Light Modulator With Curved Substrate and Beam Homogenizer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for range imaging systems, such as Lidar and ToF cameras, face challenges with distortion, reduced energy utilization, and poor uniformity when the target area is off the optical axis of the detection light source.
Innovation Solution
A light modulator with a beam homogenizer formed on a curving surface of a curved light transmitting substrate, which homogenizes the light and reduces distortion in the illumination area, allowing for uniform illumination and improved energy utilization without the need for complex optical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple independent optical components are used to correct distortion, then distortion correction precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent optical components (beam homogenizer and curved light transmitting substrate) into a single integrated light modulator assembly. The beam homogenizer is positioned in direct contact with the curved light transmitting substrate, merging their functions into one compact unit that corrects distortion while simplifying the overall optical system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a curved light transmitting substrate with a specific curved surface design to correct off-axis distortion. The curvature of the substrate is optimized to compensate for the distortion caused by oblique light incidence, enabling precise distortion correction through geometric shaping rather than complex multi-component systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple independent optical components are used to correct distortion, then distortion correction precision is improved, but assembly and adjustment convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the beam homogenizer and curved light transmitting substrate into a single assembled unit with a fixed relative position. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly and adjustment of multiple independent components, significantly improving assembly convenience while maintaining precise distortion correction functionality.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional light transmission is used for off-axis targets, then energy utilization is improved, but illumination uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a beam homogenizer with spatially varying microstructure to the curved light transmitting substrate. The microstructure is designed with different local properties corresponding to different incident light angles, enabling uniform light distribution across the entire illumination area while maintaining high energy utilization efficiency for off-axis targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the light transmission path by introducing a beam homogenizer with specific microstructure on the curved substrate. This modifies the light propagation characteristics to achieve uniform illumination intensity distribution across the detection area, overcoming the non-uniformity inherent in conventional off-axis light transmission.
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 light modulator achieves uniform illumination and reduces distortion across the detection area, enhancing the detection capabilities of devices integrated with the modulator while minimizing energy loss and manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a beam homogenizer (11) having a microstructure... homogenize the light beam
Implementation Method 2
a curved light transmitting substrate (12) having at least one curving surface (120)... deflect the light beam
Data Source
AI summary
A light modulator includes a beam homogenizer having microstructure, and a curved light transmitting substrate having at least one curving surface, wherein the beam homogenizer is arranged on the curving surface of the curved light transmitting substrate to configure the microstructure of the beam homogenizer on the curving surface of the curved light transmitting substrate.