Abstract: An optical scanner is described and includes an optical beam assembly and a transducer. The optical beam assembly includes a pivoting portion having a cantilevered beam; a stationary portion; a first torsional flexure coupling a first side of the pivoting portion to the stationary portion; and a second torsional flexure coupling a second side of the pivoting portion to the stationary portion. The transducer includes a first magnetic element disposed on the pivoting portion and a second magnetic element disposed on the stationary portion. The first and second magnetic elements are configured to generate magnetic fields that interact to rotate the pivoting portion relative to the stationary portion about an axis defined by the first and second torsional flexures.

Abstract: An optical element includes a plate portion including a reflecting surface on an upper surface in a direction of a vertically extending central axis, a shaft that extends in a direction of a first axis intersecting with the central axis and is fixed to a lower surface of the plate portion, a magnet below the shaft in the direction of the central axis, and plates that fix the plate portion and the shaft, the plate portion including a protruding portion that extends downward in the direction of central axis from a lower surface, the plate including a shaft fixing portion to which the shaft is fixed and a plate portion fixing portion to which the plate portion is fixed, the plate portion fixing portion being fixed to the protruding portion.

Abstract: An actuator includes a first driving beam that is connected to an object to be driven and includes multiple first beams extending in a direction orthogonal to a first predetermined axis, ends of each adjacent pair of the first beams being connected to each other via one of first turnaround parts such that the first driving beam forms a zig-zag bellows structure as a whole; first driving sources formed on first surfaces of the first beams; and ribs formed on second surfaces of the first beams at positions that are closer to the first predetermined axis than the first turnaround parts. The first driving sources are configured to move the first driving beam and thereby rotate the object around the first predetermined axis.

Abstract: A laser scanner (10) including a housing (12) having a window (14), a light source (34) for emitting a light beam (32), the window (14) being transparent to the wavelength(s) of the light beam (32), a scanning mirror (30) rotatable about an axis of rotation (X) for deflection of the light beam (32) toward a scanning area (SC) so that the light beam (32) periodically sweeps at least one sweep surface, and for deflection of return light from objects or persons in the scanning area (SC) into a light collection path, a motor (24) for rotating the scanning mirror (30), a photodetector element (42) for generating an electric signal, arranged in said light collection path, wherein the motor (24), the light source (34), and the photodetector element (42) are all housed within the housing (12) on a same side with respect to said at least one sweep surface.

Abstract: An embodiment of a motorized optical scanner of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system used in a motor vehicle is provided. The scanner includes a reflective piece including a substrate and a reflective surface. The scanner further includes a first shaft and a second shaft attached to a first end and a second end of the substrate respectively. The first end and the second end are opposite ends of the substrate along a longitudinal direction of the substrate. The scanner further includes a first bearing and a second bearing coupled to the first shaft and the second shaft respectively. The first bearing and the second bearing are substantially concentric. Movement of the second shaft causes the reflective surface to optically transmit one or more light beams to a field-of-view.

Abstract: A rotary polygon mirror has no recess in a thickness region of one of the reflecting surfaces of the rotary polygon mirror in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary polygon mirror and has a protruding portion protruding from the thickness region in a direction away from the thickness region.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical scanning device, including: a motor (301) including a rotor (302) capable of rotating integrally with a shaft (305); a polygon mirror (308) including a through-hole (308g); a holding spring (309) configured to be engaged to the shaft (305) that is inserted into the through-hole (308g) and configured to press the polygon mirror (308) onto the rotor (302); and a restricting member (310) disposed in the through-hole (308g) of the polygon mirror (308), the restricting member (310) being configured to be in contact with the rotor (302) and the holding spring (309) and to restrict the holding spring (309) from moving toward a side of the rotor (302), wherein a linear expansion coefficient (A1) of the restricting member (310) is less than a linear expansion coefficient (B1) of the polygon mirror (308).

Abstract: A brushless DC motor including a rotor, a magnet provided to the rotor, a pair of bearings to rotatably support the rotor, a stator assembly that at least partly surrounds the rotor and magnet thereof and adapted to control movement of the rotor, and a bearing tube having an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines a tube interior. The stator assembly is provided along the exterior surface of the tube and the bearings are provided along the interior surface of the tube to support the rotor and magnet within the tube interior. The motor has sample application for use in PAP devices for delivery of positive airway pressure therapy for users or patients.

