Wedge Prism Gear Layout for Compact Beam Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing beam deflector devices are bulky due to the integration of annular gears with teeth on the prisms and external motors, making it difficult to reduce the size of the illumination device.
Innovation Solution
The illumination device employs a gear system with internal teeth to rotate the wedge prisms, allowing for a more compact design by using a single motor to drive both prisms, with one prism housed inside the other and gears positioned on the outer and inner peripheries to facilitate size reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If annular gears with teeth on the outer side are integrated with the prisms and external motors are used, then the prisms can be rotated effectively, but the device size becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The first barrel is disposed inside the second barrel, creating a nested configuration where one structural component is placed within another. This nesting approach allows the illumination device to achieve compact dimensions while maintaining the functionality of rotating both prisms independently through the gear system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from using external motors positioned outside the gear system to using internal teeth on the barrels that engage with gears. This dimensional reorganization places the driving mechanism within the existing structural envelope, eliminating the need for external motor housings and reducing overall device volume.
2Volume of moving object
If a single motor is used to drive both prisms through internal gear teeth, then the device size is reduced, but the gear system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single motor serves multiple functions by driving both the first and second prisms through the interconnected gear system. The motor's rotational output is transmitted through the first gear to rotate the first prism, and simultaneously through the second gear to rotate the second prism, achieving multi-functionality from a single actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the driving functions for both prisms into a single motor unit, consolidating what would traditionally require two separate motors. The gear system acts as a mechanical coupling that distributes the single motor's output to both prisms, reducing component count and simplifying the overall actuation system.
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 configuration enables a significant reduction in the size of the illumination device while maintaining efficient light deflection capabilities, aligning with the goal of downsizing and energy-saving requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of wedge prisms to receive the light and deflect the received light
Implementation Method 2
a driving portion including a first gear and a second gear and causing the pair of wedge prisms to rotate about a first rotation axis of the pair of wedge prisms by using the first gear and the second gear
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device includes a light source, a pair of wedge prisms, and a driving portion. The pair of wedge prisms deflect incident light. The driving portion includes a gear and a gear, and causes the pair of wedge prisms to rotate about a rotation axis by using the gear and the gear. The pair of wedge prisms include a wedge prism held by a barrel and a wedge prism held by a barrel. The barrel is disposed inside the barrel. A gear whose center axis is the rotation axis is provided on an outer periphery of the barrel. A gear whose center axis is the rotation axis is provided on an inner periphery of the barrel. The gear is disposed on an outer peripheral side of the gear and meshes with the gear. The gear is disposed on an inner peripheral side of the gear and meshes with the gear.