Reshaping light source modules and illumination systems using the same

Abstract

Light source modules are disclosed, which include an emitter having a light-emitting surface and a pyramid collector mounted onto the emitter over the emitting surface. Also disclosed are illumination systems, including a plurality of light source modules, each light source module comprising an emitter having a light-emitting surface and a pyramid collector mounted onto the emitter over the emitting surface. The illumination systems further include an illumination target and a system of optical elements disposed between the at least one light source module and the illumination target.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a retrofit light source assembly that can be used in a projection system and an illumination system using the assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to light source assemblies comprising a pyramid collector and illumination systems using at least one such light source assembly. Background technique [0002] Illumination systems have many uses, including projection displays, backlighting for liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and others. Projection systems typically include a light source, illumination optics, imaging devices, projection optics, and a projection screen. Illumination optics collect light from a light source and direct it to one or more imaging devices in a predetermined manner. The electronically conditioned and processed digital video signal controls the one or more imaging devices to produce an image corresponding to the video signal. Projection optics then magnify the image and proj...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0009] Conventional optics used in illumination systems include a variety of configurations, but their off-axis performance is only satisfactory within a narrow specified range

In addition, optics in conventional lighting systems have exhibited insufficient light-harvesting properties

Specifically, if the majority of the light source's output is emitted at an angle away from the optical axis (which is the case for most LEDs), then conventional lighting systems cannot capture the vast majority of this light

In addition, although some conventional reflective collimators have acceptable light-collecting characteristics, such as elliptical and parabolic reflectors, these reflectors often exhibit rotational symmetry that deviates from

This deviation often results in rounding of the composite image and a lack of overall correspondence between points on the light source and points on the target plane, resulting in out-of-order and reduced light concentration

These and other deficiencies complicate the design of optical components and systems, including, for example, the use of complex aspheric surfaces and complex combinations of large numbers of components

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