Optical Component Housing with Segmented Canopies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical component housings are bulky and symmetrical, which limits their compactness and weight reduction, and do not efficiently accommodate asymmetrical optical components.
Innovation Solution
A tubular housing with opposing canopies that extend for less than the axial and circumferential lengths of a traditional housing, featuring sloping sections that reduce the housing's diameter and weight, allowing for non-cylindrical shapes and internal optical component support without additional structural elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional symmetrical housings are used, then structural support is provided, but weight and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a tubular body and separate canopy components. The canopies are detached from the main body structure, allowing each component to be optimized independently for minimal weight while maintaining necessary structural support functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy structures are extracted from the conventional integrated symmetrical housing design. By separating the canopies from the tubular body and positioning them only where optical components require protection, unnecessary material is removed, significantly reducing overall housing weight.
2Volume of moving object
If conventional symmetrical housings are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but housing volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing transitions from a conventional symmetrical design to an asymmetrical configuration with canopies positioned only on sides requiring optical component protection. This asymmetrical layout eliminates unnecessary volume while maintaining structural integrity where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Structural protection is applied locally only where optical components require coverage, rather than providing uniform symmetrical protection throughout. The canopies are positioned strategically to protect specific optical components, reducing overall housing volume while maintaining necessary structural integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional symmetrical housings are used, then manufacturing simplicity is achieved, but adaptability to asymmetrical optical components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into modular components (tubular body and separate canopies) that can be manufactured independently and assembled. This segmentation allows the canopies to be customized for asymmetrical optical component configurations while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple through modular assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a tubular housing having an axial length L and a circumferential length C. A first canopy secured to the tubular housing around a perimeter of the first canopy, the first canopy extends for an axial length L1 that is less than L and for a circumferential length C1 that is less than C/2. The first canopy has a front sloping section and a rear sloping section that extend from the perimeter to a semicircular outer perimeter. A second canopy disposed circumferentially opposite the first canopy and secured to the tubular housing around a perimeter of the second canopy. The second canopy extends an axial length L2 that is less than L and a circumferential length C2 that is less than C/2. The second canopy has a front sloping section and a rear sloping section that extend from the perimeter to a semicircular outer perimeter.