Variable Curvature Rod Lens for Extended Line Beam Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices using semiconductor lasers often fail to sufficiently irradiate surfaces close to the light source, resulting in line beams that are not long enough in the irradiation direction.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a light source comprising multiple emitters arranged in a line and a lens with a curved emission surface corrected by an odd function, such as a cubic function, to refract light and form a line beam of sufficient length on the irradiation surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a rod lens with constant curvature is used to form a line beam, then the light can be spread in one direction to create a thin line beam, but the irradiation surface close to the light source is not sufficiently irradiated and the line beam length is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curvature parameter of the rod lens from constant to variable along the optical axis. Specifically, the curvature radius is made smaller in the region closer to the light source and larger in the region farther away, which allows light rays near the source to be refracted more strongly and reach the irradiation surface effectively, thereby extending the line beam length while maintaining adequate irradiation intensity throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different curvature characteristics to different regions of the rod lens. The lens is designed with a first region having a smaller curvature radius and a second region having a larger curvature radius, allowing each region to optimize its function: the first region handles light from the near source area while the second region handles light from farther areas, collectively achieving both sufficient irradiation and extended line beam length.
2Length of moving object
If the distance between the light source and irradiation surface is reduced to increase line beam length, then the line beam becomes shorter, but the irradiation surface close to the light source cannot be sufficiently irradiated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the curvature radius parameter along the optical axis of the rod lens, making it position-dependent. This allows the lens to effectively extend the line beam length without requiring the physical distance between light source and irradiation surface to be reduced, as the variable curvature compensates for the increased distance by adjusting refraction angles at different positions.
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 solution allows for the formation of a thin, elongated line beam with high illuminance, effectively addressing the issue of insufficient irradiation length and maintaining visibility by adjusting the curvature of the lens to extend the line beam closer to the light source.
Implementation Method 1
the light emitted from the light source is refracted by the lens to be incident on the irradiation surface to form the line beam
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a lighting device capable of forming a line beam having a sufficiently long length in an irradiation direction. A distance between a light source end close to irradiation surface and irradiation surface is greater than a distance between lens center and irradiation surface by using light source in which a plurality of light emitters is arranged in a straight line and lens of which an emission surface having a constant curvature is corrected by an odd function. Accordingly, a shape of light source is formed on irradiation surface, and thus, it is possible to form line beam having the sufficiently long length in the irradiation direction.