Array Light Source Optical Transmitter for Low-Angle 3D Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 3D camera technology faces high requirements on the rotation angle and modulation speed of the scanning mirror due to spot scanning, leading to implementation difficulties and low utilization of the light source.
Innovation Solution
An optical transmitting apparatus utilizing an array light source, collimating lens, rotatable scanning mirror, and optical beam splitter to emit and split light beams into a two-dimensional array, reducing the need for precise rotation angles and improving light source utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spot scanning manner is used to emit light, then depth information can be obtained, but the requirement on rotation angle of scanning mirror becomes extremely high and implementation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single light beam into multiple light beams (first light beam, second light beam, third light beam, etc.) that can simultaneously illuminate different regions of the target object. This segmentation allows parallel measurement of multiple points, reducing the need for precise sequential scanning and lowering the rotation angle requirements for the scanning mirror.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional spot scanning to two-dimensional plane illumination by introducing multiple light beams that can cover different spatial dimensions simultaneously. This dimensional expansion allows the system to capture depth information from multiple points in parallel, reducing the scanning complexity and rotation angle requirements.
2Measurement precision
If spot scanning manner is used to emit light, then depth information can be obtained, but light source utilization becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light source output into multiple independent light beams, each capable of illuminating different regions simultaneously. This allows the light source energy to be distributed across multiple measurement points at once, significantly improving light source utilization compared to sequential spot scanning where only one point is illuminated at a time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous parallel measurement by maintaining multiple active light beams simultaneously illuminating different regions of the target object. This eliminates the idle time between sequential spot measurements, ensuring continuous useful action and maximizing light source utilization throughout the measurement process.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple light beams are emitted simultaneously, then light source utilization improves, but device complexity increases due to additional optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical beam splitters as intermediary components that divide the light beam path into multiple channels. These beam splitters act as mediators that systematically distribute light to different regions, providing a structured approach to multi-beam emission that manages complexity through modular optical division rather than requiring completely independent light sources for each beam.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces the processing and installation difficulties of the scanning mirror while enhancing the utilization of the light source, enabling efficient image capture in 3D cameras.
Implementation Method 1
a collimating lens, configured to convert the light beams into collimated light beams
Implementation Method 2
a rotatable scanning mirror, configured to reflect the collimated light beams into second collimated light beams
Implementation Method 3
an optical beam splitter, configured to receive the second collimated light beams and split the second collimated light beams into third collimated light beams
Data Source
Figure 1~2(b)
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A
AI summary
An optical transmitting apparatus and an electronic device are provided, and relate to the field of optical and electronic device technologies. The optical transmitting apparatus includes: an array light source (401), a collimating lens (402), a rotatable scanning mirror (403), and an optical beam splitter (404). The array light source (401) may include M rows and N columns of light sources, both M and N are positive integers, and an included angle between any column of light sources in the N columns of light sources and any row of light sources in the M rows of light sources is a preset angle. The array light source (401) is located on a first side of the collimating lens (402), a plane on which the array light source (401) is located is perpendicular to an optical axis of the collimating lens (402), and a distance between the plane on which the array light source (401) is located and a center point of the collimating lens (402) is a focal length of the collimating lens (402). The rotatable scanning mirror (403) is located on a second side of the collimating lens (402), and a center point of a reflective surface of the rotatable scanning mirror (403) is on the optical axis of the collimating lens (402). Requirements on a rotation angle of the rotatable scanning mirror (403) in the optical transmitting apparatus are reduced, and utilization of a light beam emitted by the optical transmitting apparatus is improved.