Optical Arithmetic Device with Tubular Housing for Stable Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Maintaining the desired positional relationship between planar light-diffraction elements in an optical computing device is challenging, especially when deviations occur, which can hinder effective optical computing.

Innovation Solution

An optical computing device with a light-diffraction element group housed in a tubular body, where each planar light-diffraction element is fixed to the inner surface, and a method for integral molding of these elements within the tubular body to maintain their positional relationship.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If planar light-diffraction elements are arranged in sequence for optical computing, then optical computing capability is improved, but positional relationship stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical computing capabilityVSAvoidpositional relationship stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple planar light-diffraction elements are integrated into a single tubular body structure, merging what would otherwise be separate components into one unified housing. This integration ensures that the elements maintain their precise positional relationships while enabling multi-stage optical computing operations to be performed in sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The planar light-diffraction elements are nested within the tubular body, with each element positioned at a specific depth along the optical path. This nested arrangement allows multiple elements to coexist in a compact configuration while maintaining stable positional relationships, as each element is contained within the protective and structurally rigid tubular housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If nanometer-level positional precision is required for light-diffraction elements, then optical computing accuracy is improved, but sensitivity to positional deviation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical computing accuracyVSAvoidsensitivity to positional deviation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular body is designed with features that preemptively protect against positional deviations before they can affect optical computing accuracy. The rigid tubular structure provides mechanical support that prevents elements from shifting, while the integrated design ensures that nanometer-level precision is maintained throughout operation, cushioning against environmental factors that could cause deviation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Power

If multiple planar light-diffraction elements are used for sequential optical computing, then computational power is improved, but difficulty in maintaining positional relationship worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational powerVSAvoiddifficulty in maintaining positional relationship
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular body merges the positioning function for multiple light-diffraction elements into a single structural component. By providing a unified housing with pre-defined positioning features, the system simplifies the maintenance of positional relationships while enabling multiple elements to work together for enhanced computational power through sequential optical processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates easy maintenance of planar light-diffraction elements in a desired positional relationship, reducing the likelihood of positional changes due to external forces or temperature variations, and enhancing computing accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a light-diffraction element group including N planar light-diffraction elements made of a photo-curable resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP4130831B1Optical arithmetic device and production method for optical arithmetic device
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 FUJIKURA LTD
  • EP4130831B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4130831B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4130831B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided is an optical computing device in which planar light-diffraction elements are easily maintained in a desired positional relationship therebetween. The optical computing device (1) includes: a light-diffraction element group (11); and a tubular body (12). The light-diffraction element group (11) includes a plurality of planar light-diffraction elements (11a1 to 11a6) made of a photo-curable resin. The tubular body (12) houses the light-diffraction element group (11). The perimeter of each planar light-diffraction element (11ai) of the light-diffraction element group (11) is at least partially fixed to the inner surface of the tubular body (12).