TOF Light-Emitting Unit With Switchable Radiation Angles and Lower Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TOF sensors face limitations in adjusting radiation angles, leading to inefficient light output for both far and short distances, and suffer from heat generation and defect migration issues when light-emitting elements are activated simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting unit with address lines electrically disconnected groups of light-emitting elements, optical lenses of varying curvatures, and ion implantation layers to manage radiation angles and prevent defect migration, allowing for different spot sizes and viewing distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple light-emitting elements are simultaneously turned on to provide wide coverage, then the viewing area is improved, but heat generation increases and defect migration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by dividing light-emitting elements into multiple groups that are activated in alternating time slots rather than simultaneously. Each group is controlled by separate address lines, enabling time-division multiplexing that provides wide cumulative coverage while limiting the number of simultaneously active elements, thereby reducing heat generation and preventing defect migration.
2Length of stationary object
If light-emitting elements are activated for far distance detection, then the detection distance is improved, but the radiation angle becomes too narrow for short distance coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the radiation angle adjustable through optical lenses with different curvatures. The system can dynamically switch between lenses to change the radiation angle according to the required detection distance, providing both narrow angles for far-distance detection and wide angles for short-distance coverage within a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the radiation angle parameter through different optical lenses. Each lens group has a specific curvature that determines the radiation angle, allowing the system to adjust this parameter based on the detection requirements, thereby achieving both far and short distance detection capabilities.
3Power
If adjacent light-emitting elements are turned on at the same time, then the light output intensity is improved, but defect migration from oxide layers and etched portions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the light-emitting element array into multiple independent groups, each controlled by separate address lines. This segmentation allows the system to activate different groups at different times rather than all elements simultaneously, maintaining sufficient light output intensity through time-division multiplexing while preventing defect migration by avoiding simultaneous activation of adjacent elements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If optical lenses with different curvatures are added to control radiation angles, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a multi-functional optical lens system where different curvature lenses serve multiple purposes: controlling radiation angles for various detection distances, enabling both far and short range detection, and providing adjustable beam patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 flexible radiation angle control, reduces heat generation, and prevents deterioration of light-emitting elements by blocking defect migration, enhancing the performance of TOF sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light-emitting elements provided with an ion implantation layer so as to maintain an appropriate amount of light from each light-emitting element, to block defect migration from a defect source such as an oxide layer or an etched portion
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of groups of optical lenses disposed on the light-emitting elements of each group... some or all of the optical lenses have different curvatures or refractive powers
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a light-emitting unit that can control a radiation angle in various ways and a TOF sensor including the same. A light-emitting unit includes a base substrate, a plurality of groups of light-emitting elements arranged on the base substrate and sequentially arranged in a preset shape at the outermost position and inside the outermost position, and address lines electrically connected to the light-emitting elements of each group, respectively, and electrically disconnected from each other. Some or all of the light-emitting elements have different radiation angles.