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US 5,668,655 AGranted
Tilt mirror arrangement
AssigneeCarl-Zeiss-Stiftung
InventorsJurgen Schweizer, Reinhard Ludewig
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a tilt mirror arrangement which has at least one tilt mirror, a base and at least one mirror bearing having at least a virtually fixed pivot point between the tilt mirror and the base. The mirror surface is characterized by a length of less than 40 mm and the size of the entire arrangement of the tilt mirror, bearing and housing is arranged below the mirror surface so that the arrangement does not extend beyond the projection of the mirror plane or extends only insignificantly when the mirror tilts.
Claims25
A tilt mirror arrangement comprising:
- a base body defining a longitudinal axis;
- a tilt mirror unit having a mirror defining a mirror surface extending transversely to said longitudinal axis;
- a bearing defining at least an almost fixed pivot point between said tilt mirror unit and said base body for pivotally mounting said tilt mirror unit on said base body;
- said tilt mirror unit having an outermost peripheral edge peripherally surrounding said mirror surface;
- an actuator for tilting said mirror about an axis transverse to said longitudinal axis;
- said actuator being mounted on said base body substantially entirely below said tilt mirror unit;
- said tilt mirror unit, said bearing, said actuator and said base body conjointly defining an assembly which does not extend outwardly beyond said outermost peripheral edge when viewed in plan from above and along said longitudinal axis or extends only insignificantly beyond said outermost peripheral edge when said mirror is tilted and said assembly is viewed in plan from above and along said longitudinal axis.
4 more elements
A tilt mirror arrangement comprising:
- a base defining a longitudinal axis;
- a tilt mirror unit having a mirror defining a mirror surface extending transversely to said longitudinal axis and having a length of less than 40 mm;
- a bearing defining at least an almost fixed pivot point between said tilt mirror unit and said base for pivotally mounting said tilt mirror unit on said base;
- said tilt mirror unit having an outermost peripheral edge peripherally surrounding said mirror surface;
- said tilt mirror unit, said bearing and said base conjointly defining an assembly which does not extend outwardly beyond said outermost peripheral edge when viewed in plan from above and along said longitudinal axis or only insignificantly beyond said outermost peripheral edge when said mirror is tilted and said assembly is viewed in plan from above and along said longitudinal axis;
- and,
- a restraining device connected between said tilt mirror unit and said base.
4 more elements
A tilt mirror arrangement comprising:
- a base defining a longitudinal axis;
- a tilt mirror unit having a mirror defining a mirror surface extending transversely to said longitudinal axis and having a length of less than 40 mm;
- a bearing defining at least an almost fixed pivot point between said tilt mirror unit and said base for pivotally mounting said tilt mirror unit on said base;
- said tilt mirror unit having an outermost peripheral edge peripherally surrounding said mirror surface;
- said tilt mirror unit, said bearing and said base conjointly defining an assembly which does not extend outwardly beyond said outermost peripheral edge when viewed in plan from above and along said longitudinal axis or only insignificantly beyond said outermost peripheral edge when said mirror is tilted and said assembly is viewed in plan from above and along said longitudinal axis;
- said tilt mirror arrangement having a predetermined preferred inclined position;
- and,
- a weight-balancing device for acting on said tilt mirror unit.
5 more elements
A tilt mirror arrangement comprising:
- a base defining a longitudinal axis;
- a tilt mirror unit having a mirror defining a mirror surface extending transversely to said longitudinal axis and having a length of less than 40 mm;
- a bearing defining at least an almost fixed pivot point between said tilt mirror unit and said base for pivotally mounting said tilt mirror unit on said base;
- said tilt mirror unit having an outermost peripheral edge peripherally surrounding said mirror surface;
- said tilt mirror unit, said bearing and said base conjointly defining an assembly which does not extend outwardly beyond said outermost peripheral edge when viewed in plan from above and along said longitudinal axis or only insignificantly beyond said outermost peripheral edge when said mirror is tilted and said assembly is viewed in plan from above and along said longitudinal axis;
- said tilt mirror having a tilt angle .theta.;
- a force-generating device for applying a changeable force to said tilt mirror unit to effect a change in said tilt angle .theta. when said force-generating device is driven externally;
- said tilt mirror unit having a lower end and an extension extending from said lower end;
- said force-generating device being mounted on said base so as to act on said extension;
- said bearing defining a tilt axis about which said tilt mirror unit and said mirror tilt;
- said extension having a surface perpendicularly orientated relative to said tilt axis;
- said force-generating device being mounted laterally of said longitudinal axis and below said mirror;
- said force-generating device including a body bendable in a direction perpendicular to said tilt axis to generate said force;
- said body having a lower end fixedly attached to said base;
- and,
- a mechanical coupling connecting said body to said tilt mirror unit for applying said force thereto.
13 more elements
A tilt mirror arrangement comprising:
- a base defining a longitudinal axis;
- a tilt mirror unit having a mirror defining a mirror surface extending transversely to said longitudinal axis and having a length of less than 40 mm;
- a bearing defining at least an almost fixed pivot point between said tilt mirror unit and said base for pivotally mounting said tilt mirror unit on said base;
- said tilt mirror unit having an outermost peripheral edge peripherally surrounding said mirror surface;
- said tilt mirror unit, said bearing and said base conjointly defining an assembly which does not extend outwardly beyond said outermost peripheral edge when viewed in plan from above and along said longitudinal axis or only insignificantly beyond said outermost peripheral edge when said mirror is tilted and said assembly is viewed in plan from above and along said longitudinal axis;
- said tilt mirror unit having a lower side defining a center;
- said base having a member extending therefrom to define a support extending to below said center;
- said support having a top surface facing toward said lower side of said tilt mirror unit;
- and,
- said bearing including:
- a conical opening formed in said top surface and having an aperture angle .beta.;
- and, a conical projection extending from said lower side and having a tip contact engaging said conical opening;
- and, said conical projection having an apex angle .alpha. less than said aperture angle .beta..
10 more elements
A tilt mirror array comprising:
- a plurality of tilt mirror arrangements;
- each of said tilt mirror arrangements including:
- a base defining a longitudinal axis;
- a tilt mirror unit having a mirror defining a mirror surface extending transversely to said longitudinal axis and having a length of less than 40 mm;
- a bearing defining at least an almost fixed pivot point between said tilt mirror unit and said base for pivotally mounting said tilt mirror unit on said base;
- said tilt mirror unit having an outermost peripheral edge peripherally surrounding said mirror surface;
- said tilt mirror unit, said bearing and said base conjointly defining an assembly which does not extend outwardly beyond said outermost peripheral edge when viewed in plan from above and along said longitudinal axis or only insignificantly beyond said outermost peripheral edge when said mirror is tilted and said assembly is viewed in plan from above and along said longitudinal axis;
- and,
- said plurality of tilt mirror arrangements being disposed one next to the other so as to cause the respective mirrors thereof to define said tilt mirror array.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.