ES2575031A1 - Multilayer planar optical device (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multilayer planar optical device composed of a multilayer planar structure, in the form of a flexible, moldable or rigid band (or group of them) containing various optical elements, active and passive, emitting and receiving light beams, connected/s with a power, regulation and control unit. This device can be attached to tools or instruments and allows illumination, optical analysis, image registration and control of devices through the emission and detection of light signals in spaces and cavities that are difficult to access. It has its application within the manufacturing industries of devices, devices and auxiliary lighting elements, optical analysis of materials and image registration. More specifically in the sectors of automotive, motors and gas and fluid pipelines as well as in medicine, surgery, dentistry, biology and veterinary. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

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which are arranged in the active optical layer, both on the emitters and on the detectors.

With reference to the attached figures 1, 2 and 3, the constituent elements and characteristics of each part of the invention described are the following.

In each optical band, the relative order of the component layers is as follows (listed from the space where the light is emitted):

- upper protective layer (4),

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passive optical layer (5),

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active optical layer (6),

- heat sink and structural support sheet (7),

-capacity of detecting elements (9),

-capacity of emitting elements (8),

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 magnetic fixing layer or plastic layer with intercalated magnets (10),

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 lower protective layer (11),

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 adhesive layer (12) for permanent or temporary fixation.

The specific number and type of layers in each band depends on the specific application to which the device is intended.

The characteristics of each of the layers that make up each optical band are as follows:

The upper (4) and lower (11) protective layers: They are sheets of plastic or similar material, transparent (at least, in their upper part), flexible, covering the whole band joining by its edge (43), configuring a wrap that can be waterproof, resistant to the action of agents and external deterioration, and allowing its cleaning and reuse. Depending on the material of which the aforementioned layers are made and the application procedure (cold rolling, gluing, thermal plasticizing or other), the wrap generated by the bonded protective layers can be sterilizable or provided with specific resistance to enable the use of the optical band in the presence of certain physical, biological or chemical agents. Specifically, each optical band and its connectors and wiring can be coated or wrapped with transparent and biocompatible protective layers, suitable for being in direct contact with human or animal tissues and organs or other biological materials.

In any case, the procedure of depositing and joining the upper and lower protective layers must be such that it does not cause damage or modification in the optical and electronic elements and components of the other layers. The upper protective layers

(4)

 and bottom (11) can be attached around the optical band, constituting a closed and, if necessary, hermetic insulating cover, such that the protective layers joined together

they protrude on both sides and at the ends of the optical band in the form of an outer zone (margin or flange) (43). This margin can be trimmed with the desired shape (for example, curved in its corners) and marked with position or length indicators (14), graduated in the necessary units (typically, millimeters) to facilitate the measurement of the insertion depth of the optical band in a given space (for example, in hard-to-reach holes). Also, the referred edge

(43)

 It can be punched out with holes or grooves (15) of the desired shape and size, located with the proper spacing between them to allow the use of cables, wires, wires, screws or other fasteners or mechanical anchoring.

The layer of light emitting elements (8): Consists of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of small size and high brightness and, where appropriate, laser diodes (LD), surface mounted (SMD), on a flexible plastic tape, which also integrates additional electronic elements (resistors, diodes) and wiring necessary for proper power and control.

The LEDs can be high brightness emitters, of various types, such as monochromatic emitters (emit a single wavelength or color), polychromatic (emit a discrete set of wavelengths or colors), white light (emit light from resulting color white) or dimmable color (red-green-blue, RGB) (emit resulting color light selectable by the user).

The laser diodes (LD) can be of various existing types that can be mounted on said band.

The currents and voltages (voltages or differences in electrical potential) that regulate the intensity and, where appropriate, the color of the light emitted by the LED or LD diodes, as well as, where appropriate, their modulation in amplitude, frequency or phase , are controlled from the external power unit. LED or LD emitters can be individually controlled

or in groupings (typically, of two or three units). The preferred positions of these LED or LD emitters are consecutive, aligned along the longitudinal axis of the band

The layer of light detecting elements (9): It consists of a plurality of point, linear and matrix detectors whose positions are interleaved between the emitting elements, or consecutive with them, according to the type of specific application required. The detectors and their wiring are located on the layer of emitting elements, so that both types of elements (emitters and detectors) are, in turn, in thermal contact with the heat dissipating sheet.

The point detectors are photodiodes, phototransistors and photoresistors that provide an electrical signal (voltage or current) related to the intensity and characteristics of the light received.

Linear and matrix detectors are elements in the form of linear arrays or arrays of individual elements that configure a sensor capable of capturing an image. Linear and matrix image detectors can be charge-coupled device (CCD), active pixel devices such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor type (CMOS) and other types.

Where appropriate, and equipped with the necessary additional electronic elements, the detectors can allow the conversion of the light signals into digital signals or binary data in different formats.

