Multi-Emitter Laser Optics With Shared Refractive Collimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting optical systems using multi-emitter laser chips face challenges in condensing light due to large divergence angles, requiring complex and costly refractive elements for each chip.
Innovation Solution
A lighting optical system that utilizes a single refractive element to collimate light from multiple multi-emitter laser chips, employing convex lenses and a first refractive element to convert emitter lights into approximately parallel lights, eliminating the need for individual refractive elements per chip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a refractive element is arranged immediately after each laser chip to control divergence, then light condensing efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to needing multiple complicatedly shaped refractive elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple individual refractive elements into a single integrated refractive element that serves all laser chips. This single element has multiple surfaces (first surface receiving first emitter lights, second surface receiving second emitter lights) that collectively perform the divergence control for all chips, reducing component count and complexity while maintaining condensing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The single refractive element is designed to handle multiple functions simultaneously - it receives and processes lights from multiple emitters (first emitter and second emitter from each multi-emitter laser chip) through its different surfaces, making one element perform the work of what would traditionally require multiple separate elements
2Reliability
If individual refractive elements are prepared for each multi-emitter laser chip, then light divergence is controlled, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the manufacturing requirement from multiple individual refractive elements into a single refractive element that can be manufactured as one unit, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining the necessary divergence control functionality for all laser chips
3Productivity
If multiple refractive elements are used for each laser chip, then light condensing is achieved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple refractive elements into one single refractive element that serves all multi-emitter laser chips. This single element has multiple surfaces that collectively handle all the light condensing tasks, reducing the quantity of components from multiple elements to just one
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
Enables low-cost configuration by reducing the complexity and cost of refractive elements, while maintaining high light condensing efficiency onto an optical fiber.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of convex lenses each having a center between the first emitter and the second emitter of each of the multi-emitter laser chips, the plurality of convex lenses each arranged in close proximity to a corresponding one of the multi-emitter laser chips
Implementation Method 2
the first refractive element turning the first emitter lights and the second emitter lights into approximately parallel lights
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a low-cost lighting optical system not requiring the refractive element for each laser chip. A lighting optical system includes: a light source including a plurality of multi-emitter laser chips arrayed in a first direction that intersects a light output direction, the plurality of multi-emitter laser chips each having a first emitter outputting first emitter light and a second emitter outputting second emitter light; a plurality of convex lenses each having a center between the first emitter and the second emitter of each of the multi-emitter laser chips, the plurality of convex lenses each arranged in close proximity to a corresponding one of the multi-emitter laser chips; and a first refractive element arranged on light output direction side with respect to the plurality of convex lenses, the first refractive element having a first surface receiving two or more first emitter lights output from the plurality of multi-emitter laser chips and a second surface receiving two or more second emitter lights output from the plurality of multi-emitter laser chips, the first refractive element turning the first emitter lights and the second emitter lights into approximately parallel lights.