Optical scanning assembly with flexible diaphragm
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electro-optical assembly for scanning light over indicia to be read, comprising:
- a) a support;
b) an energizable electrical coil mounted on the support;
c) a generally annular permanent magnet mounted on the support and surrounding the coil, for producing a permanent magnetic field;
d) a flexible diaphragm mounted on an axial end region of the permanent magnet at a spacing from the coil;
e) an optical element operatively connected and supported between the support and the diaphragm for movement relative to the support; and
f) electrical terminals connected to the coil for conducting electrical current to, and energizing, the coil to produce an electro-magnetic field that interacts with the permanent magnetic field and flexes the diaphragm to cause movement of the optical element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Optical scanning is established by superimposing the alternating magnetic field of a coil magnet with the permanent field set up by a permanent magnet which surrounds the coil magnet. Both magnets are fixedly secured to a support at one axial end of the magnets and a flexible diaphragm is secured to the other axial end of the permanent magnet. A scanning mirror is effectively attached between the support and the diaphragm. When the coil magnet is activated, the diaphragm is rapidly flexed which causes the movement of the scanning mirror.
87 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An electro-optical assembly for scanning light over indicia to be read, comprising:
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a) a support; b) an energizable electrical coil mounted on the support; c) a generally annular permanent magnet mounted on the support and surrounding the coil, for producing a permanent magnetic field; d) a flexible diaphragm mounted on an axial end region of the permanent magnet at a spacing from the coil; e) an optical element operatively connected and supported between the support and the diaphragm for movement relative to the support; and f) electrical terminals connected to the coil for conducting electrical current to, and energizing, the coil to produce an electro-magnetic field that interacts with the permanent magnetic field and flexes the diaphragm to cause movement of the optical element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An electro-optical assembly for sweeping a light beam over a bar code symbol to be read, comprising:
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a) a generally cylindrical casing having a generally planar base wall and an annular side wall; b) an energizable electrical coil supported by the base wall, said coil having an interior passage extending along a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the base wall; c) a generally annular permanent magnet supported by the base wall and surrounding the coil, for producing a permanent magnetic field; d) a flexible diaphragm mounted on an axial end region of the permanent magnet at an axial spacing from the coil; e) an optical reflector for reflecting the light beam and operatively connected and supported between the annular side wall of the casing and the diaphragm for movement relative to the casing; and f) electrical terminals connected to the coil and extending through the base wall, for conducting a periodic electrical current to, and repetitively energizing, the coil to produce a periodic electro-magnetic field that periodically interacts with the permanent magnetic field and flexes the diaphragm and causes oscillating movement of the reflector.
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Specification