Wave Scanning Optic for Continuous Multidirectional Line Scan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanning optics, such as rotating prisms and polygonal mirrors, are limited to unidirectional scanning and often experience pauses during scanning, while fast steering mirrors and oscillating mirrors require complex control mechanisms and can have facet angle errors.
Innovation Solution
A wave-shaped surface scanning optic with a rotatable body and an optical surface featuring a wavy pattern defined by lobes that protrude outward, allowing for continuous multidirectional scanning without breaks in the scan pattern, eliminating facet angle errors and requiring simpler control mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional rotating prisms or polygonal mirrors are used for scanning, then the scanning optic can be mechanically simple, but the scanning is limited to unidirectional operation and includes pauses between scanning surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a wavy optical surface with sinusoidal pattern instead of flat or polygonal surfaces. The continuous curved waveform allows the light beam to reflect smoothly across the entire surface during rotation, eliminating the discrete facet transitions and pauses characteristic of polygonal mirrors, thereby enabling continuous multidirectional scanning
2Adaptability or versatility
If fast steering mirrors or oscillating mirrors are used to achieve multidirectional scanning, then scanning speed and directionality are improved, but complex control and feedback loops are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex active control mechanisms (steering motors, feedback loops, sensors) with a passive geometric solution. The wavy surface geometry inherently guides the light beam through the desired scanning pattern during simple rotation, substituting mechanical control complexity with geometric design
3Device complexity
If polygonal or faceted mirrors are used for scanning, then the optic can be mechanically simple, but facet angle errors and pyramidal errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces discrete facets with a continuous wavy surface. This eliminates the facet angle errors and pyramidal errors inherent in polygonal mirrors because there are no discrete facets with angular transitions. The continuous curved surface provides smooth, error-free light reflection across the entire scanning range
4Productivity
If the scanning rate is increased by conventional means, then productivity improves, but the system requires faster rotation speeds that may compromise precision or increase mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The wavy surface geometry is designed so that the sinusoidal pattern's angular frequency varies radially, creating a scanning pattern that maintains uniformity across the scan line. This geometric design ensures that even at high rotation speeds, the light beam traces a uniform linear scan pattern without distortion, maintaining reliability at high productivity
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 continuous and uniform line scanning with increased scanning rates by adjusting the speed of rotation and number of lobes, providing efficient multidirectional scanning without complex control systems and eliminating facet angle errors.
Implementation Method 1
The optical surface is configured to emit and/or receive light in one or more incident directions... angular reflectance or refraction of an optical surface that produces a uniform line scan during rotation
Implementation Method 2
angular reflectance or refraction of an optical surface that produces a uniform line scan... the waviness of the optical surface pattern is formed to control the scanning angle range
Data Source
AI summary
A wave scanning optic is formed to have an angular reflectance or refraction that produces a uniform line scan during rotation of the optic, such that the optic is operable for seamless multidirectional scanning. The wave scanning optic includes a rotatable body defining a central axis of rotation about which the rotatable body rotates during scanning, and an optical surface formed on the rotatable body and having a wavy pattern defined by one or more lobes that protrude outwardly from the rotatable body. The optical surface has a continuous pattern with an angular frequency that varies along a radial distance from the central axis of rotation. The optical surface is configured to emit and/or receive light in one or more incident directions.