Optical Deflection Apparatus Resonance Control via Piezoelectric Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical deflection apparatuses face challenges in achieving uniform rocking speed around one axis, leading to non-linear optical scanning and image quality degradation due to resonance modes and high-frequency vibrations.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a moving part with a reflection surface and a supporting part having tortuous beams, with two drive signals having specific waveforms applied to adjacent piezoelectric members, ensuring that at least one mechanical resonance frequency falls within a frequency band where high-frequency signal intensities are minimized, and adjusting phase differences and symmetries to reduce resonance-related distortions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional drive signals are applied to piezoelectric members in optical deflection apparatus, then the mirror can be driven for optical scanning, but resonance modes and high-frequency vibrations occur causing non-uniform rocking speed and image quality degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of rocking speedVSAvoidresonance modes and high-frequency vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting the frequency of drive signals to avoid mechanical resonance frequencies of the system. The drive signal frequency is chosen such that it does not coincide with natural frequencies of the mirror-supporting part assembly, thereby preventing resonance-induced vibrations and achieving uniform rocking speed throughout the optical scanning range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic drive signals with specific frequencies to actuate the piezoelectric members. By using periodic sinusoidal signals at carefully selected frequencies, the system achieves smooth, uniform rocking motion of the mirror while avoiding excitation of high-frequency resonance modes that would degrade image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If piezoelectric members are used to drive the mirror for optical scanning, then precise control is achieved, but high-frequency vibrations occur leading to brightness unevenness and image distortions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of optical scanning controlVSAvoidhigh-frequency vibrations causing brightness unevenness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the frequency parameters of the drive signals applied to piezoelectric members. By selecting drive frequencies that avoid the mechanical resonance frequencies of the mirror-support structure, the system maintains precise control over mirror positioning while eliminating high-frequency vibrations that cause brightness unevenness and image distortions during optical scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach enhances the uniformity of rocking speed and linearity of optical scanning, reducing image distortions and brightness unevenness, thereby improving image quality and scanning efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of piezoelectric members separately provided on the respective beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

at least one mechanical resonance frequency of a system including the moving part and the supporting part is included in a frequency band where signal intensities of high-frequency components of the two drive signals become local minimum values

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2962984B1Optical deflection apparatus, image forming apparatus, image display apparatus, moving body apparatus, and adjusting method of optical deflection apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP2962984B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2962984B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2962984B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4

AI summary

An optical deflection apparatus includes: a moving part having a reflection surface; a supporting part swingably supporting the moving part around one axis and having tortuous parts having respective plural beams connected in series to each other in a tortuous manner; and a plurality of piezoelectric members separately provided on the respective beams. Further, two drive signals having predetermined waveforms are respectively applied in parallel to two piezoelectric members separately provided on the beams adjacent to each other, and at least one mechanical resonance frequency of a system including the moving part and the supporting part is included in a frequency band where signal intensities of high-frequency components of the two drive signals become local minimum values.