Near-Infrared Lens Assembly for Multi-Angle 3D Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D sensing technology using multiple near infrared light emitting units and collimating lenses is expensive and has a low yield rate due to the complexity and cost of manufacturing small collimating lenses via wafer level optical lens manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
An optical lens assembly comprising three lens elements with specific refracting powers arranged to generate multiple light beams with different angles, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple collimating lenses are used with multiple near infrared light emitting units, then multiple light beams with different angles can be generated, but the manufacturing cost increases and yield rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple collimating lens functions into a single optical lens assembly that receives light from multiple near infrared light emitting units. This single assembly integrates the optical paths and collimating functions that would otherwise require separate lens systems, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining the ability to generate multiple light beams with different angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical lens assembly is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it receives light from multiple different light emitting units, collimates the light from each source, and directs it along different optical paths. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized lenses for each light emitting unit, reducing overall system complexity and manufacturing requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If wafer level optical lens manufacturing process is used for small collimating lenses, then manufacturing precision can be achieved, but the yield rate is low and manufacturing cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple small collimating lens functions into a single larger optical lens assembly, which can be manufactured using more efficient and higher-yield manufacturing processes. Instead of fabricating multiple small precision lenses individually through wafer level processes, the single integrated assembly allows for more productive manufacturing while maintaining the necessary optical precision through its unified design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sets of near infrared light emitting units and collimating lenses are used, then large-ranged environment detection is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate optical systems (each consisting of a light emitting unit and its corresponding collimating lens) into a single integrated optical lens assembly that serves all light emitting units. This consolidation reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the capability to detect large-ranged environments through multiple angled light beams.
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 optical lens assembly significantly reduces the cost and manufacturing difficulties of 3D sensing technology by allowing multiple light beams to be generated efficiently with improved yield rates and thermal stability.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first lens element, the second lens element and the third lens element includes a light output surface facing the light output side and a light input surface facing the light input side. The first lens element is arranged to be a lens element having refracting power in a first order from the light output side to the light input side.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical lens assembly is provided. A plurality of infrared light beams emitted from a structured light generating unit having a plurality of light sources pass through the optical lens assembly to generate a plurality of light beams. A direction facing the structured light generating unit is a light input side, and an opposite side is a light output side. The optical lens assembly includes a first lens element, a second lens element and a third lens element arranged along an optical axis in a sequence from the light output side to the light input side.