Polarization Switchable Multi-Zone Illumination System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-zone illumination systems for sensors require multiple components, leading to increased costs, alignment sensitivities, and larger packaging due to the need for separate light sources and diffractive optical elements for each zone, which complicates the design and increases complexity.
Innovation Solution
A multi-zone illumination system utilizing a switchable polarization light source with dual-channel emitters emitting light signals of orthogonal polarization states, combined with a polarization-sensitive diffractive optical element (DOE) that generates structured illuminations for two offset far field zones, reducing the number of components and alignment requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate light sources and diffractive optical elements are used for each zone, then each zone can be illuminated independently, but the component count increases, alignment sensitivity increases, and packaging size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light sources into a single multi-emitter light source where each emitter can be independently controlled. Similarly, multiple diffractive optical elements are merged into a single DOE that can generate different illumination patterns for different zones. This reducing of component count while maintaining independent zone illumination capability directly resolves the technical contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The single multi-emitter light source serves multiple functions by independently controlling different emitters to illuminate different zones. The single diffractive optical element also serves multiple functions by generating different illumination patterns (e.g., dot patterns, line patterns) for different far-field zones. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each zone.
2Reliability
If multiple separate light sources and diffractive optical elements are used for each zone, then each zone can be illuminated independently, but alignment sensitivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple alignment-critical components into fewer integrated components (single multi-emitter source, single DOE), the patent reduces the number of interfaces that require precise alignment. This directly reduces alignment sensitivity and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to independently illuminate different zones.
3Reliability
If multiple separate light sources and diffractive optical elements are used for each zone, then each zone can be illuminated independently, but packaging size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources into one multi-emitter source and multiple DOEs into one diffractive optical element. This consolidation dramatically reduces the spatial footprint required for the illumination system, enabling smaller packaging while maintaining independent zone illumination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds multiple emitters within a single light source package and integrates multiple illumination functions within a single diffractive optical element. This nesting of multiple functions into unified components reduces the overall system size and packaging requirements.
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 solution simplifies the system by reducing component count and alignment sensitivities, allowing for smaller packaging and efficient generation of structured illuminations in multiple zones with reduced divergence requirements, while supporting scanning capabilities and maintaining high optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
a light source including a first plurality of emitters configured to transmit a first light signal having a first polarization state, and a second plurality of emitters configured to transmit a second light signal having a second polarization state transverse to the first polarization state
Implementation Method 2
an optic configured to receive the first light signal and generate a first structured illumination of a first far field zone and receive the second light signal and generate a second structured illumination of a second far field zone
Implementation Method 3
polarization-sensitive diffractive optical element (DOE) that generates structured illuminations for two offset far field zones
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A multi-zone illumination system includes a light source formed by first emitters configured to transmit a first light signal having a first polarization state and second emitters configured to transmit a second light signal having a second polarization state transverse to the first polarization state. An optic receives the first light signal and generates a first structured illumination of a first far field zone. The optic further receives the second light signal and generates a second structured illumination of a second far field zone. The first and second far field zones are offset from each other.