Compact Optical Scanning Device Housing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical scanning devices face challenges in downsizing due to the placement of cover glasses between laser beam sources and mirrors, which hinders close proximity and compact design.
Innovation Solution
An optical scanning device design where the light source unit and scanning unit are placed within an enclosed space partitioned by wall portions, with the light exiting portion and scanning unit positioned to allow for efficient transmission of the laser beam through a single wall portion, enabling a more compact configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover glass is placed between the laser beam source and the mirror to protect the mirror from dust, then the mirror is protected from dust, but the device size increases and downsizing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cover glass from the optical path between the laser beam source and the mirror. Instead, it uses a housing with an enclosed space that contains both the light source unit and scanning unit, eliminating the need for a separate cover glass while maintaining mirror protection through the enclosed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the light source unit and scanning unit within a single enclosed space formed by the housing. This merging of components allows for compact arrangement and eliminates the need for separate protective cover glasses, achieving both downsizing and mirror protection simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the cover glass is placed between the laser beam source and the mirror, then the laser beam can be transmitted while protecting the mirror, but the beam source and mirror cannot be placed close to each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cover glass from the optical path, allowing the beam source and mirror to be positioned closer together within the enclosed space without the physical constraint of the cover glass thickness and mounting requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests both the light source unit and scanning unit within the enclosed space of the housing, allowing them to be closely positioned while still maintaining protection through the overall enclosed structure rather than requiring a cover glass between them.
3Volume of stationary object
If the light source unit and scanning unit are placed in an enclosed space partitioned by wall portions, then the device can be downsized and components can be arranged closely, but the light transmission path must be carefully designed
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple wall portions (first wall portion, second wall portion, third wall portion) that partition the enclosed space. Each wall portion has specific functions: the first wall portion transmits light, the second wall portion includes the light source unit, and the third wall portion allows light exit. This segmentation enables compact arrangement while maintaining simple light transmission paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Different wall portions are designed with different properties: the first wall portion is designed to transmit light from the scanning unit, the second wall portion houses the light source unit, and the third wall portion allows light to exit toward the scanned surface. This local differentiation of wall properties simplifies the overall light transmission path design within the compact enclosed space.
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 configuration allows for a smaller device size, reducing interference between components and improving the accuracy of laser scanning while enabling the downsizing of both the optical scanning device and associated systems like robots and measuring apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
the first wall portion transmits the light reflected by the scanning unit
Implementation Method 2
a scanning unit having a mirror supported by a supporting part and reflecting the light output from the light exiting portion
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanning device includes a light source unit having a light exiting portion from which a light is output, a scanning unit having a mirror supported by a supporting part and reflecting the light output from the light exiting portion while swinging the mirror around a swing axis, and a housing having an enclosed space partitioned by a plurality of wall portions including a first wall portion and a second wall portion, in which the light exiting portion and the scanning unit are placed in the enclosed space, wherein the first wall portion transmits the light reflected by the scanning unit, and the second wall portion includes a part of the light source unit.