Eye Safe Light Source Package With Conductive Optical Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser diode systems pose a risk of unsafe eye conditions due to focused light beams, which can occur even with optical elements like diffusers if they are damaged, and current safety measures may not detect all types of damage effectively, especially during manufacturing, assembly, or operational use.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electrically conductive material, such as an ITO layer, over the optical element in the light source package that is transparent to light and electrically coupled to a controller, allowing for monitoring of electrical parameters to detect damage and initiate corrective actions like turning off the light source or reducing intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If laser diodes are used for depth sensing and laser scanning applications, then high brightness and spatial coherence are achieved, but eye safety is compromised due to focused light beams
Solution Approach 1:
An optical element (diffuser or DOE) is introduced as an intermediary between the laser diode and the external environment. This intermediary disperses the focused light beam into a safer pattern while maintaining the necessary illumination intensity for depth sensing and laser scanning applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element is segmented into multiple regions or features (such as microlenses or diffraction patterns) that divide the concentrated light beam into multiple dispersed beams, reducing the intensity at any single point and thereby improving eye safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical elements like diffusers are used to disperse light, then eye safety is improved, but damage to these elements may go undetected, creating hidden safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is integrated to provide real-time feedback about the condition of the optical element. The sensor monitors parameters such as light transmission or scattering patterns to detect damage, and this feedback enables the system to alert users or automatically adjust operation to maintain safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element incorporates self-diagnostic capabilities through integrated sensors or indicators that automatically monitor its own condition. This self-service approach enables the element to detect its own damage and communicate this information to the system controller without external inspection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional safety measures are implemented, then some eye protection is provided, but they fail to detect all types of damage especially during manufacturing and assembly
Solution Approach 1:
Safety sensors and detection mechanisms are integrated into the optical element during manufacturing, enabling damage detection capabilities to be established before the product reaches the customer. This preliminary action ensures that damage detection is built-in from the start rather than added later.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor system is designed to detect multiple types of damage (cracks, delamination, contamination, misalignment) using a single multi-functional detection mechanism, thereby providing comprehensive damage detection coverage across different failure modes.
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 reduces the risk of unsafe eye conditions by detecting potential damage to optical elements through electrical parameter monitoring, identifying manufacturing defects and assembly issues, and providing real-time corrective actions during operation, thereby ensuring eye safety in user-related applications.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conductive material, such as an ITO layer, over the optical element in the light source package that is transparent to light and electrically coupled to a controller, allowing for monitoring of electrical parameters to detect damage
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for reducing the risk for an unsafe eye condition associated with light sources. In an example, a light source package is described. The light source package includes a package body defining an interior volume and including an opening. The package also includes a light source contained inside the interior volume of the package body. The package also includes an optical element that occupies at least a portion of the opening of the package body. An electrically conductive material is disposed over a surface of the optical element. This material may be electrically coupled with a system. The system accesses an electrical parameter of the material, determines a damage associated with the optical element based on the electrical parameter, and initiates a corrective action associated with the light source based on the damage.