Multi-Emitter Light Source Optics for Fiber Coupling Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source devices face challenges in securing sufficient white light output due to reduced coupling efficiency and potential damage to optical fibers when using laser light sources, particularly when multiple emitters are used, leading to inefficiencies in light condensation and fiber damage.
Innovation Solution
A light source device with a configuration that includes multiple light sources, cylindrical lenses, and a condenser lens to collimate and condense light, utilizing a light beam merging unit to narrow light flux widths and improve coupling efficiency, preventing fiber damage while enabling high-output light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of emitters is increased to secure sufficient white light output, then the amount of light increases, but the light flux diameter increases causing difficulty in condensing light into the optical fiber
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is divided into multiple emitters arranged in a specific pattern, with each emitter contributing to different portions of the light flux. This segmentation allows the total light amount to increase while maintaining a controlled overall flux diameter through spatial arrangement and individual emitter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cylindrical lenses to reshape the light flux from a two-dimensional expanded pattern into a more concentrated form by controlling refraction in specific dimensions. This dimensional transformation allows increased light output while maintaining a narrow enough flux diameter for effective fiber coupling.
2Illumination intensity
If white light obtained by adding phosphor light to laser light is incident into an optical fiber, then white light output is achieved, but coupling efficiency is reduced causing loss of white light and potential fiber damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters including the spatial arrangement of emitters, the focal lengths and positions of cylindrical lenses, and the condenser lens characteristics to maximize coupling efficiency. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the light flux is shaped and positioned to match the optical fiber's acceptance characteristics, thereby improving coupling efficiency while maintaining high white light output.
Solution Approach 2:
Cylindrical lenses and a condenser lens are introduced as intermediary optical elements between the multi-emitter light source and the optical fiber. These intermediaries reshape and redirect the light flux, transforming the emitted light into a form that couples efficiently with the fiber while preserving the white light characteristics.
3Power
If laser light is used as a light source of red light, then high intensity light is achieved, but a sufficient amount of white light cannot be secured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laser emitters emitting different wavelengths (including red laser light) with phosphor conversion elements. The laser light serves as a pump source that excites the phosphor to generate additional wavelengths, merging the high-intensity laser output with phosphor-generated light to create sufficient white light while maintaining high overall intensity.
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 solution enhances coupling efficiency, reduces the risk of optical fiber damage, and allows for high-output light transmission without the need for large-diameter fibers, thereby minimizing costs and improving reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of first cylindrical lenses is disposed corresponding to the plurality of light emitting elements in the first column to collimate the first light and the second light emitted from the first light source
Implementation Method 2
a light beam merging unit disposed to narrow a width in a first direction of a light flux emitted from the first light source by allowing partial light from the plurality of first cylindrical lenses to pass through the light beam merging unit and reflecting remaining light
Implementation Method 3
a condenser lens configured to condense light emitted through the light beam merging unit
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device includes: a first light source; first cylindrical lenses; a light beam merging unit disposed to narrow a width in a first direction of a light flux emitted from the first light source by allowing partial light from the first cylindrical lenses to pass through the light beam merging unit and reflecting remaining light; and a condenser lens configured to condense light emitted through the light beam merging unit. The first light source includes light emitting elements disposed side by side in the first direction in a first column, and collimator lens parts disposed corresponding to the light emitting elements in the first column. Each of the light emitting elements in the first column includes a first emitter that emits first light, and a second emitter that emits second light. Each of the collimator lens parts allows transmission of the first light and the second light.