Structured light generator with improved structure

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of optical three-dimensional measurement, and discloses a structured light generator with an improved structure, which comprises a shell, a light source module, a light modulation module and a projection lens assembly, illuminating light beams are transmitted to the light modulation module in the base in the basic horizontal direction, and modulated structured light patterns are transmitted to the projection lens assembly from the light modulation module in the basic vertical direction. Through the integrally designed L-shaped shell, the light source module and the light modulation module are arranged in the base, and the projection lens assembly is arranged on the bearing table at the top of the base, so that a horizontal-vertical folding light path is formed. According to the structure, the equipment size is greatly reduced, the overall structure is more compact, meanwhile, the integrated shell provides a stable and reliable installation reference for the optical element and optimizes a heat dissipation path, and the stability and environmental adaptability of the equipment are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical three-dimensional measurement and imaging technology, and in particular to a structured light generator with an improved structure. Background Technology

[0002] Structured light 3D measurement technology is an active optical 3D sensing technology. Its basic principle is as follows: a structured light generator projects a structured light pattern with a specific pattern onto the surface of a target object. An image acquisition device, such as a camera, captures the deformed pattern modulated by the surface contour of the target object from another angle. Then, the 3D coordinate information of the object's surface is calculated using triangulation principles and related algorithms. Due to its advantages of being non-contact, highly precise, and efficient, it is widely used in industrial inspection, reverse engineering, medical imaging, cultural relic preservation, and consumer electronics.

[0003] As the core component of this system, the performance of the structured light generator directly determines the accuracy and stability of 3D measurement. Traditional structured light generators typically arrange optical components such as the light source, collimation and homogenization system, spatial light modulator (such as DLP or LCoS), and projection lens along a straight optical path. While this arrangement provides an intuitive optical path, it results in a large overall structural size and excessive length, making it difficult to apply in space-constrained scenarios, such as compact 3D scanners or measurement devices integrated into the end effector of robotic arms.

[0004] Furthermore, existing structured light generators produce a significant amount of heat during prolonged operation, particularly from the light source and drive circuitry. Poorly designed heat dissipation structures can lead to thermal drift in optical components, causing distortion or positional shifts in the projected structured light pattern, severely impacting the accuracy and repeatability of measurement results. Additionally, the modular component mounting method is susceptible to optical path misalignment due to vibration or impact, reducing the reliability of the equipment.

[0005] Therefore, how to design a structured light generator that is compact, has a stable optical path, good heat dissipation performance, and is easy to integrate is an urgent problem to be solved in the current technology field. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned defects in the prior art and provide an improved structured light generator with a compact structure, stable and reliable optical path, and good heat dissipation, thereby improving overall performance and application range.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A modified structured light generator includes:

[0009] The housing includes a base and a support platform integrally formed on top of the base;

[0010] A light source module is disposed within the receiving cavity of the base and is used to emit an illumination beam;

[0011] An optical modulation module is disposed within the receiving cavity of the base and located in the optical path of the light source module, and is used to modulate the illumination beam into a preset structured light pattern;

[0012] The projection lens assembly is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the support platform at its bottom, with its optical axis approximately perpendicular to the upper surface of the support platform. The projection lens assembly is used to project the structured light pattern generated by the light modulation module onto an external target object.

[0013] The light source module, the light modulation module, and the projection lens assembly form a folded light path. The illumination beam is transmitted to the light modulation module in a basically horizontal direction within the base, and the modulated structured light pattern is transmitted from the light modulation module to the projection lens assembly in a basically vertical direction.

[0014] Preferably, the shell is a generally L-shaped block structure.

[0015] Preferably, the support platform extends from the top of one end of the base, and the width of the support platform is smaller than the width of the base.

[0016] Preferably, the projection lens assembly has a cylindrical structure and its outer diameter is greater than the width of the support platform.

[0017] Preferably, the light source module includes at least one LED light-emitting element and a collimating lens group for collimating the light emitted by the LED light-emitting element.

