Optical Antenna Thermal Compensation via Differential Expansion Shafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical lens systems face challenges in temperature dependence, leading to increased trial production periods and costs due to residual temperature-related issues after athermal design, and potential spatial interference with other components when dimensions are changed.
Innovation Solution
An optical antenna device with a cylindrical optical lens system and a focusing-distance adjuster using shafts with different linear expansion coefficients, allowing for adjustment of the effective linear expansion coefficient to compensate for temperature-induced shifts in focal length, thereby improving temperature dependence without redesigning the entire system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If athermal design is implemented to compensate for temperature-induced focal length changes, then temperature dependence of optical characteristics is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to redesign and re-trial production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the lens holder material by selecting a material with a specific linear expansion coefficient that is lower than that of the optical lens. This parameter change enables passive thermal compensation without complex active control mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and design complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The lens holder structure utilizes the differential thermal expansion between the lens and holder materials to automatically compensate for focal length changes. The system self-regulates temperature-induced optical drift through material property differences, eliminating the need for external compensation mechanisms and reducing design complexity
2Reliability
If the optical lens system is redesigned to improve temperature dependence, then optical performance is improved, but the outside dimension changes causing spatial interference with other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only the lens holder component rather than the entire optical system. By changing the material property of the lens holder locally, thermal compensation is achieved without altering the overall system dimensions, thus avoiding spatial interference with other components
3Reliability
If redesign is performed to improve temperature dependence, then optical characteristics are improved, but trial production period and development cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary thermal compensation design by selecting lens holder materials with appropriate thermal expansion coefficients before manufacturing. This preliminary action prevents temperature-related issues from manifesting in trial production, thereby reducing the trial production period and development cost
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 enables a simple and cost-effective method to reduce temperature dependence in optical lens systems, minimizing the need for redesign and re-trial production, while maintaining the outer dimensions and avoiding spatial interference with other components.
Implementation Method 1
shafts (15A to 15D, 16A to 16D) with different linear expansion coefficients, allowing for adjustment of the effective linear expansion coefficient to compensate for temperature-induced shifts in focal length
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An optical antenna device (1) includes: an optical lens system (13) for focusing a laser beam; an optical-system holding member (10) for holding an outer peripheral edge of the optical lens system (13); an optical connection member (20) placed on a rear focal plane of the optical lens system (13); first shaft portions (15A, 15C) extending from an end of the optical-system holding member (10) toward the optical connection member (20) and each having a first linear expansion coefficient; and second shaft portions (16A, 16C) extending from an end portion of the optical connection member (20) toward the optical-system holding member (10). The second shaft portions (16A, 16C) each have a second linear expansion coefficient different from the first linear expansion coefficient. The first shaft portions (15A, 15C) and the second shaft portions (16A, 16C) are respectively fixed to each other at a predetermined fixing position between the optical-system holding member (10) and the optical connection member (20).