Deflection Prism Geometry for Compact Dual-Sensor Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visualization systems face challenges in achieving high imaging quality with a small structural size, particularly in endoscopes, due to the design of the prism which affects focal planes and causes optical aberrations.
Innovation Solution
A visualization system with a prism design where the second imaging beam path is deflected by a wavelength-selective first mirror surface, with a ratio of base side length to entry surface height (L1/H1) greater than 1.5, and a tilt angle of the first mirror surface relative to the optical axis less than 20°, minimizing optical path length differences and aberrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the prism is designed with a small structural size, then the device can be compact and suitable for cramped spaces, but the imaging quality deteriorates due to increased optical aberrations and focal plane misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the ratio of the base side length L1 to the height H1 of the entry surface, requiring L1/H1 > 1.5. This specific geometric parameter optimization allows the prism to maintain a compact size while controlling optical path length differences and minimizing chromatic aberrations, thereby resolving the contradiction between small structural size and high imaging quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs partial action by using a wavelength-selective first mirror surface that reflects only the second imaging beam path while transmitting the first imaging beam path. This selective reflection allows the system to achieve proper beam path separation and focal plane alignment without requiring the entire prism structure to be optimized for all beam paths, thus maintaining compact dimensions while ensuring imaging quality.
2Length of stationary object
If the first mirror surface is tilted at a large angle to reduce the overall height, then the prism becomes more compact, but optical path length differences and aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the prism by establishing specific relationships between the base side length L1 and entry surface height H1 (L1/H1 > 1.5), and by controlling the tilt angle of the first mirror surface to be less than 20°. These parameter optimizations allow the prism to achieve a compact overall height while maintaining uniform optical path lengths and minimizing aberrations, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and optical precision.
3Illumination intensity
If the entry surface height is increased to improve illumination, then the imaging quality improves, but the prism structural size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameter relationship between the base side length L1 and entry surface height H1 by requiring L1/H1 > 1.5. This geometric parameter optimization allows the prism to achieve adequate illumination of the image sensors while maintaining a compact overall structure, thus resolving the contradiction between illumination intensity and structural compactness.
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 design ensures high imaging quality with a compact prism structure, enabling efficient illumination and cost-effective manufacturing, suitable for cramped spaces, and supports 3D and stereoscopic imaging in various wavelength ranges.
Implementation Method 1
the second imaging beam path is deflected by means of a first reflection on a wavelength-selective first mirror surface of the prism
Implementation Method 2
the prism deflects a first imaging beam path onto the proximal image sensor and a second imaging beam path onto the distal image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
For improved imaging in a visualization system (1) having two image sensors (2a, 2b), which are spaced apart from one another axially with respect to a longitudinal axis (27) of the visualization system (1) and sensorially acquire a respective imaging beam path (4a, 4b), which is generated by an assigned imaging optical unit (31) upstream of a deflection prism (3), it is provided that a structural height of the prism (3) be made suboptimal, in order to thus be able to alleviate imaging errors upon use of a wavelength-selective first mirror surface (8) of the prism (3). Moreover, it is alternatively or additionally provided that two optical channels (16a) and (16b) be formed by the imaging optical unit (31), through which the image sensors (2a) and (2b), preferably in different wavelength ranges, can each acquire images of an object (37) observed using the visualization system (1) from different perspectives.