Mirror Unit With Inclined Window And Varying Wall Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing mirror units face challenges in preventing damage to the window member while reducing noise light and improving reliability, particularly due to increased refraction angles and potential structural weaknesses.

Innovation Solution

The mirror unit design includes a frame member with varying wall heights and an inclined window member, supported by thicker reference wall portions to prevent damage and reduce noise light, while the wiring portion is routed inside the base to avoid defects and deterioration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the window member is thinned to reduce refraction amount, then the refraction influence is reduced, but the strength of the window member decreases and it becomes likely to break

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefraction amountVSAvoidstrength of window member

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The frame member has varying wall thicknesses: a first wall portion with greater thickness to support the window member and prevent breakage, and a second wall portion with smaller thickness to reduce refraction. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously satisfy both strength requirements and optical precision requirements in different regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The frame member acts as an intermediary between the window member and the base. By providing a thick first wall portion that supports the window member from below, the frame member compensates for the reduced strength of the thinned window member, allowing the window member to be thin without breaking while maintaining optical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the window member is made thinner, then the refraction amount is reduced, but the window member is more likely to be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefraction controlVSAvoiddamage risk to window member

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frame member employs non-uniform wall thickness with a thicker first wall portion specifically positioned to support the window member, while other portions remain thinner. This local quality variation enables the system to achieve both low refraction (through thin window member) and high reliability (through supportive thick frame portion).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the wall portion thickness is increased to support the window member, then the window member damage is prevented, but the area inside the frame member is narrowed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport strength for window memberVSAvoidarea inside frame member

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame member's first wall portion has greater thickness to provide support, while the second wall portion has smaller thickness to maximize internal area. This spatial differentiation of wall thickness allows the structure to provide necessary support strength in critical regions while preserving maximum usable area in non-critical regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Object-generated harmful factors

If the window member is inclined to prevent noise light, then the noise light is reduced, but the light incident angle to the window member increases and refraction angle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise lightVSAvoidlight incident angle

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The window member is inclined at a specific angle relative to the mirror surface to change the direction of reflected light and prevent noise light. The frame member's varying wall thickness compensates for the increased refraction by providing structural support that allows the window member to be thin despite the inclined configuration.

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

This design effectively prevents window member damage, reduces noise light, and enhances the reliability of the mirror unit by addressing refraction issues and ensuring structural integrity and wiring reliability.

Implementation Method 1

the light incident angle to the window member increases in accordance with the angle of the mirror surface and the refraction angle of the light emitted from the window member increases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12216273B2Mirror unit

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK

AI summary

In a mirror unit, a first wall portion is higher than a second wall portion. A window member is disposed on a top surface of the first wall portion and a top surface of the second wall portion and is inclined with respect to a mirror surface. When any one of first to fourth wall portions is set as a first reference wall portion, in a cross-section perpendicular to the first reference wall portion, a first line passing through a first end at a side of the first reference wall portion in the mirror surface and a first corner portion formed at the side of the first reference wall portion by an outer surface and a first side surface in the window member intersects the first wall portion. A wiring portion includes a portion extending inside a base and leads outside a frame member.