Integrated Reflective Wheel Synchronization for Projector Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high manufacturing costs of projectors are attributed to the need for high-level digital light processing (DLP) systems to synchronize light sources, reflective structures, and light valves, which increases the complexity and expense of the illumination system.
Innovation Solution
A projector design that incorporates a light processing module with a reflective wheel structure and a driving unit, where the first and second reflective structures are fixed to each other, allowing for synchronous rotation with a single driving unit, eliminating the need for a high-level DLP system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high-level DLP system is used to synchronize the light source, phosphor wheel, color filter wheel, and DMD, then good synchronization effects are achieved, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phosphor wheel and color filter wheel into a single integrated reflective wheel structure. The first reflective structure corresponds to the phosphor wheel position and the second reflective structure corresponds to the color filter wheel position. Both structures are fixed to the same rotating component and rotate synchronously with a single driving unit, eliminating the need for separate synchronization control of multiple independent wheels. This merging approach maintains good synchronization effects while reducing system complexity and manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The single driving unit serves multiple functions by simultaneously controlling the rotation of both the first reflective structure (phosphor wheel) and the second reflective structure (color filter wheel). This universal control mechanism replaces the need for multiple dedicated driving units and synchronization systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable synchronization of all optical components.
2Productivity
If multiple color lights are projected onto the DMD sequentially with quick switching, then full-color dynamic images are created, but the requirement for high-level DLP increases manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic rotation of the integrated reflective wheel structure to sequentially present different color filters and phosphor conversion layers to the light source. The wheel rotates at a controlled speed to cycle through multiple color channels in rapid succession, creating full-color dynamic images through the persistence of vision effect. This periodic action maintains high image generation speed while using a single unified structure instead of multiple independent systems.
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 design reduces manufacturing costs by enabling the projector to synchronize the light source, reflective structures, and light valve using a single driving unit, thereby simplifying the illumination system and lowering production expenses.
Implementation Method 1
The first reflective structure is located on a transmission path of the illumination beam emitted from the light source, and the second reflective structure is located on a transmission path of the illumination beam transmitted from the first reflective structure
Data Source
AI summary
A projector and an illumination system are provided. The projector includes an illumination system, a light valve, and a projection lens. The illumination system includes a light source configured to provide an illumination beam and a light processing module comprising a reflective wheel structure and a driving unit. The reflective wheel structure includes first and second reflective structures. The first and second reflective structures are located on a transmission path of the illumination beam. The driving unit is connected to the first reflective structure or the second reflective structure and is configured to drive the first and second reflective structures to rotate synchronously. The light valve is located on a transmission path of the illumination beam transmitted from the second reflective structure and configured to convert the illumination beam from the second reflective structure into an image beam.