Compact Optical Axis Adjustment Mechanism Using Tapered Screws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angle adjustment mechanisms for optical instruments, such as laser pointers and sights, are complex and space-consuming, making them unsuitable for smaller volume devices, as they rely on horizontal and vertical adjustment screws that occupy too much space.
Innovation Solution
A compact angle adjustment mechanism featuring a hollow cylindrical fine adjustment seat with a tapered screw and mounting seat, along with a fine adjustment elastic member, allowing precise adjustment of the optical axis by overlapping tapered surfaces and strip-shaped planes, enabling easy and accurate control of the laser's direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If horizontal and vertical adjustment screws are used for angle adjustment, then the adjustment function is achieved, but the device volume becomes large and structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines horizontal and vertical adjustment functions into a single integrated adjustment mechanism. The adjusting screw drives the mounting seat through a planar surface contact, enabling both horizontal and vertical angle adjustments through one unified structure rather than separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a planar surface contact mechanism where the mounting seat contacts the adjusting screw along a planar surface. This dimensional approach allows the mounting seat to rotate and adjust angles in multiple directions (horizontal and vertical) through a single contact interface, achieving multi-directional adjustment without requiring multiple separate screws, thus reducing overall device volume.
2Ease of operation
If horizontal and vertical adjustment screws are used for angle adjustment, then the adjustment function is achieved, but the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges horizontal and vertical adjustment functions into a single integrated mechanism. The mounting seat with its planar surface contacts the adjusting screw, allowing both horizontal and vertical angle adjustments to be achieved through one unified structure, significantly simplifying the overall device structure compared to using separate adjustment screws for each direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting screw serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the driving mechanism and the adjustment tool for both horizontal and vertical angles. The single adjusting screw can adjust the mounting seat's position in multiple directions, making it a universal adjustment component that replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized screws, thereby reducing structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If traditional adjustment screws are used, then angle adjustment is possible, but friction and effort required are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a tapered (conical) adjusting screw with a curved surface that contacts the mounting seat's planar surface. This tapered geometry creates a mechanical advantage where rotational motion is converted into linear motion with reduced friction, similar to how a wedge or inclined plane works. The curved tapered surface allows smooth rotation and adjustment with minimal effort, overcoming the high friction problems of traditional straight adjustment screws.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting mechanism uses a dynamic tapered screw design where the contact point between the tapered surface and the planar surface changes during rotation. This dynamic contact allows the adjustment to proceed smoothly with varying mechanical advantage throughout the rotation cycle, reducing the peak force required and making the adjustment process easier compared to static contact mechanisms.
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 mechanism allows for precise and efficient adjustment of the optical instrument's angle, particularly suitable for smaller devices, by reducing friction and effort required, enabling precise horizontal and vertical adjustments of the emitted light direction.
Implementation Method 1
the tapered fine adjustment screw can move forward or backward in a cavity formed by an inner wall of the fine adjustment seat and the tapered surface of the mounting seat along a strip-shaped plane that coincides with the tapered fine adjustment screw
Implementation Method 2
the fine adjustment elastic member is a Π shape structure or a ∇ shape structure formed by splicing an elastic arc elastic piece and two spring pressing pieces with arc-shaped protrusions
Data Source
AI summary
An angle adjustment mechanism includes a hollow cylindrical fine adjustment seat (1), a hollow cavity of the fine adjustment seat (1) are provided with a tapered fine adjustment screw (3) and a mounting seat (2) having a tapered surface (201), the tapered fine adjustment screw (3) and the mounting seat (2) are opposed to each other along the axial direction, the tapered surface (201) of the mounting seat (2) is provided with four strip-shaped planes (202) evenly spaced in the circumferential direction, two adjacent strip-shaped planes (202) are overlapped with the tapered surfaces of two tapered fine adjustment screws (3) respectively, the tapered fine adjustment screw (3) can move forward or backward in a cavity formed by an inner wall of the fine adjustment seat (1) and the tapered surface (201) of the mounting seat (2) along a strip-shaped plane (202) that coincides with the tapered fine adjustment screw (3).