Rotatable Optical Transceiver With Offset Receiver Axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotatable optical short-range transceivers for optical wireless data transmission face interruptions when the distance between transceivers is small relative to their size, leading to unreliable data links due to the limited range of transmission beams and restricted rotation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable optical short-range transceiver design integrates transmission and reception optics, with a support structure that allows the optical transmission/reception unit to extend over both the receiver and transmitter, ensuring continuous data communication regardless of relative rotation positions, using complex optics formed by optical injection molding, 3D printing, or mechanical precision milling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the distance between transceivers is reduced to achieve compact system design, then space utilization is improved, but the transmission beam coverage becomes insufficient leading to communication interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The transceiver is segmented into distinct functional components: an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a support structure. The receiver is positioned on the rotation axis while the transmitter is positioned offset from the axis, allowing independent optimization of each component's function and position to maintain continuous communication during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional linear arrangement to a three-dimensional spatial configuration where the receiver is positioned on the rotation axis and the transmitter is positioned offset in a radial direction. This dimensional arrangement allows the transmission beam to continuously cover the receiver throughout the rotation cycle, solving the coverage problem in compact spaces.
2Device complexity
If conventional linear arrangement of transmitter and receiver is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but rotation capability is restricted leading to communication interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The transceiver employs an asymmetric configuration where the receiver is positioned on the rotation axis and the transmitter is positioned offset from the axis. This asymmetric arrangement breaks the symmetry constraint that would otherwise limit rotation capability, enabling the system to maintain communication continuity throughout the rotation cycle while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
3Length of moving object
If optical transmitter and receiver are positioned close together to reduce size, then compactness is improved, but transmission beam coverage becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to resolve the conflict between compact size and beam coverage area. By positioning the receiver on the rotation axis and the transmitter offset in the radial direction, the system achieves adequate beam coverage through spatial distribution rather than increasing physical dimensions, maintaining compactness while ensuring continuous communication.
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 design enables reliable, interruption-free optical data communication over a wide range of rotation positions, even at short distances, by ensuring the transmission beam remains aligned with the receiver, thus maintaining a continuous data link and overcoming limitations of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
an optical transmitter (202) which is arranged at the support to be adjacent to the optical receiver (204) to emit an optical transmission signal (208)
Implementation Method 2
an optical receiver (204) which is arranged at the support on the rotation axis (206) to receive an optical reception signal (226)
Data Source
AI summary
An inventive rotatable optical short-range transceiver has: a support which is rotatable around a rotation axis, an optical receiver which is arranged at the support on the rotation axis to receive an optical reception signal from a first direction, an optical transmitter which is arranged at the support to be adjacent to the optical receiver to emit an optical transmission signal in a second direction, and an optical transmission/reception unit which is configured to allow interruption-free rotatable optical data communication, wherein the optical transmission/reception unit is arranged at the support above the optical receiver and extends over the optical receiver and the optical transmitter, and wherein the optical transmission/reception unit has a support structure for mounting at the support, which is implemented integrally with the optical transmission/reception unit.