Optical Engine Bottom Cover With Guiding Protrusions for Stable Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical navigation devices face interference and reduced detection accuracy due to varying reflectivity of working surfaces and instability caused by soft materials like carpets or grass, which affect the lens system's object distance and magnification.
Innovation Solution
A barrier structure with guiding protrusions and a hood is integrated into the optical engine to prevent soft materials from entering the light path, maintaining a stable object distance and improving detection accuracy by blocking interference between emission and reflected light from different light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used to illuminate different working surfaces, then the ability to distinguish different working surfaces is improved, but interference between light sources occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into separate illumination zones using barrier structures. Each light source is assigned a specific light passing opening and illumination area, physically segmenting the optical path to prevent cross-interference while maintaining the ability to handle different working surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier structure creates localized optical environments for each light source. The first light source illuminates a first area through a first light passing opening, while the second light source illuminates a second area through a second light passing opening, with each zone having optimized local optical properties
2Measurement precision
If the lens system zooms to obtain the best magnifying effect, then the magnification is optimized, but the object distance becomes unstable when soft materials enter the detection zone
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding structure protrusions prevent soft materials from entering the detection zone before they can cause instability. By creating a physical barrier and guiding path, the system preemptively stops carpet hairs or grass from reaching the lens system, maintaining stable object distance
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding structure acts as an intermediary element between the working surface and the lens system. It mediates the interaction by controlling material flow and preventing direct contact between soft materials and the optical 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
The solution enhances the optical engine's ability to distinguish different working surfaces and maintain detection accuracy by preventing soft materials from disrupting the lens system, thereby improving navigation device performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source arranged in the first opening and configured to emit light
Implementation Method 2
uses an image sensor to capture reflected light from the working surface
Implementation Method 3
a lens system of an optical navigation device is generally set to zoom light reflected at a predetermined distance
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a bottom cover for being covered on an optical system. The bottom cover is attached in front of the optical engine. The bottom cover has a bottom surface for facing a working surface when the optical system is moving on the working surface, a first opening for emission light of the optical engine to go through and a second opening for reflected light from the working surface to go through. The bottom cover is further formed with guiding protrusions protruded out from the bottom surface toward the working surface and surrounding at least the second opening to guide soft materials on the working surface to away from the second opening.