Non-Circular Tunable Lens Control via Shaping Element Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tunable lenses with non-circular contours require sophisticated control mechanisms to achieve good optical quality, particularly in adjusting optical properties like optical power and cylinder.
Innovation Solution
A tunable lens design featuring a flexible membrane and a shaping element with a non-circular contour, where the deflection of the shaping element is proportional to the lateral distance from an imaginary circumcircle, allowing for simple control of the optically active region through forces applied at discrete points along the perimeter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-circular contour is used in the tunable lens, then the optical quality and functionality are improved, but the control complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the deflection amount at different locations of the shaping element according to the lateral distance from the circumcircle. Each region of the shaping element is deflected by a specific amount proportional to its lateral distance, creating a non-uniform local control strategy that achieves good optical quality with simpler overall control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from complex multi-dimensional control to a single parameter - the lateral distance from the circumcircle. By defining deflection amount as a function of this single parameter, the system achieves non-circular contour control with simplified parameter management and reduced control complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shaping element is deflected to control the optically active region, then the optical properties are adjusted, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by defining the deflection amount as a function of the lateral distance parameter. This single parameter approach allows versatile optical property adjustment while keeping the control mechanism simple, as all deflection decisions are based on calculating this one parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the shaping element control into discrete regions based on their lateral distance from the circumcircle. Each region can be controlled independently with a deflection amount proportional to its distance, allowing versatile optical adjustment through segmented control rather than uniform control.
3Reliability
If a sophisticated control system is used for non-circular tunable lenses, then good optical quality is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies manufacturing by changing the control parameter to lateral distance from the circumcircle, which is a straightforward geometric parameter to calculate and implement. This avoids the need for complex control algorithms and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining good optical quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality control where each region of the shaping element is deflected according to its specific lateral distance from the circumcircle. This localized approach based on a simple geometric parameter makes the manufacturing process more straightforward compared to global complex control strategies.
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 and efficient adjustment of optical properties such as sphere, cylinder power, cylinder axis, prism power, prism axis, and add, enhancing the optical quality and functionality of the tunable lens.
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
In particular, the shaping element is arranged to transfer forces along the perimeter of the membrane, to control the deflection of the membrane along the perimeter of shaping element in a direction along the optical axis.
Implementation Method 3
In particular, the tunable lens described here makes use of the idea to design the tunable lens such that deflection of the shaping element depends on the lateral distance between the contour and the imaginary circumcircle.
Data Source
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).