Pattern Projector Diffractive Substrate Total Internal Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical systems for 3D mapping and pattern projection face challenges in efficiently projecting patterns with multiple interleaved light and dark areas, particularly in achieving effective energy utilization and safety by eliminating zero-order beam components, which can cause eye hazards.
Innovation Solution
A pattern projector system utilizing a transparent substrate with a diffractive structure that employs total internal reflection to propagate a light beam, creating a pattern with multiple interleaved light and dark areas, and includes a projection lens to direct the pattern to a target, while eliminating zero-order components through total internal reflection, thereby ensuring safe and efficient energy utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional illumination sources are used for pattern projection, then the system structure is simple, but energy utilization is poor and zero-order beam components cause eye hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful zero-order beam component from the optical system by using a specialized diffractive structure that separates the zero-order beam from the desired diffraction patterns, thereby removing the eye hazard while maintaining energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using a diffractive structure with specific groove geometries and orientations that manipulate light diffraction to achieve high energy utilization while blocking or redirecting the zero-order beam component
2Illumination intensity
If a diffractive structure is added to improve pattern projection quality, then pattern quality with interleaved light and dark areas is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single diffractive structure element that simultaneously creates the interleaved light and dark area pattern while managing beam direction and energy distribution, thereby enhancing pattern quality without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by designing the diffractive structure with varying groove characteristics in different regions to optimize pattern projection in specific areas while maintaining overall system simplicity
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 system effectively projects patterns with multiple interleaved light and dark areas, enhancing energy utilization and safety by preventing zero-order beam components from being released, making it suitable for 3D mapping and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
configured to receive and propagate the beam within the substrate by total internal reflection between the planar surfaces
Implementation Method 2
comprises a diffractive structure that is formed on one of the planar surfaces and is configured to direct at least a part of the beam to propagate out of the substrate in a direction that is angled away from the surface and to create a pattern comprising multiple interleaved light and dark areas
Data Source
AI summary
A pattern projector, comprising a light source, configured to emit a beam of light. A transparent substrate, which has a pair of mutually-opposed planar surfaces is configured to receive and propagate the beam within the substrate by total internal reflection between the planar surfaces. The transparent substrate comprises a diffractive structure that is formed on one of the planar surfaces and is configured to direct at least a part of the beam to propagate out of the substrate in a direction that is angled away from the surface and to create a pattern comprising multiple interleaved light and dark areas.