Laser module

Abstract

A laser module includes a substrate, a laser diode, and a diffuser. The substrate has a surface and a reference plane, wherein the reference plane is parallel to the surface. A laser is disposed on the surface, wherein the laser diode can provide a light beam. The diffuser is disposed on the laser diode, wherein there is an angle between the diffuser and the reference plane, the angle being greater than 5 degrees.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a laser module, and more particularly to a laser module capable of providing a beam-shaped off-axis effect. Prior Technology

[0002] The light-emitting principle and structure of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) differ from traditional light sources. They offer advantages such as low power consumption, long lifespan, no warm-up time, and fast response. Furthermore, their small size, vibration resistance, suitability for mass production, and ease of fabrication into miniature or array-type components make them widely applicable in the market. Examples include optical display devices, laser diodes, traffic signals, data storage devices, communication devices, lighting devices, and medical devices.

[0003] Previously, laser modules were used in scenarios such as pedestrian recognition in autonomous vehicles and path recognition in robotic vacuum cleaners. In order to concentrate the light provided by the laser module in the necessary area (for example, in the application of path recognition in robotic vacuum cleaners, the light is concentrated on the ground), the laser module often needs to be installed at an angle, which increases the design and component costs and also increases the size of the product. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments disclosed herein aim to solve previous problems by providing a laser module, including a substrate, a laser diode, and an optical element. The substrate has a surface and a reference plane, wherein the reference plane is parallel to the surface. A laser light source is disposed on the surface, wherein the laser diode can provide light. The optical element is disposed on the laser diode, wherein there is an angle between the optical element and the reference plane, the angle being greater than 5 degrees.

[0005] The laser module used in this disclosed embodiment provides a beam-off-axis effect, allowing the light emitted by the laser module to be directly focused on the necessary area (e.g., in the application of path recognition in a robotic vacuum cleaner, focusing the light on the ground) without requiring the laser module to be installed at an angle. The laser module of this disclosed embodiment is easy to install, saves on design and component costs, and reduces product size.

[0006] The laser module disclosed in this embodiment can be applied to products such as pedestrian recognition for autonomous driving vehicles, vehicle reversing radar, gesture recognition, and walking path recognition for sweeping robots or unmanned transport vehicles. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a laser module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the laser module according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 3 shows the light emission of the laser module according to the disclosed embodiment. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the laser module according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. Implementation

[0008] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a laser module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a laser module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in one embodiment, the laser module M of the present disclosure includes a substrate 1, a laser diode 2, and an optical element 3. The substrate 1 has a surface 11 and a reference plane P, wherein the reference plane P is parallel to the surface 11. The laser diode 2 is disposed on the surface 11, wherein the laser diode 2 provides a light ray L. The optical element 3 is disposed on the laser diode 2, wherein there is an angle θ between the optical element 3 and the reference plane P, the angle θ being greater than 5 degrees.

[0009] Referring to Figure 2, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the included angle θ is less than 70 degrees. For example, in one embodiment, the included angle θ can be 20 degrees, 35 degrees, or 50 degrees.

[0010] Referring to Figure 2, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the laser module M further includes a support element 4, wherein the support element 4 is disposed on the substrate 1 and surrounds the laser diode 2, and the optical element 3 is disposed on the support element 4 and supported by the support element 4.

[0011] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the substrate 1 may be integrally formed with the support element 4, and the above disclosure does not limit this disclosure.

[0012] Referring to Figure 2, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the medium between the laser diode 2 and the optical element 3 is air. The above disclosure does not limit this disclosure. In another embodiment of this disclosure, other gases may also be filled between the laser diode 2 and the optical element 3.

[0013] Referring again to Figure 2, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the material of the support element 4 is selected from one of the following: liquid crystal polymer (LCP), ceramic, copper, etc. In the embodiment of this disclosure, the inner surface of the support element 4 may also be covered with a support layer.

[0014] Referring again to Figure 2, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the support element 4 includes a support portion 41 and an inner surface 42. The support portion 41 is formed on the inner surface 42, and the optical element 3 is supported by the support portion 41. In another embodiment of this disclosure, the support portion 41 includes a ramp 411 relative to the reference plane P, the ramp 411 being adapted to substantially contact the optical element 3. In yet another embodiment of this disclosure, the support portion 41 supports the four edges of the optical element 3. However, the above disclosure does not limit this disclosure.

[0015] Referring again to Figure 2, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the support element 4 is a ring-shaped structure such as rectangular, circular, or cup-shaped. A gap g exists between the optical element 3 and the inner surface 42; in this embodiment, the gap g can be filled with adhesive. In another embodiment of this disclosure, the optical element 3 can be connected to the support element 4 by adhesive bonding.

[0016] Referring again to Figure 2, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the material of the substrate 1 is selected from one of ceramic, glass fiber (FR4), resin (BT), solid molding material (EMC), etc.

