Endoscope Illumination Optical System with Directional Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope illumination optical systems face challenges in uniformly diffusing illumination light in all directions, leading to light distribution unevenness and a decrease in the light amount within the visual field, particularly when using diffusing elements with two-dimensional diffusion surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The illumination optical system incorporates a diffusing section with convex-shaped sections on the emission surface, featuring a total reflection surface with a first angle and a transmission surface with a second angle smaller than the first, which totally reflects and transmits light to diffuse it in a predetermined direction, reducing light distribution unevenness and maintaining the light amount within the visual field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a diffusing element with a diffusion surface is provided to diffuse illumination light in all directions (two-dimensional diffusion), then uniform light distribution is achieved, but light amount within the visual field decreases due to light leaking in unnecessary directions
Solution Approach 1:
The emission surface is segmented into multiple convex-shaped sections, each with specific total reflection surfaces and transmission surfaces. This segmentation allows directional control of light diffusion, enabling uniform light distribution while preventing light leakage in unnecessary directions, thus resolving the contradiction between uniformity and light amount preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the emission surface are given different local qualities through the convex-shaped sections. Each section has specific total reflection surfaces (with first angles) and transmission surfaces (with second angles smaller than the first), creating localized light control characteristics that collectively achieve uniform diffusion while maintaining light amount.
2Illumination intensity
If a diffusing element is provided to diffuse illumination light, then uniform light distribution is improved, but light distribution unevenness occurs and light amount decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional diffusion surfaces to three-dimensional convex-shaped sections with specific angular relationships. Each section has total reflection surfaces with first angles and transmission surfaces with second angles (smaller than the first), creating controlled light paths that eliminate distribution unevenness while maintaining uniformity.
3Loss of energy
If total reflection is used to improve light transmission efficiency, then light amount is maintained, but light diffusion uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges total reflection surfaces with transmission surfaces in an integrated convex-shaped section structure. The total reflection surfaces (with first angles) maintain light transmission efficiency by reflecting light internally, while the transmission surfaces (with smaller second angles) control the emission direction. This combination achieves both high light transmission efficiency and uniform light diffusion simultaneously.
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 effectively diffuses illumination light only in a predetermined direction, minimizing light distribution unevenness and ensuring a consistent light amount within the visual field, applicable to both side-view and front-view endoscopes, without causing return light or reducing the light amount.
Implementation Method 1
a total reflection surface having a first angle with respect to the emission surface, the total reflection surface totally reflecting the incident light
Implementation Method 2
a transmission surface having a second angle smaller than the first angle with respect to the emission surface, the transmission surface transmitting and emitting reflected light totally reflected on the total reflection surface and the incident light
Data Source
AI summary
A light transmission optical member for endoscope includes an incident surface provided at a distal end portion of an insertion section, light being made incident on the incident surface as incident light from a proximal end side of the insertion section, and an emission surface for emitting the light as illumination light. The emission surface includes a diffusing section that diffuses the emitted light. The diffusing section includes a plurality of convex-shaped sections extending in a predetermined direction on the emission surface. Each of the convex-shaped sections includes a first slope section having a first angle with respect to the emission surface, and totally reflecting the incident light, and a second slope section having a second angle smaller than the first angle with respect to the emission surface, and transmitting and emitting reflected light totally reflected on the first slope section and the incident light.