Abstract: A motor includes a rotating portion, a stationary portion, and a bearing arranged to support the rotating portion such that the rotating portion is rotatable with respect to the stationary portion. The rotating portion includes a shaft arranged to extend along a central axis, a magnet, a rotor hub arranged to extend in an annular shape around the shaft, and a flywheel fixed to the rotor hub. At least a portion of an outward surface of the rotor hub is a metal surface. The metal surface is arranged radially inward of an outer circumferential surface of the flywheel. A reflectance of the outer circumferential surface of the flywheel is lower than a reflectance of the metal surface.

Abstract: A mirror driving device includes a rotating shaft, a first driving source, a mirror holder, a mirror, a rotating body, a guide, a moving mechanism, and a second driving source. The first driving source rotates the rotating shaft. The mirror holder is supported on the rotating shaft by a support shaft extending perpendicular to the rotating shaft and is rotatable about the support shaft. A holding part is provided at an edge of the mirror holder. The mirror holder is placed on the rotating body at a position located away from the support shaft. The guide is disposed at the holding part, and guides the holding part so as to be capable of changing a distance between the holding part and the rotating shaft. The moving mechanism moves the rotating body in a direction parallel to the rotating shaft in a state where the rotating body is rotatable with the rotating shaft. The second driving source moves the rotating body via the moving mechanism.

Abstract: This rotary drive apparatus is arranged to cause incoming light coming from a light source to be reflected, and rotate resulting reflected light, and includes a motor including a rotating portion arranged to rotate about a central axis extending in a vertical direction; a flywheel arranged below the light source, supported by the rotating portion, and caused by the rotating portion to rotate about the central axis; and a cover. The flywheel includes a lens arranged to allow the reflected light to pass therethrough; and a main body arranged to directly support the lens, or indirectly support the lens through a lens frame arranged to accommodate the lens therein. At least one of the lens and the lens frame is arranged radially outside of the main body. An upper surface of the main body is arranged to cross a light path along which the incoming light travels at a position axially overlapping with at least a portion of the light source.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a MEMS device comprising, a mirror which is connected to a fixed portion by means of a first and second torsional arm, each of the first and second torsional arms are configured such that they can twist about torsional axes so as to oscillate the mirror about a first oscillation axes, and wherein the first and second torsional arms are each configured to have two or more meanders and wherein the first and second torsional arms are arranged symmetrically relative to the first oscillation axis.

Abstract: Provided are a fluid dynamic bearing, a motor, and an optical deflector, for which a fixed shaft can be attached with little axial eccentricity. The bearing (10) is equipped with a fixed shaft (11), a sleeve (20) provided so as to be capable of rotating around the fixed shaft (11), dynamic pressure generating sections (22, 23) provided in the sleeve (20), and a lower case (30) for securing the lower end (11a) of the fixed shaft (11). In addition, the bearing is equipped with a retaining case (40), which has a chuck (52) that retains the upper end (11b) of the fixed shaft (11) secured by the lower case (30), and which can be secured to the lower case (30) in a state that does not generate pressure causing the axial center of the fixed shaft (11) to move.

Abstract: Light deflector includes: polygon mirror made of plastic and having reflecting surfaces; motor rotatable on a rotation axis; and rotor rotatable by the motor, and including base portion intersecting the axis of rotation, and first protruding portion having circular cylindrical shape and protruding from the base portion in a rotation-axis direction. The polygon mirror has inner surface contacting outer peripheral surface of the first protruding portion, and bottom surface facing to the rotor in the rotation-axis direction. The bottom surface has contacting portion contacting the base portion, and the contacting portion overlaps a line segment connecting the rotation axis and any of vertexes of the polygon mirror viewed from the rotation-axis direction. The bottom surface has non-contacting portion spaced apart from the base portion, and the non-contacting portion overlaps a perpendicular dropped from the rotation axis to any of the reflecting surfaces viewed from the rotation-axis direction.

