Optical Component Assembly V-Shaped Bearing Centering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing assemblies for optical components face challenges in achieving good reproducibility of the optical component's position relative to the support frame and facilitating efficient assembly and disassembly, which can lead to precision loss and increased wear.

Innovation Solution

The assembly features a cuboid optical component with a component suspension body and a support frame that encloses the suspension body, utilizing adjustment connecting elements with flanges and solid-state joints to secure the optical component to the support frame, allowing for precise alignment and easy assembly/disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If adjustment connecting elements are inserted into receptacles with guide bushings, then the optical component can be suspended from the support frame, but assembly and disassembly become complex and time-consuming, leading to increased wear and particle deposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly and disassembly processVSAvoidassembly and disassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into separate functional elements: the adjustment connecting element with its connecting base body and flange, the receptacle with V-shaped bearing in the support frame, and the optical component with its suspension body. This segmentation allows for simpler, more independent components that are easier to assemble and disassemble without complex guide bushings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex guide bushing mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler V-shaped bearing structure in the receptacle. The V-shaped bearing directly accommodates the connecting base body through gravitational centering, eliminating the need for additional guide bushings and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If adjustment connecting elements are fastened to component suspension body and secured in support frame receptacle, then the optical component position can be fixed, but precision loss occurs during assembly and disassembly operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition reproducibilityVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The V-shaped bearing structure performs self-centering of the connecting base body through gravitational action. The geometry of the V-shaped bearing naturally guides the connecting base body into the correct position, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures and preventing precision loss during assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The V-shaped bearing is pre-configured in the receptacle to automatically center the connecting base body upon insertion. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that when the adjustment connecting element is inserted, it is already positioned correctly without requiring additional alignment steps that could introduce errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of repair

If adjustment connecting elements are removed from guide bushings for disassembly, then the optical component can be replaced, but particle deposition increases due to abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent replacementVSAvoidparticle deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide bushing component is extracted from the system and replaced with a V-shaped bearing structure that does not require removal from the support frame. The connecting base body can be easily removed from the V-shaped bearing without generating particles, as the simpler geometry reduces mechanical abrasion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The V-shaped bearing structure is designed to be durable and particle-free, replacing the wear-prone guide bushing system. The simplified contact geometry reduces abrasion and prevents particle generation during the disassembly and replacement process, maintaining cleanliness of the optical component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 enhances the reproducibility and precision of the optical component's positioning, reduces wear and particle deposition, and simplifies the assembly process, leading to increased longevity and efficiency of the optical component assembly.

Implementation Method 1

The adjustment connecting element can be centered in the V-shaped bearing by the effect of gravity.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4571383A1Assembly for an optical component
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
  • EP4571383A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4571383A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4571383A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An assembly for an optical component (24, 30, 35), comprising an optical component in the form of a mirror (24) with a component base body (25) and an optical surface (28), at least one adjustment connecting element (30), and a support frame (35) with at least one receptacle (36), wherein the at least one adjustment connecting element (30) is attached to the component base body (25), and wherein the component base body (25) is suspended from the support frame (35) in an adjustably manner via the at least one adjustment connecting element (30), wherein the adjustment connecting element (30) engages in the at least one receptacle (36) of the support frame (35). This results in an assembly with improved positioning reproducibility of a positioning of the optical component relative to the support frame and simplified assembly.