Optical Adjusting Device Variable Lever Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical system adjusting devices require multiple components, leading to increased production and assembly costs, and unfavorable force conditions, especially in small systems, due to complex coupling elements that necessitate strong springs for reliable operation.
Innovation Solution
The adjusting device features a coupling element with variable lever arms that moves along a control cam contour, allowing for favorable force transfer between slide elements, reducing the number of components and assembly costs, and ensuring smooth operation by adjusting lever arm lengths with movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a toggle lever with two legs and a rotatable wheel is used as the coupling element, then the optical elements can be displaced along a predetermined path, but the number of components increases leading to increased production and assembly costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the two legs and the rotatable wheel of the toggle lever into a single coupling element. This coupling element has a fork-like structure with two arms that engage with the control cam contour, eliminating the need for separate legs and wheel while achieving the same function of displacing optical elements along a predetermined non-linear path
Solution Approach 2:
The simplified coupling element serves multiple functions: it acts as both the structural component that engages with the control cam and the mechanism that transfers motion between the two slide elements. The fork-like structure with two arms provides both the engagement function and the motion transfer function in a single component
2Length of moving object
If a toggle lever with small enclosed angle is used to achieve short distance between slide elements, then the distance between optical elements is reduced, but great forces are generated in the legs and on the control cam
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is designed with variable lever arms that change length during operation. As the coupling element moves along the control cam contour, the distances from the contact point with the cam to the contact points with the slide elements vary dynamically. This dynamic configuration allows the lever arms to lengthen when high forces are expected, reducing the forces transmitted to the control cam and the coupling element itself
3Reliability
If a strong spring is used to connect slide elements reliably, then the connection between slide elements is secure without play, but the device becomes more complex and harder to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element features a fork-like structure with two arms that have curved contact surfaces. These curved surfaces engage with the control cam contour and the slide elements in a way that naturally maintains reliable connection without requiring additional spring components. The geometry of the fork-like structure itself provides the necessary constraint and connection reliability
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 configuration results in a low-wearing, long-lasting, and cost-effective adjusting device suitable for small optical systems, with improved force distribution and reduced production complexity, enabling precise control of optical elements in various operating states.
Implementation Method 1
a force element, which exerts a force between the first slide element and the second slide element
Implementation Method 2
the coupling element comprising a first lever arm, which is formed between the first point and the third point, and the coupling element comprising a second lever arm, which is formed between the second point and the third point
Data Source
AI summary
An adjusting device for an optical system has a first slider for a first optical element, which is arranged displaceably along an axial direction, a second slider for a second optical element, which is arranged displaceably along the axial direction, a control cam contour fixed in relation to the axial direction, a coupler between the first slider, the second slider and the cam contour, and a force element to exert force between the first slider and the second slider, so that the coupler is in contact with the first slider at a first point, is in contact with the second slider at a second point and is in contact with the control cam contour at a third point, the coupler including a first lever arm formed between the first and third points, and the coupler including a second lever arm formed between the second and third points.