Molded elastomeric flexural elements for use in a laser scanning assemblies and scanners, and methods of manufacturing, tuning and adjusting the same

• US 8,390,909 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2010
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Plesko, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, James
• Application Number:
  US12/888,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20120002259A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 359/199.3, 359/200.7, 3592241-2242
• 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

Abstract

A laser scanning assembly includes a coil support element having a central axis about which is wound an electromagnetic wire coil and having a flange oriented generally transverse to the central axis. An elastomeric flexural element 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 flexural element. 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 coil support element. The elastomeric flexural element 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 laser scanning assembly for use in scanning a light beam generated from a light source such a laser source, comprising:

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

wherein said coil support element includes a flange oriented generally transverse to the central axis of said coil support element;

an elastomeric flexural element having first and second ends;

wherein said first end is coupled to said flange of said coil support element;

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

wherein the first surface of said permanent magnet is supported by the second end of said at least one elastomeric flexural element;

wherein the central axis of said permanent magnet is coaxial with the central axis of said coil support element;

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

a mirror having a central axis and is mounted on the second surface of said permanent magnet;

wherein the central axis of said mirror is coaxial with the central axes of said coil support element and said permanent magnet; and

wherein said elastomeric flexural element provides a return force when said permanent magnet and said mirror are rotated at an angle from the central axis during energization of said electromagnetic wire coil.

2. A laser scanning assembly comprising:

a coil support element having a coil support portion having first and second end portions;

an electromagnetic coil supported about said coil support portion;

a molded elastomeric flexural element fabricated from silicone rubber and having

a base support portion for mounting to said first end portion of said coil support element,

a magnet mounting portion, and

a hinge-like flexural portion connecting said base support portion and said magnet mounting portion in an integrated manner;

a longitudinal axis extending along said hinge-like flexural portion, and a central axis extending along said base support portion and transversely intersecting with said longitudinal axis; and

a mirror mounted to a permanent magnet forming a mirror and magnet subassembly, and said permanent magnet being mounted to the magnet mounting portion of said molded elastomeric flexural element;

wherein when said electromagnetic coil is energized with electrical current, said electromagnetic coil generates a magnetic force field which interacts with the magnetic force field and causes said hinge-like flexural portion to flex and said mirror and magnet subassembly to oscillate about said longitudinal axis, allowing a laser beam incident on said mirror to be scanned across a scanning field.

3. A laser scanning assembly comprising:

a mirror mounted to a permanent magnet forming a mirror and magnet subassembly;

a coil support element having a core portion adapted to support a drive electromagnetic coil wound about said core portion, and a flange portion disposed on one end of said core portion, and said core portion having a central axis that extends along said core portion; and

an elastomeric flexural element, made from silicone rubber material, having a magnet mounting portion, a base support portion and a hinge-like flexural portion interconnecting said magnet mounting portion and said base support portion in an integrated manner;

wherein said elastomeric flexural element is mounted between said mirror and magnet subassembly and said coil support element, and has a longitudinal axis that transversely intersects said central axis of said core portion; and

wherein said magnet mounting portion is mounted to said mirror and magnet subassembly, and said base support portion is mounted to said coil support element, so that said elastomeric flexural element (i) supports said mirror and magnet subassembly in a substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship with respect to said upper flange portion of said coil support element when said drive coil is not energized, and (ii) allows said mirror and magnet subassembly to oscillate about the longitudinal axis of said elastomeric flexural element when said drive coil is energized.