Integrated TOF Lens Assembly for Optical Ranging Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TOF ranging modules face challenges in maintaining alignment accuracy and reducing manufacturing and assembly errors of TX and RX optical lenses, leading to light information loss and bias, which affect the precision of depth information measurement.
Innovation Solution
The optical ranging module features first and second optical lenses with an integrally formed structure, manufactured using a single mold core, and assembled within defined accommodation spaces on a base with a light shielding cap, enhancing alignment accuracy and reducing manufacturing and assembly errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If TX optical lens and RX optical lens are manufactured and assembled separately, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to manufacturing errors and assembly errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the TX optical lens and RX optical lens into a single integrated optical assembly where both lenses are manufactured as one piece. This eliminates the assembly step between separate lenses, thereby removing assembly errors while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical lens is pre-manufactured with both TX and RX lens structures already formed in a single molding process. This preliminary integration ensures that the alignment between the two lenses is predetermined and fixed, eliminating subsequent alignment adjustments and reducing assembly errors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If TX optical lens and RX optical lens are designed and manufactured separately, then design flexibility is improved, but light information loss increases due to alignment errors
Solution Approach 1:
By combining both lens functions into a single integrated structure, the patent ensures that the optical path alignment is perfectly maintained, preventing light information loss that would occur with separate lens assembly. The integrated design maintains consistent field of view for both emitted and received light.
3Device complexity
If separate mold cores are used for TX and RX optical lenses, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates due to cumulative errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single mold core to manufacture both TX and RX optical lenses as an integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate mold cores and assembly operations, thereby reducing cumulative manufacturing errors while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity through unified design.
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 approach improves alignment accuracy, reduces manufacturing errors, and minimizes light information loss, ensuring consistent field of view for both emitted and received light, thereby enhancing the precision of depth information measurement.
Implementation Method 1
the TOF ranging module transmits near-infrared light into an object in the scene and uses the time-of-flight information of the light to measure the distance of the object in the scene
Implementation Method 2
the TX optical lens 91 and the RX optical lens 92 need to be designed in a matching manner
Data Source
AI summary
An optical ranging module includes: a base; a light transmitting unit including a first optical lens and an infrared light source, wherein the infrared light source is disposed on the base; a light receiving unit including a second optical lens and a photosensitive element, wherein the photosensitive element is disposed on the base; and a light shielding cap disposed on the base, wherein first and second accommodation spaces are defined between the light shielding cap and the base for respectively accommodating the light transmitting unit and the light receiving unit, and the light shielding cap includes first and second opening areas for respectively disposing the first and second optical lenses; wherein the first and second optical lenses have an integrally formed structure.