Hybrid Light Baffle Vanes for Stray Light Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices suffer from degraded image quality due to stray light, which can cause thermal noise and mechanical deformation, and reflective baffles do not effectively eliminate all stray light, leading to unwanted reflections and glare.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid baffle system combining light reflecting and absorbing surfaces, with strategically positioned baffle vanes and spacers, to minimize stray light entry and thermal energy, enhancing image quality by redirecting and absorbing unwanted light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a reflective baffle is used to block stray light, then some stray light is redirected away from the sensor, but unwanted reflections and glare are not eliminated, degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines reflective surfaces and absorptive surfaces within the same baffle structure. The reflective surfaces redirect stray light away from the sensor, while the absorptive surfaces capture and eliminate unwanted reflections and glare, resolving the contradiction by integrating both mechanisms to achieve superior stray light rejection and image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle is constructed as a composite structure with different surface treatments - some portions are reflective while others are absorptive. This composite approach allows the single baffle component to perform multiple functions: redirecting primary stray light and eliminating secondary reflections, thereby improving image quality without the harmful effects of pure reflective designs
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple baffle vanes are added to reduce stray light, then stray light blocking improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle is segmented into multiple functional zones with different surface properties (reflective and absorptive surfaces) positioned at specific locations. This segmentation allows each portion to address specific stray light paths, achieving effective stray light blocking while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through purposeful division of functions
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 hybrid baffle system effectively reduces stray light and thermal load, improving image clarity and contrast by minimizing mechanical deformation and thermal noise, thereby enhancing imaging device performance.
Implementation Method 1
the first front face and the second front face can each comprise a light reflecting surface
Implementation Method 2
the first back face and the second back face can each comprise a light absorbing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A device for coupling with an optical device which comprises a first baffle vane and a second baffle vane. The first baffle vane comprises a first front face and a first back face, and defines a first vane opening. The second baffle vane is spaced away from the first baffle vane, comprises a second front face and a second back face, and defines a second vane opening. The first front face and the second front face each comprise a light reflecting surface, and the first back face and the second back face each comprise a light absorbing surface. The first vane opening is larger than the second vane opening, the first baffle is closer to a light entry side of the device than the second baffle, and the second baffle is closer to an imaging device side of the device than the first baffle.