Dual Lamp Light Integrator with Displaced Entrances
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Solution Overview
Problem
In projector systems, the mismatch between the F-number of elliptical lamps and light modulators leads to light loss due to the high cone angle light being difficult to capture, resulting in reduced light collection efficiency, and dual lamp integrators are inflexible and inefficient in light transmission.
Innovation Solution
A light integrator design with multiple light entrance devices, where each lamp has a dedicated entrance device laterally and longitudinally displaced to independently enter and exit the integrator, using reflective irises or F-number lenses to adjust the F-number of elliptical lamps for better compatibility with the integrator and light modulators, and a dual lamp integrator with a body having separate sections for each lamp to improve light collection and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the input F-number of the illumination relay optics is matched to the elliptical lamp, then the light collection efficiency is improved, but the magnification factor becomes very large (3.125) requiring a very small integrator cross section which reduces light collection efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single integrator into multiple separate integrators, each receiving light from a different lamp. This segmentation allows each integrator to have optimized dimensions without requiring an excessively small cross-section, thereby maintaining light collection efficiency while reducing the magnification factor requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges multiple integrators in a spatial configuration where they are positioned side-by-side rather than requiring one integrator to handle all light paths. This dimensional arrangement allows light from multiple lamps to be processed in parallel, reducing the magnification burden on each individual integrator.
2Area of stationary object
If the input F-number of the illumination relay optics is increased, then a larger illumination rod can be used, but light with high incident angle is lost due to F-number mismatch at the input face of the integrator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the F-number matching locally at each lamp-integrator interface. Each integrator is designed with input optics specifically matched to its associated lamp's F-number, ensuring high incident angle light is captured efficiently. This local optimization allows larger illumination rods to be used without sacrificing light collection efficiency.
3Reliability
If dual lamp integrators are used to increase brightness, then the redundancy is improved, but the design becomes inflexible and light transmission efficiency decreases (0.6 of light lost)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the dual-lamp system into two independent integrators instead of one integrated dual-lamp system. This segmentation eliminates the light loss associated with combining paths and allows each lamp to have its own optimized optical path, maintaining 100% light transmission efficiency from each lamp while preserving redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple independent integrator outputs to achieve the desired brightness and redundancy. By merging the light paths at a later stage rather than forcing early combination, the system maintains high transmission efficiency while achieving the goals of increased brightness and system redundancy.
4Reliability
If dual lamp integrators are used to increase brightness, then the redundancy is improved, but the physical access to lamps becomes difficult when they burn out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent physically separates the lamp assemblies into distinct, independently accessible units. Each lamp with its associated integrator forms a modular assembly that can be accessed and replaced independently, greatly improving physical accessibility compared to a compact dual-lamp design where lamps are difficult to reach.
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 increases light collection efficiency by adjusting the F-number of elliptical lamps to match the integrator and light modulators, and enhances the design of dual lamp integrators to achieve higher brightness and improved physical accessibility by reducing light loss and increasing the efficiency of light transmission.
Implementation Method 1
using reflective irises or F-number lenses to adjust the F-number of elliptical lamps
Implementation Method 2
using reflective irises or F-number lenses to adjust the F-number of elliptical lamps
Implementation Method 3
a solid glass integrator or 'solid rod integrator'. The latter type is more efficient than the former since it works on lossless multiple reflections using total internal reflection (TIR) of the glass rod
Implementation Method 4
An optical integrator is a hollow or solid internally reflective 'light pipe' that uses multiple reflections of a focused light source to obtain homogenization of round or irregular patterns of illumination
Data Source
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AI summary
A light integrator is provided, the light integrator comprising a body for integrating light, the body having a length and a light egress end. The light integrator further comprises a first light entrance device for accepting light from a first lamp into the body, the first light entrance device comprising a first light entrance face, the first light entrance device located distal the light egress end. The light integrator further comprises a second light entrance device for accepting light from a second lamp, the second light entrance device comprising a second light entrance face, the second light entrance device laterally displaced from the first light entrance device in a direction generally perpendicular to the first light entrance face, such that light from the first and second lamps independently enter the integrator via the first and second light entrance devices respectively, and exit the light egress end. The second light entrance device is further displaced from the first light entrance device along the body towards the light egress end, such that each of the first and second lamps may displaced from one another along the body.