Optical Transceiver Unit Axial Rotation Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical wireless data transmission systems experience data interruptions when the distance between rotatable transmitter/receiver units is small compared to their size, leading to issues with maintaining visual contact and ensuring continuous data connection.

Innovation Solution

An optical transmitter/receiver unit design that integrates receiving and transmitting optics, allowing the transmission beam to propagate along the axis of rotation, ensuring continuous data transmission regardless of the relative rotational position between units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the distance between transmitter and receiver is reduced to achieve compact system size, then the system becomes more space-efficient, but visual contact is lost and data transmission is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem sizeVSAvoiddata transmission continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the transmitter and receiver on the same rotation axis rather than opposite sides, utilizing axial alignment to maintain visual contact. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the optical path to remain unobstructed during rotation, solving the contradiction between compact size and transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmitter and receiver are integrated into a single rotatable component that serves both transmission and reception functions simultaneously. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate opposing units, reducing system volume while maintaining continuous optical contact through shared axial positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If conventional separate transmitter and receiver units are used in rotatable components, then the system structure is simple, but data transmission is interrupted when units rotate out of alignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoiddata connection continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter and receiver are merged into a single integrated unit positioned on the rotation axis, eliminating the need for separate opposing units. This combination maintains continuous visual contact during rotation while simplifying the overall system structure through unified positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a lateral/opposite positioning arrangement to an axial/collinear arrangement along the rotation axis. This dimensional change ensures that the optical path remains aligned during rotation, maintaining data connection continuity without requiring complex alignment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If optical transmitters and receivers are positioned opposite each other, then the system follows conventional design, but rotation causes loss of line of sight and transmission interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational flexibilityVSAvoidvisual contact maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions components from opposite lateral locations to collinear axial locations on the rotation axis. This dimensional transformation allows the system to maintain visual contact during rotation, as the optical path remains aligned along the axis regardless of rotational position, thereby improving both adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of positioning transmitters and receivers opposite each other across the rotation axis, the patent inverts the approach by placing them on the same axis. This inverted configuration fundamentally changes the geometric relationship, ensuring continuous optical contact while maintaining full rotational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Enables reliable and uninterrupted data transmission between rotatable components, even at short distances, by ensuring visual contact between transmitters and receivers, and potentially increasing data transmission rates.

Implementation Method 1

the receiving optics are configured to direct the optical receive signal incident on the transmit/receive optics towards the optical receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the transmitting optics are configured to direct the optical transmit signal emitted by the optical transmitter towards the axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3931986B1Optical transceiver unit and device for signal transmission
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP3931986B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3931986B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3931986B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(d)

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical transceiver unit (200) comprising a carrier (210) that can be rotated about an axis of rotation (206), an optical receiver (204) which is arranged on the carrier (210) on the axis of rotation (206) in order to receive an optical receiving signal (226) from a first direction, an optical transmitter (202) which is arranged on the carrier (210) that is adjacent to the optical receiver (204), in order to transmit an optical transmission signal in a second direction, and an optical transceiver system (214) which is arranged on the carrier (210) on the axis of rotation (206) above the optical receiver (204) and extends over the optical receiver (204) and the optical transmitter (202). The optical transceiver system (214) comprises an optical receiving system (218) and an optical transmission system arranged in the optical receiving system (218). The optical receiving system (218) is designed to guide the optical receiving signal incident on the transceiver unit (214) towards the optical receiver (204) on the axis of rotation (206), and the optical transmission system is designed to move the optical transmission signal (208) on the axis of rotation (206) emitted by the optical transmitter (202) such that a transmission signal (226) exits the transceiver system (214) in the region of the axis of rotation (206).