Asymmetric Cylindrical Lens for Compact Collimated Light Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collimated light generating systems face challenges in simultaneously achieving downsizing, small divergence angle, and high light utilization efficiency due to the interdependent relationship between focal length, lens diameter, and divergence angles, making it difficult to optimize these parameters independently.
Innovation Solution
A collimated light generating apparatus featuring a lens with a cylindrical concave incidence surface and axially symmetric convex emitting surface, where the light source has different divergence angles in two directions, is positioned at the incidence-surface-side focal length for the vertical direction, allowing alignment with the lens's curvature direction to independently control divergence angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the focal length f is increased to reduce divergence angle, then the divergence angle after collimation is reduced, but the distance between the light source and the lens increases and the lens size must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using a cylindrical lens with different curvature radii in the meridional and sagittal directions. The lens has a first curvature radius R1 in the meridional direction and a second curvature radius R2 in the sagittal direction, where R1 ≠ R2. This asymmetric design allows independent control of collimation for light with different divergence characteristics in different directions, resolving the contradiction by enabling short focal length collimation without requiring large lens diameter or source-to-lens distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by designing the lens with different optical properties in different directions. The curvature radii R1 and R2 are independently optimized for the respective directions, allowing the lens to provide tailored collimation performance for light diverging in different directions. This enables the use of a compact lens with short focal length while maintaining effective collimation.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the focal length f is increased to reduce divergence angle, then the divergence angle after collimation is reduced, but the effective diameter Φ of the lens must be increased proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric lens design with different curvature radii R1 and R2 to match the asymmetric divergence characteristics of the light source. This allows the lens to effectively collimate light in both directions simultaneously with a compact size, avoiding the need to increase lens diameter proportionally with focal length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the lens by independently selecting curvature radii R1 and R2 for different directions. This parameter optimization allows achieving effective collimation with a smaller lens diameter, resolving the contradiction between focal length and lens size.
3Volume of moving object
If a lens with short focal length f is used for downsizing, then the device size is reduced, but the divergence angle cannot be reduced effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by using asymmetric lens design where the different curvature radii R1 and R2 compensate for the short focal length. The meridional curvature R1 controls collimation in one direction while the sagittal curvature R2 controls collimation in the perpendicular direction, enabling effective divergence reduction despite the compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the lens curvature locally in different directions. The asymmetric curvature distribution allows the short lens to provide sufficient collimation power in both directions simultaneously, achieving both downsizing and effective divergence angle reduction.
4Loss of energy
If the effective diameter Φ of the lens is increased to efficiently use energy within divergence half-angle, then light utilization efficiency is improved, but the lens size and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric lens design to match the asymmetric divergence pattern of the light source. This allows the lens to efficiently collect and collimate light within the divergence half-angles in both directions with a compact size, achieving high light utilization efficiency without requiring a large lens diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the lens parameters (curvature radii R1 and R2) to match the divergence characteristics of the light source. This parameter optimization ensures maximum light collection efficiency within the desired divergence angles while maintaining a compact lens size.
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 configuration enables the apparatus to achieve a small divergence angle, high light utilization efficiency, and downsizing by decoupling the relationship between focal length, lens diameter, and divergence angles, providing a more efficient and compact solution for collimated light generation.
Implementation Method 1
a technique for collimating the light beam by using a lens and placing the light source at incidence-surface-side focal position of the lens
Data Source
AI summary
A lens (10) has an incidence surface (11) having a cylindrical shape and forming a concave shape, and an emitting surface (12) forming a convex shape with respect to an optical axis (10a). A light source (20) has a large divergence angle in a vertical direction, and a divergence angle in a horizontal direction which is smaller than that in the vertical direction. The light source (20) is located at a position of focal length of the lens (10) in the vertical direction on a side of the incidence surface. The horizontal direction of the light source (20) is aligned with a curvature direction of the cylindrical shape of the lens (10).