Reflective collimation optic

• US 7,420,173 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2005
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Remillard, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta; David P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim; Kiho
• Application Number:
  US11/163,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20070096026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 250/353, 359/196, 359/208, 359/212, 359/220, 359/223, 359/247
• US Class Current: 250/353
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0023 at least one surface having optical power
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0052 the light source comprising a laser diode coupling into light guides using intermediate optical elements G02B6/4204; semiconductor lasers having optical devices external to the laser cavity H01S5/005
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0057 in the form of a laser diode array, e.g. laser diode bar semiconductor laser arrays with beam combining arrangement H01S5/4012
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/009 for use with infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/09 Multifaceted or polygonal mirrors , e.g. polygonal scanning mirrors; Fresnel mirrors

Abstract

An optical system includes a light source 102 disposed for generating light preferably in a line. An optical element 104 includes a stepped reflecting surface 106 that includes reflecting surfaces 132 and step surfaces 130. The reflecting surfaces 132 have a metalized coating thereon so that the plurality of metalized reflecting surfaces reflect light therefrom. Each reflecting surface is a circular sector that increases in radius from an adjacent circular sector.

Claims

1. An optical structure comprising:

a monolithic structure having a stepped surface that includes reflective surfaces and step surfaces, said reflective surfaces having a metalized coating thereon so as to externally reflect light from an exterior light source;

wherein each of said reflective surfaces is a circular sector, and each said circular sector increases in radius from an adjacent circular sector as a function of distance away from said light source.

2. An optical structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said light externally reflected from said plurality of reflective surfaces is collimated.

3. An optical structure comprising:

a monolithic structure having a stepped surface that includes a plurality of reflective surfaces and step surfaces, said reflective surfaces having a metalized coating thereon so that only the plurality of metalized surface facets reflect light from a light source;

wherein each of said reflective surfaces is a circular sector;

wherein each said circular sector increases in radius from an adjacent circular sector; and

wherein said monolithic structure has a stepped rear surface so as to maintain a generally constant thickness.

4. An optical system comprising:

a light source disposed in a line and operable to generate light; and

an optical element having a stepped surface that includes reflective surfaces and step surfaces, said reflective surfaces having a metalized coating thereon so that said reflective surfaces externally reflect said light;

wherein each of said reflective surfaces is a circular sector, and said reflective surfaces increase in radius from an adjacent circular sector as a function of distance away from said light source.

5. An optical system as recited in claim 4, wherein said light externally reflected from said reflective surfaces is collimated.

6. An optical system as recited in claim 4, wherein said light externally reflected from said reflective surfaces is collimated in a direction parallel to said line.

7. An optical system as recited in claim 4, wherein said light source includes a laser diode.

8. An optical system as recited in claim 4, wherein said light source includes a linear laser diode array.

9. An optical system as recited in claim 4, wherein said light source includes an infrared light source.

10. An optical system as recited in claim 4, wherein said optical element comprises a monolithic structure.

13. An optical system as recited in claim 4, wherein said radius increases as said distance from said light source increases.

11. An optical system comprising:

a light source disposed in a line and operable to generate light; and

an optical element having a stepped surface that includes a plurality of reflective surfaces and step surfaces, said reflective surfaces having a metalized coating thereon so that said plurality of reflective surfaces reflect said light;

wherein each of said reflective surfaces is a circular sector;

wherein said plurality of reflective surfaces increases in radius from an adjacent circular sector; and

wherein said light source has an associated fast axis, and said optical element circumscribes an arc greater than said fast axis.

12. An optical system comprising:

a light source disposed in a line and operable to generate light; and

an optical element having a stepped surface that includes a plurality of reflective surfaces and step surfaces, said reflective surfaces having a metalized coating thereon so that said plurality of reflective surfaces reflect said light;

wherein each of said reflective surfaces is a circular sector;

wherein said plurality of reflective surfaces increases in radius from an adjacent circular sector; and

wherein said optical element has a stepped rear surface so as to maintain a generally constant thickness.

14. A night vision system comprising:

an infrared light source;

an optical element having a stepped surface that includes reflective surfaces and step surfaces, said reflective surfaces having a metalized coating thereon so that said reflective surfaces externally reflect light, wherein each of said reflective surfaces is a circular sector, and each said circular sector increases in radius from an adjacent circular sector as a function of distance away from said infrared light source;

a camera for receiving infrared light reflected from an object illuminated by said infrared light source and accordingly generating an output signal; and

a display for receiving said output signal and displaying said object.

15. A night vision system as recited in claim 14, wherein said infrared light source includes a laser diode.

16. A night vision system as recited in claim 14, wherein said infrared light source includes a laser diode array.

17. A night vision system as recited in claim 14, wherein said night vision system further comprises a diffuser.

18. A night vision system as recited in claim 14, wherein said night vision system further comprises a filter for filtering said infrared light reflected from said object.

19. A night vision system as recited in claim 14, wherein said optical element comprises a monolithic structure.

20. A night vision system as recited in claim 19, wherein said monolithic structure has a stepped rear surface so as to maintain a substantially constant thickness.