Modular Light Source Device with Detachable Illumination Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light source devices require multiple units and complex adjustments to achieve desired illumination characteristics, leading to increased costs and storage challenges, especially in applications like endoscopes where flexibility in brightness, peak wavelength, and emission patterns is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A modular light source device comprising a light source unit, an illumination unit with optical converters, and a connector system that allows for attachment and detachment, along with an information transmitter to manage the characteristics of the illumination unit, enabling the selection and combination of primary light sources and converters to produce various types of illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light emitting units are prepared in the light source device to achieve various illumination characteristics, then the adaptability and versatility of the device is improved, but the device complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a light source unit containing laser light sources and an illumination unit containing wavelength converting members. These modules can be independently configured and combined to achieve different illumination characteristics without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source unit and illumination unit are designed as universal modules that can be combined in various configurations. The illumination unit can work with different types of laser light sources (blue, violet, UV) and produce different illumination colors by selecting appropriate wavelength converting members, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate dedicated units for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light emitting units with different configurations are prepared to suit different purposes, then the adaptability to different observation purposes is improved, but the storage location requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into reusable light source units and illumination units, the patent eliminates the need to store multiple complete light emitting units. Each module can be independently stored and reused across different configurations, reducing total storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows for easy separation and recovery of individual units. When changing illumination characteristics are needed, units can be detached from one configuration and attached to another, effectively recovering and reusing the same physical components rather than discarding entire light emitting units.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the combination of light emitting units is manually adjusted to suit different purposes, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The connector enables dynamic reconfiguration of the system. Users can easily attach and detach illumination units to light source units according to different observation needs, transforming a static fixed configuration system into a dynamic adaptable system without complex adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary mechanism that simplifies the interaction between light source units and illumination units. It provides a standardized interface that makes unit combination straightforward, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustments while maintaining full adaptability.
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 device can efficiently produce a range of illumination types suited to specific uses by automatically selecting and combining light sources and converters, reducing the need for multiple units and optimizing spatial efficiency while ensuring safe and optimal illumination.
Implementation Method 1
the wavelength of the laser light is converted by the wavelength converting member at the distal end of the light guide
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device includes a light source unit configured to emit primary light and an illumination unit configured to optically convert the primary light to secondary light and then emit the secondary light. The light source device further includes a connector configured to allow the light source unit and the illumination unit to be attached to and detached from each other. Furthermore, the light source device includes an information transmitter configured to transmit illumination unit information to the light source unit, the illumination unit information being information regarding the illumination unit.