Single-Seal Membrane Tunable Prism for Optical Image Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tunable prisms for optical image stabilization require two seals to prevent liquid leakage and lack a defined resting state, leading to manufacturing complexity and potential image distortion due to focusing or defocusing effects.
Innovation Solution
A tunable prism design with a single seal, utilizing a transparent membrane bonded to a rigid bottom portion, where a deformable membrane portion extends around a window that can be tilted relative to the bottom portion, allowing for adjustable light deflection without altering optical power, and featuring a compact geometric footprint with affordable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a bellows-based tunable prism design is used with wall members sealed to bottom and top portions, then light deflection capability is achieved, but two seals are required increasing device complexity and potential leakage points
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates one of the two required seals by making the top portion open rather than sealed. The membrane extends beyond the window aperture to serve as a single seal at the bottom, while the top remains open for actuator access and membrane deformation, reducing sealing complexity while maintaining liquid containment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a flexible membrane that extends beyond the window aperture to serve as both a structural component and a seal. This thin film structure replaces the need for rigid sealed connections at both bottom and top, simplifying the sealing approach while maintaining liquid containment through the membrane's flexibility and continuous coverage
2Reliability
If the top and bottom portions are sealed to form a closed container, then liquid containment is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to multiple sealing interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes one sealing interface by making the top portion open, reducing manufacturing complexity from two sealing operations to a single seal at the bottom. This simplification maintains liquid containment effectiveness while significantly easing the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the sealing function with the membrane structure itself, which serves both as a structural component and a seal. By combining these functions into a single element rather than requiring separate sealed connections at bottom and top, manufacturing complexity is reduced while maintaining containment reliability
3Reliability
If a rigid sealed container structure is used, then liquid leakage is prevented, but the prism lacks a defined resting state leading to potential image distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible membrane instead of a rigid sealed structure. The membrane's flexibility allows it to define a stable resting state through its elastic properties, while still providing adequate sealing. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both leakage prevention and a well-defined resting state through the membrane's mechanical characteristics
4Device complexity
If the window is fixed relative to the bottom portion, then structural simplicity is maintained, but light deflection capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a fixed window structure to a dynamic, tiltable window that can be rotated relative to the bottom portion. This dynamic capability enables adjustable light deflection angles while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of a single tilt axis mechanism, achieving both adaptability and simplicity
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 design ensures stable and reliable operation with reduced manufacturing costs, minimizing liquid leakage and image distortion, while enabling compact integration in miniature imaging devices.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane changes its curvature in response to a change of pressure in the container volume
Implementation Method 2
The enclosed volume of the container comprises a transparent liquid... incident light is deflected by the tunable prism
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates Tunable prism (1) for optical image stabilization, comprising the components: - A container (2) that comprises a membrane (6) comprising at least a transparent portion, the container (2) further comprising a transparent rigid bottom portion (5) facing the membrane (6), wherein the membrane (6) is connected to the bottom portion (5), and wherein the container (2) encloses a volume (7) that is filled with a transparent fluid (3), - A transparent window (8) arranged on the membrane (6), wherein the membrane (6) comprises a deformable portion (6a) extending around an outer edge (8a) of the window (8), such that the window (8) can be tilted around a first and/or a second axis (201, 202) with respect to the bottom portion (5). The invention further relates to an imaging system (50) comprising the tunable prism (1).