Abstract: A spindle motor includes: a rotor; a rotating shaft whose one end is combined with the rotor; a sleeve bearing whose inner circumference rotatably supports the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft, and on the outer circumferential surface of which at least one oil circulation recess is provided along the lengthy direction of the sleeve bearing; a bearing housing having a first recess accommodating the sleeve bearing and a second recess that supports the other end of the rotating shaft at a central portion of the first recess, and made of a resin; and a number of protrusions that are protrudingly formed at a gap radially spaced apart from each other around the rotating shaft so that a plurality of guide grooves through which oil passes are formed on the bottom of the first recess, and on which the bottom of the sleeve bearing is mounted.

Abstract: A mirror driving device can include: a mirror part having a reflection surface configured to reflect light; mirror support parts formed at portions of the mirror part diagonal to each other; and a first actuator and a second actuator placed so as to surround the mirror part, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator each have a structure in which a plurality of first piezoelectric cantilevers with a longitudinal direction oriented to a direction of a first axis and a plurality of second piezoelectric cantilevers with a longitudinal direction oriented to a second axis are coupled together so as to be folded, and each of the first actuator and the second actuator has one end connected to the mirror part via a relevant one of the mirror support parts and another end connected to a fixing part near the mirror support part to which the one end is coupled.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a rotation unit for a surveying device, in particular a laser scanner for optically scanning an environment and such a surveying device. The surveying device has a rotation unit having a rotation mirror, for deflecting an emission light beam and a reception light beam, and a rotation body implemented as a cylinder having a on a beveled, free end. The rotation body is implemented as a hollow cylinder having a cylinder bottom and a beveled cylinder wall on its free end. The hollow cylinder is connected coaxially with respect to its cylinder axis in a rotationally-fixed manner to a motor-driven shaft via the cylinder bottom. The rotation mirror is fastened in the region of its free end to the cylinder wall of the hollow cylinder so it is supported thereby.

Abstract: An optical deflector including a rotary member supported by a bearing shaft and rotatively driven by a motor for deflecting a plurality of laser beams separated from each other in a rotational axis direction of the rotary member is disclosed. The optical deflector includes a polygon mirror having four sides arranged about the rotational axis direction. Each of the four sides is a continuous plane having a plurality of effective reflection areas separated from each other in the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for uniformizing light amount distribution by shaking line beams along a longitudinal axis direction is provided. The apparatus includes a mirror mount, a mirror, an actuator, and a deformation member. The mirror fixed to the mirror mount and includes a reflective surface. The actuator is disposed at a distance from the mirror mount and configured to repeat expansion and contraction along a first direction. The deformation member includes a plurality of blocks connected to each other by flexible joints and is coupled to the actuator and the mirror mount. The deformation member is configured to change a displacement in the first direction due to operation of the actuator to a displacement in a second direction that crosses the first direction, amplify the changed displacement, and transmit the amplified displacement to the mirror mount.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a movable section, a frame body section, a first shaft section configured to connect the movable section and the frame body section, a fixed section, a second shaft section configured to connect the frame body section and the fixed section, a first distortion detecting element and a second distortion detecting element arranged at an end on the frame body section side of the second shaft section or in any one of the movable section, the frame body section, and the first shaft section, a first signal processing section configured to receive a detection signal of the first distortion detecting element and output a signal based on bending deformation of the second shaft section, and a second signal processing section configured to receive a detection signal of the second distortion detecting element and output a signal based on torsional deformation of the second shaft section.

Abstract: A mirror actuator includes: a base; a first rotation portion that is supported on the base so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis; a second rotation portion that is supported on the first rotation portion so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis; a mirror disposed at the second rotation portion; a first drive portion that rotates the first rotation portion around the first rotation axis; and a second drive portion that rotates the second rotation portion around the second rotation axis. The second drive portion has a coil part and a magnet part applying a magnetic field to the coil part. One of the coil part and the magnet part is disposed at the first rotation portion, and the other is disposed at the second rotation portion.

