Compact Opto-Electronic Movement Sensor with Inverted Light Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional opto-electronic arrangements for registering movements and forces require a large area, limiting miniaturization and increasing manufacturing complexity and costs, especially when adjusting position-sensitive detectors becomes difficult in smaller designs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a compact design where the light source emits light through an opening in a mounting, allowing for a more compact layout with movable elements, and includes a stop on the support to prevent movement of the PSD holder, simplifying assembly and eliminating the need for post-mounting adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the light source emits light in the conventional direction (away from the mounting), then the arrangement can be manufactured using standard PCB mounting techniques, but the overall device area becomes large, preventing miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional light emission direction by mounting the light source on the mounting structure and directing light through an opening in the mounting toward the PSD, rather than mounting the light source on a PCB and emitting away from it. This inversion allows the mounting to serve dual purposes as both structural support and light guiding element, significantly reducing the required device area while maintaining manufacturability
2Area of stationary object
If the device is miniaturized to reduce area, then integration into small devices like game consoles and PCs becomes possible, but manufacturing complexity increases and adjustments after mounting become necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a stop mechanism directly into the mounting structure that pre-positions the PSD at the correct location and orientation before final assembly. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for complex post-mounting adjustments, allowing miniaturization to be achieved without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure with integrated stop performs the positioning function automatically during assembly, making the system self-positioning. The stop mechanically ensures correct PSD placement without requiring external adjustment tools or procedures, simplifying the manufacturing process despite the reduced device size
3Adaptability or versatility
If the diaphragms and detectors are arranged in a circle around the light emitting devices, then six components can be registered simultaneously, but the spatial extension becomes large, limiting miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional circular arrangement of diaphragms and detectors around light sources to a more compact three-dimensional configuration where the mounting structure with integrated stop enables vertical stacking and closer spatial arrangement, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining the six-component registration capability
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 enables a smaller, more cost-effective, and easily manufacturable opto-electronic arrangement capable of registering movements and forces with improved precision and reduced complexity, facilitating integration into smaller devices like game consoles and computers.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source, at least one position sensitive device (PSD) and at least one diaphragm, wherein at least one of these three elements is movable with respect to the two other elements. The light source is arranged at a mounting so that light is emitted from the light source through an opening in the mounting and through the at least one diaphragm onto the at least one PSD
Implementation Method 2
The relative movements or relative positions are determined by light-sensitive detectors
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for input of movements and/or registration of forces, comprising at least one light source, at least one position sensitive device (PSD) and at least one diaphragm, wherein at least one of these three elements is moveable with respect to the two other elements. The light source is arranged at a mounting so that light from the light source is emitted through an opening in the mounting and through the at least one diaphragm onto the at least one PSD.