[0018] Preferably, the optical modulation module includes a spatial light modulator, which is a silicon-based liquid crystal (LCoS) chip.

[0019] Preferably, the optical modulation module further includes a polarizing beam splitter PBS, which is disposed in front of the optical path of the LCoS chip to guide the illumination beam to the LCoS chip and separate the structured light pattern reflected by it.

[0020] Preferably, the outer wall of the base is provided with a plurality of structural features for mounting, fixing or enhancing heat dissipation.

[0021] Preferably, the housing is made of a high thermal conductivity metal material or a composite material.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. This utility model incorporates the light source module and light modulation module within a base, and vertically mounts the projection lens assembly onto a support platform above the base, forming an "L"-shaped folded light path. This design significantly reduces the depth required for traditional straight light path layouts, making the entire structured light generator more square and compact, making it particularly suitable for applications with strict requirements on device size.

[0024] 2. The housing of this utility model adopts an integrated design, with the base and support platform forming a single integral structure, providing a robust and reliable mounting reference for the core optical components. The projection lens assembly is firmly fixed on the support platform, effectively resisting external vibrations and impacts, ensuring the long-term stability of the optical path, and thus ensuring the accuracy and repeatability of the measurement results.

[0025] 3. This invention centrally arranges the main heat-generating components, such as the driving circuits of the light source module and the light modulation module, within the base, which itself can serve as a large heat sink. The integrated metal housing design provides a large heat dissipation surface area and an efficient heat conduction path, allowing internal heat to be quickly dissipated and avoiding the impact of localized overheating on the performance of optical components.

[0026] 4. The compact structure and the pre-installed mounting features on the housing of this utility model make it easy to integrate the structured light generator as a standard module into more complex automated equipment, robot systems or testing instruments. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an improved structured light generator according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a front view of a structured light generator with an improved structure according to this utility model;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a right view of a structured light generator with an improved structure according to this utility model;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a top view of a structured light generator with an improved structure according to this utility model.

[0031] In the diagram: 1-shell; 2-base; 3-support platform; 4-projection lens assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0033] Please see Figure 1-4 This utility model provides an improved structured light generator 100. The structured light generator 100 mainly includes a housing 1, a light source module and a light modulation module disposed inside the housing 1, and a projection lens assembly 4 fixed to the top of the housing 1.

[0034] Specifically, the housing 1 is a specially shaped integrated structure, roughly L-shaped, consisting of a base 2 and a support platform 3 extending from the top of the base 2. In this embodiment, the base 2 is the main body, containing a cavity for mounting internal optical and circuit components such as the light source module and light modulation module. The support platform 3 serves as a mounting platform for the projection lens assembly 4; its flat upper surface provides a reliable reference for the stable fixation of the projection lens assembly 4. Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can be seen that the overall dimensions of the base 2 form the main outline of the equipment, while the width of the support platform 3 is relatively small.

[0035] The light source module is located inside the base 2 and is used to generate an illumination beam. In this embodiment, the light source module preferably uses a high-brightness LED as the light-emitting element, and is used in conjunction with a corresponding collimating lens, a light-diffusing element, etc., to output a uniform illumination field.

[0036] The light modulation module is also located inside the base 2. It receives the illumination beam from the light source module and modulates it into a structured light pattern preset by the computer. In this embodiment, the core component of the light modulation module is a reflective LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) chip. The illumination beam is guided to the surface of the LCoS chip via a PBS (polarizing beam splitter). Each pixel of the LCoS chip changes the polarization state of the liquid crystal according to a control signal, thereby forming the desired stripe or speckle pattern in the reflected light.

[0037] The projection lens assembly 4 is a high-quality telecentric or near-telecentric lens, cylindrical in shape with an outer diameter of approximately 40mm. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, its bottom is securely fixed to the upper surface of the support platform 3 by a flange or other means, and its optical axis is approximately vertical and perpendicular to the surface of the support platform 3. The projection lens assembly 4 receives the modulated structured light pattern from the light modulation module and projects it clearly and with low distortion onto the target object in the external space.

