Optical Imaging Device with Moveable Reflective Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical imaging devices used for splitting images into multiple paths with different optical characteristics are complex and often introduce optical aberrations, complicating the assessment of these images, especially when the characteristics of the preceding optics are unknown.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging device with a beam splitter and moveable reflective means on a centrally pivoted rotatable arm allows adjustment of optical pathways independently of the preceding optics, minimizing beam separation and reducing optical aberrations by maintaining a fixed relationship between the reflective elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex optical systems are used to split images into multiple paths with different optical characteristics, then the device can provide multiple images with different wavelengths or polarizations, but the device complexity increases and optical aberrations are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a beam splitter for separating optical paths, moveable reflective means for adjusting path separation, and a fixed relationship mechanism between reflective elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the capability to produce multiple images with different optical characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective means are made moveable along the arm to dynamically adjust the separation between optical pathways. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different optical configurations and magnifications without requiring a completely complex fixed system, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Device complexity
If fixed optical pathways are used in the device, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different magnifications and optical characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective means are designed to be moveable along the arm, providing dynamic adjustment of optical pathway separation. This dynamic capability allows the simple fixed structure to adapt to different magnifications and optical characteristics, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the reflective means along the arm to adjust optical pathway separation. This parameter change allows the device to adapt to different magnifications while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the adjustment is achieved through movement rather than through complex reconfiguration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the reflective means are fixed relative to each other, then the optical pathways are stable, but adjustment of optical pathways is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the adjustment function by allowing individual reflective means to move independently along the arm while maintaining their fixed relationship to each other. This segmentation enables stable optical pathways through the fixed relationship mechanism while providing ease of operation through independent movement capability, resolving the contradiction between stability and adjustability.
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
This solution simplifies the optical imaging device, reducing optical aberrations and allowing it to function effectively across various magnifications without overlapping images, thus enhancing the accuracy of spectroscopic analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter to create first and second optical pathways respectively incident on first and second reflective means
Implementation Method 2
The beam splitter will typically be a dichroic mirror which reflects a proportion of incident light whilst transmitting the remainder of the incident light
Implementation Method 3
first and second reflective means are moveable along the arm whilst held in fixed relationship to each other, thereby to adjust separation of the first and second optical pathways
Implementation Method 4
a third reflective means, such as another mirror, in fixed relationship to the beam splitter is positioned adjacent where the first and second optical pathways intersect so as to deflect one, or the first, optical pathway to a first focussing element, such as a lens, for recombination with the other, or the second, optical pathway
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an optical imaging device (18) for splitting an initial image into at least two images with different optical characteristics. The device comprises a dichroic mirror (32) to create first and second optical pathways respectively incident on first and second mirrors (41, 41′) carried on a centrally pivoted rotatable arm, characterised in that the first and second reflective means are moveable along the arm (42) whilst held in fixed relationship to each other, thereby to adjust separation of the first and second optical pathways. A third mirror (46) in fixed relationship to the beam splitter (32) is positioned adjacent where the first and second optical pathways intersect, or just before the intersection of the first and second optical pathways, or just after the point of intersection.