Integrated Diffuser-Concentrator Optical Element for Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical devices require separate diffusers for light concentration and diffusion, leading to increased complexity, cost, and size, which hinders miniaturization and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical element, referred to as a diffuser-concentrator, integrates a light transmission body with a light collecting surface and a smaller exit surface, featuring anisotropic diffusivity distribution and varying layer thickness, allowing for both light concentration and diffusion without a conventional diffuser, using materials like PDMS, PMMA, or porous structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional optical device uses separate diffusers for light concentration and diffusion, then the device can achieve light diffusion and concentration functions, but the device complexity, size, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the diffuser and concentrator functions into a single integrated optical element. The light transmission body is designed with specific geometric features (varying thickness, surface curvatures) that enable it to simultaneously perform both light diffusion and concentration, eliminating the need for separate diffuser and concentrator components.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a diffuser (scattering light to create diffuse illumination) and a concentrator (focusing light onto a smaller area). This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized components.
2Reliability
If separate diffusers are used in optical devices, then light diffusion can be achieved, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the diffuser and concentrator into one integrated optical element, the total weight of the optical system is reduced. The single element design eliminates the weight of separate diffuser components while maintaining both diffusion and concentration capabilities.
3Reliability
If separate diffusers are used in optical devices, then light diffusion can be achieved, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of diffuser and concentrator functions into a single optical element significantly reduces the space required for the optical system. The compact design allows both light diffusion and concentration to occur within one component, reducing the overall volume and facilitating device miniaturization.
4Reliability
If conventional separate diffusers and concentrators are used, then optical functions can be fulfilled, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a manufacturing method that integrates the formation of both diffuser and concentrator features into a single molding process. The optical element is created in one step using a mold with specific geometric features, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps for diffusers and concentrators, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes changes in material parameters and geometric parameters during a single molding process to create the integrated optical element. By controlling the mold geometry and material flow, both diffuser and concentrator functions are embedded in one manufacturing step.
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 cost-effective, compact, and efficient light concentration and diffusion, facilitating the miniaturization of optical devices such as spectrometers and mobile devices by eliminating the need for additional diffusers, while enhancing light collection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a medium diffusing for a specified wavelength range, wherein the light transmission body has at least a first sub-region with (at least) a first diffusivity D1 and a second sub-region with (at least) a second diffusivity D2 that differs from the first diffusivity D1
Implementation Method 2
the diffusivity distribution of the light transmission body is rotationally symmetric with respect to the central longitudinal axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical element (10) for light concentration for a predefined wavelength range, having a holding sleeve (12) which is formed in such a way that a light passage volume is framed by at least one reflective partial surface (12a) of the holding sleeve (12), and a light transmission element (14), with which the light passage volume is at least partly filled and which is transmissive, at least for the predefined wavelength range, wherein the light transmission element (14) is at least partly formed from at least one medium that is diffuse for the predefined wavelength range, and has at least one first subregion (16b) having at least a first diffusivity (D2) and a second subregion (16a) having at least a second diffusivity (D1) differing from the first diffusivity (D2). The invention further relates to a method for producing an optical element (10) for light concentration.