Light Source Module Feedback for Diffusion Plate Damage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ToF sensors face issues with accurately detecting damage or peeling of the diffusion plate, which can lead to insufficient laser light emission to the measurement target region, affecting distance measurement precision and potentially causing direct exposure to strong light.
Innovation Solution
A light source module with an optical guide unit that directs a portion of the laser light to a detection region, allowing the laser driver to monitor light quantity and stop the light source if abnormalities are detected, ensuring accurate detection of damage or peeling in the diffusion plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a laser light source with high output is used for ToF sensor, then the light emission intensity is improved, but the risk of direct eye exposure to strong light increases and damage to the diffusion plate becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection of diffusion plate abnormalities before they cause harmful effects. The detection unit continuously monitors the diffusion plate condition, and the control unit stops light source operation in advance when abnormalities are detected, preventing direct eye exposure to strong light before it can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback control loop where the detection unit monitors diffusion plate condition and feeds this information to the control unit, which adjusts light source operation accordingly. This closed-loop system ensures that high intensity light is only emitted when the diffusion plate is intact, eliminating direct eye exposure risk while maintaining high illumination intensity when safe
2Reliability
If the diffusion plate is damaged or peeled, then the light transmission function is compromised, but accurate detection of such abnormalities is difficult without additional detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wave guide as an intermediary element that redirects a portion of the laser light to the detection unit. This wave guide serves as a mediator that enables indirect monitoring of the diffusion plate condition by detecting light quantity changes, making abnormality detection feasible without directly observing the diffusion plate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct visual or physical inspection of the diffusion plate with an optical detection system. The detection unit uses light quantity measurements to infer diffusion plate condition, substituting mechanical inspection methods with optical sensing that provides continuous, automatic monitoring capability
3Measurement precision
If a wave guide is added to redirect light for detection purposes, then the detection capability is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the wave guide to serve multiple functions: it redirects light for detection purposes while also being integrated into the existing optical path. The same wave guide structure that enables detection also helps characterize the light distribution, making the added component multi-functional and reducing the need for separate detection optics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the detection optical path with the main light emission path by using the wave guide to redirect a portion of the existing laser light. This integration combines detection functionality with the existing optical system rather than adding completely separate detection optics, thereby reducing overall system 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
Prevents insufficient light emission and direct eye exposure by accurately detecting diffusion plate abnormalities, enhancing measurement precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a wave guide that guides a part of the light, which is emitted from the light source, in a direction that is different from the traveling direction of the light emitted from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a detection unit that detects the quantity of the light guided via the wave guide
Implementation Method 3
The laser light output from the laser light source is diffused by a diffusion plate first
Data Source
AI summary
To detect damage, peeling and the like of a diffusion plate accurately. A light source module according to an embodiment includes a light source (121), a case (125) that houses the light source and includes an emission opening through which light emitted from the light source is emitted, a cover member (125) that is disposed at the emission opening of the case and through which the light emitted from the light source is transmitted, a wave guide (126, 127) that guides a part of the light, which is emitted from the light source, in a direction that is different from the traveling direction of the light emitted from the light source, a detection unit (131) that detects the quantity of the light guided via the wave guide, and a driving unit (120) that drives the light source based on the quantity of the light detected by the detection unit.