Compact Laser Projection Module with Common Exit Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing color image projection systems are bulky, heavy, and costly due to the need for multiple laser packages and complex optical elements for focusing and combining laser beams, which hinders their integration into compact devices.
Innovation Solution
A compact image projection arrangement where multiple lasers are mounted in a single package with a common exit port, sharing a focusing lens and aperture stop, and using an optical corrector element to align beams, reducing system weight, size, and assembly cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple laser packages are used to emit different colored laser beams, then the image projection system can achieve color image output, but the system size, weight and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laser packages (red, green, blue lasers) into a single integrated laser package with a common exit port. This merging of previously separate components into one unified structure directly reduces system weight while maintaining the capability to emit multiple colored laser beams for color image projection
Solution Approach 2:
The single laser package is designed to perform multiple functions by housing different types of lasers (red, green, blue) that emit different colored beams. This multi-functional design allows the system to achieve color image output capability without requiring separate dedicated packages for each color, thereby reducing overall system weight
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple focusing and shaping optical elements are used for each laser beam, then the laser beams can be properly focused and shaped, but the device complexity and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the focusing and shaping optical elements into a single integrated optical system that serves all laser beams from the common exit port. Instead of having separate focusing and shaping elements for each laser package, one unified optical element performs these functions for all beams, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining proper beam focusing and shaping quality
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical element is designed with multi-functionality to simultaneously focus and shape multiple laser beams of different colors and wavelengths. This universal optical component replaces multiple dedicated elements, simplifying the overall device structure while ensuring each beam receives appropriate focusing and shaping treatment
3Ease of operation
If multiple laser packages with separate optical elements are used, then each laser beam can be independently controlled, but the overall system size and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple laser packages into a single compact laser package with a common exit port, and combines the optical elements into one integrated system. This spatial merging dramatically reduces the system area occupied by the projection device while maintaining the capability for independent control of each laser beam through electronic control mechanisms
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate laser packages are used, then the system can accommodate different laser types, but the assembly and alignment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate laser packages into one integrated laser package housing that contains red, green, and blue lasers along with their optical elements. This unified structure simplifies manufacturing and assembly by reducing the number of separate components that need to be assembled and aligned, while still accommodating different laser types within the single package
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 achieves a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective image projection system capable of producing high-resolution images, suitable for various applications, including portable devices, by integrating multiple lasers into a single package and optimizing beam alignment.
Implementation Method 1
the laser beams are directed to a common focusing lens through which the laser beams pass along respective paths
Implementation Method 2
a scanner on the support, for sweeping the focused beams in a pattern of scan lines in space
Data Source
AI summary
A lightweight, compact image projection module has a laser package having a common exit port, and a plurality of lasers mounted in the package and operative for emitting a plurality of laser beams of different wavelengths through the common exit port. An optical assembly focuses the laser beams exiting the common exit port, and includes a common focusing lens through which the laser beams pass along respective paths that are in angular misalignment. An optical corrector element in at least one of the paths corrects the misalignment to produce aligned beams. A scanner sweeps the aligned beams in a pattern of scan lines, each scan line having a number of pixels. A controller causes selected pixels to be illuminated, and rendered visible, by the aligned beams to produce the image.