Compact Laser Light Source Apparatus Using Cylindrical Lens Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser-light-source-based projectors are large due to the separate arrangement of semiconductor lasers emitting different colors, leading to increased size and decreased light use efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A compact light source apparatus is designed with semiconductor lasers arranged on a single substrate, using a cylindrical lens to align light paths and a rod integrator to combine and homogenize light beams, reducing the need for separate laser positions and minimizing light loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple semiconductor lasers emitting different colors are arranged in separate positions with light combining elements, then light beams of different colors can be combined, but the light source apparatus becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple semiconductor lasers emitting different colors onto a single substrate, eliminating the need for separate positions and light combining elements. This integration directly reduces the overall apparatus size while maintaining the capability to combine multiple color light beams through the rod integrator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional arrangement of separate laser positions to a two-dimensional substrate integration, allowing multiple lasers to coexist on a single plane. This dimensional reorganization enables compact packaging while preserving optical functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If semiconductor lasers are arranged in separate positions, then each laser can operate independently, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent semiconductor lasers onto a single substrate, reducing structural complexity while preserving independent operation capability. The shared substrate and optical path integration simplify the overall device architecture compared to separate positioning arrangements.
3Device complexity
If light beams from semiconductor lasers directly enter the optical system, then the configuration is simple, but light use efficiency decreases due to large divergence angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rod integrator as an intermediary component between the semiconductor lasers and the optical system. This mediator homogenizes the light beams and reduces divergence angles, improving light use efficiency without significantly complicating the overall configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod integrator changes the angular parameters of the light beams by homogenizing them, transforming the high-divergence output from semiconductor lasers into a more collimated beam suitable for efficient optical system operation.
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 results in a compact projector with improved light use efficiency by aligning and combining light beams from multiple semiconductor lasers, reducing the overall size of the light source apparatus and projector.
Implementation Method 1
the rod integrator combines the plurality of light beams with one another and homogenizes the illuminance distribution thereof
Implementation Method 2
the light having exited out of the cylindrical lens has a small divergence angle in a plane perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the light emitting regions
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus includes a plurality of semiconductor lasers arranged on a substrate along a first direction, a rod integrator on which the plurality of light beams from the plurality of semiconductor lasers are incident, and a cylindrical lens so provided between the plurality of semiconductor lasers and the light incident end surface of the rod integrator as to cover the optical paths of the plurality of light beams. The plurality of semiconductor lasers include a first, second and third semiconductor laser. The center axis of each of the plurality of light beams intersects the first direction. A light emitting region of each of the semiconductor lasers has a lengthwise direction. The generatrix of the cylindrical lens is parallel to the lengthwise direction. First to third color light beams are combined with one another by the rod integrator, and the combined light exits out of the rod integrator.