Collimating Optics for Illuminating Diffraction Markings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination devices for diffraction structures in reticles, used in telescopic sights, do not efficiently direct all light energy onto the marking, leading to suboptimal brightness and contrast due to asymmetrical light emission from light-emitting diodes and the need for precise alignment of curved mirrors.
Innovation Solution
A device using collimating optics, such as aspherical or anamorphic lenses, combined with a narrow-band light-emitting diode, and a coupling prism or inclined surface to create a symmetrical and homogeneous light beam that is directed onto the diffraction structure, optimizing light utilization and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a curved mirror is used to direct light onto the marking, then the light can be focused onto the marking, but the alignment and manufacturing precision become difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the curved mirror optical system with a planar reflector combined with a lens system. The planar reflector redirects light from the LED in a controlled manner, and the lens focuses this light onto the marking. This substitution of the curved mirror with planar elements and lenses simplifies manufacturing and alignment while achieving the same light focusing function.
2Ease of operation
If a simple prism or inclined surface is used for coupling illumination beams, then the alignment is simplified, but the light energy direction control becomes less precise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the prism and inclined surface into a single integrated coupling element. This coupling element is designed with specific geometric parameters that simultaneously achieve easy alignment and precise light direction control. The integrated design allows the coupling element to redirect light beams at controlled angles while maintaining simplicity in installation and alignment.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the light source is positioned at a focal point of a curved mirror, then the light can be directed onto the marking, but the asymmetrical emission characteristic of LEDs reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lens system as an intermediary between the LED and the marking. The lens system collects light from the LED's asymmetric emission pattern and transforms it into a symmetric, focused beam onto the marking. This intermediary lens component compensates for the LED's asymmetric emission characteristics and directs all light energy efficiently onto the marking, regardless of the LED's positional variations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling surface inclination is adjusted to control diffraction angle, then the color representation can be changed, but the alignment precision becomes more sensitive to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a coupling element with a fixed, precisely manufactured inclination angle that is optimized for a specific wavelength. By changing the coupling element's inclination parameter during manufacturing, the system can be tuned for different wavelengths and color representations. This parameter change approach allows versatile color adjustment while maintaining high alignment precision through precise manufacturing of the coupling element's geometric parameters.
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 ensures nearly all light energy is directed onto the marking, enhancing brightness and contrast while allowing for precise control of the diffraction angle and color representation by adjusting the coupling surface inclination, thereby improving the visibility of the marking along the optical axis.
Implementation Method 1
A collimating optics upstream of the light-emitting diode can be designed in such a way that it combines the light beams emerging from the light-emitting diode from different directions and depths into a symmetrical and homogeneous light beam bundle.
Implementation Method 2
A device using collimating optics, such as aspherical or anamorphic lenses, combined with a narrow-band light-emitting diode, and a coupling prism or inclined surface to create a symmetrical and homogeneous light beam that is directed onto the diffraction structure
Implementation Method 3
The marking is illuminated by a light source arranged laterally to the carrier disc through the edge surface of the carrier disc. Due to the effect of the diffraction structure, the illumination beams are directed in the first diffraction order in the direction of the optical axis of the telescopic sight to the observer
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for illuminating a marking applied to a flat transparent support disc as a diffraction structure, the illuminating beams being introduced into the support disc via a lateral edge surface of the support disc such that after diffraction on the marking said beams are emitted perpendicularly to the plane of the support disc, characterised in that a narrow-band light-emitting diode (LED) having a collimating optical system (10) connected upstream is provided as the light source, wherein the optical axis of said LED is oriented perpendicularly to the light entry surface of a coupling prism (2) bonded onto the lateral edge surface of the support disc (1) or of an oblique surface ground onto the lateral edge surface.