LED Illuminator with Adjustable Singlet and Achromatic Doublet Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED illuminators for medical and dental professionals suffer from poor light uniformity and unacceptable color separation at the edge of the beam due to their reliance on reflecting optical elements or single lenses.
Innovation Solution
An LED illuminator with an adjustable beam pattern featuring a housing, a high-intensity white-emitting LED, a singlet lens, and an achromatic doublet lens, where the distances between the lenses are adjustable via threaded connections, improving light distribution and beam quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If reflecting optical elements or single lenses are used in LED illuminators, then the device complexity is reduced, but the light uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical elements (singlet lens and achromatic doublet lens) into a single integrated optical system. The singlet lens is positioned close to the LED chip while the achromatic doublet lens is positioned closer to the exit aperture, creating a compound optical system that achieves superior light uniformity compared to single-lens designs.
2Ease of manufacture
If reflecting optical elements or single lenses are used in LED illuminators, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the color separation at beam edge becomes unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a singlet lens and an achromatic doublet lens into a compound optical system. The achromatic doublet lens specifically addresses color separation issues by using two lens elements with different dispersive properties, while the singlet lens provides additional optical control. This combination achieves acceptable color separation control that neither lens could achieve alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The singlet lens acts as an intermediary element positioned between the LED chip and the achromatic doublet lens. This intermediate optical element helps control the light distribution and working distance, working in conjunction with the achromatic doublet to achieve both cost-effectiveness and color separation control.
3Device complexity
If fixed optical element distances are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability of beam pattern deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable spacing between the singlet lens and achromatic doublet lens, allowing the optical system to dynamically adapt to different applications. The adjustment mechanism enables variation of the beam pattern from wide to narrow while maintaining image quality, providing versatility without excessive complexity.
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 solution enhances light uniformity and reduces color separation, providing a more effective and adjustable beam pattern for improved illumination in medical and dental applications.
Implementation Method 1
an achromatic doublet lens mounted in the opening in the housing, and a singlet lens disposed between the LED and the achromatic lens
Data Source
AI summary
An improved illuminator with an adjustable beam pattern to be worn by medical and dental professionals includes a housing, a light-emitting diode (LED) disposed in the housing outputting light through a distal opening in the housing, an achromatic doublet lens mounted in the opening in the housing, and a singlet lens disposed between the LED and the achromatic lens. The distance between the singlet lens and the doublet lens may be adjustable, and/or distance between the LED and the singlet lens may be adjustable, through a threaded connections, for example. In the preferred embodiment, the achromatic doublet lens, the singlet lens, or both the singlet and the doublet lens have a planar surface.