Concealed Optoelectronic Module with Diffusive Reflectance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concealing optoelectronic modules within host devices while maintaining their functionality is challenging due to the need for light transmission, and existing solutions often result in fan-out field-of-view overlap, which reduces performance, especially when integrated into white or near-white host devices that are non-transmissive to visible and invisible light spectra.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an optoelectronic module with a spacer and a reflectance member on its cover, which is transmissive and diffusively reflective to specific wavelengths, minimizing visual impact and eliminating fan-out field-of-view overlap by using a non-transmissive core and a reflectance member with holes or fillers that allow light transmission while appearing white or near-white.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a concealing structure is used to hide the optoelectronic module, then the visual obtrusiveness is reduced, but fan-out field-of-view overlap increases and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The concealing structure is divided into multiple functional layers: a first layer with diffusive reflectance for visual concealment, and a second layer with selective transmittance for optimal light transmission at the emitter wavelength. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between concealment and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The concealing structure exhibits different optical properties at different wavelengths: it appears white/diffusive to the human eye (visible spectrum) but is highly transmissive at the specific infrared wavelength emitted by the optoelectronic module. This local quality differentiation enables simultaneous achievement of visual concealment and optical performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If white or near-white materials are used for concealment, then the visual integration with the host device is improved, but light transmission is blocked and fan-out field-of-view overlap increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical parameters of the concealing structure are specifically tailored to change with wavelength. The material is engineered to have high diffusive reflectance in the visible spectrum (appearing white) while maintaining high transmittance at the specific infrared wavelength of the emitter. This parameter change with wavelength resolves the contradiction between visual integration and light transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The concealing structure uses composite material composition combining components with complementary optical properties: one component provides white appearance through diffusive reflectance, while another component ensures transmittance at the emitter wavelength. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of visual integration and energy efficiency.
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 effectively conceals the optoelectronic module while maintaining its performance by reducing fan-out field-of-view overlap, ensuring the module's functionality and visual integration with white or near-white host devices.
Implementation Method 1
The reflectance member is both transmissive and diffusively reflective to the particular wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths generated by the emitter and detectable by the detector
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic module that includes a reflectance member which exhibits mitigated or eliminated fan-out field-of-view overlap can be concealed or its visual impact minimized compared to a host device in which the optoelectronic module is mounted. In some instances, the reflectance member can be implemented as a plurality of through holes and in other instances the reflectance member may be a contiguous spin-coated polymeric coating. In general, the reflectance member can be diffusively reflective to the same particular wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths as the host device in which it is mounted.