Abstract: An optical deflector including a rotary member supported by a bearing shaft and rotatively driven by a motor for deflecting a plurality of laser beams separated from each other in a rotational axis direction of the rotary member is disclosed. The optical deflector includes a polygon mirror having four sides arranged about the rotational axis direction. Each of the four sides is a continuous plane having a plurality of effective reflection areas separated from each other in the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: A light scanner includes: a base part; a shaft part that swingably supports the base part around a first axis; an optical unit including a light transmission part that is supported by the base part and has light transmissivity, and a first light reflection reduction part that is provided on the light transmission part and reduces light reflection, wherein light enters the first light reflection reduction part.

Abstract: An actuator includes: a movable section; a first shaft section adapted to swingably support the movable section around a first axis; and a reflecting section including a reflecting plate having a reflecting surface adapted to reflect light, and a support rod disposed on a surface of the reflecting plate on an opposite side to the reflecting surface, the support rod being fixed to the movable section, wherein a rib is provided to the surface of the reflecting plate on the opposite side to the reflecting surface.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source for projecting a light beam, a deflector for deflecting the light beam, a reflective member for reflecting the light beam toward a target, a contact member, and a pressing member. The reflective member includes a reflective plane and a rear plane opposite the reflective plane. The contact member contacts one of the rear plane of the reflective member and a first lateral plane perpendicular to the reflective plane to position the reflective member in place. The pressing member presses the reflective member against the contact member and includes a first pressing portion to press the reflective plane of the reflective member and a second pressing portion to press a ridge of the reflective member at which the reflective plane and a second lateral plane opposite the first lateral plane and perpendicular to the reflective plane of the reflective member meet.

Abstract: The present invention is a sweeping or reciprocating laser scanning device. The reciprocation or sweeping motion is cam driven. As the cam rotates, a lever arm is reciprocated or oscillated between two positions, which causes the laser or beam of light to move linearly, thus creating a triangular plane of light resulting in a reciprocating linear reference across the hypotenuse of the triangular plane of light.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes laser light sources, a light combining section that combines laser light from the laser light sources, and an optical scanner that deflects drawing laser light from the light combining section for two-dimensional scanning. The optical axes of the laser light outputted from the laser light sources and directed toward the optical scanner are present in the same plane. Further, the optical scanner has a light reflection surface configured to be perpendicular to the plane when the optical scanner is not driven. The optical scanner deflects the drawing laser light reflected off the light reflection surface for two-dimensional scanning by causing the light reflection surface to swing within the plane and in the direction perpendicular to the plane.

Abstract: A mirror driving device can include: a mirror part having a reflection surface configured to reflect light; mirror support parts formed at portions of the mirror part diagonal to each other; and a first actuator and a second actuator placed so as to surround the mirror part, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator each have a structure in which a plurality of first piezoelectric cantilevers with a longitudinal direction oriented to a direction of a first axis and a plurality of second piezoelectric cantilevers with a longitudinal direction oriented to a second axis are coupled together so as to be folded, and each of the first actuator and the second actuator has one end connected to the mirror part via a relevant one of the mirror support parts and another end connected to a fixing part near the mirror support part to which the one end is coupled.

Abstract: A precision scan sphere designed for use in conjunction with scanner technology, and includes a full or partial sphere, having a laser detecting surface, and which can be mounted by a shank into a holder, or held by a steel insert that may be applied to a sphere mount, during its application and usage. Because of the reduction and size of the insert, as applied to the bottom of the scan sphere, as an example, a 2.375 inch diameter sphere can mount directly to a 1.5 inch sphere mount, during its application and usage.

Abstract: An optical deflector including a rotary member supported by a bearing shaft and rotatively driven by a motor for deflecting a plurality of laser beams separated from each other in a rotational axis direction of the rotary member is disclosed. The optical deflector includes a polygon mirror having four sides arranged about the rotational axis direction. Each of the four sides is a continuous plane having a plurality of effective reflection areas separated from each other in the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: A polygon motor unit is mounted in a housing and includes a polygon mirror, a polygon motor, a board, a thermally conductive member and an elastic member. The polygon mirror is rotated and deflects light. The polygon motor includes a shaft portion and rotates the polygon mirror. The board includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the polygon mirror and the polygon motor are mounted on the first surface. The thermally conductive member includes a positioning portion for setting a reference position, a third surface facing the second surface and a projection projecting from the third surface toward the second surface and configured to position the board with respect to the reference position by coming into contact with the second surface. The elastic member is made of a thermally conductive material and arranged between the second surface and the third surface.

