LED Illumination System With Ellipsoidal Coupler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination systems, particularly endoscopic systems, are inefficient due to bulky xenon light sources and low coupling efficiency of LED light into small diameter fiber optic light pipes, lacking effective solutions for compact and efficient illumination.
Innovation Solution
An illumination system incorporating a reflective surface, such as an ellipsoidal mirrored cavity, to couple light from LEDs into optical waveguides, achieving high efficiency even with small diameter light pipes by redirecting diverging light for efficient coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional xenon light sources are used for illumination, then high illumination intensity is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the light source parameter from conventional xenon arc lamps to high-power LED sources, fundamentally altering the illumination mechanism. This parameter change enables compact system design while maintaining high illumination intensity through the LED's high luminous efficacy and directional light output characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical and optical coupling system required for xenon sources with a simplified LED-based system. The directional nature of LED light output eliminates the need for complex condensing optics and alignment mechanisms, reducing system bulk while maintaining illumination performance
2Loss of energy
If LEDs are used as light sources, then compact size and efficiency are improved, but coupling efficiency into small diameter light pipes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specially designed optical coupler as an intermediary component between the LED source and the light pipe. This coupler features a reflective surface with specific geometric configuration that captures diverging LED light and redirects it into the light pipe, serving as a mediator that transforms the directional characteristics of LED light to match the light pipe's acceptance angle
Solution Approach 2:
The optical coupler employs a curved reflective surface (parabolic or elliptical geometry) to focus and redirect diverging light rays from the LED. This curvature enables efficient light collection and directional control, transforming the omnidirectional LED output into a focused beam that couples efficiently into the small diameter light pipe
3Volume of moving object
If coupling efficiency into small diameter light pipes is improved, then system compactness is achieved, but light source power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical coupler acts as an efficient intermediary that maximizes light transfer from the LED to the light pipe. By capturing a larger solid angle of diverging LED light and redirecting it into the light pipe, the coupler improves coupling efficiency to the point where moderate-power LEDs can achieve sufficient illumination output, eliminating the need for ultra-high-power LED sources that would be required without such an optimized coupling system
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 system provides high coupling efficiency for both large and small diameter light pipes, reducing the need for high-power LEDs and lowering overall costs, with efficiencies up to 90% for 12 mm and 19% for 1 mm diameters.
Implementation Method 1
an optical coupler constructed and arranged to couple light from the light source into the optical waveguide. The optical coupler includes a reflective surface that reflects at least some light diverging from the light source to be coupled into the optical waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination system includes a light source, an optical waveguide that has a proximal end and a distal end such that the proximal end is arranged to receive light from the light source and the distal end is suitable to illuminate an object of interest; and an optical coupler constructed and arranged to couple light from the light source into the optical waveguide. The optical coupler includes a reflective surface that reflects at least some light diverging from the light source to be coupled into the optical waveguide.