Functionalized Waveguide With Diffractive Coupling for Transparent Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Transparent surfaces in vehicles lack additional optical functionalities beyond basic protection, such as efficient radiation deflection and imaging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A functionalized waveguide with partly transparent input and output coupling regions, utilizing diffractive structures like volume holograms, to deflect and guide radiation for imaging and detection, while maintaining transparency and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a transparent base body is used for protection, then protection against environmental influences is provided, but additional optical functionality is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective function of the transparent base body with additional optical functions (imaging, detection, projection) by integrating coupling regions and diffractive structures directly into the base body, allowing multiple functions to coexist in a single component
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent base body is designed to serve multiple purposes: it provides mechanical protection, enables optical imaging through coupling regions, allows radiation detection, and supports projection functions, making it a universal component that replaces multiple separate elements
2Illumination intensity
If a diffractive structure is used in the input coupling region to maintain transparency, then transparency is maintained in a large angular and wavelength range, but only a portion of radiation can be deflected into the base body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the diffractive structure (grating period, depth, orientation) to achieve a balance between transparency and coupling efficiency, allowing the structure to deflect sufficient radiation while maintaining high transparency across a broad angular and spectral range
3Productivity
If input coupling efficiency is increased to improve radiation detection, then sufficient radiation power impinges on the output coupling region, but transparency in the input coupling region decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct regions with different optical properties: the input coupling region contains diffractive structures optimized for coupling efficiency in specific areas, while other regions maintain high transparency, allowing each zone to perform its specific function optimally
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
Enables efficient radiation deflection and imaging without compromising transparency, supporting detector systems and illumination/projection systems with enhanced optical functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The partly transparent input coupling region can comprise a diffractive structure used to maintain the transparency of the input coupling region during normal viewing through it
Implementation Method 2
The reflections can be in particular total internal reflections at the front and/or rear side of the transparent base body
Data Source
AI summary
A functionalized waveguide for a detector system and a lighting and/or projection system includes a transparent base body. A first outcoupling region deflects at least a part of the incoupled radiation hitting the first outcoupling region, such that the deflected part exits the base body via a front side or a rear side thereof in order to hit the detector system. The extent of the first incoupling region in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction is greater than the extent of the first outcoupling region in the second direction. The base body has a second outcoupling region, which deflects at least a part of light from a light source or image source hitting the second outcoupling region as illuminating radiation, such that the deflected part is used for illumination and/or projection.