Resilient Optical Holder for Laser Beam Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical arrangements for deflecting laser beams face issues with heat-induced temperature gradients causing stress and unintended deflection due to differential expansion between reflective optics and their holders, leading to mechanical stress and precision problems.
Innovation Solution
An optical arrangement with at least two resiliently deflectable holding members on the optics holder, allowing for localized movement to compensate for thermal expansion of the reflective optic, maintaining the laser beam's impingement point and orientation, and utilizing a thin adhesive layer for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reflective optic is connected to the optics holder over the entire surface, then the connection is stable and secure, but temperature gradients cause differential thermal expansion leading to warping and unintended laser beam deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connection interface into discrete point contacts rather than a continuous surface connection. The optics holder features multiple contact points (at least three) that touch the reflective optic at specific locations, allowing the structure to accommodate thermal expansion while maintaining secure attachment. This segmentation prevents the propagation of thermal stresses across the entire connection surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the contact interface by using curved contact surfaces on the reflective optic that match curved contact surfaces on the optics holder. This curvature design allows for controlled movement and accommodation of thermal expansion while maintaining stable contact. The specific radii and arc lengths are optimized to balance connection stability with thermal expansion accommodation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a thick resilient adhesive layer is used to compensate for expansion differences, then some expansion compensation is achieved, but the adhesive layer reacts to humidity and temperature changes, has uneven thickness, requires long curing time, and prevents heat conduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adhesive layer entirely from the connection interface, replacing it with direct mechanical contact through point contacts. This extraction eliminates all the problems associated with thick adhesive layers including humidity sensitivity, uneven thickness, long curing times, and heat conduction barriers. The mechanical point contact system provides expansion compensation without the drawbacks of adhesive-based solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces curved contact surfaces as an intermediary element between the reflective optic and optics holder. These matched curved surfaces act as a mechanical mediator that accommodates thermal expansion through controlled deformation while maintaining stable contact. The curvature radius is specifically designed to match between the optic and holder, creating a reliable mechanical interface that compensates for expansion differences.
3Stability of the object's composition
If titanium is used as the optics holder material to reduce thermal expansion difference, then expansion differences are reduced, but the material is expensive and difficult to process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the design parameters of the connection interface (from surface contact to point contact) rather than changing the material parameters. This allows the use of standard, easily processable materials like aluminum or steel for both the optics holder and reflective optic mounting structures. The geometric design of the point contact interface compensates for thermal expansion differences without requiring expensive titanium materials.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a mechanically complex mounting with mutually movable guides and spring members is used, then expansion compensation is achieved, but friction effects occur that cannot be determined exactly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical system with movable guides and spring members with a simpler point contact system. The curved contact surfaces provide the necessary compliance for thermal expansion compensation through direct mechanical contact without requiring movable components or elastic elements. This substitution eliminates unpredictable friction effects while maintaining expansion compensation capability.
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
This solution minimizes laser beam deflection and mechanical stress by evenly distributing heat and accommodating thermal expansion, ensuring precise and stable operation of the optical components.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective optic for deflecting a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a temperature gradient is established by heat conduction between the above-described heat source and the heat sink, so that the optical components (the reflective optics and the optics holder) expand differently locally according to their local temperatures and based on their thermal expansion coefficients
Implementation Method 3
a temperature gradient is established by heat conduction between the above-described heat source and the heat sink
Data Source
AI summary
An optical arrangement includes an optics holder and a reflective optic fixed to the optics holder, in which the optics holder includes at least two holding members for fixing the reflective optic to the optics holder, and in which at least one of the holding members is resiliently deflectable.