Tunable Optical Component With Piezo-Driven Liquid Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tunable optical components lack the ability to dynamically adjust optical properties such as sphere power, cylinder power, prism power, and prism axis with high precision and flexibility, limiting their applications in adaptive optics systems.
Innovation Solution
A tunable optical component featuring a liquid chamber with a flexible membrane and multiple piezo units, where the membrane's optically active area is deformed by the actuator to alter optical properties, allowing for adjustable sphere power, cylinder power, prism power, and prism axis through controlled deformation and movement of the shaping element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible membrane is used to enable dynamic deformation for optical property adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in controlling membrane deformation uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using piezoelectric elements selectively at specific locations on the membrane rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This allows targeted deformation in specific regions to achieve precise optical property adjustments while maintaining overall membrane integrity and uniformity in non-actuated areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical deformation methods with piezoelectric actuation. The piezoelectric elements convert electrical signals directly into mechanical deformation of the membrane, enabling precise control of optical properties without complex mechanical linkages that would compromise deformation uniformity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple piezo units are used to achieve precise optical adjustment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the actuation system into multiple independent piezoelectric elements that can be individually controlled. This segmentation allows precise control of optical properties by selectively activating specific piezo units, while the modular nature of individual elements keeps each component relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric elements serve multiple functions: they act as both structural support components and actuation elements for optical property adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanical actuators, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the membrane is made more flexible to enhance optical adaptability, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased susceptibility to defects and uniformity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuation systems with piezoelectric-based actuation. This substitution allows the membrane to remain flexible for optical adaptability while the piezoelectric elements provide controlled, reproducible deformation that is less susceptible to defects and more reliable than mechanical alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the membrane to optimize the balance between flexibility and reliability. By selecting materials with specific piezoelectric coefficients and mechanical properties, the membrane achieves sufficient flexibility for optical adjustment while maintaining structural integrity and resistance to defects.
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
Enables precise and flexible adjustment of optical properties, enhancing the component's adaptability in various optical applications, including correction of astigmatism and multifocal capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The piezo element 201 has piezo electric properties, which are utilized to alter the optical properties of the tunable optical component
Implementation Method 2
By moving the liquid 102 in the liquid chamber, the optically active area is deformed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tunable optical component (100) comprising a liquid chamber (101), a flexible membrane (1), a shaping element (3), and an actuator (2), wherein the liquid chamber (101) is filled with a liquid (102), the membrane (1) delimits the liquid chamber (101), the membrane (1) is attached to the shaping element (3), the shaping element (3) has a ring shape, wherein the shaping element (3) surrounds an optically active area (10) of the membrane (1), the actuator (2) comprises multiple piezo units (20), the piezo unit (20) is coupled to a counterpart (203) in a releasable force-fitting manner, the piezo unit (20) is arranged to move the counterpart (203), and wherein the relative movement of the counterpart (203) and the piezo unit (20) results in a movement of the liquid (102), which causes a change of an optical property of the optically active area (10).