Optical Element Holding Structure with Spherical Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional holding structures for optical elements in image-forming devices, such as mirrors and lenses, often result in distortion due to uneven force distribution, particularly in large, low-stiffness materials like plastic, which affects image quality and resolution.
Innovation Solution
The optical element features protruding parts with convex circular arc shapes on its surfaces that contact a holding member, ensuring that the force vectors are directed to the same point, reducing misalignment and distortion by aligning the centers of these arcs, and the holding structure includes flat surfaces and biasing means to stabilize the element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional holding structures are used to hold optical elements, then the optical elements can be positioned and held, but distortion occurs in the optical elements due to uneven force distribution and moment effects
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member features a spherical contact surface that contacts the optical element at a single point. This spherical geometry ensures that the contact force is always directed toward the center of the sphere, creating a radial force distribution that eliminates moment effects and prevents distortion in the optical element while maintaining stable positioning.
2Ease of manufacture
If optical elements are made from low-stiffness materials like plastic to reduce cost and enable large-volume production, then manufacturing cost and volume are improved, but distortion increases due to the material's lower stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical contact surface design acts as a counterbalancing mechanism that compensates for the low stiffness of plastic materials. By directing all contact forces through the sphere's center, the design eliminates uneven force distribution and moment effects that would otherwise cause distortion in low-stiffness materials, enabling cost-effective large-volume production without sacrificing optical precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical elements are arranged with a tilt relative to the holding member to accommodate optical design requirements, then optical functionality is improved, but balance between forces cannot be maintained and distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical contact surface provides rotational symmetry that allows the optical element to be tilted at any angle relative to the holding member while maintaining force balance. The radial force distribution from the spherical contact ensures that even when tilted, the forces remain balanced and moments are eliminated, enabling flexible optical arrangements without distortion.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical element has a first surface, a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, an optical surface, and a protruding part. The protruding part is held in a prescribed position by being in contact with a holding member. The protruding part comprises a first protruding part and a second protruding part. The first protruding part comprises a first contact part that is a convex circular arc shape on at least one longitudinal plane and partly comes into contact with the holding member. The second protruding part comprises a second contact part that is a convex circular arc shape on at least one longitudinal plane and partly comes into contact with the holding member. A circular arc constitutes the first contact part and a circular arc that constitutes the second contact part are present in at least one cross-section that passes through a contact point between the first contact part and the holding member as well as a contact point between the second contact part and the holding member, and the center of the circular arc that constitutes the first contact part is aligned with the center of the circular arc that constitutes the second protruding part.