Thin Glass Optical Element for Distance Measuring Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measuring devices face issues with measuring artefacts, optical aberration effects, and increased complexity due to the use of thick glass optical elements, which also contribute to weight and inertia limitations.
Innovation Solution
The use of a thin glass pane with a thickness below 0.3 mm, coated on at least one surface, adhesively connected to a ring element, which provides stability and minimizes scattering and diffraction effects, allowing for a lightweight and robust optical element that decouples the transmission and reception channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thick glass optical element (≥1 mm) is used to prevent glass breakage, then the mechanical strength and reliability are improved, but the weight and inertia increase, and the holding means requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a thin glass pane (below 0.3 mm) with a plastic housing that includes a recess and adhesive layer. This composite structure provides the necessary mechanical strength and breakage prevention while maintaining low weight, as the plastic housing absorbs the mechanical stress rather than requiring the glass itself to be thick.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a plastic housing structure with a recess that cradles and supports the thin glass pane from behind. This support structure counteracts the weakness of the thin glass, providing mechanical strength without adding significant weight, effectively compensating for the reduced glass thickness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a thick glass optical element is used, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the device complexity and holding means requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the holding function directly into the housing structure by integrating a recess and adhesive layer as part of the housing itself, rather than using a separate holding means. This simplifies the overall device structure while providing stable support for the thin glass pane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an adhesive layer as an intermediary between the plastic housing and the thin glass pane. This adhesive mediator provides stable bonding and support, enabling the thin glass to be held securely without requiring complex mechanical holding structures.
3Weight of moving object
If a thin glass pane (below 0.3 mm) is used, then the weight and inertia are reduced, but the glass breakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic housing structure with its recess and supportive geometry counteracts the fragility of the thin glass pane, providing mechanical strength without adding significant weight. The housing acts as a protective cradle that prevents breakage while maintaining low overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of thin glass with the plastic housing creates a composite structure where each material contributes its strengths: the glass provides optical properties while the plastic provides mechanical strength and breakage resistance, achieving both low weight and high reliability.
4Measurement precision
If a thin glass pane is used, then the scattering and diffraction effects are minimized, but the mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of thin glass pane plus plastic housing allows the glass to be thin enough for optimal optical performance (reduced scattering and diffraction) while the plastic housing provides the necessary mechanical strength to protect the fragile thin glass during operation and handling.
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 reduces measuring artefacts, optical aberrations, and complexity while minimizing weight and inertia, enabling more precise and efficient distance measurement with reduced installation space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The glass part includes a glass pane with a thickness below 0.3 mm, with two surfaces, and with a coating on at least one of the two surfaces
Implementation Method 2
minimizes scattering and diffraction effects
Implementation Method 3
minimizes scattering and diffraction effects
Data Source
AI summary
A distance measuring device comprising an optical transmitter channel for transmitting laser light along a transmitter path and an optical reception channel for receiving laser light along a reception path. At least one optical element including a glass part with a coated surface is positioned in the optical transmitter channel or in the optical reception channel. The glass part includes a glass pane with a thickness below 0.3 mm, with a peripheral edge and with a coating on at least one of the two surfaces, and a ring element. The glass pane is adhesively connected to an end face of the ring element. This distance measuring device shows reduced measuring artefacts and/or reduced optical aberration effects and/or a reduced weight.