Abstract: A light scanning device equipped with a housing that houses lenses, a rotating multifaceted mirror, and a motor for driving rotation of the rotating multifaceted mirror, and has a bearing section for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft of the motor. The bearing section has a first fitting section of circular shape rotatably supporting the entire peripheral face of the rotating shaft, a second fitting section extending towards an outer edge of the housing from the peripheral edge of the first fitting section, and having an arcuate face formed to identical radial length as the first fitting section, and a heat-radiating section adjacent to the second fitting section in the circumferential direction, formed by a slot cut out in a predetermined direction, and adapted to expose a portion of the outside peripheral face of the rotating shaft through the housing.

Abstract: A mirror actuator includes a turning axis for turning a mirror; a support section for supporting the turning axis so as to be capable of turning; and a sliding contact member that is arranged on the turning axis and is opposed to the support section in a direction parallel to the turning axis with a predetermined clearance from the support section. The turning axis is biased in one direction parallel to the turning axis. This biasing causes the sliding contact member to contact the support section.

Abstract: Provided is an optical scanning element that includes mirror unit 1, and movable unit 2 including mounting unit 7 on which mirror unit is mounted and which is configured to be rotatable. Mirror unit 1 includes: a dielectric multilayer film that reflects a part of incident light while transmitting the remainder of the light; and a first substrate on one surface of which the dielectric multilayer film is formed, and which transmits the remainder of the light passed through the dielectric multilayer film. Mounting unit 7 includes a through-hole at a portion facing the dielectric multilayer film.

Abstract: At the time of forming an image, a rise in a temperature of a drive motor generates distortion in a bottom of a optical box of an optical scanning apparatus. If an opening is formed on the optical box to release heat, the optical box becomes easily distorted. To solve such a problem, according to the present invention, the optical scanning apparatus includes a rib which crosses over the opening formed at the bottom of the optical box.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scanner motor. The motor includes a base plate supporting the scanner motor, with a circuit board mounted on the base plate. A rotating shaft supports the scanner motor vertically in such a way that the scanner motor is rotatable. A bearing is rotatably fitted over the rotating shaft. A bearing holder holds the bearing. A stator is mounted to an outer circumference of the bearing holder to generate electricity. A rotor case is rotatably fitted over the rotating shaft so as to mount a polygon mirror. Three semicircular protrusions protrude from an upper portion of the rotor case at regular intervals to stably support the polygon minor. A concave part is formed between the protrusions to absorb external stress.

Abstract: An actuator is configured of a frame element, a pair of beam elements, a movable element rotatably supported by the frame element via the beam elements, a driver configured to rotate the movable element relative to the frame element around the beam elements as a rotary shaft; and damper elements provided on the rotary axis of the beam elements.

Abstract: A scanner motor is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the scanner motor includes a shaft, a housing having an insertion-hole formed in a center thereof, in which the shaft is inserted into the insertion-hole, a polygonal mirror, which is mounted on an upper side of the housing and has a through-hole formed in a center thereof in such a way that the shaft penetrates through the polygonal mirror, and a compression spring, which is formed on an upper side of the polygonal mirror and includes a V-shaped curved part bent downwardly in such a way that the V-shaped curved part compresses an upper edge of an inner circumferential surface of the polygonal mirror both horizontally and vertically.

Abstract: Provided is a space scanner for a self-control moving object. The space scanner has a structure in which a reflective mirror is rotated and tilted. Thus, the space scanner can scan a moving object in horizontal and vertical directions to secure spatial-data, thereby performing a self-control movement.

