Compact Light Guide Element for Parallel Light Emission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination devices for stereoscopic displays require reflective materials like vapor-deposited metal for reflection surfaces, increasing material and production costs, and often have a larger footprint due to the need for longer distances between the light source and emission surface to achieve parallel light emission.
Innovation Solution
A light guide element with an incidence surface, a first reflection surface that totally reflects light, a second reflection surface that further reflects light as parallel, and an emission surface, eliminating the need for reflective materials and allowing for a smaller device size by achieving parallel light emission with reduced distance between the light source and emission surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reflective materials like vapor-deposited metal are used for reflection surfaces, then light reflection efficiency is improved, but material cost and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive reflective materials (vapor-deposited metal) with a cost-effective alternative structure consisting of a light guide plate with specifically designed internal reflection surfaces. These surfaces utilize the light guide plate's own optical properties and geometry to achieve total internal reflection, eliminating the need for additional reflective coatings while maintaining light reflection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes a material-based reflection system (reflective coatings) with a geometry-based optical system. By designing the light guide plate with specific internal angles and surfaces that exploit total internal reflection principles, the system achieves efficient light reflection through structural design rather than material properties, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
2Illumination intensity
If the distance between the light source and emission surface is increased to secure optical path width, then parallel light emission is achieved, but device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (thickness of the light guide plate) to achieve the necessary optical path width for parallel light emission. Instead of increasing the lateral distance between light source and emission surface, the design incorporates multiple reflection surfaces within the plate's thickness, allowing light to traverse a sufficient optical path while maintaining a compact overall device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention nests multiple reflection surfaces within the light guide plate structure itself. The light source is positioned within or adjacent to the light guide plate, and the light undergoes multiple reflections off internal surfaces before exiting through the emission surface. This nested arrangement efficiently utilizes the available space to achieve the required optical path length without increasing the device's external dimensions.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple reflection surfaces are used to achieve parallel light emission with reduced distance, then device size is reduced, but light intensity non-uniformity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface characteristics to different regions of the light guide plate. The internal reflection surfaces are designed with specific angles and orientations optimized for their local function in the optical path. By carefully controlling the local geometry of each reflection surface, the system maintains uniform light intensity distribution across the emission surface while achieving compact dimensions through efficient use of the plate's thickness.
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 enables the production of a cost-effective, compact illumination device capable of emitting parallel light without the need for expensive reflective materials, while maintaining the necessary width of the optical path and reducing non-uniformity in light intensity.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflection surface configured to totally reflect at least a portion of the light entering from the incidence surface
Implementation Method 2
a second reflection surface configured to totally reflect at least a portion of the light totally reflected by the first reflection surface as parallel light
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide element includes: an incidence surface wherefrom light enters from a light source; a first reflection surface configured to totally reflect at least a portion of the light entering from the incidence surface; a second reflection surface configured to totally reflect at least a portion of the light totally reflected by the first reflection surface as parallel light; and an emission surface configured to emit the parallel light totally reflected by the second reflection surface.