Ophthalmic Apparatus Joystick Control for Alignment Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ophthalmic apparatuses with electric joysticks face difficulties in aligning the inspection unit due to limited moving velocity settings and lack of consideration for sliding operations, leading to alignment shifts and operational challenges, especially when transitioning between coarse and fine motion modes.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic apparatus with an electric joystick that includes a detection unit for tilt angle, a calculation unit to determine the inspection unit's position, and a switching unit to manage calculation processing, allowing for wider movable ranges of the inspection unit compared to the tiltable range of the operating rod, mimicking the operability of a manual joystick.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an electric joystick is used to drive the inspection unit, then automatic alignment and electric signal control are achieved, but the ability to perform sliding operations and maintain operational feeling similar to manual joysticks is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the electric joystick by introducing multiple velocity settings (first velocity faster than second velocity) and different operational modes (sliding operation vs. tilt operation). This allows the electric joystick to simulate the operational characteristics of manual joysticks while maintaining automated control, resolving the contradiction between automation and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the inspection unit's moving velocity dynamic by allowing it to change between first velocity and second velocity based on the operational mode. During sliding operations, the inspection unit moves at the first velocity, while during fine alignment, it moves at the second velocity. This dynamic velocity adjustment enables the electric joystick to provide both coarse and fine motion control, replicating manual joystick functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inspection unit movable range is made wider than the tilt able range of the operating rod, then both coarse and fine motion operations are enabled, but the complexity of controlling the correspondence between tilt angle and position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a calculation unit that pre-calculates the correspondence relationship between operating rod tilt angles and inspection unit positions. This preliminary calculation of the mapping relationship simplifies the control system by establishing a predetermined framework that handles the complexity of coordinating wide movement ranges with limited tilt angles, rather than requiring real-time complex computations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a calculation unit as an intermediary between the detection unit (which reads tilt angle) and the moving unit (which drives the inspection unit). This intermediary calculates the appropriate position based on the tilt angle and controls the inspection unit accordingly, simplifying the overall control architecture while enabling versatile motion ranges.
3Measurement precision
If multiple velocity settings are introduced for the inspection unit, then fine motion operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by switching between different velocity modes based on the operational phase. The inspection unit operates at first velocity during coarse positioning and switches to second velocity during fine alignment. This periodic velocity adjustment improves measurement precision while keeping the velocity control system relatively simple, as it only requires switching between two predefined velocities rather than continuous velocity modulation.
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 solution enables smooth and precise alignment operations similar to manual joysticks, improving the ease of use and reducing alignment errors by allowing for both fine and coarse motion control within a larger inspection unit range, enhancing the overall operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a detection unit adapted to detect the tilt angle of the operating rod by detecting an electrical signal generated by tilting the operating rod
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic apparatus in which a tilt angle of an operating rod corresponds to a position of an inspection unit adapted to inspect an eye to be examined, and a movable range of the inspection unit is wider than a tilt able range of the operating rod, the apparatus comprising: a detection unit adapted to detect the tilt angle of the operating rod by detecting an electrical signal generated by tilting the operating rod; a calculation unit adapted to calculate a position of the inspection unit which corresponds to the tilt angle; a moving unit adapted to move the inspection unit to a position calculated by the calculation unit; and a switching unit adapted to switch between interruption and resumption of calculation processing performed by the calculation unit.