Aspheric Lens Assembly for Uniform Rectangular Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems struggle to generate uniform rectangular distributions of light efficiently, leading to waste of light outside the intended field of view and requiring higher power sources, especially when using circular light distributions for rectangular fields, and are inflexible for different light sources.
Innovation Solution
Aspheric lenses with two perpendicular aspheric curves refract light into a uniform rectangular distribution by using different curvatures in perpendicular planes, allowing for efficient use of lower power sources and flexibility across various light types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If circular light distributions are used to illuminate rectangular fields of view, then the field of view can be covered, but light is wasted outside the intended field of view requiring higher power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using an aspheric lens with non-rotationally symmetric surface geometry. The lens includes a first aspheric curve in a first plane and a second aspheric curve in a second plane, where the curves have different curvatures. This asymmetric design transforms the circular light distribution into a uniform rectangular distribution, directing light precisely into the rectangular field of view rather than wasting it outside the intended area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes spheroidality through the aspheric lens surface that combines different curvatures in perpendicular planes. The first aspheric curve has a first curvature and the second aspheric curve has a second curvature, creating a lens surface that refracts light rays to form a uniform rectangular intensity distribution. This curved aspheric surface enables precise control over light direction and distribution.
2Illumination intensity
If circular light distributions are used for rectangular imaging fields, then coverage is achieved, but higher power light sources are required to achieve sufficient intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The aspheric lens with its non-rotationally symmetric surface geometry transforms circular light distributions into uniform rectangular distributions. By directing light precisely into the rectangular field of view through asymmetric refraction, the system achieves sufficient illumination intensity without requiring higher power light sources, as light is not wasted outside the intended area.
3Illumination intensity
If point-sources with narrow spatial and spectral distributions are used, then uniform circular distributions can be generated, but flexibility for adaptation across different light sources is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The aspheric lens design provides universality by being adaptable to different light sources with varying spatial and spectral distributions. The lens's aspheric surface geometry can transform diverse input light distributions (from point-sources, extended sources, coherent or incoherent sources) into uniform rectangular distributions, making the optical system versatile for different imaging applications without requiring source-specific optimization.
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 aspheric lenses provide a uniform rectangular light distribution with minimal light waste, using lower power sources and accommodating different light sources, enhancing performance and efficiency in surgical imaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
Light generated by the light source may be incident on the aspheric lens and may be refracted by the lens to create a uniform rectangular distribution of light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
A lens assembly comprising one or more lenses is provided. The one or more lenses together comprise a first surface and a second surface. An optical axis of the lens assembly extends in the z-direction. The first surface comprises a first cross-section in a y-z plane, wherein the first cross-section comprises an aspheric first curve that varies in the y-z plane, wherein the first aspheric curve is non-circular, non-elliptical, and non-conical. One surface selected from the first surface and the second surface comprises a second cross-section in a x-z plane, wherein the second cross-section comprises an aspheric second curve in the x-z plane, wherein the second first aspheric curve is non-circular, non-elliptical, and non-conical.