Semiconductor Laser Lens Array Layout for Rotation-Stable Collimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light source devices with collimator lens arrays are prone to significant deviations in positional relationships between light sources and lens elements due to slight rotations, leading to changes in light intensity distribution.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting device with a substrate, lens array, and semiconductor laser elements, where the lens sections have a smaller inter-vertex distance in the row direction than in the column direction and share the same curvature in both directions, reducing the likelihood of positional deviations and maintaining consistent light intensity distribution even when mounted slightly rotated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If lens elements have a plurality of curvatures in accordance with sectional shapes of laser beams, then the collimation performance is improved, but the positional relationship between light sources and lens elements becomes highly sensitive to rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the inter-vertex distance in the row direction smaller than in the column direction. This asymmetric spacing creates a more robust optical system where the laser beams from adjacent elements are sufficiently separated, reducing sensitivity to rotational misalignment while maintaining effective collimation of each individual beam
2Ease of operation
If the collimator lens array is mounted slightly rotated from the prescribed direction, then assembly flexibility is improved, but significant deviation occurs in positional relationship
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the lens array with asymmetric inter-vertex spacing and appropriate curvature before mounting. This pre-engineered geometry ensures that even when mounted with slight rotation, the optical paths remain sufficiently separated and the collimation function is preserved, reducing the need for precise alignment during assembly
3Shape
If lens elements have different curvatures for different directions, then beam shaping is improved, but intensity distribution becomes sensitive to rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving each lens element appropriate curvature characteristics for beam collimation while simultaneously configuring the array with asymmetric inter-vertex spacing. This local optimization ensures that each element performs its beam-shaping function effectively while the overall asymmetric arrangement maintains stable intensity distribution even when rotated
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 device provides stable light emission with minimal changes in intensity distribution, even when the lens array is mounted slightly rotated, by ensuring consistent positional relationships between light sources and lens elements.
Implementation Method 1
A light source device that collimates light emitted from a plurality of light sources with a collimator lens array
Data Source
AI summary
A light-emitting device includes: a base having an upper surface; one or more semiconductor laser elements disposed on the upper surface and configured to emit light in a first direction in a top view; one or more reflecting members spaced from the one or more semiconductor laser elements in the first direction in a top view; and a lens member having one or more lens sections through which light reflected by the one or more reflecting members passes, the lens member being fixed to the base and positioned above the one or more semiconductor laser elements and the one or more reflecting members. In a top view, at least a portion of a first of the one or more reflecting members and an emitting surface of a first of the one or more semiconductor laser elements is disposed in a region inward of an outer edge of a first of the one or more lens sections.