Integrated Waveguide Element for Compact Multi-Colored Light Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing miniaturized projection systems, such as those used in smartglasses, face challenges in creating high-quality, compact multicolored light beams due to limitations in combining different-colored light sources effectively, often resulting in large and complex designs.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a waveguide element with multiple optical waveguides and a beamforming device, arranged on a structural element, which forms a multicolored light beam by guiding and combining light from multiple light sources, such as edge-emitting laser diodes or VCSELs, to achieve high-frequency modulation and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If glass fibers are used to combine different-colored light beams, then light combination is achieved, but the design becomes large and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical waveguides into a single integrated waveguide element that combines different-colored light beams. Instead of using separate glass fibers for each wavelength, the invention integrates red, green, and blue light waveguides within one compact structure, reducing design complexity while maintaining beam quality through precise optical path control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional glass fiber combination to a multi-dimensional waveguide structure with distinct optical paths for different wavelengths. The waveguide element uses spatial separation in multiple dimensions to guide different colors independently before combining them, achieving compact design without sacrificing beam quality
2Device complexity
If multiple light sources are combined without waveguides, then device simplicity is achieved, but beam quality and precision are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces waveguides as intermediary structures between light sources and the output. These waveguides act as mediators that precisely control light propagation paths, ensuring accurate beam parameters while keeping the overall device structure simple and integrated
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with integrated waveguide structures. Instead of using mechanical adjustments to achieve precise beam parameters, the waveguides provide fixed, precision-optical paths that are built into the device structure, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining high precision
3Volume of moving object
If compact design is pursued for miniaturized projection, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical paths for different wavelengths into separate waveguides within the compact element. This segmentation allows each wavelength to have its own optimized path, maintaining precise beam parameters even in the miniaturized structure, while the overall compact design is achieved through integration of these segmented paths
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 enables the creation of a high-quality, compact multicolored light beam suitable for miniaturized projection systems, decoupling geometrical tolerances of light sources from the light beam's precision, allowing for precise beam parameters and reduced manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide element forms a first waveguide for guiding light of the first light source, a second waveguide for guiding light of the second light source
Implementation Method 2
The beamforming device is configured to form the multicolored light beam by using the light output from the output region
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a device for providing a multi-colored light beam for a projector. The device comprises a first light source, a second light source, a waveguide element, a beam forming device and a structure element. The waveguide element forms a first waveguide for guiding light from the first light source, a second waveguide for guiding light from the second light source and a coupling out region for coupling light out of the first waveguide and the second waveguide. The beam forming device is designed to form the multi-colored light beam using the light coupled out of the coupling out region. The first light source, the second light source, the waveguide element and the beam forming device are arranged on the structure element.