Optical Device Beam Direction Adjustment via Magnetic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for controlling the direction of a light beam, such as laser beams, require large displacements of lenses to achieve a wide range of adjustment, which limits their flexibility and precision, especially when the target is small and distant.
Innovation Solution
An optical device comprising an overall divergent group of lenses and an overall convergent group of lenses, with a movable optical element within the divergent group that can change the light beam's direction, allowing for precise adjustment without large mechanical movements. This device includes a displacement unit that moves the movable optical element based on signals representing the desired direction of the light beam, enabling accurate targeting without needing to displace the light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If large displacements of lens groups are used to adjust beam direction, then a wide range of adjustment is achieved, but the device complexity and mechanical movement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical displacement of entire lens groups with a magnetic field-based actuation system. Small magnetic elements are embedded in the lens holder, and magnetic fields are used to induce rotation of the lens about an axis, thereby substituting bulky mechanical displacement mechanisms with a more compact and controllable magnetic actuation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from large-scale mechanical displacement to small-scale magnetic field induction. By embedding small magnetic elements in the lens holder and using external magnetic fields to induce rotation, the system achieves beam direction adjustment through parameter change rather than through large mechanical movements.
2Ease of operation
If tip-tilt mirrors or prismatic windows are added to control beam direction, then beam direction control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam direction control function from external optomechanical components (tip-tilt mirrors, prismatic windows) and integrates it directly into the expander assembly. By embedding magnetic elements within the lens holder of the expander, the control function is incorporated into the existing optical path without adding separate external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the beam direction control mechanism with the expander assembly by integrating magnetic elements into the lens holder. This combination eliminates the need for separate tip-tilt mirrors or prismatic windows, as the magnetic actuation is directly coupled with the optical elements already present in the expander.
3Volume of moving object
If limited displacement of lens groups is used, then device compactness is improved, but the range of beam direction adjustment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control through magnetic field induction, allowing the lens to rotate about an axis rather than requiring linear displacement over a large range. This dynamic rotational movement, controlled by varying magnetic field strength and direction, enables a wide adjustment range within a compact volume by exploiting angular motion instead of linear translation.
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
The optical device provides a wide range of adjustment with minimal mechanical movements, allowing for precise stabilization and targeting of a light beam, even at distant small targets, without the need for bulky displacement systems, thus enabling compact and portable systems for applications like laser marking.
Implementation Method 1
an optical module comprising at least one movable optical element able to change the direction of propagation of the light beam emerging from the overall divergent group of lenses
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device able to change the direction of propagation of a light beam. The optical device allows a wide range of adjustment of the direction of the light beam, said optical device including, in the direction of propagation of the light beam, an overall divergent group of lenses and an overall convergent group of lenses. The overall divergent group of lenses contains, in the direction of propagation of the light beam, a fixed lens, and an optical module comprising at least one movable optical element able to change the direction of propagation of the light beam emerging from the overall divergent group of lenses.