US 12,493,178 B2
Sensor based control of an optical device with a variable optical power or a variable beam deflection
Janne Tapani Kilpinen, Akaa (FI); Vladimir Kartashov, Horten (NO); Nicolas Tallaron, Neuville sur Saône (FR); Alain Gillet, Galan (FR); and Pierre Craen, Embourg (BE)
Assigned to poLight ASA, Tønsberg (NO)
Appl. No. 18/550,097
Filed by poLight ASA, Tønsberg (NO)
PCT Filed Mar. 30, 2022, PCT No. PCT/EP2022/058413
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 11, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/207706, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 6, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 21165787 (EP), filed on Mar. 30, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0151960 A1, May 9, 2024
Int. Cl. G02B 26/08 (2006.01); G01B 7/16 (2006.01); G01B 11/16 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 26/08 (2013.01) [G01B 7/16 (2013.01); G01B 11/16 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A controllable optical assembly with a variable optical power and/or a variable beam deflection comprising:
a first cover member and a second cover member, wherein one of the first or second cover members is a transparent cover member, and the other of the first or second cover members is a transparent or reflective cover member,
a transparent, deformable, non-fluid body positioned between the first and second cover members, so that the first and second cover members and non-fluid body constitute a lens or a light deflector with an optical axis intersecting the non-fluid body and the first and/or the second transparent cover members,
one or more actuators configured to generate a controllable bending and/or tilt of at least the first cover member dependent on a control signal, wherein the control signal is obtainable from first and second measurement signals,
first and second sensors configured to provide the first and second measurement signals so that the measurement signals are indicative of the bending and/or tilt of at least the first cover member, and wherein the first sensor is an optical sensor and the second sensor is a deformation sensor
wherein the optical sensor comprises a light source configured to transmit a light beam so that the light beam is affected by the bending or tilt of the first and/or the second cover member, and wherein the sensor comprises a light detector configured to measure a change of the light beam relating to the bending and/or tilt, and
wherein the deformation sensor comprises a piezo electric sensor element connected to the first cover member, and/or
wherein the deformation sensor is connected to a surface of the one or more actuators.