Artificial Starry Sky Device Using Angled Partial Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for generating an artificial starry sky struggle to produce a large, brilliant, flicker-free display with sharply defined white or multicolored stars, as they often result in low luminosity, high technical complexity, and short service life due to the inability to effectively split white laser light into numerous individual points without significant technical effort or causing undesirable rainbow effects.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a light source emitting a polychromatic or white primary light beam and a reflection device with partial reflection elements, such as thin, semi-transparent glass or plastic plates, that reflect the light beam at angles other than 90° to the axis, allowing part of the beam to pass through unhindered and directing it towards a projection surface, creating a realistic three-dimensional starry sky with numerous bright, sharply defined stars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If diffraction gratings are used to split white laser light into individual points, then monochromatic points of light can be generated, but the white light is smeared into different colors and cannot produce sharply defined white or multicolored stars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the reflection function from the diffraction grating, eliminating the diffraction effect that causes color separation. By using a simple reflective surface at a specific angle, the system reflects white light without separating it into wavelengths, thus producing sharp white star points without the harmful rainbow effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful diffraction effect into a beneficial reflection effect. By positioning the reflective surface at a 45-degree angle, the system uses reflection (a beneficial effect for directing light) instead of diffraction (a harmful effect that causes color separation), thereby achieving sharp white star points.
2Illumination intensity
If high-powered white light lamps are used to increase brightness, then more light is available for projection, but the service life becomes relatively short and cooling systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal light generation system (high-powered lamps requiring cooling) with a laser-based optical system. Lasers, particularly green lasers, provide high illumination intensity without the thermal management issues of traditional lamps, thereby extending service life and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of light source type from traditional high-powered white light lamps to lasers (specifically green lasers). This parameter change provides high brightness output without the thermal limitations and short service life associated with traditional lamps, as lasers operate differently and require minimal cooling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of fiber elements are used to direct light to predetermined positions, then a specific star pattern can be projected, but the device complexity and manufacturing effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the star pattern projection into two independent components: a simple linear light source (laser) and a reflective surface with selectively positioned reflective elements. This segmentation allows individual stars to be created by positioning reflective elements at specific locations along the light path, rather than using a complex array of fiber elements, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining pattern projection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple linear laser beam as a template or copy of a light path, and then uses reflective elements to redirect portions of this simple beam to create the star pattern. This is much simpler than using individual fiber elements for each star position, as the same simple light source can be redirected to multiple positions using multiple reflective elements.
4Productivity
If scanner projectors with fast deflection units are used to project starry sky, then high refresh rates can be achieved, but the display remains diffuse with low luminosity and requires significant room darkening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of rapid light direction from the complex scanner projector system and implements it using simple reflective elements that can be rapidly positioned or activated. This extraction maintains high refresh rates while concentrating the laser light into sharp, intense points rather than diffuse patterns, thereby achieving high luminosity without requiring room darkening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system (fast deflection units and movable mirrors) with a simpler system using reflective elements that can be rapidly activated or positioned. This substitution maintains the ability to achieve high refresh rates while producing concentrated, high-luminosity star points rather than diffuse projections.
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 enables the creation of an extremely realistic, flicker-free artificial starry sky with an innumerable number of white, sharply focused stars of different intensities and positions on a large area, overcoming previous limitations of low luminosity and technical complexity, while maintaining a cost-effective and simple setup.
Implementation Method 1
at least one reflection device for reflecting the one primary light beam into a plurality of reflection beams that strike a projection surface
Implementation Method 2
each partial reflection element reflecting a portion of the primary light beam on a first surface facing the light source and allowing a portion of the primary light beam to pass through essentially unimpeded
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90) for generating an artificial starry sky (110). The device comprises at least one light source (12) for emitting at least one primary light beam (14) and at least one reflection device (22) for reflecting the single primary light beam (14) into a plurality of reflected light beams that strike a projection surface (72) to display an artificial starry sky (110). It is proposed that the reflection device (22) comprises at least one partial reflection element (24), in particular a plurality of partial reflection elements (24a, 24b, 24c) for splitting the primary light beam (14) into at least two parts. A first part of the primary light beam (14) is reflected at a first surface of the partial reflection element (24a, 24b, 24c) facing the light source (12).A second part of the primary light ray (14) passes through the partial reflection elements (24a, 24b, 24c) essentially unimpeded. The surface of at least one partial reflection element (24) is angled at an angle other than 90° to the axis of the primary light ray (14).