Pivoting mirror with improved magnetic drive
First Claim
1. A pivoting device comprising:
- a functional surface portion;
a gimbals portion pivotally supporting said functional surface along a first axis by a first pair of torsional hinges;
a support member pivotally supporting said gimbals portion by a second pair of torsional hinges along an axis substantially orthogonal to said first axis, said first and second pairs of torsional hinges operating such that said pivoting of said functional surface portion about said first pair of torsional hinges results in movement in a primary direction, and pivoting of said device about said second pair of torsional hinges results in movement substantially orthogonal to said primary direction;
at least one first magnet located along said first axis;
a first magnetic driver cooperating with said at least one first magnet for causing pivotal movement about said first pair of torsional hinges;
a second magnet mounted along said second axis and located adjacent one hinge of said second pair of torsional hinges; and
a second magnetic driver cooperating with said second magnet for pivoting said device about said second pair of torsional hinges to provide said orthogonal movement;
wherein said at least one first magnet has a diametral charge perpendicular to the axis of rotation and substantially parallel to said functional surface and wherein said first magnetic driver is at least one coil located proximate said one first magnet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic drive for providing pivotal motion to a functional surface, such as a mirror. The magnetic drive may be used to drive any torsional hinged device, but is particularly suitable for driving a torsional hinged mirror. According to a first embodiment, a dual axis functional surface uses a first pair of torsional hinges to provide primary movement to the functional surface and a second pair of torsional hinges provides movement orthogonal to the primary movement to allow positioning in two directions. The mass and movement of inertia of the functional surface is reduced by relocating permanent magnet sets to the axis of rotation. The reduced mass and movement of inertia results in a stiff robust hinge having a resonant frequency above about 120 Hz.
10 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A pivoting device comprising:
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a functional surface portion; a gimbals portion pivotally supporting said functional surface along a first axis by a first pair of torsional hinges; a support member pivotally supporting said gimbals portion by a second pair of torsional hinges along an axis substantially orthogonal to said first axis, said first and second pairs of torsional hinges operating such that said pivoting of said functional surface portion about said first pair of torsional hinges results in movement in a primary direction, and pivoting of said device about said second pair of torsional hinges results in movement substantially orthogonal to said primary direction; at least one first magnet located along said first axis; a first magnetic driver cooperating with said at least one first magnet for causing pivotal movement about said first pair of torsional hinges; a second magnet mounted along said second axis and located adjacent one hinge of said second pair of torsional hinges; and a second magnetic driver cooperating with said second magnet for pivoting said device about said second pair of torsional hinges to provide said orthogonal movement; wherein said at least one first magnet has a diametral charge perpendicular to the axis of rotation and substantially parallel to said functional surface and wherein said first magnetic driver is at least one coil located proximate said one first magnet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A pivoting device comprising:
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a functional surface portion; support structure pivotally supporting said functional surface portion along a first axis by a pair of torsional hinges such that said pivoting of said functional surface portion about said pair of torsional hinges results in movement in a first direction; a first magnet located along said first axis; a first magnetic driver cooperating with said at least one first magnet for causing pivotal movement about said pair of torsional hinges; wherein said first magnet has a diametral charge perpendicular to the axis of rotation and substantially parallel to said functional surface and wherein said first magnetic driver is at least one coil located proximate said first magnet. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification