Collimator Lens Inner Reflecting Portion for Fluorescence Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collimator lenses face challenges in accurately adjusting the reflection angle of fluorescence and achieving high light utilization efficiency due to the separate configuration of light-reusing collars, which can block light and require precise angle adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A collimator lens design incorporating an aperture, a reflecting portion on its inner surface, and a condensing portion, where the reflecting portion reflects light emitted from the condensing portion back to the aperture or itself, allowing for high-accuracy angle adjustment and efficient light emission, with a numerical aperture of 0.6 or more and 0.99 or less, and using aspherical or spherical surfaces and metal films for the reflecting portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a light-reusing collar is used to reflect and reuse fluorescence at large angles, then light utilization efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases and light may be blocked by holding portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight utilization efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light-reusing function into the collimator lens by forming a reflecting portion directly on the inner peripheral surface of the lens. This integration eliminates the need for a separate light-reusing collar and its holding portions, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to reflect and reuse fluorescence at large angles, improving light utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of energy

If a separate light-reusing collar is used to reflect fluorescence, then light reuse is achieved, but high-accuracy angle adjustment is required and light may be blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight utilization efficiencyVSAvoidangle adjustment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the reflecting portion directly into the collimator lens structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate angle adjustment mechanisms. The reflecting angle is determined by the lens geometry itself, which can be precisely controlled during manufacturing, thereby achieving the required precision without complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the holding portions from the design by integrating the reflecting function directly into the lens. This removal of holding portions eliminates the blocking of light paths while maintaining the light-reusing capability through the integrated reflecting portion on the lens inner surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If fluorescence spreads at high angles, then more light can be collected, but the focal length becomes short and etendue becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight collection amountVSAvoidfocal length

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the focal length limitation by utilizing the inner peripheral surface of the collimator lens in a radial dimension. The reflecting portion is positioned to intercept high-angle fluorescence and redirect it through a path that effectively extends the optical path length without increasing the axial focal length, thereby collecting more light while maintaining a compact design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This design enables precise adjustment of the reflection angle and enhances light utilization efficiency by eliminating blocking members and optimizing the etendue, resulting in improved light emission and reduced focal length.

Implementation Method 1

the reflecting portion formed on an inner peripheral surface reflects, to the condensing portion, light emitted from the condensing portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a collimator lens that converts the fluorescence into a substantially parallel luminous flux

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11656474B2Collimator lens, light source device, and image display device

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided a collimator lens capable of adjusting a reflection angle of fluorescence with high accuracy and emitting the fluorescence with high efficiency. Provided is a collimator lens including an aperture, a reflecting portion, and a condensing portion, in which the reflecting portion formed on an inner peripheral surface reflects, to the condensing portion, light emitted from the condensing portion, and the light collected at the condensing portion is emitted toward the aperture or the reflecting portion. Furthermore, there is provided a light source device including the collimator lens, an excitation optical system, and a phosphor.