Light Source Device Cover Mechanism for Optical Element Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light source devices risk emitting light without passing through the optical element when the optical element is detached from the holding member, leading to potential safety issues and impaired functionality in distance measurement applications.

Innovation Solution

A light source device design that includes a package with an opening for the optical path, a cover to suppress movement of the optical element, and a detection system to stop the light source when the cover is detached, ensuring light emission only occurs through the optical element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the optical element is held by a holding member, then the light source can emit light through the optical element, but the optical element may detach and emit light without passing through the optical element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight emission controlVSAvoiduncontrolled light emission

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holding unit is divided into separate components: a package that holds the light source and a cover that holds the optical element. This segmentation allows independent control and detection of each component's state, enabling the system to detect when the optical element detaches and prevent uncontrolled light emission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A detection unit is introduced as an intermediary between the optical element and the light source control. This detection unit monitors whether the optical element is properly positioned and provides feedback to the control unit, which then controls the light source accordingly to prevent uncontrolled emission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a cover is added to suppress optical element movement, then light emission control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical element positioningVSAvoidholding unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it holds the optical element in position, protects the internal components, and works with the detection unit to monitor optical element status. By merging these functions into a single integrated component, the design avoids adding excessive complexity while achieving reliable optical element positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20240248179A1Light source device, distance measuring device, and device

Publication Date: 2024.07.25 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

There is provided a light source device capable of suppressing emission of light from a light source without passing through an optical element. The light source device according to the present technology includes a light source, an optical element, and a holding unit that holds the light source and the optical element, in which the holding unit includes a package that accommodates the light source and has an opening on an optical path of light from the light source, the package being such that the optical element is attached on the package to cover the opening, and a cover that covers the optical element and the package and allows transmission of light emitted from the light source and has passed through the optical element. The light source device according to the present technology makes it possible to provide a light source device capable of suppressing the emission of the light from the light source without passing through the optical element.