JPH0673720U - Laser pointer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Compact, low power consumption, straight line on the projection surface,
Obtain a laser pointer that can display curved lines. [Structure] A reflecting mirror is supported by a cantilever, and both ends of a connecting bar inserted through the other end of the cantilever are connected to the tips of the piezoelectric bimorphs. The bending of the piezoelectric bimorph causes the connecting bar to tilt, which is transmitted to the reflecting mirror by the cantilever, and the reflection direction of the light beam can be repeatedly changed. It is possible to irradiate a straight line by moving in phase or in reverse phase, and a curved line such as a circle by irradiating the projection surface with an appropriate phase difference.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to the structure of a laser pointer, and more particularly to a laser pointer using a piezoelectric bimorph as an actuator and capable of projecting curved lines such as straight lines and circles.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 A laser pointer is used to collect laser light from a semiconductor laser by an optical system (lens) to form a light beam, which is projected on a projection surface to display a predetermined position. In general, a continuous light beam is projected on a projection surface such as a screen to spot-display one point.

Displaying simple figures such as lines and circles using this laser pointer has been considered. For that purpose, it is necessary to change the direction of the light beam to a predetermined direction and distance and repeat this in a short time.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 As described above, the method of moving the reflecting mirror is generally used in order to repeatedly change the direction of the light beam in a short time. That is, the reflecting mirror has a movable structure, and the reflecting mirror is repeatedly moved. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of such a laser pointer, in which the laser beam of the semiconductor laser 40 is reflected by the reflection mirrors 41 and 42 to irradiate a light beam in a predetermined direction. One of the reflection mirrors is tilted. For example, the irradiation direction of the light beam can be changed.

It has been considered to use a small motor or the like as a means for changing the direction of the light beam by moving the reflecting mirror, but it has been difficult to obtain a small laser pointer with low power consumption. Moreover, in order to project a curved line such as a circle, it is necessary to make the reflecting mirror movable in two axial directions. Therefore, miniaturization becomes difficult.

The present invention solves such a problem, and provides a drive mechanism which can be easily downsized and consumes less power. Further, the present invention provides a laser pointer capable of changing the direction of a light beam in any direction by tilting one reflecting mirror in different directions by 90 °.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention solves the above problem by making one reflecting mirror movable in two directions by using two piezoelectric actuators.

That is, in a laser pointer that performs spot display by condensing a laser beam into a light beam by an optical system and projecting the light beam on a projection surface, two piezoelectric bimorphs are connected to the tip thereof and a piezoelectric bimorph is connected thereto. It has a connecting bar that moves according to the bending of the bimorph, a cantilever that is connected to the connecting bar and tilts in a predetermined direction according to the movement of the connecting bar, and a reflection mirror attached to the other end of the cantilever. It is characterized in that the reflection angle of the light beam can be changed by bending.

In other words, in a laser pointer in which laser light is condensed by an optical system to form a light beam, and a spot is displayed by projecting this light beam on a projection surface, piezoelectric ceramic plates are attached to both surfaces of a metal plate. The attached piezoelectric bimorph, the connecting bar that is connected to the free end of the piezoelectric bimorph and moves according to the bending of the piezoelectric bimorph, and the cantilever that is connected to the connecting bar and tilts in a predetermined direction according to the movement of the connecting bar. , A reflection mirror attached to the other end of the cantilever, and the inclination of the connecting bar is transmitted to the reflection mirror by the cantilever by the bending caused by the voltage applied to the piezoelectric bimorph, and the reflection mirror is inclined in a predetermined direction. The feature is that the reflection angle of the light beam is variable.

[0010]

[Operation] By adjusting the bending phases of the two piezoelectric actuators, the direction of the cantilever tilt can be changed. Driving in the in-phase direction and driving in the opposite phase to form a straight line in the X-axis direction. Can be projected. Also, if a phase difference other than that is given, a curve such as a circle can be projected. It is also possible to change the length and size of lines and figures projected by the applied voltage.

