Flat-Plate Liquid Crystal Light Control Apparatus for Miniaturized Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light emitting and receiving systems for detecting target objects face challenges in miniaturization, cost reduction, and homogenization of received light beams due to the use of multiple MEMS devices, which leads to increased complexity and cost, as well as dispersion in performance among these devices.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting and receiving system utilizing a flat-plate shaped light control apparatus with liquid crystal elements between substrates, allowing for the bending of incident light, and a control apparatus to manage the light-entry and light-receiving processes, enabling efficient detection of target objects with reduced size, cost, and homogenized light beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple MEMS devices are used to ensure sufficient quantity of light from the reflected light beam, then the light quantity is improved, but the cost increases due to an increase in the number of parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light control functions into a single integrated device that includes both light entry and light reception capabilities. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate MEMS devices while maintaining sufficient light quantity for detection, thereby reducing part count and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The light control device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can both emit light toward the target object and receive reflected light. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized components, reducing overall system complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple MEMS devices are used to ensure sufficient quantity of light from the reflected light beam, then the light quantity is improved, but the system becomes difficult to adjust due to performance dispersion among devices
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the light entry and light reception functions into a single integrated device, the patent eliminates the performance dispersion issue that arises from using multiple separate MEMS devices. The unified design ensures consistent performance without requiring complex adjustments to compensate for device variations.
3Reliability
If a reflective optical system is used to receive light beams, then the light reception capability is improved, but the optical system becomes complicated which makes it difficult to miniaturize the system
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a traditional reflective optical system that requires complex mirrors and optical paths, the patent inverts the approach by using a transmissive liquid crystal-based light control device. This inversion simplifies the optical system while maintaining reliable light reception capability and enabling miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical reflective optical components with an electro-optic liquid crystal system. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical mirror assemblies and optical paths, significantly simplifying the overall optical system and enabling compact design.
4Reliability
If a reflective optical system is used to receive light beams, then the light reception capability is improved, but the system size increases which makes it difficult to miniaturize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical reflective optical components with a compact electro-optic liquid crystal system. This substitution dramatically reduces the system volume while maintaining reliable light reception capability, enabling miniaturization for applications such as autonomous driving sensors.
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 system achieves reduced size, simplified structure, and lower costs while homogenizing the received light beams, improving the efficiency and accuracy of target object detection.
Implementation Method 1
liquid crystal elements supporting a plurality of light control parts capable of bending the incident light in a first direction between a pair of substrates
Implementation Method 2
a drive unit to drive the liquid crystal elements
Data Source
AI summary
To reduce the size, simplify the structure of a light emitting and receiving system. The system that detects a target object with the use of reflected lights gained from a light irradiated to the target object includes a flat-plate shaped light control apparatus having light control parts, a light-entry apparatus allowing light to enter into a light control part, a light-receiving apparatus that receives emitting lights from the remaining light control parts, a control apparatus that controls the light-entry apparatus and the light-receiving apparatus and detects the target object. The light control apparatus includes liquid crystal elements supporting light control parts between a pair of substrates and a drive unit to drive the liquid crystal elements. Each of the light control parts includes a pair of electrodes, a high-resistance film disposed between the electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer disposed at least to the region overlapping the high-resistance film.