Quartz Glass Beam Steering Structure for Stable Resonant Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing opto-electro-mechanical beam manipulation systems used in laser and light beam-based scanners or scanner units face challenges in achieving improved deflection dynamics and robustness, with complex designs and assembly processes that affect reproducibility, accuracy, and thermal stability.
Innovation Solution
An opto-electro-mechanical system featuring a rotationally movable optical element connected to a stator via a flexible, defect-free quartz glass composite, allowing for kinematically defined mobility and elastic deformation, with a 3D printing-like manufacturing process that ensures low thermal expansion and high mechanical strength, enabling efficient beam manipulation with reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional assembly processes with multiple components are used, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing precision and reproducibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stator and movable element into a single integral composite component made of silicate glass. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly of multiple components, thereby improving manufacturing precision and reproducibility while reducing assembly complexity. The integral structure ensures consistent alignment and eliminates assembly tolerances that would otherwise affect reproducibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a 3D printing-like manufacturing process that enables precise control over the geometric parameters of the integral composite. This additive manufacturing approach allows for high precision in creating complex geometries including the recess and flexible connection structures, achieving superior manufacturing precision compared to traditional subtractive or assembly-based methods.
2Productivity
If complex assembly processes are used, then design flexibility is maintained, but productivity and economic efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple components into a single integral composite, the patent eliminates time-consuming assembly operations. The single-component structure can be manufactured in one continuous 3D printing process, significantly improving productivity and manufacturing efficiency while simplifying the manufacturing process overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The 3D printing process enables local optimization of material properties and geometries within the integral composite. Different regions of the component can have tailored densities, strengths, and geometries optimized for their specific functions, achieving high design flexibility without requiring complex multi-component assemblies.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional materials with higher thermal expansion are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses silicate glass as the material for the integral composite, which has superior thermal stability and low thermal expansion compared to conventional materials. The 3D printing process is specifically adapted to work with silicate glass, making this high-performance material manufacturable through additive processes. This combination achieves both thermal stability and manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional materials with higher thermal expansion to silicate glass with low thermal expansion. The manufacturing process parameters are simultaneously optimized for this material, using controlled laser sintering or melting in the 3D printing process to achieve dense, defect-free structures with the desired thermal properties.
4Reliability
If defect-prone manufacturing processes are used, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the manufacturing process parameters for 3D printing silicate glass to achieve defect-free structures. By controlling laser power, scanning speed, layer thickness, and atmospheric conditions during printing, the process minimizes defects such as voids, cracks, and incomplete sintering. The integral composite structure itself reduces reliability issues by eliminating interfaces between components where defects could occur.
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 system achieves high thermal stability, improved deflection dynamics, and increased resonance frequencies with minimal energy expenditure, while simplifying assembly and enhancing the flexibility of optical element design for both beam-shaping and beam-deflecting applications.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible connection provides a kinematically defined mobility with elastic deformation
Implementation Method 2
achieves the deflection based, for example, on electromagnetic, electrostatic, piezoelectric, or even thermoelectric principles
Implementation Method 3
achieves the deflection based, for example, on electromagnetic, electrostatic, piezoelectric, or even thermoelectric principles
Implementation Method 4
achieves the deflection based, for example, on electromagnetic, electrostatic, piezoelectric, or even thermoelectric principles
Implementation Method 5
achieves the deflection based, for example, on electromagnetic, electrostatic, piezoelectric, or even thermoelectric principles
Implementation Method 6
during resonant deflection, the optical element oscillates around the zero position at a resonant frequency
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an opto-electro-mechanical system for manipulating optical radiation, comprising a rotatably or translationally movable element, wherein the element itself is or includes an optical element. Furthermore, the system comprises a stator for the movable element with a recess providing a deflection range, a flexible connection between the stator and the movable element providing a corresponding kinematically defined mobility, and an actuator for deflecting the movable element, wherein the stator is integrally connected to the movable element, and the integral assembly is made of silicate glass, in particular quartz glass, and the recess is arranged around the movable element such that the movable element can be deflected by means of the actuator according to the kinematically defined mobility under elastic deformation of the connection.