Dichroic Plate Light Source for Compact High-Power Projectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cinema and video projectors using LEDs or laser diodes face challenges in achieving a compact light source with high power due to the large number of optical fibers required for collimating diodes and managing diodes in series, which limits the ability to produce high lighting power in a small volume with easy assembly and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A compact light source is achieved by using dichroic blades to combine light from RGB diodes into a single optical fiber, eliminating the need for multiple optical fibers and utilizing a parabolic mirror to focus the combined light, allowing for a single output fiber to handle the mixed primary colors, thereby increasing power efficiency and reducing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple optical fibers are used to collect light from diodes, then light collection efficiency is improved, but device size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate optical fiber paths into a single combined optical path. Dichroic plates combine light from red, green, and blue diode arrays into one integrated beam path that enters a single optical fiber, eliminating the need for multiple separate fibers while maintaining efficient light collection from all diode arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dichroic plates as intermediary optical elements that selectively reflect and transmit different wavelengths. These plates act as mediators to combine light from multiple diode arrays of different colors into a single unified beam path without requiring separate optical fibers for each color.
2Device complexity
If diodes are arranged in series connections, then electrical current management is simplified, but maximum power output is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diode arrays by color (red, green, blue) with each array connected in series to its own constant current driver. This segmentation allows independent current management for each color group while enabling parallel connection of multiple driver circuits, thereby achieving high power output without excessive complexity in current management.
3Power
If multiple RGB modules are added to increase lighting power, then power output increases, but assembly and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple diode arrays and their optical paths into a single integrated module design. By combining red, green, and blue diode arrays with their respective drivers and optical paths into one unified structure that feeds a single optical fiber, the system achieves high power output while maintaining simple assembly and maintenance procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
In a projector comprising a light source having at least first (22), second (24) and third (26) diode arrays delivering respectively at least first (CL1), second (CL2) and third (CL3) separate light ducts of determined wavelengths and dimensions, a first dichroic plate (60) forming a first combined light duct CLC1 from said first and second light ducts is provided, a second dichroic plate (62) forming a second combined light duct CLC2 from said first combined light duct and said third light duct, and an off-axis parabolic mirror (54) to receive the second combined light duct CLC2 and focus it into a determined focal point suitable for forming an entry point for a single optical fiber (30).