Aspherical Lens Arrays for Distortion-Free Light Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diffuser devices with small structure sizes suffer from high scattered or diffracted light, limiting optical efficiency, divergence angle, and uniformity, which restricts the field of view and resolution, making them inadequate for object surveying and posing laser safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser device with aspherical lens arrays on separate substrates, allowing for distortion-free light distribution by optimizing expansion in multiple directions through the arrangement and distance of cylindrical lenses, and potentially incorporating additional lens arrays or collimator lenses for enhanced light widening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If small structure sizes are used in diffuser devices, then light scattering or diffraction is increased, but optical efficiency is reduced and divergence angle is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser device is segmented into multiple lens arrays with different structure sizes. The first lens array has a first structure size while the second lens array has a second structure size that is different from the first, allowing different regions to perform different functions - some regions scatter light while others maintain optical efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the diffuser device have different local properties. The first lens array uses smaller structures for scattering where needed, while the second lens array uses larger structures to maintain optical efficiency in other regions, creating local quality variations to resolve the contradiction
2Illumination intensity
If small structure sizes are used in diffuser devices, then light scattering is increased, but uniformity of intensity distribution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser device is divided into multiple lens arrays with different structure sizes to segment the scattering function. This segmentation allows better control over intensity distribution uniformity while still achieving sufficient light scattering in specific regions
Solution Approach 2:
The structure size parameter is changed between different lens arrays. The first lens array has a first structure size and the second lens array has a second structure size, allowing optimization of both scattering and uniformity by varying this critical parameter across different regions
3Measurement precision
If the number of sensors is increased to improve field of view and resolution, then detection capability is improved, but technical and economic complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of adding more sensors with an optical approach using lens arrays with different structure sizes. The optical system itself is modified to provide expanded field of view and improved resolution, eliminating the need to increase sensor count and thereby reducing system complexity
4Illumination intensity
If typical diffusers are used, then light diffusion is achieved, but high intensity 0th order diffraction cannot be ensured, limiting laser safety
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser device segments the diffraction function across multiple lens arrays. By using lens arrays with different structure sizes, the system achieves light diffusion while controlling the 0th order diffraction intensity to ensure laser safety, as the segmented approach distributes the diffraction rather than concentrating it
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 enables a wide angular range expansion of light with reduced distortion, improving the field of view and resolution of distance measuring and LIDAR devices, ensuring laser safety and enabling efficient object surveying with increased detection stability and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
A diffuser device with aspherical lens arrays on separate substrates, allowing for distortion-free light distribution by optimizing expansion in multiple directions through the arrangement and distance of cylindrical lenses
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
Diffuser device comprising a first lens array (3) having a plurality of lenses (6) and a second lens array (5) having a plurality of lenses (7) through which light passes successively during operation of the diffuser device, the diffuser device comprises a first transparent substrate (10) having an entrance surface (2) and an exit surface (4) and a second transparent substrate (11) having an entrance surface (2) and an exit surface (4), wherein the first lens array (3) is disposed on the first substrate (10) and the second lens array (5) is disposed on the second substrate (11), or wherein the second lens array (5) is disposed on the first substrate (10) and the first lens array (3) is disposed on the second substrate (11), and wherein the first substrate (10) and the second substrate (11) are spaced apart from one another, in particular an air gap (12) being arranged between the first substrate (10) and the second substrate (11).