Diffractive Optical Elements for Target Lens Image Blending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing target optics systems face challenges in achieving high transmission and diffraction efficiency for flexible target point reflection while maintaining a compact design, and require minimal additional optical elements to effectively display information during zooming.

Innovation Solution

The use of a partially translucent optical carrier element with diffractive optical coupling and decoupling elements that provide beam deflection, collimation, and focusing capabilities, allowing for flexible target point reflection and information display with minimal additional optical components, and enabling high transmission and diffraction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional reflection modules are used to display flexible target points, then target point reflection is achieved, but the transmission degree for main light drops below 95%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission degree for main lightVSAvoidoptical elements in beam path
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the reflection module with the optical carrier element into a single integrated component. The diffractive optical elements are directly formed on the carrier element surfaces, eliminating the need for separate reflection modules and reducing the number of optical interfaces that would otherwise reduce light transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical carrier element serves multiple functions: it acts as both the reflective surface for target point display and the optical medium for light transmission. The diffractive optical elements on its surfaces enable both beam deflection and total internal reflection within the same component, achieving multi-functionality without adding separate elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional optical elements are added to achieve beam deflection and focusing, then imaging function is improved, but the installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging functionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges beam deflection, collimation, and focusing functions into the optical carrier element itself through diffractive optical elements. This eliminates the need for separate lenses and mirrors, significantly reducing the installation space while maintaining full imaging capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical optical elements (lenses, mirrors) with diffractive optical elements that achieve the same beam manipulation functions through diffraction patterns. This substitution reduces the physical space required while maintaining optical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If diffractive optical elements are added to the optical carrier element, then beam deflection and total reflection are achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam control capabilityVSAvoiddiffractive optical elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diffractive optical elements are integrated directly onto the optical carrier element surfaces, combining multiple functions (beam deflection, total internal reflection, collimation) into a single component. This reduces the number of separate elements needed and simplifies the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical carrier element with diffractive patterns performs multiple optical functions simultaneously: it deflects beams at specific angles, enables total internal reflection, and provides collimation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 high transmission and diffraction efficiency, allowing for flexible target point reflection and information display, while maintaining a compact design that adapts to the target optics system, enabling accurate distance estimation and efficient use of space.

Implementation Method 1

The diffractive optical coupling element can effect a beam deflection of the light to be coupled in to such an angle that total reflection of the light to be coupled in is achieved within the optical carrier element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

total reflection of the light to be coupled in is achieved within the optical carrier element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The diffractive optical coupling-in element brings about a collimation of the light to be coupled-in

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCollimation:

Implementation Method 4

the diffractive optical decoupling element can cause the coupled-in light to exit from the optical carrier element into the beam path of the target optics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 5

the diffractive optical decoupling element causes the light to be coupled in to be focused into the beam path of the target optics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentEP2194420B1Device for blending an image into the optical beam of a target lens
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 CARL ZEISS SPORTS OPTICS
  • EP2194420B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2194420B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2194420B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The device (7) has a translucent optical carrier element (7a) partially arranged in an optical path (5) of a target lens formed as a telescopic sight. A diffractive optical coupling element (7b) guides light (11) of an image to a diffractive optical decoupling element (7c) by the carrier element for overlapping with the path. The image faded into the path of the lens is illustrated by the coupling element and the decoupling element. The coupling element causes the beam deflection of the light, so that the total reflection of the light is achieved within the optical carrier element. The optical carrier element is formed as a plan plate made of glass. The diffractive optical coupling element and/or the diffractive optical decoupling element are designed as a holographic optical element. An independent claim is also included for a target lens.