Precision Mounting Assembly for Repeatable Optical Component Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
High precision mechanical and opto-mechanical systems face challenges in achieving repeatable precision alignment of components due to manufacturing tolerances and play between cylindrical pins and locating holes, which affects the accuracy of reinstallation after maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The assembly employs precision positioning members with frustro-spherical or frustro-conical profiles and thread angles to ensure automatic alignment of positioning shafts within sleeves, and clocking members with complementary profiles to lock the relative orientation, allowing for repeatable positioning of removable components with respect to reference components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cylindrical pins are used for positioning optical components, then assembly is simplified, but manufacturing precision and alignment accuracy deteriorate due to play between pins and locating holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces cylindrical pins with spherical positioning elements. The spherical shape eliminates the play between positioning elements and locating holes by providing point contact that naturally centers itself, thereby improving alignment accuracy while maintaining assembly simplicity. The spherical geometry allows for self-alignment through rotational freedom around the contact point.
2Measurement precision
If localizing stoppers are used to frame the desired position, then positioning reference is provided, but contact reliability deteriorates when components need to be secured with screws
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary positioning mechanism that mediates between the stoppers and the screw-secured component. This intermediary element ensures reliable contact transmission from the stoppers to the component being positioned, eliminating the conflict between needing precise positioning reference and maintaining contact reliability during screw securing.
3Manufacturing precision
If precision holes and pins are used for positioning, then alignment is achieved, but repeatability deteriorates due to minimal play required for assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical positioning elements eliminate the minimal play problem inherent in cylindrical pin-and-hole arrangements. The spherical geometry provides a unique center point that ensures consistent, repeatable positioning across multiple assembly cycles, as the spherical contact naturally finds its center position regardless of minor variations in hole or pin dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies and kits providing the repeatable positioning of a removable component with respect to a reference component are provided. Precision positioning members including a threaded positioning shaft associated with the reference component, a positioning sleeve associated with the removable component and an alignment nut screwed in the positioning shaft and abutting the positioning sleeve are provided. The spatial profile abutments on the positioning sleeve or positioning nut and the thread angle of the positioning shaft threads are selected to provide an automatic alignment of the positioning shaft within the positioning sleeve. A clocking angle lock for locking the relative orientation of the reference component and removable component is also provide, preferably in the shape of precision clocking members. Assemblies including three sets of precision members with slotted sleeves are also provided.