Endoscope Illumination Optics for Wide-Angle Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination systems face challenges in achieving a small, wide light distribution angle and have a wide transmission efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The illumination optical system is configured with a wide light distribution angle and have a good transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the illumination optical system is made small, then the device size is reduced, but the light distribution angle becomes narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination optical system is divided into multiple functional regions: a light incident surface with groove portions for light entry, light diffusion surfaces for angle expansion, and a light emitting surface for output. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function while maintaining overall compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the optical axis dimension and radial dimension differently. The groove portions extend in the optical axis direction while the light diffusion surfaces are arranged radially, converting light propagation from a one-dimensional axial path to a multi-dimensional distribution pattern that achieves wide angle coverage without increasing overall system size.
2Shape
If the light distribution angle is widened, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different surfaces of the illumination optical system are assigned different functional properties: the light incident surface has groove portions optimized for light capture, the light diffusion surfaces are designed specifically for angle expansion with controlled roughness, and the light emitting surface is optimized for uniform output. This local optimization ensures that light is efficiently converted from axial to radial direction without significant energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the roughness parameters of the light diffusion surfaces and the geometric parameters of the groove portions to optimize light scattering. By carefully selecting the roughness degree and groove dimensions, the system achieves wide light distribution while maintaining high transmission efficiency through controlled light redirection rather than diffusion loss.
3Volume of moving object
If the device is made compact, then the insertion portion size is reduced, but the light transmission performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions into a single integrated illumination optical system: light incident surface with groove portions, light diffusion surfaces, and light emitting surface are merged into one component structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate optical elements, reducing the overall insertion portion size while maintaining effective light transmission performance through the coordinated action of different surface regions.
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
The illumination optical system is configured to be small, has a wide light distribution angle and has a good transmission efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
all surfaces that are perpendicular to the optical axis and adjacent to the inclined surfaces of the groove portions are light diffusion surfaces
Implementation Method 2
the groove portions have an inclined surface that narrows a groove width from the light guide side toward an irradiation target side
Data Source
AI summary
The illumination optical system is disposed at a distal end of a light guide of an endoscope. A first surface that is a surface of the illumination optical system closest to a light guide side includes a plurality of ring-shaped groove portions that are arranged in a concentric circular shape about an optical axis of the illumination optical system. The groove portions have an inclined surface that narrows a groove width from the light guide side toward an irradiation target side. In the first surface, all surfaces that are perpendicular to the optical axis and adjacent to the inclined surfaces of the groove portions are light diffusion surfaces. The light diffusion surfaces include first light diffusion surfaces that are present between the groove portions adjacent to each other. The illumination optical system satisfies a predetermined conditional expression.