Threaded Optical Device for Collimated Light Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices for providing collimated and spatially uniform light beams are complex, expensive, and bulky, making them difficult to fabricate and align with electronic circuits.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with threaded cylindrical openings made of non-reflective materials, such as black anodized aluminum, that are designed to mount directly with light sources, ensuring a collimated and spatially uniform light output by minimizing specular reflections through diffuse reflection within the threaded surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If several lenses and/or mirrors are used to provide collimated and spatially uniform light beam, then the light beam quality is improved, but the device complexity increases and fabrication becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (collimation and spatial uniformity) into a single integrated optical device structure. Instead of using separate lenses and mirrors, the invention creates one device that performs both functions simultaneously, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining light beam quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical device is designed to perform multiple optical functions universally - both collimation and spatial uniformity generation - within a single structure. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate components, simplifying the overall system while achieving the desired light beam characteristics.
2Illumination intensity
If several lenses and/or mirrors are used to provide collimated and spatially uniform light beam, then the light beam quality is improved, but the fabrication cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple optical functions into a single integrated device, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers fabrication costs by eliminating redundant manufacturing processes and reducing material requirements while maintaining the quality of the collimated and spatially uniform light beam.
3Illumination intensity
If several lenses and/or mirrors are used to provide collimated and spatially uniform light beam, then the light beam quality is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical components into a single compact integrated device, significantly reducing the overall volume required. By eliminating the need for separate lenses and mirrors and their associated mounting structures, the invention achieves the same light beam quality in a much smaller device footprint.
4Illumination intensity
If several lenses and/or mirrors are used to provide collimated and spatially uniform light beam, then the light beam quality is improved, but the optical alignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple optical functions into a single device, the patent eliminates the need for complex optical alignment procedures between multiple components. The unified structure inherently maintains the correct optical paths and relationships, making the device much easier to install and operate while still producing high-quality collimated and spatially uniform light beams.
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 optical device simplifies fabrication and alignment while achieving collimated and spatially uniform light output, maintaining spectral uniformity and reducing spatial non-uniformities, making it suitable for applications like semiconductor wafer testing.
Implementation Method 1
The threading of the cylindrical part is made of, or is coated with, a non-reflective material... configured such that, when the device is mounted with the circuit and when the corresponding source light is emitting light, a light beam output from the opening at the level of the second face is spatially uniform and collimated
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device is mounted to an electronic circuit having a main face with at least one light source. The optical device is made from a block which includes, for each light source, a corresponding opening that passes through the block. The opening includes a cylindrical part with a threading on an inside surface.