LASER SCANNING MODULE EMPLOYING A LASER SCANNING ASSEMBLY HAVING ELASTOMERIC WHEEL HINGES

• US 20140197239A1
• Filed: 01/14/2014
• Published: 07/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Havens, William H., Rueblinger, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 9,092,681 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.38
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10623 Constructional details

Abstract

A laser scanning module employs a scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly supported by a stator structure using a pair of elastomeric wheel hinges. The scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly includes: a scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly having a rotor frame having a pair of rotor support posts aligned along a scan axis passing through the rotor frame; a scan mirror mounted on the rotor frame; and a permanent magnet mounted on the rotor frame. The elastomeric wheel hinge includes a central portion having an aperture for passage and fixed attachment of one rotor support post, a plurality of elastomeric spoke portions extending from the central portion and radially extending from the central aperture to a circumferential rim portion connected to the outer end portion of each spoke portion so as to form the elastomeric wheel hinge.

Claims

1. A laser scanning assembly for a module housing, comprising:

a scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly comprising;

a rotor frame having a pair of rotor support posts aligned along a scan axis passing through the rotor frame;

a scan mirror mounted on the rotor frame; and

a magnet mounted on the rotor frame;

a pair of elastomeric wheel hinges torsionally supporting the scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly such that the scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly oscillate freely about the scan axis, wherein each elastomeric wheel hinge comprises;

(i) a central portion having an aperture for passage and fixed attachment of one of the rotor support posts;

(ii) a plurality of elastomeric spoke portions extending from the central portion and radially extending from the aperture; and

(iii) a circumferential rim portion connected to an outer end portion of each spoke portion; and

a stator structure mounted stationary relative to the module housing, comprising a pair of support members for supporting each of the elastomeric wheel hinges.

2. The laser scanning assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of elastomeric wheel hinges generate an elastic returning force to the scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly.

3. The laser scanning assembly of claim 2, wherein the magnitude of the elastic returning force is linearly proportional to the magnitude of the angle of rotation of the scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly about the scan axis.

4. The laser scanning assembly of claim 1, wherein each elastomeric wheel hinge frame is molded from a silicone material.

5. The laser scanning assembly of claim 1, wherein the silicone material is a liquid silicone rubber.

6. The laser scanning assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotor frame and the rotor support posts are made from a thermoplastic material.

7. The laser scanning assembly of claim 1, wherein the each rotor support post has a circular cross-sectional dimension or a rectangular cross-sectional dimension.

8. The laser scanning assembly of claim 1, wherein the scan mirror and the permanent magnet are mounted on opposite sides of the scan axis.

9. A laser scanning module comprising the laser scanning assembly of claim 1.

10. A code symbol reading system comprising:

a housing with a light transmission aperture; and

the laser scanning assembly according to claim 1 mounted in the housing.

11. A code symbol reading system comprising:

a housing with a light transmission aperture; and

the laser scanning module according to claim 10 mounted in the housing.

18. The laser scanning assembly of claim 10, wherein said pair of said rotor support posts have a circular cross-sectional dimension or a rectangular cross-sectional dimension.

19. The laser scanning assembly of claim 11, wherein said scan mirror and said permanent magnet are mounted on opposite sides of said scan axis.

12. A laser scanning assembly for installation within a scanning system having a system housing, said laser scanning assembly comprising:

a scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly having

(i) a rotor frame having a pair of rotor support feature for supporting elastomeric wheel hinges;

(ii) a scan mirror mounted on said rotor frame; and

(iii) a permanent magnet mounted on said rotor frame;

a pair of elastomeric wheel hinges, wherein each said elastomeric wheel hinge includes (i) a central portion having an aperture for passage and fixed attachment of one said rotor support features, (ii) a plurality of elastomeric spoke portions extending from said central portion and radially extending from said central aperture to a circumferential rim portion connected to the outer end portion of each said spoke portion so as to form said elastomeric wheel hinge; and

a stator structure mounted stationary relative to said housing, and including one or more support features for supporting each said elastomeric wheel hinges, so that said pair of elastomeric wheel hinges torsionally support said scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly and allow said scan mirror and magnet rotor assembly to oscillate freely about said scan axis passing through said rotor frame.

13. The laser scanning assembly of claim 12, wherein said pair of elastomeric wheel hinges generates an elastic returning force to said scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly.

14. The laser scanning assembly of claim 13, wherein the magnitude of said elastic returning force is linearly proportional to the magnitude of the angle of rotation of said scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly about said scan axis.

15. The laser scanning assembly of claim 12, wherein each said elastomeric wheel hinge frame is molded from a silicone material.

16. The laser scanning assembly of claim 12, wherein said silicone material is a liquid silicone rubber.

17. The laser scanning assembly of claim 12, wherein said rotor frame and said are made from a thermoplastic material.