Optical Rotary Joint With Orthogonal Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical signal transmission devices for rotating components, such as security cameras and industrial robots, face challenges with durability, cost, and size due to mechanical contact issues and precision requirements in optical transmission schemes, leading to communication errors and high manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
An optical signal transmission device with light-emitting and light-receiving devices positioned orthogonally and offset from the axis, utilizing a light guide member and reflectors to ensure consistent light reception, allowing for bidirectional communication without the need for high-precision adjustments, thereby reducing size, cost, and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slip rings with mechanical contact points are used for signal transmission, then signal transmission between rotating and fixed units is achieved, but communication errors increase and durability decreases due to dust accumulation, corrosion, and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based slip ring system with an optical transmission system using light-emitting devices and light-receiving devices. This substitution eliminates physical contact between rotating and fixed components, thereby eliminating wear, dust accumulation, and corrosion issues inherent in mechanical systems while maintaining signal transmission capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of slip rings and brushes is increased to achieve bidirectional communication or higher data throughput, then communication capability is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmission system uses the same light-emitting and light-receiving devices for both unidirectional and bidirectional communication, as well as for different data throughput requirements. By controlling the operation of these devices, the system can achieve various communication modes without increasing the number of components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining versatility.
3Reliability
If light-receiving devices are arranged on a rotary shaft with light-emitting devices arranged outwards, then optical transmission is achieved, but the mechanism size increases to at least twice the distance between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light-emitting device and light-receiving device into a closely integrated optical unit where both devices are positioned near each other on the same rotating component. This merging eliminates the need for large-radius circular paths required by separate light-emitting and light-receiving arrangements, thereby significantly reducing the diameter of the rotary mechanism while maintaining optical transmission reliability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If reflectors or light-emitting devices are arranged at prescribed inclinations to stabilize light reception during rotation, then light reception stability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical unit is designed so that the light-emitting device and light-receiving device are positioned close to each other on the same rotating component, creating a self-aligning system. As both devices rotate together at the same angular position, the optical path between them remains stable without requiring precise inclination adjustments or complex reflector arrangements, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining light reception stability.
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 enables stable and consistent optical signal transmission with reduced size and diameter, maintaining sufficient light reception across rotational positions, while eliminating the need for precise optical axis adjustments, thus enhancing durability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an optical unit between the first unit and the second unit, wherein each of the first and second units has a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device
Implementation Method 2
contactless communication schemes that utilize optical transmission have been proposed as a solution
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary joint includes a fixed unit and a rotating unit arranged substantially orthogonal to a center axis and facing one another, as well as a substantially cylindrical light guide member arranged therebetween. A light-emitting device and a light-receiving device are provided on each of the units. The light guide member is configured such that an amount of the light from the light-emitting device on the fixed unit that is received by the light-receiving device on the rotating unit and an amount of the light from the light-emitting device on the rotating unit that is received by the light-receiving device on the fixed unit both exceed a prescribed minimum amount regardless of rotational positions of the rotating unit.