SCAN ELEMENT FOR USE IN SCANNING LIGHT AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

• US 20110069364A1
• Filed: 09/23/2009
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Plesko, George Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 8,294,969 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/199.3
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/105 with one or more pivoting mirrors or galvano-mirrors G02B26/101 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 33/16 with polarised armatures moving in alternate directions by reversal or energisation of a single coil system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49009 Dynamoelectric machine

Abstract

A scan element includes a bobbin having a central axis about which is wound an electromagnetic wire coil and having a flange oriented generally transverse to the central axis. At least one elastomeric support has a first end coupled to the flange. A permanent magnet has first and second surfaces, a central axis, and a magnetization direction oriented generally transverse to the central axis of the permanent magnet. The magnet is supported by a second end of the elastomeric support. A mirror has a central axis and is mounted on the second surface of the magnet. The central axes of the mirror and magnet are coaxial with the central axis of the bobbin. The elastomeric support provides a return force when the magnet and the mirror are rotated at an angle from the central axis during energization of the electromagnetic wire coil.

Claims

1. A scan element for use in scanning light from a light source, the scan element comprising:

(a) a bobbin having a central axis about which is wound an energizable electromagnetic wire coil, the bobbin includes a flange oriented generally transverse to the central axis of the bobbin;

(b) at least one elastomeric support having first and second ends, the first end is coupled to the flange of the bobbin;

(c) a permanent magnet having first and second surfaces, a central axis, and a magnetization direction, the first surface of the permanent magnet is supported by the second end of the at least one elastomeric support, the central axis of the permanent magnet is generally coaxial with the central axis of the bobbin, the magnetization direction is oriented generally transverse to the central axis of the permanent magnet;

(d) a mirror having a central axis and being mounted on the second surface of the permanent magnet, the central axis of the mirror is generally coaxial with the central axes of the bobbin and the permanent magnet,

the at least one elastomeric support providing a return force when the permanent magnet and the mirror are rotated at an angle from the central axis during energization of the electromagnetic wire coil.

2. The scan element of claim 1, further comprising:

(e) a substrate having first and second surfaces, the second end of the at least one elastomeric support is coupled to the first surface of the substrate, the second surface of the substrate is coupled to the first surface of the permanent magnet.

3. The scan element of claim 2, wherein the substrate is formed from at least one of a non-magnetic metal and a plastic.

4. The scan element of claim 2, further comprising:

(f) at least one extension projecting from the substrate;

(g) a limiting plate having at least one opening, the at least one extension being disposed within the at least one opening such that rotation of the magnet and the mirror is limited by contact of the at least one extension with boundaries of the at least one opening.

5. The scan element of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastomeric support has an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, the intermediate portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the first and second ends.

6. The scan element of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastomeric support is formed from one of a silicone room temperature vulcanization (RTV) resin and an injection moldable silicone rubber.

7. The scan element of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastomeric support is generally coaxially aligned with the central axes of the bobbin, the permanent magnet, and the mirror.

8. The scan element of claim 1, wherein the flange includes at least one pocket, the first end of the at least one elastomeric support being coupled to the flange within the at least one pocket.

9. The scan element of claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet is rotatable about its central axis.

10. The scan element of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastomeric support has a cross-section of one of a circle and an ellipse.

11. The scan element of claim 1, wherein at least one cross-section of the at least one elastomeric support taken perpendicular to the central axis has a first dimension, parallel to an axis of rotation of the permanent magnet and the mirror, that is greater than a second dimension that is perpendicular to the first dimension.

12. The scan element of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastomeric support includes a pocket, the permanent magnet being at least partially disposed within the pocket.

13. A method of forming an elastomeric support for a scan element, the method comprising:

(a) providing a bobbin having a flange, the flange having a surface with at least one pocket formed therein;

(b) placing a predetermined amount of a molding material in the at least one pocket, an exposed surface of the molding material being located a distance from the surface of the flange;

(c) placing a first surface of a substrate in contact with the exposed surface of the molding material;

(d) separating the flange and the substrate by a predetermined distance after the molding material adheres to the first surface of the substrate; and

(e) placing at least one of a magnet and a mirror on a second surface of the substrate.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of separating the flange and the substrate by a predetermined distance includes pressing a spacer pin against the first surface of the substrate to move the substrate away from the surface of the flange.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein step (b) comprises placing a predetermined amount of a silicone room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) resin in the at least one pocket, an exposed surface of the silicone RTV resin being located a distance from the surface of the flange.

16. A method of forming a elastomeric support for a scan element, the method comprising:

(a) providing a bobbin having a flange, the flange having a surface with at least one pocket formed therein;

(b) providing a substrate having at least one hole formed therein;

(c) placing a first predetermined amount of a molding material in the at least one pocket;

(d) placing a first surface of a substrate in contact with the surface of the flange such that the at least one hole in the substrate overlays the at least one pocket in the flange;

(e) placing a second predetermined amount of the molding material in the at least one pocket such that the molding material covers a portion of a second surface of the substrate;

(f) separating the flange and the substrate by a predetermined distance; and

(g) placing at least one of a magnet and a mirror on the second surface of the substrate.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of separating the flange and the substrate by a predetermined distance includes pressing a spacer pin against the first surface of the substrate to move the substrate away from the surface of the flange.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein step (c) comprises placing a first predetermined amount of a silicone room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) resin in the at least one pocket.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein step (e) comprises placing a second predetermined amount of a silicone room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) resin in the at least one pocket such that the silicone RTV resin covers a portion of the second surface of the substrate.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

(h) etching at least one pocket on the second surface of the substrate surrounding the respective at least one hole, the at least one pocket providing a barrier to contain the molding material to a predetermined area on the second surface of the substrate.