Structured Light Projection System Using LED and Condenser Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structured light projection systems using lasers suffer from significant distortion, noticeable laser center spots, and uneven brightness, leading to suboptimal optical effects and complex pattern design processes due to the need for wave optics equation derivation for diffractive optical elements.
Innovation Solution
A structured light projection system employing a light-emitting diode (LED) as the light source, combined with a condenser lens group, mask, and imaging component, which projects specific patterns like stripe or checkerboard patterns through a chromium-coated mask, simplifying the design process and enhancing optical effects by eliminating laser speckle and distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a laser is used as the light source and a diffractive optical element (DOE) is used to project patterns, then specific patterns can be projected, but significant distortion, noticeable laser center spots, and uneven brightness occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the light source parameter from laser to LED, which fundamentally alters the illumination characteristics. LED provides more uniform light distribution without the coherent properties of laser that cause speckle and distortion, thereby resolving the contradiction between pattern projection capability and optical quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a condenser lens group as an intermediary component between the LED light source and the mask. This condenser lens group serves as a mediator to uniformly distribute the LED light across the mask surface, eliminating the brightness unevenness and distortion issues while maintaining accurate pattern projection
2Manufacturing precision
If diffractive optical elements (DOE) are used to project patterns, then specific patterns can be created, but the design process becomes complex due to the need for wave optics equation derivation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the diffractive optical element (DOE) from the system, replacing it with a simple mask. This eliminates the need for complex wave optics equation derivation and design processes, while still achieving accurate pattern projection through the mask's geometric structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a mask that directly copies the desired pattern geometry without requiring complex optical calculations. The mask serves as a simple geometric template that reproduces the target pattern directly, bypassing the need for DOE design involving wave optics equations
3Reliability
If a laser is used as the light source, then structured light scanning can be performed, but noticeable laser center spots and uneven overall brightness occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the light source parameter from laser to LED, which provides inherently more uniform light distribution. This parameter change maintains structured light scanning capability while eliminating the brightness uniformity issues and laser center spot problems
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser lens group acts as an intermediary that redistributes the LED light uniformly across the mask. This mediator component ensures even illumination throughout the projection area, eliminating the brightness non-uniformity while preserving the reliability of structured light scanning
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 achieves uniform brightness, distortion-free projections, and simplified pattern design, improving the overall optical performance and streamlining the process of creating structured light patterns.
Implementation Method 1
The light source emits a light. The light emitted by the light source sequentially passes through the condenser lens group, the mask and the imaging component.
Implementation Method 2
The condenser lens group includes a first end and a second end. The light source is disposed on the first end of the condenser lens group.
Implementation Method 3
The mask includes a transparent area and a shielding area. The transparent area allows the light to pass through. The shielding area blocks the light from passing through, so that the light passing through the mask forms a specific pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
A structured light projection system is provided. The structured light projection system includes a condenser lens group, a light source, a mask, an imaging component, and a holder. The condenser lens group includes a first end and a second end. The light source is disposed on the first end of the condenser lens group. The light source emits a light. The imaging component projects the light passing through the mask onto a target element. The holder is disposed on the second end of the condenser lens group. The holder holds the mask and the imaging component. The light emitted by the light source sequentially passes through the condenser lens group, the mask, and the imaging component.