Illumination Unit Optical Magnification for Projector Light Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to enhance light use efficiency in projectors using solid-state light-emitting devices, as downsizing other components can lead to reduced luminance due to lower light use efficiency, despite the advantages of smaller size and lower power consumption compared to discharge lamps.
Innovation Solution
An illumination unit is designed with one or more solid-state light-emitting devices, traveling-direction angle conversion devices, and an integrator comprising first and second fly-eye lenses, which unifies illumination distribution and optimizes optical magnification to ensure each light source image is within the size of the second fly-eye lens cells, improving light use efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If solid-state light-emitting devices are used as light sources in projectors, then size and power consumption are reduced, but light use efficiency is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination unit is divided into multiple independent light sources (first and second light sources) with separate optical paths. Each light source has its own traveling-direction angle conversion device and contributes to illuminating different regions of the light valve, thereby improving overall light use efficiency while maintaining compact size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces traveling-direction angle conversion devices that change the angular distribution of light from the solid-state light-emitting devices. By converting the light propagation direction and using fly-eye lenses to redistribute light in angular space, the system improves light use efficiency without increasing the physical size of the illumination unit
2Illumination intensity
If the number of solid-state light-emitting devices is increased to increase light amount, then luminance is improved, but light use efficiency is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large light source, the system employs multiple smaller light sources (first and second light sources) with different emission characteristics. Each light source is optimized for specific wavelength ranges and illuminates different regions of the light valve, achieving high luminance while maintaining high light use efficiency through proper optical management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as the emission wavelength ranges of different light sources, the focal lengths of flying-eye lenses, and the positions of optical components to maximize light use efficiency. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the system achieves high luminance output without wasting light, thus resolving the contradiction between luminance and light use efficiency
3Volume of moving object
If other main components are downsized to reduce projector size, then compactness is improved, but light use efficiency is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination unit employs a nested optical structure where the first and second light sources are arranged in a compact configuration with overlapping optical paths. The flying-eye lenses and traveling-direction angle conversion devices are integrated into a space-efficient arrangement that maximizes light utilization within a small volume, enabling downsizing without sacrificing light use efficiency
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 light use efficiency by ensuring efficient light distribution and utilization, maintaining desired luminance while minimizing component size and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
one or more light sources each including a solid-state light-emitting device having a light emission region
Implementation Method 2
one or more traveling-direction angle conversion device each converting a traveling-direction-angle of light entering from the solid-state light-emitting device
Implementation Method 3
an integrator including a first fly-eye lens having cells which receive light from the traveling-direction angle conversion device and a second fly-eye lens having cells which receive light from the first fly-eye lens. The integrator uniformalizes illumination distribution
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination unit includes one or more light sources each including a solid-state light-emitting device having a light emission region configured of one or more light-emission spots, one or more traveling-direction angle conversion device each converting a traveling-direction-angle of light, and an integrator including a first fly-eye lens having cells which receive light from the traveling-direction angle conversion device and a second fly-eye lens having cells which receive light from the first fly-eye lens, the integrator uniformalizing illumination distribution in a predetermined illumination area. An optical system configured with the traveling-direction angle conversion device and the first and second fly-eye lenses has an optical magnification which allows each of light source images to have a size not exceeding a size of the cell in the second fly-eye lens, the light source images being formed on the second fly-eye lens by the respective cells in the first fly-eye lens.