Illumination Apparatus for Even Close-Range Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image pickup apparatuses face challenges in evenly applying illumination light to objects at close distances due to structural interference, leading to insufficient light and image quality issues during proximate image pickup.
Innovation Solution
An illumination apparatus with a light-guiding portion that introduces light from the image pickup apparatus, reflects it towards the image pickup optical axis, and diffuses it using a reflective surface and diffusion portion, while a reflective main body with a cutout portion and rib-shaped wall portion ensures even illumination and shields light from entering the image pickup optical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a light-emitting portion is integrally incorporated in the image pickup apparatus main body, then the apparatus structure is compact, but the illumination light cannot be evenly applied to objects at close distances due to lens barrel interference
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination function is segmented from the main body by introducing an external illumination apparatus that attaches to the image pickup apparatus. This separate illumination unit includes its own light source and light-guiding structure, allowing it to independently illuminate objects without being constrained by the main body's lens barrel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A light-guiding portion acts as an intermediary between the illumination light source and the object. This light-guiding component includes a light-introducing opening that receives light from the illumination apparatus and guides it through a reflective surface to the object, enabling even illumination distribution without direct interference from the lens barrel.
2Quantity of substance
If the illumination light is directly applied to the object, then the light amount is sufficient, but the light cannot be evenly applied due to structural interference from the lens barrel
Solution Approach 1:
The light-guiding portion serves as an intermediary that receives illumination light and redistributes it evenly across the object. The light-introducing opening and reflective surface within this light-guiding component act as mediators to redirect and distribute light uniformly, preventing direct interference from the lens barrel while maintaining sufficient light amount.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surface within the light-guiding portion is designed with specific local properties to redirect light in particular directions. By strategically positioning reflective surfaces at different locations within the light-guiding structure, the system achieves uniform light distribution across the object surface while maintaining adequate overall light intensity.
3Illumination intensity
If an illumination adapter is introduced to guide illumination light, then the illumination light can be evenly applied to the object, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination apparatus merges multiple functions into integrated components. The light-guiding portion combines light introduction, reflection, and diffusion functions in a single structure. The reflective surface and diffusion portion are integrated into one assembly that attaches to the image pickup apparatus, reducing overall system complexity while achieving even illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-guiding portion performs multiple functions simultaneously: it introduces light from the illumination source, guides it through reflection, and distributes it evenly across the object. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining illumination quality.
4Illumination intensity
If the illumination light is guided toward the image pickup optical axis, then the light distribution is improved, but light may enter the image pickup optical system causing flare
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into distinct regions: the light-guiding portion that directs light toward the object, and the image pickup optical system that captures images. A clear spatial and functional separation is maintained between these segments, allowing light to be guided to the object without contaminating the image pickup path, thus preventing flare while maintaining proper light distribution.
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 solution provides even and diffused illumination to the object, preventing light insufficiency and flare, thereby improving image quality and maintaining proper exposure during proximate image pickup operations.
Implementation Method 1
a light-guiding portion (11) including a light-introducing opening (21b) through which light is introduced from a light-emitting portion (5) provided to an image pickup apparatus (1)
Implementation Method 2
a reflective surface (35) that reflects illumination light introduced from the light-introducing opening (21b) toward an image pickup optical axis (O) of the image pickup apparatus (1)
Implementation Method 3
a diffusion portion (33) that diffuses the illumination light reflected by the reflective surface (35) toward an object side as diffused illumination light
Implementation Method 4
a reflective portion (35) provided around the opening portion (10a) and including a reflective surface (35) formed so as to expand from the opening portion (10a) toward an object side for reflecting the diffused illumination light guided from the light-guiding portion (11) toward the object side
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination apparatus includes: a light-guiding portion including a light-introducing opening through which light is introduced from a light-emitting portion of an image pickup apparatus, a reflective surface that reflects light introduced from the light-introducing opening toward an image pickup optical axis of the image pickup apparatus, and a diffusion portion that diffuses the light reflected by the reflective surface toward an object as diffused light; and a reflective body including an opening portion allowing an image pickup opening of the image pickup apparatus to be exposed, and a reflective portion provided around the opening portion and including a reflective surface formed to expand from the opening portion toward the object, wherein the diffusion portion is disposed at a part of the reflective portion and the reflective body includes a wall portion extending to the object side at a boundary between the opening portion and the diffusion portion.