Linear Light Concentrator Using Segmented Reflective Refractive Surfaces

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical components are not optimal for concentrating light from compact extended sources, such as LEDs, onto a linear target region, leading to inefficiencies and aberrations in light collection and concentration.

Innovation Solution

The use of novel optical elements comprising both reflective and refractive surfaces, designed to concentrate light from compact extended sources by reflecting high-angle rays and refracting low-angle rays, minimizing aberrations and maximizing collection angles for high efficiency and accuracy onto a linear target region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional optical components are used to concentrate light from compact extended sources, then the system structure is simple, but the light collection efficiency and concentration accuracy deteriorate due to high aberrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight concentration accuracyVSAvoidoptical element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element is divided into distinct functional zones: a first region with first optical properties for collecting light from the extended source, and a second region with second optical properties for concentrating the light onto the linear target. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific function, achieving high concentration accuracy while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the optical element are assigned different optical properties. The first region is designed with specific refractive or reflective characteristics to collect light from the compact extended source, while the second region has different optical properties to concentrate the light onto the linear target region. This local differentiation of optical properties enables simultaneous optimization of light collection and concentration functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If conventional optical components are used, then the device complexity is low, but the collection angle and light concentration efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight collection efficiencyVSAvoidoptical element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element is divided into distinct functional zones: a first region with first optical properties for collecting light from the extended source, and a second region with second optical properties for concentrating the light onto the linear target. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific function, achieving high concentration accuracy while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the optical element are assigned different optical properties. The first region is designed with specific refractive or reflective characteristics to collect light from the compact extended source, while the second region has different optical properties to concentrate the light onto the linear target region. This local differentiation of optical properties enables simultaneous optimization of light collection and concentration functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional optical components are used, then the system is easy to manufacture, but the aberration levels increase reducing light concentration accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight concentration accuracyVSAvoidoptical element fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element is divided into distinct functional zones: a first region with first optical properties for collecting light from the extended source, and a second region with second optical properties for concentrating the light onto the linear target. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific function, achieving high concentration accuracy while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the optical element are assigned different optical properties. The first region is designed with specific refractive or reflective characteristics to collect light from the compact extended source, while the second region has different optical properties to concentrate the light onto the linear target region. This local differentiation of optical properties enables simultaneous optimization of light collection and concentration functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

These optical elements achieve high efficiency and accuracy in light collection and concentration, reducing aberrations and enabling effective illumination of linear regions, suitable for applications like automated optical inspection systems.

Implementation Method 1

Such elements comprise both reflective and refractive surfaces, which are arranged to concentrate different portions of the light emitted from the source in a different manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

Such elements comprise both reflective and refractive surfaces, which are arranged to concentrate different portions of the light emitted from the source in a different manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS7641365B2Linear light concentrator

Publication Date: 2010.01.05 ORBOTECH LTD

AI summary

An optical element including a unitary, non-circularly-symmetrical, piece of optically-transmissive material, which has at least first and second surfaces for concentrating light from a light source onto a linear target region, such that at least one of the first and second surfaces is curved, and such that a first portion of the light is concentrated onto the linear target region by reflection from the first surface, while a second portion of the light is concentrated onto the linear target region by refraction at the second surface.