Laser Illumination Device With Pivotable Mirror And Axis Divergence Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lighting devices with semiconductor laser devices face challenges in adjusting and aligning laser light bundles due to direction-dependent expansion or divergence, affecting light distribution and spot shape on wavelength conversion elements.
Innovation Solution
The lighting device incorporates an optical system with pivotable mirror elements, cylindrical lenses, and aspheric optical elements to adjust and direct laser light bundles, allowing precise alignment and shaping of laser spots on the wavelength conversion element, enabling independent control of divergence along slow and fast axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If laser light bundles are used for illumination, then high brightness and directionality are achieved, but direction-dependent expansion or divergence causes problems in generating desired light distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pivotable mirror elements that can be rotated about at least one axis to dynamically adjust the direction of laser light bundles. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to compensate for direction-dependent expansion and divergence, enabling precise control over light distribution patterns while maintaining the high brightness characteristics of laser illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical elements including cylindrical lenses and aspheric lenses to change the divergence parameters of laser light bundles independently along different axes. By adjusting focal lengths and optical configurations, the system modifies beam expansion characteristics to achieve desired light distribution patterns on the wavelength conversion element, resolving the contradiction between maintaining laser brightness and achieving ease of alignment.
2Manufacturing precision
If the laser spot size and shape are adjusted on the wavelength conversion element, then precise alignment is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to additional optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical adjustment functions by using separate cylindrical lenses for adjusting divergence along the slow axis and separate aspheric lenses for adjusting divergence along the fast axis. This segmentation allows independent control of beam parameters in different directions, achieving precise alignment while organizing the complexity into manageable, functionally-separated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable mirror elements serve multiple functions: they direct laser light bundles onto the wavelength conversion element, enable dynamic adjustment of light distribution patterns, and facilitate alignment compensation for direction-dependent expansion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high alignment precision.
3Power
If multiple laser light bundles are generated, then high power output is achieved, but the direction-dependent divergence makes it difficult to generate desired light distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical correction strategies to different laser light bundles based on their specific divergence characteristics. Each bundle can be independently adjusted using individual optical elements and pivotable mirrors, allowing local optimization of light distribution control for each beam while maintaining high cumulative power output from multiple bundles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically adjustable pivotable mirror elements and variable focal length optical elements to adaptively control multiple laser light bundles simultaneously. This dynamic control enables the system to maintain high power output from multiple bundles while independently adjusting each bundle's direction and divergence to achieve the desired overall light distribution pattern.
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 ensures precise adjustment of laser spot size and shape, allowing for desired light distributions to be generated, particularly suitable for applications like motor vehicle headlights, by aligning and scanning laser light bundles effectively on the wavelength conversion element.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one first cylindrical lens for focusing the laser light bundles along their slow axis
Implementation Method 2
The at least one aspheric optical element for focusing the laser light bundles along a fast axis of the laser light bundles
Implementation Method 3
The optics have at least one mirror element that can be pivoted about at least one axis and is designed to guide the laser light bundles over at least one surface section of the surface of the at least one light wavelength conversion element
Implementation Method 4
at least one light wavelength conversion element, which is designed to convert light from the laser light beams proportionately into light of a different wavelength
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting device (1) with a semiconductor laser device (30) configured to generate several laser light beams (11 to 16), and with at least one wavelength conversion element (9) configured to convert at least a portion of the light from the laser light beams (11 to 16) into light of a different wavelength, and with optics configured to direct the laser light beams (11 to 16) onto a surface (90) of the at least one wavelength conversion element (9), wherein the optics comprise at least one pivotable mirror element (8) about at least one axis (80) configured to guide the laser light beams (11 to 16) over at least a surface section of the surface (90) of the at least one wavelength conversion element (9), and wherein the optics comprise means (7, 41 to 46, 51 to 56) for adjusting a divergence or widening of the laser light beams along a slow axis (SA) or respectively.and a fast-axis (FA) of the laser light beams (11 to 16) on the surface section of the surface (90) of the at least one light wavelength conversion element (9).