The heat dissipating sheet and structural support (7): It is a tape (sheet) of a good thermal conductor (preferably, metallic) of a typical thickness of 0.05-3.0 mm, provided with holes of suitable shape and size in the positions of the emitters and detectors, and located in direct contact with the active optical layer (6) and the emitter layers (8) and detectors (9). This contact - and the fixation between the layers - can be improved by applying putty or thermal glue between them, to allow heat to flow to the dissipative sheet but without any electrical contact between the layers.

The material, shape and dimensions of the thermal and structural support sheet determine the characteristics of flexibility, malleability and structural rigidity desired for the band: For example, if it is required to adapt its shape to adhere it or fix it to an instrument or tool determined, the sheet can be made of copper with a thickness of the order of 0.05-0.5 mm. On the contrary, if the band is required to be rigid, this sheet can be made of aluminum or other similar material, with a thickness of 0.2-3.0 mm. Being, in any case, a good thermal conductor material, it is possible to evacuate the heat generated by the active optical elements towards the external regulation and control unit, where it is passively dissipated or, where appropriate, by fans or active refrigerators, such as thermoelectric modules used in portable electronic applications.

The active optical layer (6): It consists of active flat optical elements, preferably liquid crystal sheets, spatial light modulators, shutters, lenses of variable shape by electric control and adjustable filters, all of them inserted in a flexible support sheet (preferably of plastic) in which the electronic elements and wiring necessary for its correct feeding and control are integrated. The size of the active elements is adequate to be placed on the emitters or on the detectors. By arranging this active optical layer.

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 on the emitters: it allows the modulation of the light emitted by them in pulses of adjustable duration and frequency, as well as the control of the amplitude and the phase of the light emitted by each emitter.

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 on the detectors: it allows modulating or filtering the incident light on them.

The passive optical layer (5): It consists of a set of optical elements inserted, engraved or stamped on a support sheet of suitable material, preferably of plastic material. It includes refractive elements (lenses, microlenses and others), reflective elements (mirrors, grooves and others), diffractants (diffraction networks, holograms and others), dispersants (prisms, microprisms and others) and diffusers (lambertian and other diffusers) to direct or filter both the light beams emitted by the emitters and the light beams received by the detectors, in the desired directions and with the appropriate levels of power and light intensity for each specific application.

Specifically, the elements of the active and passive optical layers located on the detecting elements allow the light received by them to be filtered according to the type of analysis or recording of images to be performed.

The magnetic fixing layer (10): It is a flexible tape of magnetic material that adheres on one side to the bottom of the layer in which the light emitters and receivers are located. Being magnetized, it allows permanent or temporary fixation to parts, instruments or tools of various shapes and characteristics (of ferromagnetic type), in order to be able to use the device described in this invention inside diverse spaces, including cavities, cavities and hard to reach spaces. The intensity of the magnetic force of attraction depends on the characteristics of the tape itself, finding multiple commercial options. A tape with magnetic force should be chosen such that it allows fixing the optical band to a ferromagnetic surface taking into account the thickness of the lower protective layer (11).

In those situations in which the creation of a magnetic field area along the entire optical band is not interested, the magnetic fixing layer (10) can be replaced by a plastic with intercalated magnets or, simply, by a layer of adhesive material fixing (12), adhered to the outside of the lower protective layer. Likewise, an optical band without a magnetic or adhesive layer can also be mechanically fixed or anchored (using screws, threads, wires or sutures) using the holes (15) located in the margin (43) generated by the union of the upper protective layers (4 ) and lower (11).

The independent power and control unit: It is a unit that contains

a) a low voltage continuous power supply, preferably 12V or 24V, which provides the necessary voltage and electrical current to the active elements of the optical band connected thereto. The power of the optical band is provided by batteries, accumulators or similar elements. This feed is particularly suitable for optical bands to be used in spaces, enclosures or cavities where it is necessary to avoid any possible risk arising from the use of high voltages, such as in applications in medicine, surgery, biology or veterinary medicine, or in industrial applications in atmospheres. chemically reactive, incendiary, or explosive.

b) a set of passive dissipating elements, fin type, or active, fan type

or thermoelectric modules, which dissipate the heat generated by the active elements located in the optical band. These heatsinks are necessary to evacuate the heat generated by the active optical elements (located in the active band), and the emitters and light detectors (located in their corresponding bands). This heat is transmitted by the heat dissipating sheet from the elements in which it is produced to the said control unit through a heat conducting cable, since the dissipating elements establish a temperature difference (and, consequently, a gradient thermal) between them and the band.

c) the electronic circuitry that generates, transmits, adapts, and modulates the control signals of the properties and characteristics of the active optical elements.

d) the electronic circuitry that generates, transmits, adapts, and modulates the signals that are converted by the emitters into sequences of luminous pulses of the amplitude, frequency, wavelength, phase and polarization required to achieve activation and communication with detector elements that are located in the environment of the band that issues them, and

e) the electronic circuitry that receives, decodes and stores the signals received by the detectors located in the optical band.

Additionally, this control unit can be connected to a computer, a data recording and storage system or similar device, by wiring or wirelessly.

