Rotating Diffraction Optical Element for Dynamic Projection Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination devices cannot change the projection position and orientation of a projection pattern on surfaces such as road surfaces, limiting their adaptability to varying circumstances like vehicle direction and environmental changes.
Innovation Solution
The illumination device incorporates a diffraction optical element, such as a hologram, supported by an optical-element drive unit that rotates the diffraction optical element about a predetermined axis, allowing the projection pattern's position and orientation to be adjusted dynamically, enabling the projection of a desired pattern on surfaces like road surfaces, ground surfaces, and walls while maintaining the pattern's shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a diffraction optical element is used to project a pattern on a surface, then the projection pattern can be formed with desired shape and orientation, but the projection position and orientation cannot be changed
Solution Approach 1:
The diffraction optical element is made rotatable about a predetermined axis, transforming it from a static to a dynamic component. This rotation capability allows the projection pattern's position and orientation to be adjusted dynamically without changing the diffraction optical element itself, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The diffraction optical element serves multiple functions: it maintains its primary function of forming the projection pattern while additionally enabling position and orientation adjustment through rotation. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the diffraction optical element is rotated to change projection position and orientation, then adaptability is improved, but the pattern shape and clarity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism allows dynamic adjustment of projection position and orientation while maintaining the diffraction optical element's structural integrity. The element rotates as a whole without deforming, ensuring the projected pattern maintains its shape and clarity across different positions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial parameters (position and orientation) of the projection by rotating the diffraction optical element, while keeping the intrinsic parameters (pattern shape and clarity) unchanged. This separation of parameter types allows adaptability improvement without sacrificing manufacturing precision
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 allows for dynamic adjustment of projection patterns on various surfaces, enhancing adaptability and usability, particularly for indicating vehicle direction, by maintaining the pattern's shape and clarity during rotation and position changes.
Implementation Method 1
a diffraction optical element which diffracts a light from the light source and projects a projection pattern on a surface to be illuminated
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention enables a desired projection pattern on a surface to be illuminated such as a road surface, a ground surface, a floor surface, a surface below water, and a wall surface, and enables a projection position and/or a projection orientation of the projection pattern to be changed. A laser beam from a light emission unit (111) is shaped into a parallel light through an optical shaping system (112), and an incident surface (P2) of a diffraction optical element (120) recording a hologram image is irradiated with the parallel light. A projection pattern (E) of an arrow oriented in a predetermined direction (D) is projected as a hologram reconstructed image on a surface to be illuminated (U) on a road surface. An optical-element drive unit (130) rotates the diffraction optical element (120) about a rotation axis (Rx) in a rotation plane (P1) orthogonal to an optical axis (C) of a parallel incident light (L). By means of the rotation, a geometric positional relationship of the diffraction optical element (120) with respect to the surface to be illuminated (U) is changed, whereby an orientation (D) of the arrow projection pattern (E) on the road surface can be changed.