Neutral Afocal Optical System for Binocular Visual Field Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Structural elements, such as vertical uprights in vehicles and building frames, obstruct binocular vision, leading to reduced visual fields and increased risk of accidents, and existing solutions either cause optical aberrations or are complex and not applicable to existing structures.
Innovation Solution
A neutral afocal optical system comprising a plano-convex first lens, a double-concave central lens, and a plano-convex third lens, applied within a diaphragm or aperture, which increases the apparent binocular visual field by 50% without causing optical distortions, allowing for continuous vision through obstructing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If vertical structural uprights are thickened for safety reasons, then structural strength is improved, but binocular vision is increasingly obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The upright is segmented by introducing a through-aperture that divides the solid structure into regions around the opening. This segmentation allows light to pass through while maintaining the overall structural integrity and strength of the upright.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical system is introduced as an intermediary element within the aperture of the upright. This optical system mediates between the structural requirement (thick upright) and the visual requirement (unobstructed vision) by redirecting light paths to provide an enlarged visual field through the aperture.
2Area of stationary object
If complex optical systems are used to improve visual field, then vision continuity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is designed with specific parameter relationships between lenses (focal lengths, distances) that simplify the overall configuration. By carefully selecting optical parameters, the system achieves the desired visual field enlargement with a relatively simple three-lens arrangement rather than complex multi-element systems.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional optical systems are used to expand visual field, then vision coverage is improved, but optical aberrations are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is designed with different lens types (convex and concave) positioned at specific locations to address local optical quality issues. The central concave lens specifically addresses aberrations introduced by the aperture edges, while the convex lenses provide the primary field expansion, together achieving improved overall optical 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
The solution effectively reduces or eliminates blind zones in binocular vision, maintaining structural robustness while enhancing visual field continuity without optical aberrations, suitable for various applications including vehicles and buildings.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system comprising a plano-convex first lens, a double-concave central lens, and a plano-convex third lens
Data Source
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AI summary
An installation (50) for improving the binocular visual field in the presence of a structural element (52) located at a distance from the observer equal to or greater than the observer's interpupillary distance, characterised in that said structural element (52) is provided with at least one through aperture (54) in which an optical system (56) is applied com prising two convergent lenses (58, 62), between which a divergent lens (60) is centrally interposed, the distance between each of said convergent lenses (58, 62) and said central divergent lens (60) being such as to render said optical system (56) of neutral afocal type.