Illumination Device with Varying Diffusion Subelement Sizes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illumination devices using laser light sources face complexity in adjusting partial ranges to higher or lower brightness within an illumination area without a complicated processing configuration, especially when continuously scanning the laser beam to change irradiation positions.

Innovation Solution

An illumination device with a coherent light source, optical diffusion subelements of varying sizes, and an optical scan unit that scans the coherent beam at a constant speed, allowing for adjustment of brightness by controlling the size of the incidence regions and maintaining constant output power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the output power of the laser beam is controlled to adjust brightness of partial ranges, then the illumination intensity can be adjusted, but the processing configuration becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrightness of partial rangeVSAvoidprocessing configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the optical element (diffusion subelements) have different sizes. Specifically, diffusion subelements corresponding to partial ranges requiring different brightness levels are designed with different sizes, allowing each subelement to naturally produce the desired illumination intensity without complex power control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the diffusion subelements (their sizes) to achieve different illumination intensities. By varying the size parameter of each diffusion subelement, the system can control the brightness of corresponding partial ranges in the illumination range without needing to adjust the laser beam output power dynamically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the laser beam is scanned continuously to change irradiation positions, then the illumination range can be adjusted flexibly, but the output power control must be carried out according to the scan making the configuration complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination range adjustmentVSAvoidoutput power control configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the sizes of diffusion subelements before the scanning operation. The varying sizes of diffusion subelements are determined in advance based on the desired brightness distribution, so that when the laser beam is scanned, the system can achieve the target illumination pattern without needing to perform complex real-time power control adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Illumination intensity

If uniform brightness is required across the entire illumination range, then the laser beam must be applied uniformly to the entire optical element, but this cannot accommodate partial ranges requiring different brightness levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform brightnessVSAvoidpartial range brightness control
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by making different parts of the optical element have different properties. Specifically, diffusion subelements are designed with varying sizes according to the brightness requirements of their corresponding partial ranges, enabling both uniform illumination where needed and differentiated brightness levels where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 precise illumination of partial ranges at higher or lower brightness without the need for complex processing configurations, by varying the size of the incidence regions on the diffusion subelements and maintaining constant output power and scan speed.

Implementation Method 1

an optical element having a plurality of diffusion subelements each of which guides the coherent beam incident thereon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

an optical scan unit that guides the coherent beam emitted from the coherent light source and thereby scans the coherent beam on the plurality of diffusion subelements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical scanning: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3312498B1Illumination device
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP3312498B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3312498B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3312498B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an illumination device capable of illuminating a partial range in an illumination range at higher or lower brightness than the other ranges without the need of a complicated processing configuration. The illumination device includes a coherent light source that emits a coherent beam, an optical element 3 including a plurality of diffusion subelements 15-1 to 15-9 each of which guides the coherent beam incident thereon, such that the coherent beam illuminates a corresponding one of illumination object subregions 19-1 to 19-9, and an optical scan unit that guides the coherent beam emitted from the coherent light source and thereby scans the coherent beam on the plurality of diffusion subelements 15-1 to 15-9. The plurality of diffusion subelements 15-1 to 15-9 include diffusion subelements differing in size.