Optical Sensing System Non-Mechanical Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical sensing systems face challenges with limited field of view, low luminous efficiency, and measurement accuracy due to their bi-axial structure, which also makes them prone to vibration and costly, whereas co-axial systems are expensive and vulnerable to mechanical failures.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensing system with a bi-axial structure that employs an active optical device with a refractive-index change layer and electrode members to steer laser beams non-mechanically, improving field of view, luminous efficiency, and measurement accuracy while reducing system size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a co-axial sensing system is used, then the sensing distance is long and manufacturing is easy, but mechanical parts such as motors are needed to steer the laser beam, making the system vulnerable to vibration and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical steering parts (motors, mirrors) with an active optical device that uses electro-optic effects to steer the laser beam. The active optical device includes a refractive index changing element that changes its refractive index in response to applied voltage, thereby steering the beam without any moving mechanical parts, eliminating vibration susceptibility while maintaining beam steering capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the refractive index parameter of the optical medium in the active optical device by applying voltage. This parameter change allows the beam steering function to be achieved through electrical control rather than mechanical movement, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bi-axial sensing system is used, then mechanical steering parts are not needed and cost is lower, but the field of view is small and sensing efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The active optical device serves multiple functions: it expands the field of view by steering the laser beam across a wider angular range, maintains high sensing efficiency through precise beam control, and enables both transmission and reflection mode sensing. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between adaptability and productivity
3Measurement precision
If a bi-axial sensing system is used, then mechanical steering parts are not needed, but measurement accuracy and precision are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex bi-axial mechanical structure with a simplified single-axial structure that uses an active optical device for beam steering. This substitution maintains high measurement precision through electrical control of beam orientation while reducing structural complexity and eliminating mechanical steering components
Solution Approach 2:
The active optical device acts as an intermediary between the laser source and the target, providing precise beam steering through electro-optic modulation. This intermediary enables accurate measurement while simplifying the overall system structure by eliminating the need for complex bi-axial mechanical arrangements
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 provides a high-field-of-view, high-accuracy optical sensing system with reduced costs and immunity to vibration, overcoming the limitations of both bi-axial and co-axial structures by using non-mechanical beam steering and electro-optic materials.
Implementation Method 1
an active optical device configured to actively control an orientation of a laser beam by using an electrical signal. The active optical device includes a refractive index changing element on an optical path between the photodetector and the object
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are an optical sensing system and an optical apparatus including the same. The optical sensing system may include a light output part configured to emit a laser beam to an object, and a sensing part configured to sense a laser beam emitted from the light output part and reflected from the object. The sensing part may include a photodetector and the active optical device located on an optical path between the photodetector and the object. The active optical device may actively control an orientation of a laser beam passing therethrough and may include a material layer having a refractive index which is changeable by application of an electrical signal.