Integrated Collimator Lens for Wide-Angle IR Camera Illumination

Solution Overview

Problem

Infrared cameras face challenges in providing effective illumination for wide-angle scenes due to restrictive internal dimensions, which limit the size of optical components and hinder effective cooling of LEDs, preventing the achievement of a wide-angle beam.

Innovation Solution

A light-refracting apparatus comprising an integrated collimator and lens with a concave light-emitting surface, utilizing total internal reflection to collimate and disperse light, allowing for a wide-angle illumination of up to 110° horizontally and 55° vertically, while maintaining a compact design that accommodates LEDs and enables efficient heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the internal dimensions of the camera housing are reduced to make the camera compact, then the camera size is reduced, but the size of optical components is limited and effective cooling of LEDs is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera sizeVSAvoidoptical component integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The collimator and lens are merged into a single integrated optical component with a unified lens body. The collimator portion and lens portion form an integral structure that can be manufactured as one piece, reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying assembly within the compact housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical component utilizes three-dimensional surface profiles including concave and convex portions on the lens surface. By employing complex 3D geometries rather than simple planar surfaces, the design achieves wide-angle light distribution and effective collimation within a compact form factor, resolving the contradiction between small size and optical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the internal dimensions of the camera housing are reduced to make the camera compact, then the camera size is reduced, but effective cooling of LEDs is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera sizeVSAvoidLED cooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into distinct functional zones: a light source housing portion that contains the LED and a heat sink for thermal management, and a lens housing portion that contains the optical component. This segmentation allows the heat sink to be positioned adjacent to the LED for effective cooling while maintaining the overall compact camera size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional optical components are used to illuminate wide-angle scenes, then the field of view is limited, but the internal dimensions of the housing become too restrictive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidhousing internal dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The collimator and lens are merged into a single integrated optical component with a unified lens body. The collimator portion and lens portion form an integral structure that can be manufactured as one piece, reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying assembly within the compact housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical component utilizes three-dimensional surface profiles including concave and convex portions on the lens surface. By employing complex 3D geometries rather than simple planar surfaces, the design achieves wide-angle light distribution and effective collimation within a compact form factor, resolving the contradiction between small size and optical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 a compact optical setup that effectively illuminates wide-angle scenes, ensuring efficient cooling of LEDs and achieving uniform light distribution patterns, enhancing the camera's ability to capture images in low-light conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The collimator may be shaped to collimate, by total internal reflection, the light emitted by the light source.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a lens comprising an at least partially concave light-emitting surface positioned to receive light collimated by the collimator and shaped to disperse the collimated light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight refraction and dispersion: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11237459B2Camera comprising a light-refracting apparatus for dispersing light

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A camera includes a housing, a light source positioned within the housing, and a light-refracting apparatus. The light-refracting apparatus comprises a collimator shaped to collimate light emitted by the light source, and a lens comprising an at least partially concave light-emitting surface positioned to receive light collimated by the collimator and shaped to disperse the collimated light. The light-refracting apparatus is arranged to cause the dispersed light to be transmitted from within the housing into a field of view region of the camera.