Structured Light Sensing Assembly Diffractive Optical Component
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structured light emitting assemblies in 3D sensing technologies are costly due to the complexity and high manufacturing costs of lenses made from materials with different refractive indexes, which complicates the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
The structured light sensing assembly eliminates the need for lenses by using a diffractive optical component and a positioning bracket to fix the relative position of the light source and diffractive optical element, reducing the overall volume and manufacturing complexity, and employs a light source with selectively turnable point source laser emitters to produce differently encoded structured light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lenses made from materials with different refractive indexes are used in structured light emitting assemblies, then the optical performance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental optical parameter approach by replacing refractive index-based lens optics with diffractive optical elements that use diffraction patterns to achieve the same light shaping function. This parameter change from refraction to diffraction eliminates the need for complex multi-material lens assemblies while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the lens component entirely from the structured light emitting assembly, replacing it with a diffractive optical element that directly shapes the light from the LED source. This extraction eliminates the manufacturing complexity associated with lens assembly while preserving the necessary optical functionality.
2Manufacturing precision
If lenses are used in structured light emitting assemblies, then the light shaping capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive precision lenses with a cheaper diffractive optical element that can be manufactured using standard semiconductor fabrication techniques. The diffractive pattern can be created through photolithography and etching processes, making the component significantly less expensive to produce while maintaining adequate light shaping capability for structured light applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical lens system (requiring precision grinding, coating, and assembly) with a diffractive optical system that uses microscopic pattern structures. This substitution replaces complex mechanical manufacturing processes with planar fabrication techniques, reducing both cost and manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If traditional lens-based structured light emitting assemblies are used, then the optical function is achieved, but the overall volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the diffractive optical element directly onto or near the LED light source, creating a compact nested arrangement where the optical element is positioned in close proximity to the source. This nesting eliminates the need for separate lens mounting structures and reduces the overall assembly volume while maintaining the necessary optical function.
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 reduces manufacturing costs and complexity while maintaining the ability to perform feature calibration and depth imaging, enabling efficient and cost-effective structured light sensing without the need for lenses, thereby enhancing the precision and efficiency of 3D recognition systems.
Implementation Method 1
a diffractive optical component arranged on a side of the light source away from the controller, the diffractive optical component diffracting the laser light generated by the light source
Data Source
AI summary
A structured light emitting module includes a light source and a diffractive optical component. The light source generates laser light. The diffractive optical component is arranged on an optical path of the laser light emitted by the light source for diffracting the laser light. There is no lens arranged on an optical path of the laser light emitted by the light source.