Beam Combining Optics for 3D Scanning Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical scanning devices face challenges in maintaining precise alignment of optical components, leading to performance loss due to deviations in alignment during operation, which affects the accuracy of 3D mapping and depth measurement.
Innovation Solution
The use of beam-combining optics with multiple faces, including a prism configured for internal reflection and a beamsplitter, aligns the beam axis with the collection axis, ensuring robustness and ease of alignment, allowing the same scanning mirror to scan both axes over a scan area, and incorporating a micro-optical substrate with a laser die and detector die for enhanced precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional optical scanning devices are used, then the device structure is simpler, but the alignment precision between beam axis and collection axis deteriorates during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the beam axis and collection axis alignment functions into a single optical component (beam combiner or dichroic mirror). This merging ensures that both axes remain precisely aligned during operation, as the single component maintains a fixed geometric relationship between the two optical paths, thereby improving alignment stability while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam combiner serves multiple functions simultaneously: it combines the beam axis and collection axis, acts as a dichroic mirror for wavelength separation, and maintains alignment stability. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby improving overall system reliability and alignment precision.
2Device complexity
If separate beam axis and collection axis are used, then the optical path is simpler, but the performance loss due to alignment deviation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the alignment maintenance function into the existing beam combiner component, allowing the optical path structure to remain relatively simple while adding the capability to maintain alignment stability. The beam combiner's geometric structure inherently maintains the relationship between beam axis and collection axis without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment mechanisms are added to maintain precision, then the alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (beam combining, wavelength separation, and alignment maintenance) into existing optical components rather than adding separate alignment mechanisms. This approach maintains alignment precision through the inherent geometric relationships of the combined components without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam combiner and dichroic mirror are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously, including alignment stability maintenance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment adjustment mechanisms, thereby improving alignment precision without increasing device complexity.
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
This solution enhances the alignment and robustness of optical scanning modules, maintaining performance even with deviations in alignment, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of 3D mapping and depth measurement processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first face configured for internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
a second face including a beamsplitter
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic module includes a beam transmitter, which emits at least one beam of light along a beam axis, and a receiver, which senses the light received by the module along a collection axis of the receiver, which is parallel to the beam axis within the module. Beam-combining optics direct the beam and the received light so that the beam axis is aligned with the collection axis outside the module. The beam-combining optics include multiple faces, including at least a first face configured for internal reflection and a second face comprising a beamsplitter, which is intercepted by both the beam axis and the collection axis.