[0011]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a laser pointer according to the present invention. The reflection mirror 11 is fixed to one end of a cantilever 13 that is bent 90 °, and has a structure that interlocks with this. A connecting bar 14 is attached and fixed to the other end of the cantilever 13. A fulcrum 15 for positioning is provided at an intermediate portion of the cantilever 13. This fulcrum is inserted into a through hole formed in the cantilever 13, and its portion is formed thin so as to correspond to the inclination of the cantilever.

Both ends of the connecting bar 14 are connected to the tips of the metal plates 16 and 17 of the piezoelectric bimorph. This connection structure is connected to the through holes formed in the bent portions of the metal plates 16 and 17 as shown in FIG. 1 by an insertion structure or the like. The size of the through hole through which it passes must be large enough to transmit the vibration of the piezoelectric bimorph to the connecting bar 14 and not to affect its inclination.

Piezoelectric ceramic plates are attached to the front and back of each of the metal plates 16 and 17, and electrodes are formed on the front surface by silver or the like. Although not shown, the electrode is wired and a voltage is applied from the power source at a predetermined frequency.

When a voltage is applied to the two piezoelectric bimorphs in the same phase, the two piezoelectric bimorphs bend in the same direction as shown in FIG. 2 and repeatedly vibrate according to the frequency. As a result, the cantilever 23 vibrates up and down about the fulcrum. This vibration becomes the vibration of the reflection mirror 21, and the reflection direction of the light beam impinging from the upper surface changes up and down, and a vertical line can be drawn on the projection surface.

When voltages are applied to the two piezoelectric bimorphs in opposite phases, as shown in FIG. 3, the two piezoelectric bimorphs bend in opposite directions and repeat vibrations according to frequency. As a result, the cantilever 33 vibrates left and right around the fulcrum. This vibration becomes the vibration of the reflection mirror 31, and the reflection direction of the light beam impinging from the upper surface changes to the left and right, and a horizontal line can be drawn on the projection surface.

When two piezoelectric bimorphs are bent with a phase difference of 90 ° or 270 °, a combined motion of tilts in two directions occurs, and a light beam can draw a circle. It is also possible to project a figure such as an ellipse by adjusting the phase difference and adjusting the voltage.

In the above example, the cantilever is bent, but if the length from the bent portion to the connecting bar and the length to the fulcrum are the same in this structure, the displacement amount in the two directions can be made the same. it can. However, the cantilever does not necessarily have to be bent, and the reflecting mirror may be located on the same plane as the piezoelectric bimorph.

[0019]

[Effect of device]

 According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a small and lightweight laser pointer capable of displaying a predetermined straight line, a curved line such as a circle on the projection surface by repeatedly changing the direction of the light beam. Moreover, since the piezoelectric actuator is used, a laser pointer with low power consumption can be obtained.

There is also an advantage that the amount of displacement generated in the two directions can be easily controlled.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an essential part showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an essential part showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an essential part showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a conventional laser pointer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 21, 31: Reflecting mirror 16, 17: Piezoelectric bimorph 13, 23, 33: Cantilever

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A laser pointer for condensing a laser beam by an optical system into a light beam, and projecting the light beam onto a projection surface to perform spot display. Two piezoelectric bimorphs are connected to the tips of the piezoelectric bimorphs. The connecting bar that moves according to the bending of the bimorph, the cantilever that is connected to the connecting bar and tilts in a predetermined direction according to the movement of the connecting bar, and the reflection mirror attached to the other end of the cantilever are provided. A laser pointer characterized in that the reflection angle of a light beam is variable by bending. 2. A laser pointer for concentrating laser light by an optical system to form a light beam, and projecting the light beam on a projection surface to perform spot display, in which piezoelectric ceramic plates are attached to both surfaces of a metal plate. A piezoelectric bimorph, a connecting bar that is connected to the free end of the piezoelectric bimorph and moves according to the bending of the piezoelectric bimorph, a cantilever that is connected to the connecting bar and tilts in a predetermined direction according to the movement of the connecting bar, and the cantilever With a reflection mirror attached to the other end, the cantilever transmits the tilt of the connecting bar to the reflection mirror by the bending generated by the voltage applied to the piezoelectric bimorph, and the reflection mirror is tilted in a predetermined direction to reflect the reflection angle of the light beam. A laser pointer characterized by being variable.