Holographic Illumination Pattern Shifting via Moving Collimation Lens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional illumination devices cannot dynamically change the projection position of a lighting pattern on a surface, such as a road surface, which is necessary for adapting to changing conditions like vehicle speed or lane changes.

Innovation Solution

The illumination device incorporates a collimation lens driven by a collimation-lens drive unit, allowing the relative position of the collimation lens with respect to the light source and diffraction optical element to be adjusted, thereby changing the incident angle of the illumination light and shifting the projection position of the lighting pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed diffraction optical element is used to project a lighting pattern, then the lighting pattern can be formed at a predetermined position, but the projection position cannot be changed depending on circumstances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection position adaptabilityVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by making the diffraction optical element movable relative to the light source. The diffraction optical element can be positioned at different locations along the optical path, allowing the projection position of the lighting pattern to be dynamically adjusted. This is achieved through a moving mechanism that translates the diffraction optical element between multiple predetermined positions, enabling adaptability without requiring complete redesign of the optical system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the projection position is changed by replacing the diffraction optical element, then the lighting pattern position can be adjusted, but the device complexity and operation become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection position adjustabilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring replacement of the diffraction optical element, the patent implements a moving mechanism that allows the same diffraction optical element to be dynamically repositioned to different locations. This enables projection position adjustment through simple mechanical translation rather than complex replacement operations, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the projection position is changed by changing the light source position, then the lighting pattern position can be adjusted, but the overall device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection position variabilityVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent chooses to make the diffraction optical element movable rather than the light source, which simplifies the overall device structure. By positioning the moving mechanism at the diffraction optical element location, the light source can remain fixed in an optimal position for illumination, while only the diffraction element needs to be repositioned. This reduces the complexity compared to moving the entire light source assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 the dynamic adjustment of the lighting pattern's projection position on a surface, ensuring optimal display of directional signs or patterns based on changing conditions without altering the diffraction optical element, thus enhancing adaptability and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

A diffraction optical element such as a hologram has a function of diffracting and emitting an incident light in a desired direction. Thus, by diffracting a light from a light source in a desired direction by means of a diffraction optical element, a predetermined lighting pattern can be formed on a surface to be illuminated.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

a collimation lens that shapes a light from the light source so as to generate a parallel illumination light and applies the parallel illumination light to the diffraction optical element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLens focusing: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP3572281B1Illumination device
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP3572281B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3572281B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3572281B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A predetermined lighting pattern (E) is projected on a surface to be illuminated (U) such as a road surface, a ground surface, a floor surface, a surface below water, and a wall surface, and the lighting pattern (E) is displaced on the surface to be illuminated (U). A laser beam (L1) generated by a laser light source (110) is broadened by a magnifying lens (120) so as to generate a divergent light (L2). The divergent light is shaped by the collimation lens (130) into a parallel illumination light (L3), and the parallel illumination light is caused to be incident on an incident plane (Q) of a diffraction optical element (140) which records a hologram image. A diffracted light (L4) from the diffraction optical element (140) forms the lighting pattern (E) as a hologram reconstructed image on the surface to be illuminated (U). By translating the collimation lens (130) by a collimation-lens drive unit (150) along a movement plane (P) that is orthogonal to an optical axis (C) of the laser beam (L1), the lighting pattern (E) can be displaced on the surface to be illuminated (U).