[0017] Referring again to Figure 2, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the material of the optical element 3 is selected from polymer, glass, etc.

[0018] Figure 3 illustrates the light emission of the laser module according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Referring to Figure 3, in one embodiment of the laser module of this disclosure, the laser diode is a surface light source, and the emission range of the light beam L is mainly concentrated in region A on the diffuser plate 3, resulting in an off-axis light pattern, for example, (+19 / -41 degrees, +38 / -45 degrees). This allows the light beam L to be concentrated on the desired irradiation area, increasing the induction intensity and reducing energy loss in unnecessary areas. The above-described off-axis light pattern data is merely an example and is not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0019] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the exit angle of the ray L of the aforementioned off-axis light pattern can be perpendicular to the diffuser plate 3. However, the above disclosure does not limit this disclosure. The exit angle of the ray L can be adjusted appropriately according to actual needs.

[0020] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the laser module according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. Referring to Figure 4, in the embodiment of this disclosure, the laser module M' includes a substrate 1, a laser diode 2, and an optical element 3'. The laser diode 2 is disposed on the substrate 1, wherein the laser diode 2 provides a light beam L. The optical element 3' is disposed on the laser diode 2. The laser module M' further includes a support element 4, wherein the support element 4 is disposed on the substrate 1 and surrounds the laser diode 2, and the optical element 3' is disposed on the support element 4 and supported by the support element 4. In this embodiment, the optical element 3' includes a diffusion microstructure 33, a light-incident surface 31, and a light-exit surface 32. The light beam L enters the optical element 3' through the light-incident surface 31 and exits the optical element 3' through the light-exit surface 32. The diffusion microstructure 33 is formed on the light-incident surface 31. Through the diffusion microstructure 33 of the above embodiment, a more significant beam off-axis effect can be provided.

[0021] Referring again to Figure 4, in another embodiment of this disclosure, the medium between the laser diode 2 and the optical element 3' is air. The above disclosure does not limit this disclosure. In another embodiment, other gases may also be filled between the laser diode 2 and the optical element 3'. The material of the support element 4 is selected from liquid crystal polymer (LCP), ceramic, copper, etc. In the embodiments of this disclosure, the inner surface of the support element 4 may also be covered with a support layer. The optical element 3' can be connected to the support element 4 by adhesive bonding. The material of the substrate 1 is selected from ceramic, glass fiber (FR4), resin (BT), solid molding compound (EMC), etc. The material of the optical element 3' is selected from polymer, glass, etc.

[0022] The laser module of this disclosed embodiment provides a beam-off-axis effect, allowing the light emitted by the laser module to be directly focused on the necessary area (e.g., focusing the light on the ground in the path recognition application of a robotic vacuum cleaner), without the need for tilted installation. The laser module of this disclosed embodiment is easy to install, saves on design and component costs, and reduces product size.

[0023] The laser module disclosed in this embodiment can be applied to products such as pedestrian recognition for autonomous driving vehicles, vehicle reversing radar, gesture recognition, and path recognition for robotic vacuum cleaners or unmanned transport vehicles. The above disclosure does not limit this disclosure. The laser module disclosed in this embodiment can also be used in other product applications.

[0024] Although this disclosure has been made above with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit this disclosure. Anyone skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0025] M, M': Laser Module 1:Substrate 11: Surface 2: Laser Diode 3, 3': Optical elements 31: Light-receiving surface 32: Light-emitting surface 33: Diffusion microstructure 4: Supporting elements 41: Support section 411: Incline 42: Inner surface P: Reference plane θ: included angle L: Light g: gap A: Area

Claims

1. A laser module, comprising: A substrate having a surface and a reference plane, wherein the reference plane is parallel to the surface; a laser diode disposed on the surface for generating a light; a diffuser disposed on the laser diode, wherein there is an angle between the diffuser and the reference plane, the angle being greater than 5 degrees; and a support element supporting the four edges of the diffuser.

2. As in request item 1, the laser module, wherein, The substrate and the reflector are integrally formed.

3. As in request item 1, the laser module, wherein, The medium between the laser diode and the diffuser is air.

4. As in request item 1, the laser module, wherein, The diffuser includes a microstructure, an incident light surface, and an exit light surface. The microstructure is formed on the incident light surface. The light enters the diffuser through the incident light surface and exits the diffuser through the exit light surface.

5. As in request item 1, the laser module, wherein, The support element is disposed on the substrate and around the laser diode.

6. As in request item 1, the laser module, wherein, The material of the support element is selected from liquid crystal polymer (LCP), ceramic, and copper.

7. As in request item 1, the laser module, wherein, The light ray is perpendicular to the diffuser.

8. As in request item 1, the laser module, wherein, The inner surface of the support element has a reflective layer.

9. As in request item 1, the laser module, wherein, The diffuser sheet is bonded to the support element.

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