Opto-Mechanical Scanner With Deformable Non-Fluid Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical scanning systems face challenges in miniaturization, power consumption, and scanning bandwidth, making them unsuitable for compact devices such as smartphones and medical systems.
Innovation Solution
An opto-mechanical scanning device with a transparent, deformable non-fluid body and adjustable reflective surfaces, which uses refractive index amplification to enhance scanning beam angularity, allowing for compact and efficient scanning in compact electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional optical scanning systems are used, then scanning functionality is achieved, but system size is large and not suitable for compact devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (scanning, beam steering, angular amplification) into a single integrated opto-mechanical device. The non-fluid body combines reflective surfaces, refraction interfaces, and scanning mechanisms in one compact structure, eliminating the need for separate optical components and reducing overall system volume while maintaining full scanning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular amplification through refraction at the non-fluid body interfaces, effectively transforming small mechanical angular movements into larger optical beam deflection angles. This dimensional transformation in the angular space allows compact mechanical structures to achieve scanning ranges previously requiring larger systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If scanning beam angular range is increased, then scanning coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameter of refractive index by introducing a non-fluid body with refractive index different from air. This parameter change enables angular amplification effect where the refraction at entry and exit interfaces of the non-fluid body magnifies the angular deflection of the scanning beam, achieving extended scanning coverage without increasing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-fluid body acts as an optical intermediary between the incident beam and the surrounding air. It mediates the beam path by providing controlled refraction at its interfaces, amplifying the angular range while the actuator system handles only the basic tilting motion, thus decoupling angular range expansion from complexity increase.
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 enables a compact opto-electric scanning system with improved scanning capabilities, suitable for miniaturized devices, by amplifying the scanning beam's angular range through refractive index differences and adjustable reflective surfaces, enhancing its applicability in various compact electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the refractive index of the non-fluid body is greater than the refractive index of air surrounding the opto-mechanical scanning device... the incident light beam can be transmitted out of the non-fluid body after being reflected successively by the first reflective surface and afterwards by the second reflective surface
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an opto-mechanical scanning device (100) arranged for deflecting an incident light beam (191). The scanning device comprises first and second reflective surfaces (M1, M2), a transparent, deformable, non-fluid body (110) having a refractive index which is greater than the refractive index of air, an actuator system (120) arranged to move the first reflective surface (M1) so that an angle of the first reflective surface (M1) is adjustable, a first window (131) arranged to receive and transmit the at least one incident light beam into the non-fluid body, a second window (132) arranged to receive and transmit the at least one incident light beam out of the non-fluid body. The first and second windows are arranged adjacent to the non-fluid body with the second reflective surface (M2) arranged so that the incident light beam can be transmitted out of the non-fluid body after being reflected successively by the first and second reflective surfaces.