Optical Device Retention With Distributed Suction and Lateral Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical devices, such as waveguide combiners and metasurfaces, are prone to damage during handling due to their thin and brittle nature, and the difficulty in retaining them without causing deformation or leaving marks.
Innovation Solution
A retaining device is provided with a base coupled to a stem, featuring a suction pad at the distal end to apply a non-contact vertical suction force and a plurality of arms with retention pads for lateral support, allowing precise gripping and handling of optical devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gripping methods are used on optical devices, then the optical devices can be retained and handled, but the thin and brittle materials may be damaged, deformed, or left with marks
Solution Approach 1:
A suction pad is introduced as an intermediary between the gripper and the optical device. The suction pad applies distributed suction force through a relatively large contact area, avoiding concentrated stress points that would damage the thin optical device. This mediator enables reliable retention while protecting the device from damage, deformation, or marks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic suction through a suction pad connected to a vacuum source. The suction force is generated by creating a pressure differential, allowing the gripper to retain the optical device without mechanical contact that could cause damage. This pneumatic approach provides gentle, distributed holding force suitable for thin and brittle materials.
2Force
If the suction force is increased to improve retention, then the optical device can be held more securely, but the thin and brittle materials may be damaged or deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The suction force is segmented and distributed across multiple discrete suction elements within the suction pad, rather than concentrating force at a single point. This segmentation allows the total suction force to be sufficient for secure retention while each individual suction point applies only gentle pressure, preventing damage to the thin optical device.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction pad is designed with multiple suction openings that can adapt to different sizes and shapes of optical devices. This multi-functional design allows the same suction pad to securely retain various devices while automatically adjusting the distribution of suction force to match the device geometry, preventing localized over-pressure and damage.
3Ease of manufacture
If the gripper structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then manufacturing becomes easier, but the ability to precisely position and retain optical devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper incorporates movable components that can dynamically adjust the position and orientation of the suction pad relative to the optical device. This dynamic adjustment capability enables precise positioning without requiring complex fixed structures, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving the needed positioning precision for various device geometries.
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 solution effectively retains optical devices without causing damage, enabling safe handling and transfer, and ensuring precise alignment and positioning during processing.
Implementation Method 1
A suction pad disposed on the stem is operable to provide a non-contact vertical suction force to a substrate to be retained by the device
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of an apparatus for retaining a substrate includes a base, a pair of arms positioned adjacent to a bottom surface of the base, the pair of arms including a first arm and a second arm, and an actuator coupled to the base and the pair of arms. The actuator is configured to move the pair of arms toward and away from one another along the bottom surface of the base. In addition, the apparatus includes a first plurality of retention pads positioned on the first arm in a first arrangement and a second plurality of retention pads positioned on the second arm in a second arrangement that is different from the first arrangement.