Pivoting Mirror Optical Module for Long-Range Duplex Light Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for data transfer by light beams face challenges in achieving efficient duplex communication over large distances with minimal power consumption and maintaining cleanliness of optical surfaces while allowing modules to move past each other.
Innovation Solution
The system employs offset and pivotable mirrors in communication modules, allowing light beams to be deflected and focused onto sensors, with a collimator to parallelize light and reduce irradiance, and contact surfaces to pivot mirrors during module movement, ensuring alignment and cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the transmitter and receiver are disposed vertically offset with mirrors, then duplex communication over large distances is enabled with reduced power consumption, but the device complexity increases due to additional mirror and pivot mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal to vertical arrangement of transmitter and receiver components. The light beam path is redirected vertically through the use of mirrors positioned at angles, enabling duplex communication in a compact vertical footprint while reducing power consumption over long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
Mirrors are introduced as intermediary elements to redirect light beams between the vertically offset transmitter and receiver. The mirrors enable the light path to navigate the vertical offset without requiring the components to be horizontally aligned, thus enabling long-distance communication with reduced power while managing the added structural complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mirrors are used to deflect light beams in vertical direction, then alignment perpendicular to ground reduces dirt and dust deposition, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for proper mirror positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror surfaces and optical components are aligned perpendicular to the ground, creating an equipotential orientation relative to gravity. This vertical alignment ensures that dirt and dust particles, which naturally settle downward, do not accumulate on the optical surfaces, thereby reducing contamination while requiring precise manufacturing to maintain the perpendicular orientation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If contact surfaces are added to pivot mirrors during module movement, then modules can pass each other without disrupting data transfer, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror assembly is made dynamic by introducing contact surfaces that allow the mirror to pivot during module movement. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to maintain proper optical alignment even when modules move relative to each other, enhancing adaptability while adding mechanical complexity to the mirror mounting structure.
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 full-duplex communication over large distances with reduced power and minimal surface contamination, while allowing modules to pass each other without disrupting data transfer.
Implementation Method 1
The receiver has a mirror that can be pivoted about a pivot axis extending in the vertical direction between a folded-out position and a folded-in position. The mirror is disposed such that a light beam incident from the longitudinal direction is deflected toward the light sensor by the mirror
Implementation Method 2
The transmitter has a collimator which parallelizes strongly divergent light generated by the light source into a light beam
Implementation Method 3
the receiver has an optical element, e.g., a lens or lens system, which focuses a light beam deflected by the mirror onto the light sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A communication module for a system for transferring data by light beams includes a transmitter for emitting a light beam in which data to be transferred are encoded, and a receiver for receiving a light beam. The transmitter includes a light source, and the receiver includes a light sensor. The transmitter and receiver are disposed offset from each other in a vertical direction. The transmitter emits a light beam in a longitudinal direction. The receiver has a mirror, which can be pivoted about a pivot axis extending in the vertical direction between a folded-out position and a folded-in position. The mirror is disposed such that a light beam incident from the longitudinal direction is deflected toward the light sensor by the mirror in the folded-out position. A system for transferring data by light beams includes at least one first communication module and at least one second communication module.