Integrated Color Wheel Device for Compact Projector Light Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single panel-type DLP projectors with a color wheel configuration require numerous motor-driven units, leading to a large apparatus size due to the complexity of light path management for color separation.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus featuring a color wheel device with distinct regions for transmitting and reflecting excitation light, minimizing the number of optical components and allowing for efficient light path division using a phosphor and filter members to generate and separate color components, thereby reducing the overall size and optical loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional color wheel configuration with multiple motor-driven units is used to manage light paths for color separation, then color separation capability is achieved, but the apparatus size increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional regions (excitation light transmission, wavelength band light transmission, and reflection) into a single integrated color wheel device. This merging eliminates the need for separate motor-driven units for each function, reducing device complexity while maintaining color separation capability through the unified rotating structure that presents different regions to the optical path at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The color wheel device is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously handles excitation light transmission, wavelength band light transmission, and light reflection within a single structure. This universal design allows one device to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components, thereby reducing the overall number of motor-driven units and simplifying the system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional color wheel configuration with multiple motor-driven units is used to manage light paths for color separation, then color separation capability is achieved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple functional regions into a single integrated color wheel device, the patent reduces the total volume required for the system. The unified structure eliminates the need for separate motor-driven units and associated mechanical components, thereby compacting the overall apparatus size while preserving color separation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes rotational movement in a different dimension to achieve color separation. Instead of using multiple static optical components arranged in space, the solution employs a single rotating color wheel that presents different functional regions to the optical path sequentially, effectively using temporal separation through rotational motion to reduce spatial complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more optical components are used to manage light paths, then color separation is achieved, but optical loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces optical loss by merging multiple optical components into a single integrated color wheel device. Fewer interfaces and components mean fewer opportunities for light absorption and scattering, thereby reducing overall optical loss while maintaining effective color separation through the rotating multi-functional structure.
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 minimizes the number of optical components and optical loss, allowing for a more compact projector design while maintaining efficient color separation and heat dissipation, thus reducing manufacturing costs and failure risks.
Implementation Method 1
a phosphor configured to receive the excitation light and to convert the excitation light into wavelength band light different from the excitation light
Implementation Method 2
a first transparent part configured to transmit the wavelength band light
Implementation Method 3
a reflector configured to reflect the excitation light and to change a light path
Implementation Method 4
a second transparent part configured to transmit the excitation light
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus includes an excitation light emitter configured to irradiate excitation light, a phosphor that receives the excitation light and converts the excitation light into wavelength band light different from the excitation light, and a color wheel device. A first region of regions divided in a radial direction of the color wheel device includes a first transparent part that transmits the wavelength band light. A second region, which is different from the first region of the regions divided in the radial direction of the color wheel device, includes a reflector that reflects the excitation light and changes a light path and a second transparent part that transmits the excitation light. The phosphor is arranged on a light path of the excitation light reflected by the reflector or on a light path of the excitation light transmitted by the second transparent part.