Single Mirror Optical Scanner Dual-Axis Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical scanners with two mirrors suffer from limited angular deflection range, increased physical size, and higher optical losses due to the need for larger second mirrors and non-intersecting axes of rotation, which cause beam distortion and limit flexibility in focusing systems.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical scanner using a single mirror mounted for rotation around two axes with integrated magnetic actuators and position sensors, allowing precise control of the mirror's angular position for high-accuracy deflection in spherical coordinates, reducing physical size and optical losses while maintaining flexibility in scan patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two mirrors are used for scanning in two dimensions, then the angular deflection range is improved, but the physical size increases and optical losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate mirror scanning systems into a single mirror that rotates around two perpendicular axes (x-axis and y-axis). This merging of functions allows the single mirror to achieve two-dimensional scanning capability that previously required two mirrors, thereby reducing physical size while maintaining angular deflection range.
Solution Approach 2:
The single mirror is enabled to rotate around two perpendicular axes, adding a second rotational dimension to the mirror's movement. This dimensional change allows the mirror to deflect laser beams in both x and y directions, achieving two-dimensional scanning coverage without requiring a second mirror.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two mirrors are used for scanning, then the angular deflection range is improved, but optical losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the scanning functions of two mirrors into a single mirror system, the patent eliminates the need for the laser beam to reflect off two separate mirror surfaces. This reduction in the number of optical reflections directly decreases optical losses while maintaining the same two-dimensional angular deflection capability.
3Volume of moving object
If a single mirror rotates around two axes, then the physical size is reduced, but the scanning accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms with the single mirror rotating around two axes to maintain scanning accuracy. By using feedback control, the system can compensate for potential errors and maintain precise beam deflection angles despite the complex dual-axis rotation, thereby preserving scanning accuracy in the compact design.
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
The solution enables precise and flexible scanning with reduced beam distortion and optical losses, allowing for a compact design suitable for applications requiring high accuracy and speed, such as medical and industrial uses.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic actuator that rotates the mirror around a first axis of rotation
Implementation Method 2
a second magnetic actuator that rotates the mirror around a second axis of rotation
Implementation Method 3
a mirror that is mounted for rotation around at least two axes of rotation so that an electromagnetic beam incident upon it is deflected into a desired direction in space
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a device having an optical scanner, the optical scanner structured to include a mirror, a first actuator that rotates the mirror around a first axis of rotation, a first angular position sensor that senses an angular position of the mirror around the first axis of rotation, a second actuator that rotates the mirror around a second axis of rotation, a second angular position sensor that senses the angular position of the mirror around the second axis of rotation, and a controller coupled to the first and second drivers and structured to drive the respective first and second actuators to rotate the mirror into respective specific angles around the axes of rotation as sensed by the respective first and second angular position sensors.