Optical Structure Ridges with Electrostatic Actuator for Thermal Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical structures, such as lenses, experience variations in their characteristics due to temperature changes, leading to inconsistent image capturing and reproduction quality, and existing methods require active adjustments and additional actuators for compensation, which can be costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
An optical apparatus with ridges connecting the optical structure to a supporting structure, featuring an electrostatic drive with cantilever and stationary electrodes, allowing for deformation of the ridges and movement of the optical structure to counteract thermal variations, enabling self-regulation and miniaturization without additional actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active actuators (moving coil drives, piezo motor drives) are used to compensate thermal variations in optical characteristics, then image quality consistency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical actuators (moving coil drives, piezo motor drives) with a purely mechanical passive compensation system. The optical structure and supporting structure are designed with different thermal expansion coefficients, allowing automatic compensation of thermal variations through differential expansion without requiring any active actuators or external power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by designing the optical structure to automatically compensate for its own thermal variations. The differential thermal expansion between the optical structure and supporting structure creates automatic positional adjustments that maintain focus and image quality without external intervention, eliminating the need for active actuators.
2Reliability
If additional actuators are added to compensate for thermal variations, then optical performance stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for expensive active actuators by substituting them with a passive mechanical design. The cost reduction is achieved by using simple structural elements with different thermal expansion properties rather than complex motorized systems, significantly lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining optical performance stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive passive structural components instead of expensive active actuators. The differential thermal expansion mechanism relies on simple material properties rather than costly mechanical or electrical systems, making the solution economically viable for mass production.
3Manufacturing precision
If active adjustment mechanisms are used to compensate thermal expansion, then focal length accuracy is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky active adjustment mechanisms with a compact passive design. The focal length accuracy is maintained through the differential thermal expansion of the optical and supporting structures, which automatically adjusts the optical structure's position and orientation without requiring additional space for actuators or adjustment mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual parts are used in actuators like voice coil motors, then autofocus function is achieved, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the autofocus function into the basic structural design by utilizing differential thermal expansion. Instead of using multiple individual parts like voice coil motors, the patent combines the supporting structure and optical structure into an integrated system where the structural elements themselves provide the autofocus capability through their different thermal expansion coefficients, significantly simplifying production.
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 effectively compensates for temperature-induced variations in optical characteristics, allowing for precise adjustment and maintenance of image quality without the need for active actuators, enabling smaller construction sizes and lower production costs while accommodating production tolerances and variable focusing.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic drive for deflecting the optical structure, wherein the electrostatic drive includes a cantilever electrode and a stationary electrode electrically insulated from the cantilever electrode, which at least partly opposes the cantilever electrode... when an electric field is applied between the cantilever electrode and stationary electrode
Implementation Method 2
deflecting the cantilever electrode in the direction of the stationary electrode, wherein applying an electric field between the cantilever electrode and the stationary electrode causes a deformation of the ridge
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus having an optical structure, ridges and an electrostatic actuator with a cantilever electrode is described, wherein the ridges connect the optical structure to a supporting structure and the electrostatic drive is implemented to deflect the optical structure.