Tunable Lens Shaping Element for Non-Circular Optical Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tunable lenses with non-circular contours require sophisticated control mechanisms to achieve good optical quality, and existing systems are complex and difficult to manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A tunable lens design where the deflection of the shaping element depends on the lateral distance from an imaginary circumcircle, allowing for a simple control mechanism through proportional deflection forces applied at discrete points along the perimeter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sophisticated control mechanisms are used to achieve good optical quality in non-circular tunable lenses, then optical quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is segmented into multiple discrete actuation points distributed along the perimeter of the shaping element. Each actuation point can be independently controlled, allowing complex optical shapes to be achieved through simple, modular control points rather than a continuous complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from continuous complex mechanisms to discrete positional parameters at specific actuation points. By controlling the position or force applied at these discrete points, the optical properties are tuned through parameter changes rather than complex mechanical adjustments.
2Ease of operation
If discrete deflection points are used with proportional deflection forces, then ease of operation is improved, but control precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different actuation points along the perimeter have different local qualities - each point is positioned to affect specific regions of the membrane. The proportional deflection force applied at each point creates locally optimized control that collectively achieves precise overall optical property control while maintaining operational 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
This design enables precise control of optical properties with a simplified mechanism, enhancing the optical quality and ease of operation of tunable lenses.
Implementation Method 1
The fluidic volume is filled with a fluid which may be in gaseous phase or in liquid phase. In particular the fluidic volume may be filled with a water-based liquid or with an oil-based liquid.
Implementation Method 2
The flexible membrane comprises an optical surface of the tunable lens. At least on optical property is adjustable by changing the shape of the flexible membrane.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Tunable lens (1) comprising a fluidic volume (2), a flexible membrane (3) and a shaping element (4), wherein the membrane (3) delimits the fluidic volume (2) on one side, the shaping element (4) is attached to the membrane (3), the shaping element (4) surrounds an optically active region of the membrane, the shaping element (4) is arranged to alter optical properties of the tunable lens (1) by deflection, in top view the shaping element (4) has a non-circular contour (40), wherein the contour (40) extends within an imaginary circumcircle (10), and the amount of deflection of the shaping element (4) is proportional to a lateral distance of the contour (40) to the circumcircle (10).