Optical Navigation Sensor with Integrated Prism Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical navigation systems are costly, large, and complex due to multiple components, making the assembly process cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An optical navigation apparatus with a light source and sensor mounted on a leadframe, encapsulated in an optically transparent body structure featuring a prism-like feature for internal light reflection and an imaging lens for manipulating reflected light, integrated into a compact package to reduce size and component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple separate components (LED holder, image sensor package, optical element, base plate) are used in conventional optical navigation systems, then the system can perform its navigation function, but the cost, size, and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the LED holder, image sensor package, optical element, and base plate into a single integrated optical navigation system. The LED and image sensor are mounted on a common circuit board, the optical element is integrated into the housing structure, and the base plate is combined with the housing, eliminating the need for separate assembly of multiple discrete components while maintaining full system functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, houses the optical elements, directs light paths, and integrates the base plate functionality. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall component count and assembly complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used in conventional optical navigation systems, then the system can be assembled, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple components into a unified structure where the housing serves as both structural support and optical element mounting platform, and the base plate is combined with the housing, the patent reduces the number of discrete assembly steps required while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
3Volume of moving object
If conventional separate component design is used, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall system size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where the LED and image sensor are mounted on the circuit board which is integrated into the housing, the optical element is positioned within the housing structure, and all components are contained within the compact integrated unit, minimizing overall system volume while maintaining functional independence of each component
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 significantly reduces the cost and size of the optical navigation system while simplifying the assembly process by integrating key components into a compact, efficient package.
Implementation Method 1
The prism-like feature is configured to internally reflect the illumination light from the light source toward a target surface
Implementation Method 2
The imaging lens feature is configured to receive the illumination light reflected from the target surface and optically manipulate the received illumination light onto the imaging array of the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An optical navigation apparatus and method for making the apparatus uses a light source and a sensor having an imaging array mounted on a leadframe and encapsulated in an optically transparent body structure. The optically transparent body structure is configured to include a prism-like feature to internally reflect light from the light source toward a target surface and an imaging lens feature to optically manipulate the light reflected from the target surface onto the imaging array of the sensor.