Flexible RGB Optical System for Compact White-Light Combining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light-combining assemblies require a large volume due to spaced optical components and air gaps, leading to inefficiencies and accuracy issues when light beams with different refractive indexes intersect.
Innovation Solution
An optical system utilizing a flexible carrier and transmission member with specific groove and channel configurations to guide and combine red, green, and blue light beams into a white light beam, featuring a flexible carrier with grooves and channels that allow for efficient light combination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If optical components are spaced apart in a chamber with air gaps, then the assembly can be manufactured with conventional methods, but the volume becomes large and light-combining efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical components (lens, mirror, diffractive optical element) into a single integrated optical assembly that guides and combines light beams through a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate spaced components and reducing overall volume while maintaining manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where optical elements are arranged concentrically or in sequence within a compact housing, with light beams passing through nested optical paths, thereby reducing the volume required for light combination while preserving component functionality
2Ease of operation
If optical components are spaced apart in air, then assembly flexibility is improved, but light beams with different refractive indexes intersect inefficiently and accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a refractive index matching medium or gradient index structure as an intermediary between optical components with different refractive indexes, enabling efficient light combination by reducing refractive index differences and minimizing optical interference while maintaining assembly flexibility
3Ease of repair
If conventional light-combining assembly is used, then component replacement is easy, but light-combining accuracy and efficiency are affected by refractive index differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple optical functions into a single replaceable module that maintains precise light-combining accuracy through unified optical path design, allowing the entire assembly to be replaced as one unit while preserving manufacturing precision
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 system achieves a lightweight design with improved light-combining efficiency and quality, producing a white light beam with high uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible transmission member includes a first guiding segment, a second guiding segment, a third guiding segment, and a light-combining segment. The first guiding segment is embedded in the first groove to jointly form a first light channel. The second guiding segment is embedded in the second groove to jointly form a second light channel. The third guiding segment is embedded in the third groove to jointly form a third light channel. The light-combining segment is embedded in the light-combining groove to jointly form a light-combining channel.
Implementation Method 2
The laser emitting module is disposed corresponding to the front end surface. The laser emitting module is configured to emit a red light beam traveling in the first light channel, a green light beam traveling in the second light channel, and a blue beam light that travels in the third light channel
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system includes a flexible transmission member and a laser emitting module. The flexible transmission member is a single one-piece structure and includes a first light channel, a second light channel, a third light channel, and a light-combining channel. The second light channel is arranged between the first light channel and the third light channel. The shapes and widths of the first light channel, the second light channel, and the third light channel are different from each other, and the light-combining channel is connected to the first light channel, the second light channel, and the third light channel. The laser emitting module can emit a red light beam, a green light beam, and a blue light beam, which respectively travel in the first light channel, the second light channel, and the third light channel for being combined into a white light beam in the light-combining channel.