Light Source Device Optical Path Optimization for Projectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current projector technologies face challenges in achieving both high brightness and color reproducibility due to the use of multiple laser light sources, which increases the size of the light source device and limits the arrangement of these sources, leading to decreased light use efficiency and poor color reproducibility when combining red laser light and fluorescent light.
Innovation Solution
A light source device configuration that includes a blue laser light source, a red laser light source, and a wavelength conversion unit, with dichroic mirrors or notch filters strategically placed to enhance the red and green components of fluorescent light, allowing for improved color reproducibility while minimizing the size of the device by optimizing the arrangement of optical paths and filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple laser light sources are used to achieve high brightness and color reproducibility, then color reproducibility is improved, but the size of the light source device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources (blue laser, red laser, and fluorescent light) into a single integrated light source device with a shared optical path. The blue laser excites the fluorescent wheel to generate green and red light, which is then combined with direct red laser light and blue light through dichroic mirrors, achieving high brightness and color reproducibility in a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The blue laser light source serves multiple functions: it provides blue light directly for projection and simultaneously excites the fluorescent wheel to generate green and red light components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate light sources and contributes to device downsizing while maintaining high brightness output.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple laser light sources are arranged to achieve high brightness, then brightness is improved, but light use efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical paths of multiple light sources through a shared illumination path with dichroic mirrors that combine blue laser light, red laser light, and fluorescent light. This consolidation allows efficient use of generated light and reduces losses associated with separate optical paths, improving light use efficiency while maintaining high brightness.
3Illumination intensity
If filters are placed on the optical path to enhance color components, then color reproducibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dichroic mirrors to merge multiple optical paths (blue laser, red laser, fluorescent light) into a single illumination path. These mirrors are strategically positioned to combine light components efficiently, enhancing color reproducibility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through path consolidation rather than adding multiple separate filter systems.
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 light use efficiency and color reproducibility by strategically placing filters to avoid aligning optical axes, reducing the size of the light source device, and maintaining brightness, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength conversion unit to convert at least a portion of the first color light into a third color light
Implementation Method 2
a first filter to reflect the first color light toward the wavelength conversion unit
Implementation Method 3
a second filter to reflect the second color light toward the light incident element
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device includes: a first light source to emit first color light; a second light source to emit second color light; a wavelength conversion unit to convert at least a portion of the first color light into a third color light; a light incident element to which the first color light, the second color light, and the third color light enter; a first filter to reflect the first color light toward the wavelength conversion unit; and a second filter to reflect the second color light toward the light incident element. The first filter and the second filter are separately disposed on an optical path of the third color light between the wavelength conversion unit and the light incident element.