Tilted Light Source Optical Apparatus for Wide Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light scattering devices have a limited field of view due to the constraints imposed by Snell's law, making it difficult to fabricate lenses with a wide field of view.
Innovation Solution
The optical apparatus includes two light sources and a lens unit, where the normal vectors of the emitting surfaces of the light sources are tilted relative to each other, increasing the angle between them, allowing for a larger field of view by arranging the light sources and lens units in a specific configuration, such as using vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and micro-lens arrays or diffractive optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the field of view is increased by using a lens with a steeper profile, then the field of view is widened, but the lens becomes difficult to fabricate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of light interaction by tilting the emitting surfaces of the light sources rather than relying on steep lens profiles. This parameter change allows achieving a wide field of view (up to 153.45 degrees horizontal and 94.58 degrees vertical) while maintaining simple, easily fabricable lens structures with standard profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the lens profile to achieve a wide field of view (conventional approach), the patent inverts the problem by tilting the light source emitting surfaces. This inversion transfers the field of view control from the lens geometry to the light source configuration, thereby maintaining lens simplicity and ease of fabrication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the normal vectors of light sources are tilted to increase field of view, then the field of view is widened, but the light distribution becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light source system into multiple independently tiltable emitting surfaces, each capable of being tilted at specific angles (first angle for first light source, second angle for second light source). This segmentation allows the field of view to be expanded by adjusting individual source orientations without requiring complex integration, as each segment can be independently controlled and fabricated.
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 significantly increases the field of view, achieving horizontal and vertical fields of view up to 153.45 degrees and 94.58 degrees respectively, while maintaining lens symmetry and asymmetry options, enhancing light distribution and intensity uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
the field of view is limited by Snell's law
Data Source
AI summary
The optical apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source, and at least one lens unit. An incident surface of the lens unit faces the first light source and the second light source. The normal vector of a first emitting surface of the first light source is tilted toward a first direction opposite to the second light source. The normal vector of a second emitting surface of the second light source is tilted toward a second direction opposite to the first light source. The first direction is opposite to the second direction such that an angle is formed between the normal vector of the first emitting surface and the normal vector of the second emitting surface. The angle is greater than 0 degree and less than or equal to 90 degrees.