Combination Wheel for Laser Projectors Integrating Phosphor and Color Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical light conversion devices using separate phosphor wheels and color wheels are inefficient, requiring multiple components, high motor loading, and unable to achieve the full color gamut of projectors, necessitating a solution that integrates both functions into a single structure for high-power laser projectors.
Innovation Solution
A combination wheel that integrates a color filter, a reflective substrate with phosphor segments, and a diffuser segment, aligned with a blue laser generator and dichroic filters to convert and tune light, eliminating the need for separate phosphor and color wheels while allowing flexible color adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate phosphor wheels and color wheels are used, then color conversion can be achieved, but device complexity increases and motor loading increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phosphor wheel and color wheel into a single integrated combination wheel structure. The phosphor segments are mounted on a reflective substrate that is coaxially aligned with the color filter segments, forming one unified rotating component that performs both wavelength conversion and color filtering functions simultaneously, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining color conversion capability
Solution Approach 2:
The combination wheel serves multiple functions within a single component: it performs wavelength conversion through phosphor segments, color filtering through integrated color filters, and light reflection through the reflective substrate. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate phosphor and color wheels, reducing motor loading and simplifying the overall device structure
2Device complexity
If separate phosphor wheels and color wheels are used, then color filtering is achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the phosphor wheel and color wheel into a single combination wheel assembly. The phosphor segments and color filter segments are integrated on the same rotating structure, reducing the total number of components from two separate wheels to one unified component, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining filtering capability
3Device complexity
If phosphor wheel and color wheel are integrated, then fewer components are used, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The combination wheel is divided into distinct functional segments: phosphor segments mounted on a reflective substrate, color filter segments, and a diffuser segment. Each segment can be manufactured and positioned independently, then assembled into the final integrated structure, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving component integration
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the combination wheel have specialized properties tailored to their specific functions: the reflective substrate portion provides high reflectivity for phosphor excitation, the color filter segments provide wavelength-selective filtering, and the diffuser segment provides light scattering. This localized optimization allows each segment to be manufactured with appropriate materials and structures for its specific role
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 combination wheel achieves efficient color conversion and tuning with fewer components, reduced motor loading, and improved color gamut, suitable for high-power laser projectors, enhancing the performance and cost-effectiveness of optical light conversion devices.
Implementation Method 1
Wavelength conversion materials (phosphors) on the optically-active radial portion generate emission light of a different wavelength from incident excitation light
Implementation Method 2
blue laser to stimulate the phosphor wheel and generate the emission light, which may be green, yellow, or red depending on the phosphor powder
Implementation Method 3
the optically-active portion typically includes one or more color filters for filtering incident light. These are typically planar glass segments coated with a thin film in order to reflect or transmit light in a wavelength-dependent manner
Implementation Method 4
a reflective substrate with at least two phosphor segments... The reflective substrate is coaxially aligned with the color filter
Data Source
AI summary
A combination wheel is disclosed, which comprises a color filter, a reflective substrate coaxially aligned with and on a surface of the color filter, light-emitting phosphor segments of different colors on the reflective substrate, and a diffuser segment. When used with a blue laser generator and a series of a dichroic filters and mirrors, the combination wheel tunes and convert lights to be collected by a subsequent optical system.