Laser Module Lens Standardization for Flexible Color Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for light-emitting modules that can accommodate various quantities and colors of laser elements while minimizing environmental impact, as existing solutions do not efficiently address the demand for flexible laser element configurations and optimal inventory management.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a light-emitting module comprising a first and second light-emitting device with semiconductor laser elements of different quantities and colors, both mounted on a common wiring substrate, where the lens members for each device have the same curvature, allowing for flexible configuration and simplified inventory management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If different lens members are used for light-emitting devices with different quantities and colors of laser elements, then optical accuracy for each specific device is improved, but device complexity and inventory management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single lens member that can serve multiple light-emitting devices with different configurations of laser elements. The lens member is positioned and configured to optically process light from any active laser element regardless of its position or emission color, allowing one lens member to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized lens members. This reduces inventory complexity while maintaining optical accuracy through proper positioning and universal optical design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light-emitting devices are customized to meet various customer demands for different quantities and colors of laser elements, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables manufacturing flexibility by using a universal lens member that can accommodate different configurations of laser elements (different quantities and colors) within the same light-emitting device package. This allows a single manufacturing process to produce multiple device variants without requiring different lens members for each configuration, thereby maintaining adaptability to customer demands while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the optical function (lens member) from the specific configuration of laser elements. The lens member is designed as an independent component that can work with any segmentation or arrangement of laser elements below it. This allows the laser element configuration to be changed to meet different customer demands without affecting the lens member, thereby enabling product customization while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple types of lens members are manufactured to match different laser element configurations, then optical performance for each configuration is improved, but loss of substance increases due to unnecessary production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates material waste by manufacturing only a single type of lens member that can serve all light-emitting device configurations. Instead of producing multiple specialized lens members that would go unused for certain device variants, the universal lens member is manufactured in sufficient quantities to serve all configurations, thereby eliminating the substance loss associated with producing specialized components for specific device types that may not be demanded.
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 approach enables the production of light-emitting modules that can be tailored to meet diverse customer demands with reduced environmental load by using the same lens members for different light-emitting devices, improving optical accuracy and simplifying production processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens member fixed to the first package and having a plurality of lens surfaces, a number of the lens surfaces of the first lens member being the same as the number of the first semiconductor laser elements, each of the lens surfaces corresponding to a respective one of the first semiconductor laser elements and being configured to transmit light emitted from the respective one of the first semiconductor laser elements
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of light emitting devices include first and second light-emitting devices. The first light-emitting device includes: a first package, first semiconductor laser elements sealed in the first package, and a first lens member having lens surfaces. The second light-emitting device includes a second package having a same outer shape as the first package, one or more second semiconductor laser elements sealed in the second package, and a second lens member having one or more lens surfaces. The first semiconductor laser elements include a semiconductor laser element to emit first light having a color different from light emitted from any of the second semiconductor laser elements. A curvature of the lens surface of the first lens member to transmit the first light is the same as a curvature of one of the lens surfaces of the second lens member.