Optical Kinematic Mount With Pivot Lever for Compact Beam-Safe Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional kinematic holders for optical elements, such as mirrors, face challenges in compactness due to limited accessibility of control spindles, which complicates adjustments and can interrupt the beam path, especially in compact optical setups, and often require hazardous manual tools.
Innovation Solution
A kinematic holder design incorporating a pivot lever with a first and second joint, forming a gear mechanism that allows the control unit to be positioned for easy access, enabling adjustments without interrupting the beam path, and allowing independent tilting about horizontal and vertical axes without offsetting the optical element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional kinematic holders use external control spindles for adjustment, then the holding part can be tilted relative to the base part, but the control spindles require free accessibility from front or back which prevents compact optical setup
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is repositioned from the traditional front/back orientation to a top-mounted position, utilizing the vertical dimension for accessibility. This dimensional change allows the control unit to be easily accessible from above while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is integrated directly into the holder structure at the top position, merging the control function with the mechanical structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate externally accessible control mechanisms, achieving both compactness and ease of operation from a single unified design.
2Ease of operation
If external adjustment tools are used to circumvent accessibility issues, then adjustment can be performed, but the beam path is interrupted and safety hazards arise in laser systems
Solution Approach 1:
The holder performs its own adjustment function through the integrated control unit mounted on the holder itself. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external adjustment tools that would interrupt the beam path or pose safety risks, as the adjustment is performed internally without external intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment function is extracted from external tools and incorporated directly into the holder structure. By taking out the control unit from external positioning and integrating it into the holder at the top, the system eliminates harmful external interventions while maintaining adjustment capability.
3Volume of moving object
If control spindles are positioned for easy accessibility at the top, then compact optical setup is achieved, but the actuators may introduce waste heat into the optical system
Solution Approach 1:
A mechanical linkage or gear mechanism acts as an intermediary between the top-mounted control unit and the holding part. This intermediary transmits the adjustment force from the top position to the holding part without requiring the actuator itself to be in direct contact with the optical path, thus maintaining compactness while preventing heat introduction into the optical system.
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
Enables a compact, accessible, and safe adjustment process for optical elements, preventing beam path interruption and eliminating the need for hazardous tools, while allowing for automated control and reduced thermal interference in optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
the base part, the pivot lever, and the holding part form a gear mechanism that converts a movement of a control unit that acts on the pivot lever into tilting of the holding part relative to the base part
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a kinematic mount having a base part (8) and a bracket part (7), which is positioned on the base part (8), and which is tiltable relative thereto around at least one tilting axis. The invention provides that the mount has at least one pivot lever (22, 23), which is connected to the base part (8) by way of a first joint (25), and which is connected to the bracket part (7) by way of a second joint (27, 24, 28), which is spaced apart from the first joint (25) in a longitudinal direction of the pivot lever (22, 23). The base part (8), the pivot lever (22, 23), and the bracket part (7) form a gear unit, which converts a movement of an actuator (11, 12) impacting the pivot lever (22, 23) into a tilting of the bracket part (7) relative to the base part (8).