Directional Lens Array with Flat Junctions to Suppress Diffraction Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing light emitting devices with small lenses arranged in an array suffer from diffraction noise due to round corners at the junctions between lenses, which affects the intensity distribution and accuracy of light emission.
Innovation Solution
The light emitting device employs a configuration with first and second lenses having small lenses with specific shapes where the angle between the incident plane and the tangent is larger than the angle between the incident plane and the light, preventing light from entering the junctions between lenses, and utilizing Powell lenses and a cover lens with a curved surface to reduce diffraction noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If small lenses are arranged in an array to suppress eccentricity in intensity distribution, then the light intensity distribution becomes more uniform, but diffraction noise increases due to round corners at junctions between lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful round corners at the junctions between small lenses by providing a flat surface at each junction. This removes the source of diffraction noise while preserving the beneficial light-superimposing effect of the lens array configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different surface qualities to different regions of the lens array: the junction regions have flat surfaces to eliminate diffraction, while the individual lens regions maintain their curved surfaces to preserve light-bending functionality. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between uniformity and diffraction noise.
2Device complexity
If a single Powell lens is used as directional lens, then the structure is simple, but eccentricity in intensity distribution becomes remarkable when misalignment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single Powell lens into multiple small lenses arranged in an array. This segmentation creates a more robust system where light from multiple lenses superimposes, suppressing eccentricity in intensity distribution even when misalignment occurs, while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If round corners are present at junctions between small lenses, then manufacturing is easier, but diffraction noise is amplified when light enters the round corner parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic round corners from the lens array by providing flat surfaces at all junctions between small lenses. This eliminates the source of diffraction noise while the manufacturing process can still efficiently create the lens array structure using conventional techniques.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the angle between incident plane and tangent is made larger than the angle between incident plane and light, then light entry into junctions is prevented, but lens shape becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the angular constraint only at the critical junction regions between lenses, where flat surfaces are provided to prevent light entry. The main body of each lens retains its standard curved shape for optimal light-bending performance. This localized geometric modification suppresses diffraction noise while minimizing impact on overall lens shape.
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 effectively suppresses diffraction noise and maintains light intensity distribution, enhancing detection accuracy and coverage area for pointing bodies on a projection surface.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens including a first incident plane provided with a plurality of first small lenses configured to make first light emitted from the first collimator wide-angle with respect to a first direction different from the first optical axis
Implementation Method 2
a first collimator configured to substantially collimate light emitted from the first light source with respect to a first optical axis
Implementation Method 3
the first small lens has a shape in which a maximum value of an angle formed between the first incident plane and a tangent of the first small lens is larger than an angle formed between the first incident plane and the first light
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting device is provided with a first light emitter and a second light emitter. The first light emitter is provided with a first lens for making the light of the first light source wide-angle, and the second light emitter is provided with a second lens for making the light of the second light source wide-angle. A plurality of first small lenses are arranged on a first incident plane of the first lens. The first small lens has a shape in which a maximum value of an angle formed between the first incident plane and a tangent of the first small lens is larger than an angle formed between the first incident plane and first light. The second lens has substantially the same configuration.