Illumination System Beam Homogenization and Volume Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current projection apparatuses face challenges in reducing the volume of the light combining system due to additional loops in the blue light transmission path, leading to non-uniform energy distribution and inefficiency in color generation.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an illumination system with a first and second light source, a wavelength conversion element, and light splitting elements that allow for improved beam uniformity and reduced space usage by configuring the light splitting elements to direct beams in a symmetrical manner to a light homogenizing element, increasing brightness and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional loops are added to the blue light transmission path, then the light combining system can accommodate multiple light sources, but the volume of the light combining system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight combining capabilityVSAvoidlight combining system volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the transmission paths of blue light and other colored light into a shared optical path. The blue light source and other light sources both direct their beams through common optical elements (beam combiner, homogenizing element) rather than requiring separate loops, thereby reducing the overall system volume while maintaining multi-source capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical path is designed to be universal, accommodating both blue light and other colored light through the same transmission path and optical components. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional dedicated loops for blue light, reducing system volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If blue light transmission path uses additional loops, then light sources can be combined, but beam uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight source combinationVSAvoidbeam energy uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a homogenizing element in the common optical path that pre-processes both blue light and other colored light beams before they are combined. This preliminary homogenization action ensures uniform energy distribution in the final combined beam, preventing the non-uniformity that would otherwise result from multiple separate transmission loops

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If phosphor is used to generate other colored light, then light sources can be combined, but generation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor generation capabilityVSAvoidlight generation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the blue light source by adjusting its drive current to control the intensity of blue light in the combined beam. This parameter adjustment allows for efficient color mixing without relying solely on phosphor conversion, thereby improving overall light generation efficiency while maintaining color generation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration enhances the uniformity of the beams incident on the light homogenizing element, reducing occupied space and increasing the brightness of the illumination beam compared to traditional optical paths.

Implementation Method 1

The wavelength conversion element has a reflection region and a conversion region, where the reflection region is configured to reflect the first beam, and the conversion region is configured to convert the first beam into a third beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength conversion: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

The first light splitting element is configured to allow the second beam to pass, and includes a first region, a second region, and a third region. The second region is configured to reflect the first beam from the reflection region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The second light splitting element is configured to reflect the first beam penetrated by the first light splitting element and allow the second beam to pass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11586103B2Illumination system and projection apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 CORETRONIC CORPORATION

AI summary

An illumination system, including a first light source for providing a first beam; a second light source for providing a second beam; a wavelength conversion element having a reflection region and a conversion region, wherein the reflection region is for reflecting the first beam and the conversion region is for converting the first beam into a third beam; a first light splitting element for allowing the second beam to pass; a second light splitting element for reflecting the first beam penetrated by the first light splitting element and allowing the second beam to pass, wherein the first light splitting element is disposed between the wavelength conversion element and the second light splitting element; and a light homogenizing element for receiving the first beam, the second beam, and the third beam, and generating an illumination beam, is provided. A projection apparatus including the illumination system is also provided.