Light Guide Splitting Section Taper for Uniform Linear Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light guides experience uneven light intensity due to the angled connection between the splitting section and rod-like light guiding sections, leading to irregular cross-sectional light distribution at the light-receiving end, which can be exacerbated by insufficient entrance length, causing light to miss the reflective section and resulting in suboptimal light emission.
Innovation Solution
A light guide design featuring a splitting section that divides light into multiple beams, with light guiding sections arranged side by side and a reflective section along the length direction, where the cross-sectional shape of the splitting section decreases in both width and height, allowing for uniform light distribution and emission as linear beams with a shorter entrance length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the splitting section and rod-like light guiding sections are simply connected at an angle, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the light intensity becomes uneven in the width direction and the cross-sectional light distribution becomes irregular
Solution Approach 1:
The splitting section is designed with a cross-sectional shape that changes along the length direction, creating different local geometries to control light distribution. The cross section decreases in dimensions when progressively viewed in the length direction, which locally adjusts the light propagation characteristics to achieve uniform intensity distribution across the width direction.
2Productivity
If the entrance length is shortened, then the device size is reduced and productivity is improved, but the light intensity becomes uneven and the cross-sectional light distribution becomes irregular
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-sectional dimensions of the splitting section are changed along the length direction, creating a gradient geometry. This parameter change allows the light to be uniformly distributed across the width direction even with a shorter entrance length, as the changing cross-section optimizes the light propagation path and intensity distribution.
3Manufacturing precision
If the rod-like light guiding sections are lengthened to achieve sufficient entrance length, then the light intensity uniformity is improved, but the device size increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a variation in the cross-sectional dimension of the splitting section along the length direction. By changing the cross-sectional shape from a constant dimension to a varying dimension that decreases in the length direction, the system achieves uniform light distribution with a shorter entrance length, effectively utilizing the third dimension (length direction) to optimize the light propagation.
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 design ensures uniform light intensity and suitable light distribution characteristics, enabling the generation of linear beams with a shorter entrance length than conventional systems, inhibiting uneven light intensity at the front-end portions of the light guiding sections.
Implementation Method 1
a splitting section dividing light derived from a light source into at least two beams of light
Implementation Method 2
The introduced light propagates through each of the rod-like light guiding sections lengthwise while repeatedly experiencing total reflection within the light guiding section
Implementation Method 3
each rod-like light guiding section is provided on the bottom with a reflective section (e.g., a group of prisms) capable of reflecting the introduced light upward
Implementation Method 4
The emission surface is designed so as to turn the introduced light from, for example, the opposing reflective section into a linear beam and direct the beam to a predetermined position
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide having: a splitting section dividing light derived from a light source into at least two beams of light; and at least two light guiding sections causing the light from the splitting section to propagate in a predetermined length direction, the light guiding sections being arranged side by side in a predetermined width direction with the splitting section disposed therebetween, wherein the light guiding section includes: a reflective section reflecting the light, the reflective section being provided along the length direction; and an emission surface emitting the light reflected by the reflective section as a linear beam of light, the emission surface being positioned opposite to the reflective section, and a cross section of the splitting section perpendicular to the length direction decreases in dimensions both in the width direction and a height direction.