Light Beam Generating Device for Projectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing light beam generating devices in projectors face a low fluorescence conversion efficiency when using laser to excite phosphors, leading to wasted laser energy and heat generation, which becomes more prominent with increasing projection sizes and brightness requirements.

Innovation Solution

A light beam generating device that uses multiple light sources, including red, green, and blue light-emitting elements, driven by current signals with adjustable duty cycles and enabled/disabled based on a color control signal, allowing for the generation of target light beams without relying on phosphor or filter wheels, thereby improving color gamut placement and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If laser excitation power is continuously increased to meet higher projection brightness requirements, then projection brightness is improved, but fluorescence conversion efficiency becomes more prominent and heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection brightnessVSAvoidfluorescence conversion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light generation process by separating the functions of different light sources. Instead of using a single laser source with phosphor conversion, the system divides light generation into multiple independent light sources (laser diodes and LEDs) that directly emit the required wavelengths, eliminating the inefficient phosphor conversion step and allowing independent optimization of each light source for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the phosphor conversion component from the light generation system. By taking out the phosphor wheel and filter wheels, the system eliminates the energy loss associated with fluorescence conversion while maintaining the ability to generate the necessary spectral components through direct emission from optimized light sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Illumination intensity

If laser excitation power is continuously increased to meet higher projection brightness requirements, then projection brightness is improved, but heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection brightnessVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light generation process by separating the functions of different light sources. Instead of using a single laser source with phosphor conversion, the system divides light generation into multiple independent light sources (laser diodes and LEDs) that directly emit the required wavelengths, eliminating the inefficient phosphor conversion step and allowing independent optimization of each light source for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the phosphor conversion component from the light generation system. By taking out the phosphor wheel and filter wheels, the system eliminates the energy loss associated with fluorescence conversion while maintaining the ability to generate the necessary spectral components through direct emission from optimized light sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If phosphor wheel and filter wheel are used to generate different colors, then color sequential display is achieved, but device complexity and mechanical moving parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor sequential display capabilityVSAvoidmechanical moving parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the phosphor conversion component from the light generation system. By taking out the phosphor wheel and filter wheels, the system eliminates the energy loss associated with fluorescence conversion while maintaining the ability to generate the necessary spectral components through direct emission from optimized light sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies multi-functionality by using a single DMD device to perform both the color separation and the spatial light modulation functions. The DMD acts as a universal component that can dynamically route different wavelengths to different projection paths without requiring separate mechanical filters or phosphor wheels, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining color sequential display capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enhances the fluorescence conversion efficiency, reduces heat generation, and allows for better control of color gamut placement, addressing the limitations of single-source systems and avoiding issues related to phosphor and filter wheel operation.

Implementation Method 1

uses multiple light sources, including red, green, and blue light-emitting elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

driven by current signals with adjustable duty cycles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse Width Modulation:

Data Source

PatentEP3941039B1Light beam generating device, projection device, and light beam generating method
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 CORETRONIC CORPORATION
  • EP3941039B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3941039B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3941039B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a light beam generating device and method, and a projection device. The light beam generating device is configured to receive a color control signal and generate a target light beam having a target color, and includes a plurality of drivers, a current signal generating circuit, and a control circuit. The drivers respectively drive a plurality of light-emitting elements according to a plurality of current signals, wherein the plurality of light-emitting elements collectively generate the target light beam. The current signal generating circuit is coupled to the drivers and generates the plurality of current signals according to the color control signal corresponding to the target color. The control circuit is coupled to the drivers and controls whether each driver is enabled according to the color control signal.