System for stabilizing an optics assembly during translation
View Patent ↗An optical module includes a first optics group, a second optics group, and an image sensor, wherein the first optics group and second optics group are configured to provide an image having a focus and a magnification to the image sensor. In some embodiments of the present invention, a first optics assembly includes a first optics group coupled to a threaded portion of a first lead screw so that rotation of the first lead screw results in translation of the first optics group along an axis of the first lead screw, a first actuator for rotating the first lead screw; and a first sensing target configured to permit detection of rotation of the first lead screw. In some embodiments of the present invention a second optics assembly includes a second optics group coupled to a threaded portion of a second lead screw so that rotation of the second lead screw results in translation of the second optics group along an axis of the second lead screw, a second actuator for rotating the second lead screw, and second means for sensing configured to detect rotation of the second lead screw.
1. A system for stabilizing an optics assembly in a plane perpendicular to an axis of translation, comprising:
a. a first guide pin, parallel to the axis of translation;
b. a second guide pin, parallel to the axis of translation; and
c. a lens housing including:
i. a guide sleeve coupled to the first guide pin, wherein the guide sleeve is substantially elongated relative to the lens housing; and
ii. a guide slot coupled to the second guide pin; and
wherein the guide sleeve further comprises a first protruding feature that is configured to couple to a first drive coupling nut.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the guide sleeve is rigidly coupled to the lens housing.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the guide sleeve is slidably coupled to the first guide pin, along the axis of translation.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first protruding feature is rigidly coupled to the first guide sleeve.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first drive coupling nut comprises a slotted feature configured to receive the first protruding feature, and the first protruding feature is slidably coupled to the slotted feature.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the first protruding feature is slidably coupled to the slotted feature in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of translation.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the slotted feature comprises two arms forming the slot, each arm having a reference surface protruding into the slot, wherein the distance between the reference surfaces is sized to accept the first protruding feature with a substantially zero tolerance between the first protruding feature and the slotted feature.
8. A compact optical module comprising:
a. a first guide pin defining an axis of translation;
b. a second guide pin substantially parallel to the first guide pin;
c. a first lens housing translatable along the first guide pin, including:
i. a first lens barrel having a first lens barrel face, facing toward a second lens housing;
ii. a first guide sleeve rigidly coupled to the first lens barrel and slidably coupled to the first guide pin;
iii. a first guide slot rigidly coupled to the first lens barrel and slidably coupled to the second guide pin;
iv. a first drive interface rigidly coupled to the first guide sleeve and configured to interface with a corresponding first drive interface surface on a first drive coupling nut, and wherein one of the first guide sleeve and the first drive interface protrudes beyond the first lens barrel face, along the axis of translation, toward the second lens housing;
and
d. the second lens housing translatable along the first guide pin, including:
i. a second lens barrel;
ii. a second guide sleeve rigidly coupled to the second lens barrel and slidably coupled to the first guide pin; and
iii. a second guide slot rigidly coupled to the second lens barrel and slidably coupled to the second guide pin;
wherein the second lens housing comprises a recessed portion configured to receive the portion of the first lens housing that protrudes beyond the first lens barrel face, along the axis of translation, toward the second barrel face.
9. The module of claim 8 , further comprising a second drive interface rigidly coupled to the second guide sleeve and configured to interface with a corresponding second drive interface surface on a second drive coupling nut, and configured to extend along the axis of translation in a direction away from the first lens housing.
10. The module of claim 8 wherein the first guide sleeve is elongated, such that the length of the first guide sleeve in the axis of translation is longer than the first lens barrel in the axis of translation.
11. The module of claim 10 , wherein second guide sleeve is elongated, such that the length of the second guide sleeve in the axis of translation is longer than the second lens barrel in the axis of translation.