Light Module Polarization Control for Rapid Color Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light modules for projection or illumination arrangements suffer from slow color transitions and fixed color ratios due to the mechanical switching of phosphor wheel segments, which degrade imaging quality and are prone to noise and high production costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a polarization modulator driven by a control device to dynamically modify the polarization of excitation radiation, allowing it to be split between optical paths with and without phosphors, enabling rapid color changes and variable color ratios through software control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a phosphor wheel with mechanical switching is used, then color conversion is achieved, but the transition time between colors is slow (0.2 ms) and imaging quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical phosphor wheel switching system with an optical polarization control system. A polarization modulator dynamically adjusts the polarization state of excitation light, and a polarization beam splitter directs the light to different optical paths (with or without phosphor) based on the polarization state. This eliminates mechanical moving parts and achieves color transitions in less than 0.05 ms, significantly improving both speed and imaging quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic control of light polarization states to achieve real-time color transitions. The polarization modulator can rapidly change the polarization angle of excitation light, enabling dynamic switching between different color outputs without mechanical movement. This dynamic optical control achieves transition times of less than 0.05 ms, resolving the contradiction between speed and image quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed phosphor wheel configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but the color ratio is fixed and cannot be changed during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a polarization modulator to dynamically control the polarization state of excitation light, enabling real-time adjustment of color ratios. By varying the polarization angle, the system can direct different proportions of light to optical paths with and without phosphor, achieving flexible color mixing ratios that can be changed during operation without mechanical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the polarization parameter of the excitation light to control the color output. By modulating the polarization angle through electrical control signals, the system can dynamically adjust the proportion of converted light versus direct excitation light, thereby achieving variable color ratios without changing the physical structure or phosphor wheel configuration.
3Reliability
If mechanical switching of phosphor wheel segments is used, then color conversion is achieved, but the system is prone to noise and has high production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical phosphor wheel and its associated noise issues by replacing it with an all-optical polarization control system. The polarization modulator and beam splitter system has no moving parts, thereby eliminating mechanical noise, vibration, and wear. This also simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces production costs while improving reliability.
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 achieves faster color switching times (less than 0.05 ms) and higher efficiency, reducing noise and production costs while maintaining high color fidelity, allowing for operation at higher frequencies and precise color control.
Implementation Method 1
a first polarization modulator arranged serially between the radiation source and the first splitter, which is designed to modify the polarization of the radiation source depending on a control signal
Implementation Method 2
a first polarization beam splitter... which is designed to split the radiation incident on it depending on the polarization between a first and a second of two optical partial paths
Implementation Method 3
at least one first phosphor, which is designed to convert the excitation radiation into a first conversion radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A light module includes an excitation radiation source designed to emit an excitation radiation having a polarization, at least one first phosphor, an output, at which an output signal is providable, at least one first polarization beam splitter, a first polarization modulator arranged serially between the radiation source and the first splitter. The first modulator is designed to modify the polarization of the radiation source depending on a control signal. The first splitter is designed to split the radiation incident on it depending on the polarization between a first and a second of two optical partial paths connected in parallel with one another. The first optical partial path includes the at least one first phosphor and ends at the output of the light module. The second optical partial path, whilst bypassing the at least one first phosphor, ends at the output of the light module.