The power supply, the control and modulation signals of the emitted light and the signals and data generated by the detectors are transmitted to the optical band / s and from it to the power and control unit by means of a set of specific cables, equipped with the appropriate connectors at its ends. The heat dissipating sheet is connected by a suitable connector to a good heat conductor cable (for example, copper). The whole of the electrical and thermal connection cables can be grouped in the form of a beam, coaxial conductors, flat cable or other. The wiring may be covered by materials that can be cleaned and, where appropriate, sterilized.

Both the optical band and the external power, regulation and control unit can be portable. Likewise, each optical band and its connectors, wraps and connection wiring can be reusable, recyclable or disposable.

With the basic configuration described, the geometric, optical, electronic and mounting parameters can be optimized for different specific applications. In some of them, such as the use as a proposed lighting device, the described invention can be manufactured with commercially available devices and technologies, in a very wide range of costs and benefits, enabling its implementation in the form of economic and cost-effective devices.

Embodiment of the invention

With reference to the attached figures, the present invention relates to a portable optical device for lighting, analysis, image recording and control of devices by emission, modulation and reception of light beams, composed of a multilayer optical band (1) (or set of them) connected to a power, regulation and control unit (2) by a set of electrical and thermal connection cables (3).

Each optical band is composed of a plurality of light emitters (LED diodes and laser diodes), light detectors (point, linear and matrix) and active and passive optical elements arranged in overlapping layers with a thermal dissipative sheet and structural support, and the corresponding connection wiring with the power and control unit. Once the general characteristics of the proposed invention have been defined, a set of four preferred modes or embodiments thereof are presented below:

Embodiment 1: Lighting device.

This embodiment has a specific field of applications as a lighting device in cavities, enclosures and cavities inside complex multi-piece assemblies, such as in the automotive industry, in the inspection of the interior of motors and ducts such as pipes and circuits. fluids and gases, and in

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space of light or liquid crystal (54) in the active optical layer. These elements generate a set of lines, reticles or figures of different shapes, such as circumferences, crosses, and others (55) that, when illuminated by the emitted light, define a structured light pattern that is projected onto the surface (51) that you want to scan in three dimensions.

Image sensors (28) can register conventional images (photographs) 20 but with the angular differences defined by the angles between their optical axes. As an example, angle α is shown. The optical elements located in the active and passive layers determine the fields of vision (56, 57) captured by the matrix sensors.

Embodiment 4: Device for optical control and communication with other devices.

In this embodiment, the control unit

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 It generates or transmits to the band / s connected with it the signals that must be converted by the emitting diodes into sequences of light pulses of the amplitude, frequency, wavelength, phase and polarization required to achieve activation or communication with others devices equipped with optical detectors that are located in the environment of the band that emits them.

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 It receives and decodes the light signals generated by the detectors when the beams or light signals emitted by other devices equipped with light emitters located in the environment of the band that receives them hit.

This form of activation or control of devices (and, where appropriate, communication with them) has the characteristics of being wireless, very fast, without generating or being subjected to electromagnetic disturbances or interferences (such as currents, sparks or arcs voltaic and others). Therefore, this embodiment of the proposed invention may be particularly suitable for use in environments where such risks must be avoided, such as applications in enclosures with chemically reactive, explosive or incendiary atmospheres, or inside the body human, animals or biological organisms.

With reference to Figure 7 attached, by way of example, the optical band (1) is provided with two equal LED emitting diodes (25) and two photodiode type detectors (27). Each of the LEDs emits a cone with an angle of 120º (47) and the emitted light is modulated by the signals generated by the power, regulation and control unit (2).

On the other hand, the optical signals (60) emitted by other devices in the environment of the optical band are received by the detectors (27) and transmitted to the power, regulation and control unit (2).

The number of emitting diodes, their powers and their relative positions are determined by the level of illumination necessary to establish communication with the devices (58). The type of elements located in the active and passive optical layers are determined according to the desired properties in the light emitted by the emitters and that received by the detectors. The connection wiring (3) links the optical band (1) with the power, regulation and control unit (2).

Some aspects common to the different embodiments are the following:

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 The connection wiring (3) consists of conventional cables, including those of transmission of the power supply, those of transmission of control signals from the power supply unit, regulation and control to the active elements of the bands, those of transmission of the serials and data generated by the detectors and a thermal conductor cable for connection of the dissipative sheet with the dissipating element of the power, regulation and control unit.

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 In all its applications, the invention acts from the power supply provided by the power, regulation and control unit (2). This supply will be of direct current, low voltage (12 volts or 24 volts), depending on the type of diodes and other active elements, provided by batteries, accumulators or similar elements arranged in said unit. This is portable, operating in low voltage direct current to avoid possible electrical risks arising from the use of alternating current, thus allowing its use as a device in direct contact with the human body, animals or biological organisms, enclosures with explosive gas atmospheres, flammable and others.

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 The upper (4) and lower (11) protective layers can be made of different types of plastic material, depending on the environment or environment in which the optical bands are to be arranged.

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 The materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements and layers are susceptible to variations that do not involve alterations to the essentiality of the invention.

Claims (1)

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