Segmented Lighting Optics for Fast Spot-Uniform Distance Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distance measurement apparatuses are large in size and lack the ability to efficiently switch between spot and uniform irradiation patterns, leading to potential errors and increased cost due to the use of multiple light sources.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with a light-emitting element having separate light-emitting sections for spot and uniform irradiation, combined with a microlens array and collimator lens to shape and collimate light beams, allowing independent control for different irradiation patterns, and a diffractive element to divide and output light beams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources are used to achieve both spot and uniform irradiation patterns, then irradiation versatility is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirradiation pattern versatilityVSAvoidnumber of light sources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light-emitting element is divided into multiple independent light-emitting sections (first light-emitting sections and second light-emitting sections) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows different sections to generate different irradiation patterns (spot or uniform) without requiring multiple separate light sources, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining irradiation versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single light-emitting element with multiple controllable sections serves multiple functions by switching between different irradiation patterns. The same physical light source can produce either spot-shaped beams or substantially uniform beams depending on which sections are activated, eliminating the need for separate dedicated light sources for each pattern type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources are used to achieve both spot and uniform irradiation patterns, then irradiation versatility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirradiation pattern versatilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light-emitting sections are integrated into a single light-emitting element structure, sharing common substrate, packaging, and control electronics. This merging approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost compared to assembling multiple separate light sources, while still enabling versatile irradiation patterns through selective activation of different sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If light-emitting sections are arranged to enable both spot and uniform irradiation, then irradiation versatility is improved, but light emission control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirradiation pattern versatilityVSAvoidlight emission control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device employs dynamic control of light-emitting sections through a driver that can independently activate different sections based on the desired irradiation pattern. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to adapt between spot and uniform irradiation modes without physical reconfiguration, managing control complexity through electronic rather than mechanical means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables miniaturization of the distance measurement apparatus while improving measurement accuracy and reducing errors by allowing high-speed switching between spot and uniform irradiation, enhancing distance measurement capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a microlens array that shapes beam shapes of light L1 and beam shapes of light L2 to be outputted from the light-emitting element 11

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a collimator lens 13 that causes the light L1 and the light L2 to be substantially collimated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

a diffractive element 14 that divides and outputs the light L1 and the light L2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS12566266B2Lighting device and distance measurement apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

A lighting device includes: a light-emitting element having multiple first light-emitting sections and multiple second light-emitting sections; a first optical member that causes multiple pieces of first light outputted from the multiple first light-emitting sections and multiple pieces of second light outputted from the multiple second light-emitting sections to be substantially collimated, and outputs the multiple pieces of first light and the multiple pieces of second light; and a second optical member that shapes beam shapes of the multiple pieces of first light, beam shapes of the multiple pieces of second light, or both the beam shapes of the multiple pieces of first light and the multiple pieces of second light, and outputs the multiple pieces of first light and the multiple pieces of second light in a manner that the beam shapes are different between the multiple pieces of first light and the multiple pieces of second light.