Optical Diffusing Element Microstructure Design for 3D Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical diffusing elements for time of flight three-dimensional sensing require complex design processes to control light profiles, especially in filling blank areas between microstructures, leading to intricate boundary processing.
Innovation Solution
The optical diffusing element features microstructures with completely connected borders, using a surface profile formula s(x)=x^2*R + R^2 - (κ+1)*x^2, where R is the curvature radius and κ is the conic coefficient, ensuring no blank areas and simplifying design by allowing random arrangement and adjustment of microstructures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If probability distribution functions are used to randomly adjust depth, border, and space control parameters to control light profiles, then light profile control is achieved, but design complexity increases due to complicated boundary processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a specific mathematical formula (s(x) = (x^2 - R^2) / (2*R*κ)) to define the surface profile of microstructures, where R represents curvature radius and κ represents conic coefficient. By controlling these parameters, the patent achieves light profile control while simplifying the design process, eliminating the need for complex probability distribution functions and manual boundary processing.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional surface profiles are designed to fill blank areas between adjacent microstructures, then complete light profile coverage is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of microstructure design and blank area filling by using a unified mathematical formula that naturally generates complete surface profiles. The formula s(x) = (x^2 - R^2) / (2*R*κ) ensures that adjacent microstructures connect seamlessly without leaving blank areas, eliminating the need for additional filling designs and simplifying manufacturing processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If microstructures are arranged in a regular pattern, then manufacturing is easier, but light profile control flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by allowing microstructures to be arranged in random or irregular patterns on the light emitting surface. The unified mathematical formula s(x) = (x^2 - R^2) / (2*R*κ) can accommodate various arrangements including random, regular, or gradient distributions, providing flexibility in light profile control while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the consistent application of the same formula across all microstructures.
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 approach simplifies the design of optical diffusing elements while maintaining effective light profile control, eliminating the need for additional surface profiles to fill gaps and enhancing the light emitting assembly's functionality for three-dimensional sensing.
Implementation Method 1
when the light generated by the light source enters the optical diffusing element, it is scattered by the microstructures of the optical diffusing element, so that the light emitted from the microstructures has a specific light profile
Data Source
AI summary
An optical diffusing element includes a light emitting surface. The light emitting surface has microstructures, each microstructure has a border, the border of each microstructure is completely connected with the borders of the adjacent microstructures, each microstructure has a surface profile, and a functional formula of the surface profile is:s(x)=x2R+R2-(κ+1)x2;s(x) represents the surface profile of each microstructure on an x-axis. The value x represents a vertical projection position of the surface profile on the x-axis. The value R represents a curvature radius of a vertex of each microstructure. The value κ represents a conic coefficient of each microstructure. The microstructures have the same value R and value κ. A light emitting assembly for three-dimension sensing includes the optical diffusing element and a light source. The optical diffusing element and the light emitting assembly for three-dimension sensing have the advantages of controlling light shape, light profile and simplifying design.