Tunable Lens with Shape Memory Alloy Actuators for Compact Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-mounted devices often have lenses with fixed shapes and properties, making it difficult to optimally present content to each user without proper adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A tunable lens system featuring a ring-shaped chassis with an actuator that includes a screw, nut, inner and outer gears, and shape memory alloy actuators to adjust the position of the lens element, allowing for precise control over lens positioning and shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed shape lenses are used in head-mounted devices, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different users is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a tunable lens system where the lens element can dynamically change its shape and focal length through an actuator mechanism. The actuator includes a screw, nut, and gear system that adjusts the lens element's curvature, enabling the lens to adapt to different users' visual requirements while maintaining a relatively compact device structure suitable for head-mounted wearables.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tunable lens with actuators is implemented, then adaptability to different users is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism is designed with nested components where the inner gear is positioned within the outer gear, the nut is positioned within the screw mechanism, and the lens element is positioned within the ring-shaped chassis. This nested arrangement compactly houses the actuator components, reducing the overall space required and simplifying the device structure while maintaining full adjustability functionality.
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 customizable lens adjustments to accommodate individual user needs, enhancing the presentation of content and improving user experience by optimizing lens alignment and focus.
Implementation Method 1
at least four shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators that are configured rotate the inner gear by moving the outer gear
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a lens module with a tunable lens. The tunable lens may include a flexible lens element and a lens shaping structure attached to the flexible lens element. The lens shaping structure may include a plurality of tabs that are each coupled to a respective actuator. The actuator may have a slot that receives the tab of the lens shaping structure and moves the tab up and down along an axis of displacement. The actuator may have an inner gear and an outer gear with a different number of teeth. Positioning equipment may move the outer gear in a circular path to rotate the inner gear. The positioning equipment may include four shape memory actuators with respective parallel SMA wires. Some of the SMA actuators may include flexures to provide a thin form factor for the actuator.