[0038] The most core structural innovation of this utility model lies in its optical path design. (Reference) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The overall structure shown features a folded internal optical path. Specifically, the illumination beam emitted by the light source module propagates horizontally within the housing cavity of base 2, passing through a series of optical elements before reaching the light modulation module. At the light modulation module, the beam is modulated and reflected by the LCoS chip. Due to the action of the PBS, the propagation direction of the reflected beam carrying the structured light pattern is changed, and it exits base 2 in a roughly vertically upward direction, entering the projection lens assembly 4 directly above. The projection lens assembly 4 then projects this vertically incident structured light pattern.

[0039] This folded optical path design, which combines horizontal and vertical optical paths, is perfectly realized through the L-shaped housing 1. It allows the device to be long enough in the vertical projection direction to ensure optical performance, while greatly shortening the horizontal dimensions, ultimately forming a compact block structure with a total size of approximately 94.1mm x 40mm x 110mm, which has a significant advantage in many integrated applications.

[0040] Furthermore, the entire housing 1 is precision-machined from high thermal conductivity metal materials such as aluminum alloy. This not only ensures the rigidity and dimensional accuracy of the structure, but more importantly, it provides a comprehensive heat dissipation solution. The main heat sources, such as the light source module and LCoS drive circuit, are all installed inside the base 2. Heat can be quickly conducted through the housing 1 to its vast outer surface and dissipated through natural convection or forced air cooling, effectively controlling the temperature rise inside the device and ensuring the stability of the structured light pattern.

[0041] In summary, this utility model cleverly achieves optical path folding through an integrated L-shaped housing, which, while ensuring optical performance, achieves the beneficial effects of compact structure, high stability and excellent heat dissipation performance, and solves the related problems existing in the prior art.

[0042] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it; although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A structured light generator of improved construction, characterized by include: The housing (1) includes a base (2) and a support platform (3) integrally formed on the top of the base (2); A light source module is disposed in the receiving cavity of the base (2) and is used to emit an illumination beam; The light modulation module is disposed in the receiving cavity of the base (2) and located in the optical path of the light source module, and is used to modulate the illumination beam into a preset structured light pattern; The projection lens assembly (4) is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the support platform (3) with its optical axis approximately perpendicular to the upper surface of the support platform (3). The projection lens assembly (4) is used to project the structured light pattern generated by the light modulation module onto an external target object. The light source module, the light modulation module and the projection lens assembly (4) form a folded light path. The illumination beam is transmitted to the light modulation module in the base (2) along a basically horizontal direction. The modulated structured light pattern is transmitted from the light modulation module to the projection lens assembly (4) along a basically vertical direction.

2. A structured light generator of improved construction according to claim 1, wherein: The shell (1) is generally an L-shaped block structure.

3. The structured light generator of claim 1, wherein: The support platform (3) extends from the top of one end of the base (2), and the width of the support platform (3) is smaller than the width of the base (2).

4. The structured light generator of claim 1, wherein: The projection lens assembly (4) is a cylindrical structure, and its outer diameter is greater than the width of the support platform (3).

5. The structured light generator of claim 1, wherein: The light source module includes at least one LED light-emitting element and a collimating lens group for collimating the light emitted by the LED light-emitting element.

6. The structured light generator of claim 1, wherein: The optical modulation module includes a spatial light modulator, which is a silicon-based liquid crystal (LCoS) chip.

7. A structured light generator of improved construction according to claim 6 wherein: The optical modulation module also includes a polarizing beam splitter PBS, which is positioned in front of the optical path of the LCoS chip to guide the illumination beam to the LCoS chip and separate the structured light pattern reflected by it.

8. The structured light generator of claim 1, wherein: The outer wall of the base (2) is provided with a number of structural features for installation, fixation or heat dissipation enhancement.

9. The structured light generator of claim 1, wherein: The housing (1) is made of a high thermal conductivity metal material or a composite material.

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