Right-Angle Prism Beam Splitter for Compact Multi-Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical units that form multiple images simultaneously often result in increased size and complexity, making it difficult to capture images efficiently with a single image pickup element, as they require larger image pickup surfaces and longer optical paths, which can lead to widened distances between optical images and increased overall length.
Innovation Solution
An optical unit comprising a plurality of lenses and a splitting element with a specific arrangement of right-angle prisms, where a first optical image and a second optical image are formed on the same plane, allowing for spatial separation of their areas, enabling capture by a single image pickup element with reduced image pickup surface size and overall length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical images are formed simultaneously using conventional optical systems, then multiple images can be captured, but the size and complexity of the optical unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical unit is segmented into distinct functional modules: an objective optical system for light collection and a beam splitting element for path separation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining multi-image capture capability
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple optical paths are merged into a single optical unit through the beam splitting element, which directs different optical images to different regions of one image pickup element. This combining approach enables multi-image capture without requiring separate optical systems for each image
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical systems are used to form multiple images, then multiple optical paths are created, but the distance between optical images increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitting element redirects optical paths into different spatial dimensions, forming optical images side-by-side on the same image pickup surface rather than sequentially along the optical axis. This dimensional change minimizes the distance between optical images while maintaining distinct optical paths
3Adaptability or versatility
If larger image pickup surfaces are used to capture multiple optical images, then all images can be captured simultaneously, but the overall length of the optical unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitting element distributes optical images across different regions of a single image pickup element in the lateral direction, rather than requiring extended optical paths in the longitudinal direction. This allows simultaneous multi-image capture with a compact optical unit length
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 configuration allows for the capture of two optical images on the same plane with minimal overlap, reducing the distance between them and the overall length of the optical unit, facilitating a smaller image pickup surface and improved aberration correction, while enabling flexible positioning of the image plane.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitting element provided with a plurality of mirrors
Implementation Method 2
the beam splitting element consists of in order from a side of the objective optical system, a first right-angle prism, a second right-angle prism, and a third right-angle prism
Implementation Method 3
an objective optical system which includes a plurality of lenses
Data Source
AI summary
The optical unit includes an objective optical system and a splitting element. The splitting element consists of a first right-angle prism, a second right-angle prism, and a third right-angle prism, and has a surface of incidence and an optical splitting surface. The surface of incidence is provided to the first right-angle prism, and the first right-angle prism is positioned such that the surface of incidence is orthogonal to an optical axis of the objective optical system. The optical splitting surface is provided to a boundary of the second right-angle prism and the third right-angle prism. The second right-angle prism has a first optical path and the third right-angle prism has a second optical path. A first optical image and a second optical image are both formed on the same plane, and an area of the first optical image and an area of the second optical image are separated spatially.