6) contains a variable liquid lens (8), in particular between the first lens group (41) and the second lens group (42), whose imaging properties can be changed by means of an electrical voltage
Implementation Method 2
an adjustable aperture (10) in the lens, the diameter of which can be set in a predefinable, specific ratio to the focus position
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The camera has a focussing device comprising an electro-optical component which changes its focussing characteristics in accordance with a voltage. The electro-optical component is formed as a variable liquid-lens (8), and the variable liquid-lens is part of the objective lens. The variable liquid-lens is preferably arranged in direct proximity to the aperture stop.