Optical Deflector Beam Layout for Larger Reflective Plate Swing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical deflectors face challenges in increasing the swing angle of a reflective plate while maintaining or enhancing the generated force, as the size of the drive element orthogonal to the rotation axis becomes larger, leading to increased displacement and decreased rotational force.
Innovation Solution
The optical deflector design includes a reflective plate supported by intersecting beam portions with drive elements arranged such that their size orthogonal to the rotation axis is larger at positions closer to the reflective plate than at more distant positions, increasing displacement and generated force, thereby enhancing the swing angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the size of drive element in direction orthogonal to rotation axis is increased, then the displacement of beam portion tip is increased, but the generated force to rotate reflective plate is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The drive element is designed with non-uniform width along the beam portion, being wider at positions closer to the reflective plate and narrower at positions farther away. This local variation in geometry allows different sections of the drive element to serve different functions: the wider section near the reflective plate generates larger displacement, while the narrower section farther away maintains higher generated force, thereby resolving the contradiction between displacement and force.
2Shape
If the size of drive element in direction orthogonal to rotation axis is increased, then the swing angle of reflective plate is increased, but the generated force is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
By making the drive element width vary locally along the beam portion (wider near reflective plate, narrower farther away), the system achieves large swing angle through the wider section while maintaining sufficient generated force through the narrower section, thus resolving the contradiction between swing angle and generated force.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform size drive element is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but both displacement and generated force cannot be maximized simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The drive element features a width that varies along its length (wider at one end, narrower at the other), creating local quality differences that optimize both displacement and generated force simultaneously. This non-uniform geometry resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and performance efficiency by achieving superior performance through a single integrated component design rather than multiple uniform components.
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 configuration allows for a larger swing angle of the reflective plate by increasing the displacement and generated force of the beam portions, effectively addressing the limitations of existing optical deflector designs.
Implementation Method 1
providing a piezoelectric element (drive element) on the arm portion
Data Source
AI summary
An optical deflector capable of making a swing angle of a reflective plate larger is provided. In drive elements, since a size in the Y direction at first positions separated by a first distance from the reflective plate is larger than a size in the Y direction at second positions separated by a second distance from the reflective plate, the second distance being greater than the first distance, it is possible to increase displacement of tips of beam portions at the first positions and to make a swing angle of the reflective plate large by increasing a generated force of the entire beam portions.