Tandem Scanning Optical Device Focus Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanning optical devices of the tandem type face challenges in unifying collimator lenses due to complex laser package shapes, close light source placement, and environmental changes affecting focus positions, making adjustment and assembly inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A scanning optical device with integrated optical elements, including collimator lenses, where light source members are spaced apart and fixed to a common holding member, allowing for decentered optical axes and adjusted positions to ensure proper beam conversion and scanning, while using diffraction surfaces to stabilize focus against temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If collimator lenses are unified by plastic molding to reduce size and improve assembly, then device size and assembly complexity are reduced, but focus position stability deteriorates due to environmental temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into separate modules: light source means with collimator lenses are separated from the imaging optical system. Each light source means includes its own collimator lens, allowing independent adjustment and temperature compensation without affecting other channels. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling focus stability through separate adjustment while maintaining compact overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs temperature compensation mechanisms by allowing independent adjustment of each light source means' optical parameters (focus position, beam direction) to counteract environmental temperature changes. The system can dynamically adjust optical path parameters to maintain focus stability despite temperature variations affecting the plastic-molded collimator lenses.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple light source means are disposed close to each other to reduce device size, then device size is reduced, but adjustment convenience deteriorates due to physical interference of adjusting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Each light source means is designed as an independently adjustable module with its own holding member and adjustment mechanism. This segmentation allows adjustment of each channel without interfering with adjacent channels, even when light sources are closely disposed. The independent holding members prevent mechanical interference during adjustment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions to accommodate adjustment mechanisms. By positioning light source means at different locations and orientations, the system provides sufficient space for adjusting mechanisms to operate without physical interference, while maintaining compact overall device size through efficient three-dimensional packaging.
3Ease of manufacture
If light source means are fixed to common holding member to simplify assembly, then assembly convenience is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to complex laser package shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary adjustment mechanisms where each light source means can be independently positioned and aligned before final assembly. The holding members are designed with adjustment capabilities that allow precise optical axis alignment to be performed in advance, ensuring manufacturing precision is not compromised by simplified assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding members are designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing optical parameters to be fine-tuned after initial assembly. This dynamic adjustment feature enables precise alignment to be achieved through mechanical adjustment rather than requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, thus maintaining manufacturing precision while simplifying assembly.
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 configuration simplifies assembly, reduces device size, and enhances adjustment convenience by maintaining focus stability and reducing temperature-induced focus shifts, enabling efficient scanning and high-definition image formation.
Implementation Method 1
light beam converting means for converting a light focus state of light beams emitted from the light emitting members
Implementation Method 2
using diffraction surfaces to stabilize focus against temperature changes
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning optical device including a plurality of light source devices 1a-1d, a light beam converting system 3 for converting the light focus state of the plurality of light beams emitted from light emitting members of the light source devices, a deflecting member 5 for scanningly deflecting the light beam from the light beam converting system, and imaging optical members 6a-6d for imaging the light beam from the deflecting member upon scan surfaces 8a-8d corresponding to the light beams, respectively, wherein the light beam converting system is comprised of a plurality of optical elements 3a-3d formed integrally and each converting the light focus state of associated one of the light beams from the light source devices, and wherein the light source devices are fixed to a holding member 12 while the positions with respect to the associated optical elements are adjusted.