Monolithic Light Guide Element for Optical Sensor Beam Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical sensors for surveillance spaces have complex structures, leading to increased production costs and positioning inaccuracies, which affect the quality of beam guidance due to the need for multiple components like lenses, beam splitters, and deflection mirrors.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic light-guiding element that integrates the functions of beam shaping, beam splitting, and deflection, reducing the number of components and eliminating the need for separate beam splitters, while using reflective and diffractive surfaces to achieve coaxial optics and light concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate optical components (lenses, beam splitters, deflection mirrors) are used to achieve beam shaping, beam splitting, and deflection, then the optical functions can be fulfilled, but the device structure becomes complex and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate optical components (lenses, beam splitters, deflection mirrors) into a single integrated optical element. This monolithic structure performs beam shaping, beam splitting, and deflection functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple discrete components and their associated mounting hardware, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical element is designed to perform multiple optical functions within a single component. It simultaneously provides beam shaping through its geometric design, beam splitting through internal reflection surfaces, and beam deflection through its structural configuration, making it a multi-functional element that replaces several specialized components
2Reliability
If multiple separate optical components are used, then the required optical functions can be achieved, but positioning inaccuracies increase and assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple optical components into a single monolithic element, the patent eliminates the need for precise positioning and alignment between separate components during assembly. The integrated structure ensures that beam shaping, beam splitting, and deflection surfaces are precisely positioned relative to each other during manufacturing, thereby eliminating positioning inaccuracies that would otherwise occur during assembly of multiple separate components
Solution Approach 2:
While the overall element is monolithic, the optical surface is segmented into different functional zones (beam shaping surfaces, beam splitting surfaces, deflection surfaces) that are precisely formed within the single component. This segmentation of functions within a unified structure allows each optical function to be optimized independently during manufacturing while maintaining precise spatial relationships
3Reliability
If multiple separate optical components are used, then the optical functions can be fulfilled, but production costs increase due to increased assembly effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical components into a single monolithic element that can be manufactured as one piece using conventional manufacturing techniques. This integration eliminates the need for complex assembly procedures involving multiple components, mounting brackets, and precise alignment procedures, thereby significantly reducing assembly effort and production costs while maintaining the required beam guidance 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
This design simplifies assembly, reduces positioning inaccuracies, and enhances beam guidance quality by integrating multiple optical functions into a single component, thereby lowering production costs and improving the precision of beam guidance.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitting surface with at least one transmission region and at least one reflection area, which are arranged in such a way that transmitted light coming from the entry surface is guided to the end surface and light to be detected coming from the end surface is guided at least partially onto a beam path that differs from the beam path of the transmitted light
Implementation Method 2
transmitted light coming from the entry surface is guided to the end surface
Implementation Method 3
at least one deflection surface, with which light whose beam path over the at least one reflection area runs, is deflected within the light-guiding element
Implementation Method 4
a light-collecting action area for concentrating, in particular focusing, light to be detected on the light receiver
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical sensor for monitoring a surveillance room, comprising at least one light transmitter for emitting transmitted light into the surveillance room and at least one light receiver for measuring detectable light from the surveillance room. According to the invention, the optical sensor is characterized in that a one-piece manufactured light guiding element is provided for directing transmitted light towards the surveillance room and for directing detectable light to the light receiver, wherein the light guiding element has: an entry surface for transmitted light, at which transmitted light enters the light guiding element during operation; an end surface, at which transmitted light exits the light guiding element towards the surveillance room during operation and at which detectable light from the surveillance room enters the light guiding element;a beam-splitting surface with at least one transmission area and at least one reflection area, arranged such that transmitted light coming from the entrance surface is directed to the end surface and the light to be detected coming from the end surface is at least partially directed onto a beam path that differs from the beam path of the transmitted light; an exit surface for light to be detected, at which, during operation, light to be detected coming from the beam-splitting surface exits the light-guiding element; at least one deflecting surface, with which light whose beam path passes over the at least one reflection area is deflected within the light-guiding element; and a light-collecting area for concentrating light to be detected onto the light receiver.