Optical Module Linear Beam Distortion Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical modules that irradiate objects with a light beam for distance measurement and shape recognition face issues with light beam distortion at non-vertical angles, leading to decreased detection accuracy and increased noise from external light, particularly when using cylindrical lenses to generate slit light, which complicates the detection of reflected light and increases power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An optical module design featuring a light emitting unit with multiple elements arranged in a predetermined direction, a converging unit that forms a parallel or angularly wide light beam, and a light conversion unit with an optical surface having a specific curvature radius to maintain a linear light beam without distortion, regardless of incident angle, utilizing components like optical lenses, diffraction gratings, or diffusion plates to ensure orthogonal light beam incidence and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cylindrical lens is used to generate slit light, then the light output can be reduced and noise from external light can be suppressed, but the linear light beam becomes distorted from a straight line to a curved line as the incident angle deviates from vertical incidence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a curved optical surface with a specific curvature radius in the arrangement direction to counteract the distortion caused by the cylindrical lens. This curvature is designed to match the incident angle variations, ensuring that light beams at different angles are properly directed to corresponding light receiving units, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving the noise suppression benefits of the cylindrical lens configuration.
2Area of stationary object
If the width of the linear light beam is increased, then the coverage area is improved, but the light output must be increased accordingly, leading to increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters by introducing a curved optical surface with a specific curvature radius that varies in the arrangement direction. This allows the system to maintain a wide coverage area by properly directing light beams at different incident angles to the appropriate light receiving units, thereby achieving broad coverage without increasing the light output or power consumption of the light emitting unit.
3Area of stationary object
If detection is performed in a plurality of rows of light receiving units, then the coverage area is improved, but the detection is easily affected by noise due to external light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring the curved optical surface to direct light beams at different incident angles to specific, predetermined light receiving units. This ensures that each light receiving unit receives light only from its corresponding incident angle range, maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio while achieving wide coverage area through the coordinated arrangement of multiple light receiving units.
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 ensures a linear light beam is emitted without distortion, enhancing detection accuracy, reducing power consumption, and improving eye safety by maintaining high light intensity and detection efficiency across the light receiving units, while minimizing the need for additional distortion correction elements.
Implementation Method 1
a light conversion unit configured to convert the light beam via the converging unit into a linear light beam in a line direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light emitting unit by an optical surface
Implementation Method 2
the optical surface of the light conversion unit includes a curvature radius in the arrangement direction being substantially equal to a distance from a virtual diaphragm center point in the arrangement direction to a center point of the optical surface regardless of a position in the line direction
Data Source
AI summary
In an optical module that irradiates an object with a light beam and detects reflected light thereof, a linear light beam without distortion is emitted regardless of an incident angle of a scanned light beam.The light emitting unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a predetermined direction. The converging unit converges the light beam emitted from each of the plurality of light emitting elements into a substantially parallel light beam or a light beam having a predetermined angular width at a predetermined diaphragm center point. The light conversion unit converts the light beam through the converging unit into a linear light beam in a line direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light emitting unit by the optical surface. The light detection unit detects reflected light from the object with respect to the linear light beam. In the optical surface of the light conversion unit, the curvature radius in the arrangement direction of the light emitting unit is substantially equal to the distance from the virtual diaphragm center point in the arrangement direction of the light emitting unit to the center point of the optical surface of the light conversion unit regardless of the position in the line direction.