Scan element for use in scanning light and method of making the same

• US 8,294,969 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2009
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• 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 A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, James
• Application Number:
  US12/565,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20110069364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 3591981-1991, 359/199.3, 359/200.7, 3592241-2242
• US Class Current: 359/200.7
• 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 a light beam produced from a light source, said scan element comprising:

a bobbin having a central axis about which is wound an energizable electromagnetic wire coil;

at least one elastomeric support having first and second ends,

wherein said first end is supported so that said second end is disposed at a predetermined distance from said bobbin, about which said energizable electromagnetic wire coil is wound;

a permanent magnet having first and second sides, a central axis, and a magnetization direction;

wherein said first side of said permanent magnet is supported by the second end of said at least one elastomeric support;

wherein the magnetization direction of said permanent magnet is oriented generally transverse to the central axis of said permanent magnet;

a mirror having a central axis and being mounted on the second side of said permanent magnet to form a scanning subassembly;

wherein the central axis of said mirror is generally coaxial with the central axis of said permanent magnet;

wherein said at least one elastomeric support has an intermediate portion between said first and second ends, and wherein said intermediate portion has a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of said first and second ends; and

wherein said at least one elastomeric support generating a return force when said permanent magnet and said mirror are rotated at an angle relative to the central axis of said bobbin, during energization of said electromagnetic wire coil.

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

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

4. The scan element of claim 1, wherein said bobbin is made from a plastic material.

5. The scan element of claim 1, wherein said at least one elastomeric support is a molded article made from an elastomeric material.

6. The scan element of claim 1, wherein said at least one elastomeric support comprises a pair of spaced apart support elements.

7. The scan element of claim 1, wherein said at least one elastomeric support has width dimensions and thickness dimensions selected to achieve a desired frequency of oscillation for said scanning subassembly.

8. A scan element for use in scanning a light beam produced from a light source, said scan element comprising:

a bobbin having a central axis about which is wound an energizable electromagnetic wire coil, for generating a magnetic force field in the vicinity of said scan element in response to electrical current introduced through said energizable electromagnetic wire coil;

an elastomeric support having first and second ends extending along a central axis, and molded from an elastomeric material;

wherein said elastomeric support has an intermediate portion with a cross-sectional area, and extending between said first and second ends;

wherein the first and second ends of said elastomeric support have a cross-sectional area; and

wherein the cross-sectional area of said intermediate portion is smaller than the cross-sectional area of said first and second ends of said elastomeric support;

a mirror having a central axis and being mounted on the second end of said at least one elastomeric support; and

a permanent magnet having a central axis and being mounted relative to said mirror and said elastomeric support, so that said permanent magnet, said mirror and said elastomeric support form a scanning subassembly;

wherein the central axis of said mirror is generally co-axially aligned with the central axis of said elastomeric support;

wherein said first end of said elastomeric support is supported relative to said bobbin so that said permanent magnet is disposed at a distance from said energizable electromagnetic wire coil allowing said permanent magnet to interact with said magnetic force field generated by said energizable electromagnetic wire coil when electrical current is introduced through said energizable electromagnetic wire coil; and

wherein, when electrical current is introduced through said energizable electromagnetic wire coil, said energizable electromagnetic wire coil generates said magnetic force field causing said scanning assembly to rotate at an angle relative to the central axis of said bobbin, while said elastomeric support generates a return force when said scanning assembly is rotated at said angle relative to the central axis of said bobbin.

9. The scan element of claim 8, wherein said elastomeric support has width dimensions and thickness dimensions selected to achieve a desired frequency of oscillation for said scanning subassembly.

10. The scan element of claim 8, wherein said permanent magnet is mounted adjacent to said mirror mounted so that the central axis of said permanent magnet is generally co-axially aligned with the central axis of said mirror;

wherein said first end of said elastomeric support is mounted to said bobbin; and

wherein the central axis of said mirror is generally coaxially aligned with the central axes of said bobbin and said permanent magnet.

11. The scan element of claim 8, wherein said elastomeric support is formed from one of a silicone room temperature vulcanization (RTV) resin and an injection moldable silicone rubber.

12. The scan element of claim 8, wherein said elastomeric support has a cross-section of one of a rectangle, a circle and an ellipse.

13. The scan element of claim 8, wherein said bobbin is made from a plastic material.

14. A scan element for use in scanning a light beam produced from a light source, said scan element comprising:

a bobbin having a central axis about which is wound an energizable electromagnetic wire coil, for generating a magnetic force field in the vicinity of said scan element in response to electrical current introduced through said energizable electromagnetic wire coil;

an elastomeric support structure including a pair of spaced apart support elements, each said support element having first and second ends extending along a central axis, and molded from an elastomeric material;

wherein each said support element has an intermediate portion with a cross-sectional area, and extending between said first and second ends;

wherein the first and second ends of each said support element have a cross-sectional area; and

wherein the cross-sectional area of said intermediate portion is smaller than the cross-sectional area of said first and second ends of said support element;

a mirror having a central axis and being mounted on the second ends of said support elements; and

a permanent magnet having a central axis and being mounted relative to said mirror and said elastomeric support structure, so that said permanent magnet, said mirror and said elastomeric support structure form a scanning subassembly;

wherein the central axis of said mirror is generally parallel with the central axes of said support elements;

wherein said first ends of said support elements are supported relative to said bobbin so that said permanent magnet is disposed at a distance from said energizable electromagnetic wire coil allowing said permanent magnet to interact with said magnetic force field generated by said energizable electromagnetic wire coil when electrical current is introduced through said energizable electromagnetic wire coil; and

wherein, when electrical current is introduced through said energizable electromagnetic wire coil, said energizable electromagnetic wire coil generates said magnetic force field causing said scanning assembly to rotate at an angle relative to the central axis of said bobbin, while said elastomeric support structure generates a return force when said scanning assembly is rotated at said angle relative to the central axis of said bobbin.

15. The scan element of claim 14, wherein each said support element has width dimensions and thickness dimensions selected to achieve a desired frequency of oscillation for said scanning subassembly.

16. The scan element of claim 14, wherein said permanent magnet is mounted adjacent to said mirror mounted so that the central axis of said permanent magnet is generally co-axially aligned with the central axis of said mirror;

wherein said first end of each said support element is mounted to said bobbin; and

wherein the central axis of said mirror is generally coaxially aligned with the central axes of said bobbin and said permanent magnet.

17. The scan element of claim 14, wherein said elastomeric support structure is formed from one of a silicone room temperature vulcanization (RTV) resin and an injection moldable silicone rubber.

18. The scan element of claim 14, wherein each said support element has a cross-section of one of a rectangle, a circle and an ellipse.

19. The scan element of claim 14, wherein said bobbin is made from a plastic material.