Ophthalmologic Apparatus Drive Mechanism for Compact Eye Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmologic apparatuses face challenges in downsizing while maintaining a wide movable range and high degree of freedom, as slide mechanisms required for precise positioning of measurement and imaging units result in large and complex driving units.
Innovation Solution
The ophthalmologic apparatus incorporates a drive mechanism with two arms and multiple rotation support mechanisms, allowing the head unit to move in XYZ space and incline arbitrarily, controlled by a unit that detects eye alignment to optimize positioning without a slide mechanism, thus reducing size and improving positioning freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a slide mechanism is used to enable precise positioning of the head unit, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical slide mechanism with a magnetic field-based positioning system. The head unit includes a magnet and the base unit includes a magnetic sensor that detects the position of the head unit based on magnetic field changes, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sliding components while achieving precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the head unit and base unit for position detection. Instead of direct mechanical contact and sensing, the magnetic field serves as a mediator that transmits positional information from the moving head unit to the stationary base unit, enabling precise positioning without mechanical complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a slide mechanism is used to provide wide movable range, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical sliding structures with a magnetic positioning system that allows the head unit to move freely within a wide range. The magnetic sensor continuously tracks the head unit's position without mechanical constraints, providing adaptability and versatility without increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the head unit is made movable for alignment adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-aligning system where the head unit automatically adjusts its position based on magnetic field feedback. The magnetic sensor detects the relative position between the head unit and base unit, and the system automatically corrects misalignment without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms, improving ease of operation while keeping device complexity low.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rotation support mechanisms are used to increase positioning freedom, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple mechanical rotation support mechanisms with a magnetic field-based positioning system. The magnet and magnetic sensor combination enables the head unit to achieve multi-directional positioning freedom through magnetic field interactions rather than mechanical rotations, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmologic apparatus includes: a head unit having an optical system capable of receiving light reflected from a subject's eye; a drive mechanism that movably holds the head unit; an alignment detection unit that detects a position of the subject's eye relative to the head unit; and a control unit that controls the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes at least two arms rotatably connected together, at least two first rotation support mechanisms and at least three second rotation support mechanisms which allow the head unit to move, and at least five driving units for driving the rotation support mechanisms. The control unit is capable of controlling the driving units using a measurement result of the alignment measuring unit to align the head unit and the subject's eye with each other.