Piezoelectric Optical Reflection Device for Compact Laser Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical reflection devices, such as those used in laser printers, are limited by the size due to the thickness of polygon mirrors, preventing them from being compact.
Innovation Solution
An optical reflection device is designed with a flexible substrate, an elastic portion, an optical reflector coupled via an elastic portion, a first electrode layer, and a piezoelectric layer, allowing for a small form factor by using a non-polygonal mirror configuration that utilizes piezoelectric effects for vibration and reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a polygon mirror is used for optical reflection, then the device can reflect and sweep laser beams, but the device size increases due to the thickness of the polygon mirror
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical polygon mirror with a piezoelectric actuator system. The piezoelectric actuator deforms under voltage to tilt the optical reflector, eliminating the need for a thick rotating polygon mirror while maintaining the laser beam sweeping function. This substitution of mechanical rotation with piezoelectric deformation directly resolves the contradiction between device size and optical reflection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional rotating polygon mirror to a two-dimensional planar structure with a flexible substrate and piezoelectric actuators. The optical reflector is tilted by deforming the flexible substrate through piezoelectric action, changing the dimensionality of the actuation mechanism. This dimensional reduction allows the device to achieve the same optical sweeping function with a significantly smaller form factor.
2Length of stationary object
If a polygon mirror with certain thickness is used, then structural stability is maintained, but the device cannot achieve a small form factor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible substrate as the base structure for the optical reflection device. This flexible film allows the integration of piezoelectric actuators and enables the tilting of the optical reflector without requiring a thick rigid support structure. The flexible substrate provides the necessary structural stability while maintaining a thin profile, directly addressing the contradiction between mirror thickness and device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a composite structure combining flexible substrate material with piezoelectric actuator materials. This composite construction integrates the mechanical support function of the flexible substrate with the actuation function of the piezoelectric materials, eliminating the need for a thick solid mirror while maintaining structural integrity and enabling compact device design.
3Volume of moving object
If a non-polygonal mirror configuration with piezoelectric actuation is used, then device size is reduced, but the complexity of the actuation mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the actuation mechanism into multiple independent piezoelectric actuators positioned at different locations on the flexible substrate. Each piezoelectric element can be independently controlled, allowing precise tilting of the optical reflector. This segmentation approach replaces a single complex rotating mechanism with multiple simple piezoelectric elements, reducing overall device size while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic control of piezoelectric actuators to achieve the desired optical reflection angles. By dynamically adjusting the voltage applied to different piezoelectric elements, the system can rapidly change the tilt angle of the optical reflector without mechanical moving parts. This dynamic actuation approach reduces device size while managing complexity through electronic control rather than mechanical design.
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 device achieves a compact size without distortion, enabling linear scanning of laser beams for imaging applications, and is suitable for various electronic devices like laser printers.
Implementation Method 1
an optical reflector coupled with the flexible substrate via the elastic portion, a first electrode layer provided on the flexible substrate, and a piezoelectric layer provided on the first electrode layer
Data Source
AI summary
An optical reflection device includes a flexible substrate, an elastic portion connected with an end of the flexible substrate, an optical reflector coupled with the flexible substrate via the elastic portion, a first electrode layer provided on the flexible substrate, and a piezoelectric layer provided on the first electrode layer. The optical reflection device may have a small size.