Abstract: A galvanometer scanner includes a mechanical support unit engaged with a far end of an optical element. A near end of the optical element is connected to an output shaft of an electric rotary motor. The mechanical support unit maintains an alignment of an axis of rotation of the optical element and an axis of rotation of the electric rotary motor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scanner motor. The scanner motor includes a rotating shaft which rotatably supports the motor. A housing surrounds an outer circumference of the rotating shaft, is made by impregnating resin into a porous sintered metal material, and has a groove therein.

Abstract: A three-dimensional space scanner is configured so that a reflecting mirror is rotated and tilted so as to scan a mobile object in a horizontal as well as vertical direction, thereby obtaining spatial data.

Abstract: A space scanner for an autonomous mobile device can obtain spatial data by scanning not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction of the mobile device using a mirror configured to rotate as well as to tilt and thereby can ensure autonomous driving.

Abstract: A galvano motor 10 includes a motor shaft 1, a coil 5 which rotationally drives the motor shaft 1, and an encoder scale 6 which is joined to one end of the rotating shaft, the motor shaft 1 is configured so that a mirror 9 which is heavier than the encoder scale 6 at the other end opposite to the one end to which the encoder scale 6 is joined, a phase crossover frequency fphase in open-loop characteristics of the galvano motor 10, a torsion resonance frequency fscale between a center part of the motor shaft 1 and the encoder scale 6, and a torsion resonance frequency fmirror between the center part of the motor shaft 1 and the mirror 9 satisfy the relation of fphase<fscale?fmirror, and phases at the torsion resonance frequencies fscale and fmirror are other than ?180 degrees.

Abstract: A precision scan sphere designed for use in conjunction with scanner technology, and includes a full or partial sphere, having a laser detecting surface, and which can be mounted by a shank into a holder, or held by a steel insert that may be applied to a sphere mount, during its application and usage. Because of the reduction and size of the insert, as applied to the bottom of the scan sphere, as an example, a 2.375 inch diameter sphere can mount directly to a 1.5 inch sphere mount, during its application and usage.

Abstract: A mirror actuator includes a turning axis for turning a mirror; a support section for supporting the turning axis so as to be capable of turning; and a sliding contact member that is arranged on the turning axis and is opposed to the support section in a direction parallel to the turning axis with a predetermined clearance from the support section. The turning axis is biased in one direction parallel to the turning axis. This biasing causes the sliding contact member to contact the support section.

Abstract: A scanner motor is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the scanner motor includes a shaft, a housing having an insertion-hole formed in a center thereof, in which the shaft is inserted into the insertion-hole, a polygonal mirror, which is mounted on an upper side of the housing and has a through-hole formed in a center thereof in such a way that the shaft penetrates through the polygonal mirror, and a compression spring, which is formed on an upper side of the polygonal mirror and includes a V-shaped curved part bent downwardly in such a way that the V-shaped curved part compresses an upper edge of an inner circumferential surface of the polygonal mirror both horizontally and vertically.

Abstract: A galvanometer scanner includes a mechanical support unit engaged with a far end of an optical element. A near end of the optical element is connected to an output shaft of an electric rotary motor. The mechanical support unit maintains an alignment of an axis of rotation of the optical element and an axis of rotation of the electric rotary motor.

Abstract: A support member and an optical fiber are disposed side by side inside a tubular outer envelope of an optical probe to extend in the longitudinal direction of the outer envelope. A light deflectors which deflects light emitted from the front end of the optical fiber in the circumferential direction of the outer envelope is provided and the light deflector is rotated in response rotation of the support member by a drive means such as a motor, whereby an optical probe which can deflect light emitted from the circumferential surface of the outer envelope in the circumferential direction of the outer envelope and is easy to make thinner and down its cost can be obtained.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an OCT probe is configured by including: a thin and long substantially cylindrical sheath whose distal end is closed; an n-reflecting surface body, as an irradiating device, which has n reflecting surfaces (with n being an integer of three or more) and which is provided in a distal end portion of the sheath; a torque transmitting coil, as a rotating device, which is provided along the longitudinal axis of the sheath and which transmits rotational torque for rotating each of the reflection surfaces of the n-reflecting surface body about the longitudinal axis of the sheath; and n fibers (1) to (n), as an n-channel waveguide device, which are provided and fixed in the sheath in a side by side relationship with the torque transmitting coil.