Laser Lighting Apparatus Aspect Ratio Control via Tilted Optical Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting apparatus using laser diodes face challenges in achieving a desirable aspect ratio for light beam flux due to physical size restrictions and optical system limitations, leading to inefficient light output and chromaticity issues when projecting images.
Innovation Solution
A lighting apparatus with a light source unit comprising multiple laser diodes arranged in two dimensions, equipped with a collimating lens and optical elements that change the traveling direction of the light flux by refracting it through inclined surfaces, allowing for flexible aspect ratio adjustment without increasing the number of optical components or complicating the holding mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If laser diodes are arranged in two dimensions with regular spacing, then light output power increases, but aspect ratio control becomes difficult and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical element with a tilt angle that can be adjusted or optimized to dynamically control the aspect ratio of the light beam flux. This allows the system to adapt the output aspect ratio independently from the fixed physical arrangement of laser diodes, resolving the contradiction between maintaining regular spacing for power output and achieving desirable aspect ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of light beam direction by introducing an optical element with a specific tilt angle. This parameter change allows the aspect ratio of the light beam flux to be controlled without altering the physical arrangement of the laser diodes, enabling both high power output and desirable aspect ratios to be achieved simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the optical system is corrected to handle different F-numbers for different colors, then chromaticity stability improves, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a single optical element that serves multiple functions: it controls the aspect ratio of the light beam flux and simultaneously corrects the F-number differences for different colors. This multi-functional element achieves chromaticity stability without requiring separate correction mechanisms for each color, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element with tilt angle acts as an intermediary component between the light source and the projection system. It mediates the light beam properties by simultaneously adjusting aspect ratio and F-number uniformity across different colors, achieving chromaticity stability without direct complex corrections for each wavelength.
3Volume of stationary object
If the F-number is reduced to limit light beam angles, then optical system size decreases, but light output reaching the screen decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the tilt angle of the optical element as a dynamic parameter to optimize the balance between optical system size and light output. By adjusting the tilt angle, the system can control the light beam flux direction to achieve desirable aspect ratios while maintaining sufficient light output, avoiding the need to excessively reduce the F-number.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of light beam direction through the tilt angle to achieve desirable aspect ratios without requiring excessive F-number reduction. This parameter change allows the system to maintain larger light beam angles for sufficient output while still achieving the desired aspect ratio through directional control.
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 luminous efficiency and prevents chromaticity changes during zooming, enabling flexible aspect ratio settings and reducing the apparatus size while maintaining stable light output.
Implementation Method 1
a collimating lens, disposed in front of the light source unit, converts light flux emitted from each of the laser diodes into substantially parallel light
Implementation Method 2
the optical element reflects the substantially parallel light by the second surface to change only the one-axis direction of a traveling direction of the substantially parallel light
Implementation Method 3
optical elements that change the traveling direction of the light flux by refracting it through inclined surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting apparatus is provided with a light source unit including laser diode elements, a collimating lens, and at least one optical element changing only a predetermined one-axis direction of a traveling direction of the substantially parallel light. When the substantially parallel light is incident on a first surface of the optical element, the optical element reflects the substantially parallel light by a second surface to change only the one-axis direction of the traveling direction of the substantially parallel light, and emits an inclined light flux inclined from the substantially parallel light. An aspect ratio of a screen configured by spot lights from the light source unit is changed to an aspect ratio on a cross section of a predetermined position in a traveling direction of the inclined light flux.