Crystalline Optical Facets for Diamond-Like Total Internal Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diamonds with high refractive indices are expensive and not accessible for optical devices, limiting their use in applications that require similar optical properties.
Innovation Solution
Designing optical devices using crystalline materials like K-9 glass or polycarbonate with refractive indices ranging from 1.4 to 2.62, incorporating specific interior angles and facets to achieve total internal reflection, allowing multiple images of an optical element to be visible through multiple surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If diamonds are used for optical devices, then optical properties (refractive index, sparkle, brilliance) are improved, but cost and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates optical devices that replicate diamond's optical properties using alternative materials. The device includes a light source and transparent material arranged to produce total internal reflection, copying diamond's sparkle and brilliance effects without using actual diamond material, thus achieving similar optical performance at lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from diamond to alternative transparent materials (glass, plastic, resin) while maintaining the optical effect through geometric design. By adjusting the interior angles of lateral surfaces to specific ranges (45-60 degrees), the device achieves total internal reflection similar to diamond without requiring the high refractive index material.
2Illumination intensity
If diamonds are used, then refractive index is improved, but accessibility and affordability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive diamond with inexpensive materials such as glass, plastic, or resin that can be mass-produced. These alternative materials achieve sufficient optical effects for practical applications without the prohibitive cost of diamond, making the technology accessible for widespread use in various industries.
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 provides an affordable alternative to diamonds by replicating their optical effects, such as sparkle and brilliance, using materials that mimic diamond's refractive properties, enabling multiple images to be seen through various orientations.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating specific interior angles and facets to achieve total internal reflection, allowing multiple images of an optical element to be visible through multiple surfaces
Implementation Method 2
Designing optical devices using crystalline materials like K-9 glass or polycarbonate with refractive indices ranging from 1.4 to 2.62, incorporating specific interior angles and facets
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device may include a bottom surface having a peripheral edge. The optical device may also include one or more first lateral surfaces extending from the peripheral edge of the bottom surface. Each of the first lateral surfaces may meet the peripheral edge at a first interior angle less than 180°. The optical device may also include one or more second lateral surfaces extending from the one or more first lateral sides. Each of the one or more second lateral surfaces may meet a respective first lateral surface of the one or more first lateral surfaces at a second interior angle of less than 180°. The optical device may also include a top end coupled with the one or more second lateral surfaces.