Multi-Layer Light Shield With Staggered Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light shields for optical sensors face issues with stress-induced deformation and light leakage due to slots for stress relief, which compromise the accuracy of dark current measurement in light-sensitive elements.
Innovation Solution
A light shield design featuring a primary plate with apertures and a secondary plate, where a wall acts as a light barrier between the plates, constructed using existing manufacturing processes and via technology, effectively blocking unwanted light and providing stress relief without complex antireflective coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If slots are inserted in the metal light shield to relieve stress, then stress-induced deformation and delamination are prevented, but light can leak through the slots and reach the dark pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The light shield is divided into multiple metal layers with slots in each layer staggered relative to each other, creating a segmented structure that maintains stress relief while reducing light leakage paths
Solution Approach 2:
An antireflective coating is applied as an intermediary layer on the metal surfaces to reduce light reflection and prevent light from bouncing between the slots and reaching the dark pixels
2Ease of manufacture
If a single continuous metal plate is used for the light shield, then manufacturing is simplified, but stress-induced deformation and delamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous metal plate is segmented into multiple layers with staggered slots, maintaining manufacturing feasibility while preventing stress accumulation and delamination
Solution Approach 2:
The light shield uses a composite structure of multiple metal layers with different slot patterns, combining the advantages of stress relief with improved optical blocking performance
3Object-affected harmful factors
If antireflective coating is applied to block light reflection between layers, then light leakage is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The use of multiple metal layers with staggered slots creates a segmented structure that inherently reduces light leakage paths, providing a partial alternative to or complement for antireflective coating
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a single-plane light blocking approach to a multi-layer three-dimensional structure, using vertical stacking with staggered slots to block light leakage without requiring additional coating processes
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
This design ensures maximum optical isolation of dark pixels, simplifies manufacturing, and reduces costs by using existing technologies, thereby accurately determining dark current and maintaining sensor accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The wall is arranged between the primary plate and the secondary plate, and is configured to act as a light barrier to light passing between the primary plate and the secondary plate
Data Source
AI summary
A light shield for shielding a light sensitive element in an image sensor comprising a primary plate located such as to shield the light sensitive element from incident light, the primary plate comprising at least one aperture and the or each aperture being associated with a light blocking structure, wherein the light blocking structure comprises a secondary plate and a wall; the wall is arranged between the primary plate and the secondary plate, and is configured to act as a light barrier to light passing between the primary plate and the secondary plate.