Integrated Optical Unit for LED Light Irradiating Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of the rod lens and light condensing lens axes in spot light irradiating devices is difficult to achieve with high accuracy, leading to inefficient light transmission and increased costs due to the complexity and number of components required in the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
An optical unit with a light condensing section and a light transmitting section are integrally formed, eliminating the need for axis alignment between the rod lens and light condensing lens, and featuring a concave section to accommodate the light emitting element and a cylindrical shape for efficient light transmission, reducing the number of components and processing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If separate rod lens and light condensing lens are used, then light transmission efficiency can be improved through proper alignment, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rod lens and light condensing lens into a single integrated optical element. The rod lens portion condenses light from the LED in the radial direction, while the light condensing lens portion condenses light in the axial direction. This integration eliminates the need for separate alignment of two lenses, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining effective light transmission.
2Illumination intensity
If separate rod lens and light condensing lens are used, then light condensation can be achieved, but assembly workability deteriorates due to axis alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both lens functions into one component, the patent eliminates the need for precise axis alignment between separate lenses during assembly. The single optical element is positioned at the LED distal end face, simplifying the assembly process while achieving effective light condensation in both radial and axial directions.
3Loss of energy
If additional light condensing lens is added, then light transmission efficiency improves, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates both the rod lens and light condensing lens functions into a single optical element that can be manufactured as one piece. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of two lenses, reducing processing steps and manufacturing costs while maintaining effective light transmission through combined radial and axial condensation.
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
This solution enhances the assembling workability, reduces costs, and results in a compact, high-efficiency light irradiating device with minimal light intensity unevenness, while maintaining the stability and long operating life of the LED light source.
Implementation Method 1
a side circumferential face to reflect the light from the light emitting element inward
Implementation Method 2
a distal end face to introduce the light from the light emitting element into the light transmitting section
Implementation Method 3
a side circumferential face to reflect the light introduced from the proximal end face inward
Implementation Method 4
a distal end face to emit the light introduced from the proximal end face outside
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention provides an optical unit that does not require an operation of aligning the axis of the rod lens and the axis of the light condensing lens, and that can improve an assembling workability and reduce a cost with less number of forming processes and less number of components due to its downsized structure. In order to realize this optical unit provided are a light condensing section 41 and a light transmitting section 42 integrally formed at a distal end side of the light condensing section 41 with its axis coincided with an axis of the light condensing section 41. The light condensing section 41 is in a shape of a body of rotation substantially widening from a proximal end toward a distal end with centering on its optical axis C, and comprises a concave section 43 opening at a proximal end face 41a to accommodate the light emitting element 21, a side circumferential face 41c to reflect the light from the light emitting element 21 inward and a distal end face 41b to introduce the light from the light emitting element 21 into the light transmitting section 42. The light transmitting section 42 is in a substantially cylindrical shape, and comprises a proximal end face 42a to introduce the light from the light condensing section 41, a side circumferential face 42c to reflect the light introduced from the proximal end face 42a inward and a distal end face 42b to emit the light introduced from the proximal end face 42a outside.