Light-Output System Array Optical Projection Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic projection devices have low luminous efficiency, using only a small fraction of the light generated to form controllable light patterns, limiting their effectiveness in creating desired lighting atmospheres.
Innovation Solution
A light-output system comprising an array of individually controllable light-output devices with an optical system that projects light as a larger array of illuminated spots, achieving higher luminous efficiency by utilizing the optical system to translate the light-output device pitch to a larger projection pitch without moving parts or spatial light modulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If electronic projectors are used to form controllable light patterns, then controllable patterns can be created, but luminous efficiency is very low (only about 5% of generated light is used)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the light output function into multiple individual light-output devices arranged in an array, where each device corresponds to a specific spot in the projection plane. This segmentation eliminates the need for spatial light modulators and enables direct projection of light patterns with high efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical system acts as an intermediary between the array of light-output devices and the projection plane, projecting the light from each device to its corresponding spot. This optical mediation enables the transformation of the light-output device array into a projected pattern array with matching spatial relationships.
2Ease of manufacture
If light patterns are projected using conventional projectors, then controllable patterns are achieved, but the system size is large and cost is high due to moving parts and spatial light modulators
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex components (spatial light modulators and moving parts) from the projection system, retaining only the essential light-output devices and optical projection elements. This extraction simplifies the system while maintaining the core functionality of controllable light pattern projection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical systems (moving parts and spatial light modulators) with a static array of light-output devices and an optical projection system. This substitution eliminates mechanical complexity while achieving the same controllable pattern projection function through optical means.
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 significantly improves luminous efficiency by using nearly all the light output for projecting patterns, allowing for compact and cost-efficient systems that can produce high-resolution, controllable light patterns with adjustable color and positioning.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system arranged between the array of light-output devices and the projection plane, the optical system being configured to project light emitted by the array of light-output devices in the projection plane
Data Source
AI summary
A light-output system (1), for forming a controllable pattern (10) of illuminated spots (11a-b) in a distant projection plane (3). The light-output system (1) comprises a plurality of individually controllable light-output devices (6a-c) arranged in an array (5) of light-output devices with a light-output device pitch (PLS), and an optical system (7) arranged between the array (5) of light-output devices and the projection plane (3). The optical system (1) is configured to project light emitted by the array (5) of light-output devices in the projection plane (5) as a projected array of illuminated spots (11a-c) having a projection pitch (Pspot) that is larger than the light-output device pitch (PLS). Using this light-output system, practically all of the luminous power output by the light-output devices is used for projecting the light patterns.