Optical Beam Shaping Unit with Spherical Lens and Positive Focal Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical beam shaping units face challenges in minimizing structural length and focal length variability, which affects the performance of distance measuring devices, particularly in achieving sufficient light transmission and beam divergence control.
Innovation Solution
The use of a spherical lens with a high transmissivity, combined with an optical unit of positive effective focal length, allows for efficient light transmission and beam shaping, enabling the minimization of structural length and focal length variability, and facilitating cost-effective manufacturing by simplifying mounting technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a spherical lens with high transmissivity is used to allow most light to pass, then light transmission is improved, but the ability to form sufficient interference patterns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a highly transmissive spherical lens with a separate optical unit (such as a beam splitter or interferometric component) to perform both functions: the spherical lens maximizes light transmission while the optical unit enables interference pattern formation. This merging of components allows each to specialize in its function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical unit acts as an intermediary between the highly transmissive spherical lens and the detection system. It receives the transmitted light and performs the interferometric processing needed to create measurable interference patterns, thereby mediating between the high transmission requirement and the interference pattern requirement.
2Length of stationary object
If a spherical lens is used for beam shaping, then structural length is minimized, but control over focal length variability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable optical elements (such as movable lenses or variable focal length components) that allow the focal length to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the system to adapt focal length variability while maintaining the compact structural length provided by the spherical lens configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs optical units with variable optical parameters (focal length, curvature) that can be changed to control beam shaping characteristics. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves focal length variability control without increasing the fundamental compact structure established by the spherical lens.
3Manufacturing precision
If expensive lenses with complex mounts are used to achieve precise beam control, then beam divergence control is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, precision-mounted lenses with more economical optical elements such as spherical lenses that can be mounted using simpler techniques like ridge mounting. While individual components may be less expensive, the system achieves adequate beam control through the combined optical unit configuration rather than relying on single high-precision elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses spherical lenses that are mass-produced as standard products (such as fiber coupling lenses) rather than custom-machined precision lenses. These standardized components can be obtained through simple mounting techniques, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while the optical unit configuration provides the necessary beam control functionality.
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 approach enhances the performance of distance measuring devices by improving light transmission and beam divergence control, allowing for adjustable focal lengths and reduced manufacturing costs, thereby improving the range and accuracy of distance measurements.
Implementation Method 1
an optical beam shaping unit for shaping a ray bundle, wherein the optical beam shaping unit has at least one spherical lens for shaping the ray bundle, wherein the spherical lens allows a major portion of light that is incident on the spherical lens to pass
Implementation Method 2
the optical beam shaping unit has at least one optical unit with a positive effective focal length, which is arranged in one beam path with the spherical lens
Data Source
AI summary
An optical beam shaping unit for shaping a beam bundle. The optical beam shaping unit has at least one ball lens for shaping the beam bundle, wherein the ball lens allows a large portion of the light incident on the ball lens to pass through, and wherein the optical beam shaping unit has at least one optical unit which has a positive effective focal length and which is arranged in a beam path with the ball lens.