Objective Lens Assembly Linear Contact Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Objective lenses face challenges with mechanical tolerances, leading to tilting and lateral offset of positioning members, which affects the optical performance, especially when transitioning between operating positions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating adjustment units within the objective lens assembly that provide linear contact areas between positioning members and the sleeve, utilizing magnetic forces and spring biases to maintain alignment and prevent tilting, ensuring lenses are positioned on a common bearing line for reduced relative offset.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a base clearance is provided between the positioning member and the sleeve to ensure displaceability, then the positioning member can be moved in longitudinal direction, but the positioning member tilts and causes lateral offset of the lens
Solution Approach 1:
A bearing line is introduced as an intermediary element between the positioning member and the sleeve. The bearing line is defined by two contact areas on the inside of the sleeve, which serve as mediators to guide and constrain the positioning member's movement, preventing tilting while maintaining displaceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-point contact model to a linear contact area model along the bearing line. By distributing the contact over a linear area rather than a single point, the system gains rotational constraint while preserving axial movement capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the positioning member is connected to a drive-side pin and entrained to be moved, then the positioning member can be displaced in longitudinal direction, but the positioning member tilts during movement and rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing line acts as a mediator between the drive-side pin and the positioning member. It translates the linear movement from the pin into stable, non-tilting displacement of the positioning member, maintaining alignment stability during transitions between operating positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing line is pre-configured with two contact areas positioned to define a specific bearing line before movement occurs. This preliminary geometric constraint ensures that when the positioning member is entrained by the drive-side pin, it automatically maintains correct alignment without tilting during the movement process.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple positioning members are arranged in the sleeve, then more lenses can be positioned, but each positioning member may tilt and cause relative offset between lenses
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple positioning members share a common bearing line defined by the two contact areas on the sleeve. This merging of the bearing line constraint across all positioning members ensures that all lenses are positioned on the same reference line, eliminating relative offsets between them.
Solution Approach 2:
By establishing a common linear bearing line that extends through all positioning members, the system creates a shared reference dimension. This dimensional constraint ensures that all positioning members are aligned relative to each other along the bearing line, preventing relative lateral offsets even when multiple lenses are positioned.
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 prevents undesirable tilting and lateral offset of lenses, enhancing the optical stability and precision of the objective lens assembly by maintaining precise alignment and reducing relative lens offsets.
Implementation Method 1
The second adjustment unit can affect the abutment of the second positioning member on the inside of the sleeve by means of magnetic forces. For this, permanent magnets for example can be provided.
Implementation Method 2
The second adjustment unit can affect the abutment of the second positioning member on the inside of the sleeve by means of a biasing, or spring force.
Data Source
AI summary
An objective lens assembly is provided, with a sleeve, a first positioning member arranged in the sleeve, which is housed displaceable in longitudinal direction of the sleeve and holds at least one lens, a first adjustment unit which brings the first positioning member into abutment on the inside of the sleeve such that the first positioning member rests against the inside of the sleeve in a first linear contact area and at the same time the displaceability of the first positioning member is maintained. More than one positioning member can be utilized along with multiple lenses and can utilize simple mechanical structures (e.g., blind- and through-holes and pins or shanks) and/or magnetic or magnetizable materials to maintain a desired position of the sleeve.