Light Emitter Array Layout for Uniaxial Beam Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light emitting devices face challenges in efficiently moving the irradiation position of light to various places without compromising size, performance, or cost, particularly when driving the light emitting device in a complex manner.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting device with a moving unit that drives a predetermined portion in a first direction, where light emitting elements are arranged at intersections of orthogonal and parallel straight lines, allowing uniaxial drive and reducing device size, using optical systems like lenses or diffractive elements, and incorporating coils, magnets, or piezoelectric elements for precise movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the light emitting device is driven in a complicated manner to move the irradiation position to various places, then the irradiation position can be moved to various places, but the device size increases and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirradiation position coverageVSAvoiddriving mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light emitting elements are arranged in a segmented grid pattern with multiple rows and columns, where each segment can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the irradiation position to be moved to various places by selecting different elements within the grid, eliminating the need for complex mechanical driving mechanisms while maintaining versatility in irradiation coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirradiation position coverageVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The light emitting elements are arranged in a two-dimensional grid pattern with rows and columns, adding a spatial dimension to the irradiation control. By selecting elements along diagonal lines or specific rows/columns, the irradiation position can be moved across a larger area without increasing the device footprint, as the multiple elements work together in a compact two-dimensional arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If more light emitting elements are used to irradiate more ranging points, then the number of irradiated points increases, but the device cost and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of ranging points irradiatedVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each light emitting element in the grid can serve multiple functions by being controlled to irradiate different ranging points at different times. The same element can be used to irradiate multiple positions by changing the optical path or timing, making the device structure more universal and reducing the need for additional elements, thereby lowering device complexity while maintaining high productivity in terms of number of ranging points irradiated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables efficient movement of the irradiation position for a large number of ranging points with a small number of light emitting elements, reducing device size and cost while maintaining performance, and allowing backward and forward movement.

Implementation Method 1

the moving unit may include a coil, a magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the moving unit may include a coil, a magnet, a piezoelectric element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

the moving unit may include a coil, a magnet, a piezoelectric element, or a shape-memory alloy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 4

the optical system may include at least one of a lens or a diffractive optical element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 5

the optical system may include at least one of a lens or a diffractive optical element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS20230384424A1Light emitting device and ranging system

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

A light emitting device and a ranging system capable of moving an irradiation position of light The light emitting device includes a plurality of light emitting elements that generate light, and a moving unit to move an irradiation position of the light by driving a predetermined portion related to the light in a first direction. The light emitting elements are arranged at intersections of a plurality of first straight lines extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and a plurality of second straight lines extending in a third direction parallel to neither the first direction nor the second direction. Light emitting elements on straight line A and the light emitting elements on adjacent straight line B are arranged so as not to be adjacent to each other in the first direction. The irradiation position of the light can be moved by, for example, uniaxial drive.