Scanning Lens Counterweight for Reaction Force Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser beam delivery systems for ophthalmic procedures face challenges in maintaining precise alignment due to complex components and movement, leading to misalignment and potential damage to optical components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a scanning lens component with a primary axis stage and transverse axis stage, each coupled with voice coil motors and magnets, which counteract external forces to minimize movement and maintain precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complex laser beam delivery system with numerous moving parts is used to perform laser vision correction procedures, then the system can achieve precise beam scanning and focusing, but the slightest movement of components causes misalignment and requires difficult and time-consuming realignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterbalancing weights to offset the reaction forces generated by the voice coil motors. When the voice coil motors move scanning components, they generate reaction forces that could cause misalignment. The counterweights are positioned and sized to create opposing forces that cancel out these reaction forces, thereby maintaining alignment stability while preserving the precision scanning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces counterweight mechanisms as intermediary elements between the voice coil motors and the scanning lens system. These intermediaries absorb and neutralize the reaction forces before they can affect the optical alignment, allowing the system to maintain both precision and reliability
2Measurement precision
If voice coil motors are used to move scanning lens stages, then precise positioning can be achieved, but reaction forces from motor operation cause movement of system components requiring realignment
Solution Approach 1:
Counterweight mechanisms are specifically designed to offset the reaction forces generated by voice coil motor operation. The counterweights are calculated and positioned to create forces that equal and opposite to the reaction forces, thereby neutralizing their harmful effects while preserving the precise positioning capability of the motors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful reaction forces into a beneficial balanced system. By introducing counterweights, the reaction forces that would normally cause misalignment are transformed into a balanced force system where the net effect on alignment is zero, allowing the voice coil motors to operate precisely without causing harmful movements
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 significantly reduces the need for realignment of system components, ensuring stable laser beam delivery and minimizing damage to optical components by maintaining precise alignment during ophthalmic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The first coil is configured to move along the primary axis in the first direction along with the primary axis stage, and the first magnet is configured to move in a second direction opposite the first direction, in response to movement of the first coil along the primary axis in the first direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A scanning lens component (40) includes a primary (44) and transverse (46)axis stages and motors (70,148). The primary axis motor (70) includes a first coil (72) moving along the primary axis (52) in the first direction (56) along with the primary axis stage (44) and a first magnet (74) configured to move in a second, opposite direction, in response to movement of the first coil (72) a first distance that exceeds a threshold primary axis distance. The transverse axis stage (46) is adjacent and coupled to the primary axis stage (44) and moves along a transverse axis (116) in a third direction (117). The transverse axis motor (148) includes a second coil (154) for moving along the transverse axis (116) in the third direction (117) with the transverse axis stage (46), and a second magnet (156) configured to move in a fourth (119), opposite direction, in response to movement of the second coil (154) along the transverse axis (116) in the third direction (117) a second distance that exceeds a threshold transverse axis distance.