Optical Navigator Sensor Housing Light Path Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical navigation systems, such as mice, have complex component arrangements that complicate packaging and increase manufacturing costs, requiring precise calibration for accurate 3D positioning.
Innovation Solution
An optical navigator sensor and apparatus with an integrated light emitting device and optical sensor on a substrate covered by a housing, reducing the number of components and simplifying alignment, using a laser diode and optical sensor device fixed on a circuit board within the housing to guide light and facilitate 2D positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optical navigation systems use separate components for light emitting device, lens/light pipe, and optical sensor device, then the system can achieve accurate optical sensing function, but the packaging process becomes complicated and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the light emitting device, optical sensor device, and housing into a single base plate assembly. The housing is formed as an integrated component that simultaneously serves as the structural base and the optical guiding element, eliminating the need for separate lens/light pipe components and simplifying the packaging process while maintaining optical sensing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing in the patent performs multiple functions: it serves as the structural base plate, guides the light path from the light emitting device to the object and from the reflected light to the optical sensor device, and provides mechanical support for mounting the light emitting device and optical sensor device. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical navigation systems use multiple separate components, then the system can provide comprehensive optical navigation capability, but the alignment and calibration process becomes burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is pre-designed with built-in light guiding structures that automatically ensure proper alignment between the light emitting device, the optical path, and the optical sensor device. This preliminary structural design eliminates the need for complex alignment and calibration procedures during assembly, as the geometry of the housing itself ensures correct positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary structure that mediates the optical path between the light emitting device and the optical sensor device. By incorporating light guiding features directly into the housing, the system ensures proper light direction without requiring additional alignment mechanisms or calibration procedures.
3Measurement precision
If conventional optical mice require precise 3D positioning of LED, lens/light pipe, and optical navigation sensor, then the system can achieve accurate positioning, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the positioning functions into the integrated housing structure, which is manufactured as a single piece or pre-assembled unit. This eliminates the need for separate precision positioning of multiple components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining positioning accuracy through the built-in light guiding geometry.
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 design reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies the packaging and alignment process, and maintains accuracy by integrating components and using a housing to guide light, thereby enhancing the ease of production and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a laser diode, an optical sensor device and a housing. The optical sensor device and the laser diode are fixed on the substrate and covered by the housing. The housing guides the light emitted from the laser diode to the object
Implementation Method 2
The housing guides the light emitted from the laser diode to the object and guides the light reflected from the object to the optical sensor device
Implementation Method 3
A photosensitive chip 12 in the optical navigation sensor 13 can capture the images induced by the optical mouse 10 moving through the surface 80
Data Source
AI summary
An optical navigator sensor for sensing an image of an object comprises a substrate, a laser diode, an optical sensor device and a housing. The optical sensor device and the laser diode are fixed on the base plate and covered by the housing. The housing guides the light emitted from the laser diode to the object and guides the light reflected from the object to the optical sensor device.