Hybrid Light Engine for Projector Color Brightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image projectors face challenges in achieving optimal color performance and image brightness, often requiring a trade-off between the two, and struggle to efficiently project images with high color accuracy and intensity.
Innovation Solution
The use of a color wheel with filter sections to filter light from a primary light source, combined with auxiliary light sources that augment specific colors, allows for improved color performance and brightness by selectively adding light intensity in the optical path, thereby enhancing the projection of primary and secondary colors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single primary light source is used, then device complexity is reduced, but color performance and brightness cannot be optimized simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a primary light source (lamp) with multiple auxiliary light sources (LEDs or laser diodes) in a single optical system. The auxiliary light sources are positioned to illuminate the color wheel at specific locations, and their light merges with the primary light source through the color wheel filters to produce enhanced color performance and brightness without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary light sources serve multiple functions: they compensate for spectral deficiencies of the primary light source, enhance specific color ranges, and work cooperatively with the color wheel filters. This multi-functional approach allows the system to achieve both high brightness and accurate color reproduction while maintaining a unified optical path
2Illumination intensity
If auxiliary light sources are added to enhance color performance, then color accuracy and intensity improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using auxiliary light sources for all colors uniformly, the patent applies local quality by positioning LEDs or laser diodes at specific locations around the color wheel to target specific spectral regions. Each auxiliary light source is strategically placed to compensate for deficiencies in particular color ranges, providing localized spectral enhancement rather than uniform illumination
Solution Approach 2:
The color wheel acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the primary light source and the auxiliary light sources. It selectively filters and combines the light from both sources, allowing the auxiliary light sources to enhance color performance without directly complicating the overall optical path. The color wheel integrates multiple light sources into a unified color projection system
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 approach enables the projector to produce a more intense and accurate color representation, improving overall image quality by balancing brightness and color fidelity, while allowing for the projection of a wider range of colors with increased intensity.
Implementation Method 1
a color wheel with filter sections to filter light from a primary light source
Implementation Method 2
auxiliary light sources that augment specific colors
Data Source
AI summary
A projector includes a light source, a filter unit, an auxiliary light source and a combiner. The light source produces a first beam of light having light in a plurality of ranges of wavelengths, corresponding to a plurality of colors. The filter unit is positioned in the optical path of the first light beam. The filter unit is configured in a first configuration during a first time interval and in a second configuration during a second time interval. When the filter unit is configured in the second configuration, the auxiliary light source produces a second beam of light. The combiner combines the first beam of light and the second beam of light. The combined beams of light are directed to a spatial light modulator.