Rotating Reflector Imaging System for Compact Multi-Sensor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging systems with multiple sensors often require separate optical paths, leading to complex and bulky configurations, and existing gimbal systems struggle to efficiently redirect incident radiation to multiple sensors using a single objective.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with a positionable reflector, such as a prism, that redirects incident radiation from a common input optics to multiple sensors, allowing for compact packaging and flexible sensor alignment by rotating the reflector to different secondary axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are used with separate optical paths, then each sensor can independently detect incident radiation, but the system becomes complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical paths into a single shared objective lens system. Multiple sensors (first sensor, second sensor, etc.) detect incident radiation through the same objective, eliminating the need for separate optical paths for each sensor. This merging approach maintains individual sensor detection capability while significantly reducing system complexity and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The objective lens is designed to serve multiple functions by simultaneously supporting multiple sensors. A single objective can direct light to different sensors based on the position of the reflector, making the optical system universal rather than dedicated to a single sensor. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing one optical component to serve multiple detection purposes.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are used with separate optical paths, then each sensor can independently detect incident radiation, but the system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple optical paths into a single shared objective lens system, the patent dramatically reduces the volume required for multiple sensors. Instead of having separate objectives and optical paths for each sensor, all sensors share the same light collection aperture and focal plane, compacting the overall system volume while maintaining detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where multiple sensors are positioned in different orientations around a common focal point. The reflector can be positioned in different orientations to direct light from the shared objective to different sensors, creating a compact nested configuration that minimizes system volume while maintaining multiple detection channels.
3Device complexity
If a reflector is used to redirect incident radiation to multiple sensors, then system complexity is reduced, but the reflector positioning mechanism is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic reflector positioning mechanism that can change the orientation of the reflector to direct light to different sensors. This dynamic element allows the system to switch between multiple sensing modes without requiring complex static optical paths, resolving the contradiction by using controlled movement to achieve multi-functionality with simpler overall architecture.
4Volume of moving object
If a single objective is used for multiple sensors, then system size is reduced, but precise alignment of multiple sensors is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses alignment precision by introducing angular/orientational positioning as an additional degree of freedom. Instead of requiring all sensors to be perfectly aligned in one dimension, the system uses the reflector's orientable position to direct light to sensors at different angles and positions, distributing the alignment requirements across multiple dimensions and reducing the stringency of precision requirements for each individual sensor placement.
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
Enables efficient use of multiple sensors with a single objective, reducing system complexity and size while maintaining image quality, and allowing for real-time selection of sensors based on the application's needs.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector selectively positionable to a first orientation, in which the reflector directs the incident radiation along a first secondary axis to the first optical sensor, and to a second orientation, in which the reflector directs the incident radiation along a second secondary axis toward the second optical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for an imaging system having a plurality of sensors associated with input optics. In one example, an imaging system includes input optics configured to receive incident radiation along an input optical axis and a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor, each configured to detect the incident radiation. The imaging system further includes a rotating member positioned between the first and second optical sensors and configured to rotate about the input optical axis and a reflector coupled to the rotating member configured to be selectively positionable by the rotating member to a first orientation, in which the reflector directs the incident radiation along a first secondary axis to the first optical sensor, and to a second orientation, in which the reflector directs the incident radiation along a second secondary axis toward the second optical sensor.