Rotatable Optical Element Synchronization for Repeatable Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in maintaining precise and repeatable positioning of viewing mechanisms, such as telescopes or lenses, due to inaccuracies and variations, which affect distortion correction and calibration efficiency, particularly when returning to the same starting position within predetermined limits.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable element with light modifying ports is driven by a motor or drive system where one periodic cycle corresponds to an integer number of cycles, ensuring the element returns to the same position, thereby maintaining positional accuracy and reducing variance, even with manufacturing inaccuracies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a viewing mechanism is moved from a start position to a second position and back, then the mechanism can correct distortions, but the mechanism does not return to the same starting position within predetermined limits
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is designed so that one periodic cycle of the rotatable element corresponds to an integer number of periodic cycles of the drive. This periodic synchronization ensures that the mechanism reliably returns to the same starting position after each complete cycle, resolving the repeatability issue while maintaining positioning precision for distortion correction
2Measurement precision
If calibration data is used to correct optical system deficiencies, then distortion correction is improved, but the corrections are inefficient if the viewing mechanism does not return to the exact calibration configuration
Solution Approach 1:
By ensuring that one periodic cycle of the rotatable element equals an integer number of drive cycles, the system guarantees return to the exact calibration configuration. This maintains calibration accuracy while improving efficiency by eliminating positioning variance that would otherwise require repeated calibration adjustments
3Measurement precision
If the viewing mechanism returns to the same position with high accuracy, then distortion correction is improved, but manufacturing inaccuracies make this difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The integer ratio between rotatable element cycles and drive cycles creates a self-correcting periodic system. Even with manufacturing inaccuracies in individual components, the periodic synchronization ensures that errors cancel out over complete cycles, allowing the mechanism to return to the same position with high accuracy despite component tolerances
Data Source
AI summary
Presented is a method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for reducing error. The apparatus includes a rotatable element having a plurality of spaced light modifying ports located at set positions in the rotatable element, the rotatable element rotatable about an axis. The apparatus further includes a drive engagedly coupled to the rotatable element to rotate the rotatable element, wherein one periodic cycle of the rotatable element is an integer number of periodic cycles of the drive.