MEMS Light Deflector with 20-25 Degree Scan Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light scanning systems employing rotating polygonal mirrors are large, prone to vibration, and noise, and the use of sinusoidally vibrating deflectors with f-arcsin θ lenses complicates system miniaturization and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A light scanning system utilizing a sinusoidally vibrating micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) light deflector with a maximum deflection angle of 20° to 25° and a focusing lens system, eliminating the need for an f-arcsin θ lens, ensuring linearity of the image height on the scanned surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a rotating polygonal mirror is used as a light deflector, then light can be scanned at constant speed, but the system size increases and vibration and noise occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rotating polygonal mirror mechanical system with a sinusoidally vibrating light deflector system. Instead of using a motor-driven rotating mechanism, the invention employs a vibrating mirror that oscillates sinusoidally, eliminating the need for complex mechanical rotation components and reducing system size while maintaining light scanning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration by making the light deflector vibrate sinusoidally at specific frequencies. The vibrating mirror deflects the laser beam through angular displacement during vibration, achieving light scanning without requiring a rotating mechanical structure, thereby reducing system complexity and vibration noise
2Ease of operation
If an f-arcsin θ lens is used as an image-forming lens with a sinusoidally vibrating light deflector, then light scanning is achieved, but the lens structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the maximum deflection angle parameter of the vibrating light deflector to a specific range (20°≤Φ0≤25°). By optimizing this angular parameter, the system achieves effective light scanning with a simplified lens structure, eliminating the need for complex f-arcsin θ lens designs while maintaining scanning functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an asymmetric optical system configuration where the vibrating mirror's deflection angle is optimized independently from traditional symmetric lens designs. The light deflector and lens are positioned and configured asymmetrically to achieve linearity of image height without requiring complex symmetric lens structures
3Area of stationary object
If the maximum deflection angle is increased to improve scan range, then scanning coverage increases, but image height linearity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the maximum deflection angle parameter within a specific range (20°≤Φ0≤25°) to achieve optimal balance between scan range and image height linearity. This parameter optimization ensures that the light scanning system covers sufficient area while maintaining acceptable linearity without requiring complex corrective lenses
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 system achieves compactness, reduced noise, and lower power consumption while maintaining high durability, enabling miniaturization and cost reduction by ensuring linearity of the image height without the complexity of f-arcsin θ lenses.
Implementation Method 1
a light deflector having a sinusoidally vibrating deflecting surface that deflects and scans the light emitted from the light source unit
Implementation Method 2
a focusing lens system including at least one lens for focusing the light deflected and scanned by the light deflector on a surface that is to be scanned
Data Source
AI summary
A light scanning system is provided that includes a light source unit emitting light, and a light deflector having a sinusoidally vibrating deflecting surface that deflects and scans the light emitted from the light source unit. When the deflecting surface is positioned to direct light to the center of a scan range, the maximum deflection angle Φ0 of the deflecting surface satisfies 20°≦Φ0≦25°.