Functionalized Waveguide With Volume Holograms for Transparent Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transparent surfaces such as windows or windshields lack additional optical functionality beyond basic protection from environmental influences.
Innovation Solution
A functionalized waveguide with partially transparent coupling regions and coupling-out regions, utilizing diffractive structures like volume holograms, to deflect and guide radiation within the transparent base body without imaging functions, maintaining transparency and enabling optical functionalities like detection or projection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a transparent base body is used only for protection, then transparency is maintained, but additional optical functionality is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective function of the transparent base body with additional optical functions (detection, projection, illumination) by integrating waveguide structures and optical components directly into the base body, allowing it to serve multiple purposes simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent base body is designed to perform multiple functions: protection, detection (via detector system), projection (via projection device), and illumination (via light source), making it a universal component that replaces multiple separate elements
2Adaptability or versatility
If diffractive structures are added to enable radiation coupling, then optical functionality is improved, but transparency of the coupling region decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffractive structures are localized to specific coupling regions (input and output) rather than being distributed throughout the entire base body, allowing these areas to have different optical properties while the rest of the base body maintains high transparency
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling regions are designed to be only partially transparent, allowing sufficient radiation to pass through for detection while capturing enough light for efficient coupling into the waveguide structure
3Quantity of substance
If the coupling region is made more transparent, then visibility is improved, but radiation coupling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the transparency parameter of the coupling regions to achieve a balance between visibility and coupling efficiency, using specific transparency ranges that allow both functions to coexist effectively
4Device complexity
If the waveguide structure is integrated into the transparent base body, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide structures, diffractive elements, and transparent base body are merged into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate assemblies and reducing overall device complexity
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 waveguide achieves efficient radiation deflection and guidance, allowing for optical imaging and projection while maintaining high transparency, suitable for applications like detector systems and vehicle windows.
Implementation Method 1
The partially transparent coupling region can have a diffractive structure with which the transparency of the coupling region is maintained under normal viewing conditions over a wide angular and wavelength range. Thus, only a portion of the radiation impinging on a front side of the transparent base body can be deflected by the transparent coupling region
Implementation Method 2
The reflections can, in particular, be total internal reflections on the front and/or back of the transparent base body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A functionalized waveguide for a detector system is provided, wherein the waveguide (1) has a transparent base body (6) with a front side (7) and a rear side (8), wherein the base body (6) has a partly transparent coupling-in region (4) and a coupling-out region (5) at a distance therefrom in a first direction (R1), wherein the coupling-in region (4) comprises at least two volume holograms, which each deflect only part of radiation coming from an object to be detected and striking the front side (7) such that the deflected part, as coupled-in radiation in the base body (6), is propagated by reflections as far as the coupling-out region (5) and strikes the coupling-out region (5), wherein the volume holograms of the coupling-in region (4) differ in that their deflection function has different spectral angular properties, wherein the coupling-out region (5) deflects at least part of the coupled-in radiation striking said region such that the deflected part exits the base body (6) via the front side (7) or rear side (8), in order to strike the detector system (2).