Light Baffles Combining Reflective and Absorption Surfaces and Imaging Systems

A baffle for limiting light into a field of view of an optical device, comprising:

• a plurality of baffle vanes, each baffle vane comprising a front face, a back face, an inner surface defining a vane opening, and an outer surface, wherein:
• each front face comprises a light reflecting surface,
• each back face comprises a light absorbing surface,
• each front face is parallel to each other and to each back face,
• each vane opening has a same shape,
• the vane openings decrease in size from a light entry side of the baffle to an imaging device side of the baffle,
• the vane openings are aligned along an imaging axis of the baffle, and
• each outer surface has a same shape and a same size;
• and
• a plurality of spacers, each spacer comprising a front face, a back face, an inner surface defining a spacer opening, and an outer surface, wherein:
• each spacer has a same shape and a same size,
• each inner surface comprises a light absorbing surface,
• each front face is parallel to each other and to each back face,
• each front face is disposed adjacent to the back face of one of the baffle vanes,
• each back face is disposed adjacent to the front face of one of the baffle vanes,
• each spacer opening has a same shape and a same size and is larger than each vane opening,
• the spacer openings are aligned along the imaging axis of the baffle, and
• each outer surface has the same shape and the same size as the outer surfaces of the baffle vanes.

An optical system comprising:

• a light baffle comprising:
• a first baffle vane comprising a first front face and a first back face, the first baffle vane defining a first baffle opening;
• and
• a second baffle vane spaced away from the first baffle vane, the second baffle vane comprising a second front face and a second back face, and defining a second baffle opening;
• wherein the first front face and the second front face each comprise a light reflecting surface,
• wherein the first back face and the second back face each comprise a light absorbing surface,
• wherein the first baffle opening is larger than the second baffle opening,
• wherein the first baffle is closer to a light entry side of the light baffle than the second baffle, and
• wherein the second baffle is closer to an imaging device side of the light baffle than the first baffle;
• and
• an optical device comprising:
• a lens assembly comprising a front face and a back face, the front face of the lens assembly facing the imaging device side of the light baffle;
• and
• a light sensor disposed proximate the back face of the lens assembly;
• wherein the light baffle and the imaging device are axially aligned.