Optical Navigation Module With Reflective Lateral Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical navigation systems are limited in tracking surfaces or objects not parallel to the main board, requiring additional components and increased handling, and have fixed nominal tracking distances with limited deviation, leading to performance degradation.

Innovation Solution

An optical navigation module with a reflective structure that includes a detection plane perpendicular to the optical package surface, featuring first and second reflective portions to redirect incident and illumination light, allowing for lateral detection and adjustable tracking distance, enabling detection of surfaces at arbitrary angles without additional circuit boards or increased space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor is mounted at an angle relative to the main board using a separate PCB and right-angle connector, then the system can track surfaces at angles to the main board, but the device complexity increases and the space occupied increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to track surfaces at anglesVSAvoidcomplexity of mounting structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensor mounting structure with the main board by integrating the sensor at an angle directly onto the main board, eliminating the need for a separate PCB and right-angle connector. This consolidation maintains the ability to track surfaces at angles while reducing device complexity and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mounting dimension by orienting the sensor at an angle relative to the main board plane, allowing the sensor to detect surfaces at various angles without requiring additional mounting hardware. This dimensional reorientation enables angular tracking capability while keeping the structure simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to track surfaces at anglesVSAvoidspace occupied by mounting structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates the sensor mounting function directly onto the main board, eliminating the need for separate mounting components. This merging reduces the total space occupied while maintaining the capability to track surfaces at angles through direct angular mounting of the sensor on the main board.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If the optical system is designed with a fixed nominal tracking distance, then the manufacturing precision is simplified, but the adaptability to different tracking distances is limited and performance degrades with deviation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed tracking distance designVSAvoidadjustability of tracking distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a movable platform that can adjust the tracking distance between the optical system and the target surface. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the system to adapt to different tracking distances while maintaining optimal performance, overcoming the limitation of fixed-distance designs without complicating manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If a separate PCB and right-angle connector are used to mount the sensor at an angle, then the handling and assembly become more complex, but the ability to detect surfaces at angles is achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to detect surfaces at anglesVSAvoidease of handling and assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the angular sensor mounting directly onto the main board, eliminating the need for separate PCBs and right-angle connectors. This simplification makes handling and assembly easier while preserving the capability to detect surfaces at various angles through the directly mounted sensor orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 cost-effective and space-efficient detection of surfaces at arbitrary angles with improved tracking distance adjustment, reducing handling complexity and performance penalties associated with fixed configurations.

Implementation Method 1

The first reflective portion has a first end configured to reflect incident light directly coming from the detection opening downward to impinge directly on the image sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The second reflective portion has a first end configured to reflect the illumination light directly from the light emitting chip to directly go out the reflective structure via the detection opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11942462B2Optical navigation module capable of performing lateral detection

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 PIXART IMAGING INC

AI summary

There is provided an optical navigation module including an optical package and a light reflective element. The optical package includes an image sensor which has a sensor surface. The light reflective element is configured to reflect light propagating parallel to the sensor surface to light propagating perpendicular to the sensor surface to impinge on the sensor surface thereby performing the lateral detection.