Light Source System Etendue-Based Light Combination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser fluorescent projection systems face reduced light efficiency due to the use of red and green phosphors, which result in lower brightness and increased costs, as well as inefficient utilization of laser light, making the technology not cost-effective for improving projection effects.
Innovation Solution
A light source system that includes an excitation light source, a supplemental light source, and a wavelength conversion device, where the supplemental light is converged near a specific region of a light combining element to form a magnified image on the wavelength conversion device, enhancing the combination of excitation and supplemental light with etendue, thereby improving light efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If red and green phosphors are used in laser fluorescent projection systems, then color gamut is expanded, but light efficiency is reduced and brightness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the red and green phosphors from the optical system, removing the source of light efficiency loss. Instead of using phosphors to generate red and green light, the system directly uses red and green laser light sources combined with blue laser light, eliminating the energy conversion losses associated with phosphor materials while maintaining color gamut expansion capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual image of the wavelength conversion device using optical elements (concave lens and convex lens) to generate a magnified intermediate image. This virtual copying approach allows the supplemental light to be precisely positioned and combined with the excitation light path without physical contact, improving light efficiency by reducing absorption and scattering losses that would occur with direct physical interaction
2Illumination intensity
If a supplemental light source is added to improve projection effect, then brightness is improved, but cost increases and light utilization remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the supplemental light path with the excitation light path by using optical elements to form a magnified intermediate image of the wavelength conversion device. This merging allows both light sources to share common optical components and paths, improving light utilization efficiency to about 80% while reducing the number of separate optical systems needed, thereby controlling cost increases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical intermediaries (concave lens and convex lens) that create a virtual intermediate image of the wavelength conversion device. This intermediary mechanism enables precise control of light paths and improves the utilization of supplemental light without requiring direct physical modification of the light sources themselves, maintaining cost-effectiveness
3Adaptability or versatility
If red laser and green laser are used to expand color gamut, then color performance is improved, but photoelectric conversion efficiency decreases and heat dissipation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color generation process by using separate laser sources for red, green, and blue light rather than using a single white light source with phosphor conversion. This segmentation allows each laser to operate at its optimal wavelength with high photoelectric conversion efficiency, avoiding the energy losses associated with broad-spectrum phosphor materials, while the segmented laser beams are then combined to achieve expanded color gamut
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 increases the utilization rate of supplemental light by about 18% compared to existing systems, leading to improved light efficiency and cost-effectiveness in projection systems.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength conversion device configured to perform wavelength conversion on a part of the excitation light and emit first light
Implementation Method 2
the convergent lens is configured to adjust a divergence angle of the first light, and the light splitting and combining element includes a first region, wherein the supplemental light is converged in the vicinity of the first region
Data Source
AI summary
A light source system comprises: an exciting light source for emitting exciting light; a supplemental light source for emitting supplemental light; a wavelength conversion apparatus for converting the wavelength of part of the exciting light and emitting first light; and a guide apparatus comprising a converging lens and a light combining element. The converging lens is used for adjusting a divergence angle of the first light. The light combining element comprises a first region. The supplemental light focuses on the vicinity of the first region, and the supplemental light and the first light emitted from the converging lens are combined with etendue at the light combining element. Light spots of the first light on a surface of the wavelength conversion apparatus form a magnified image at the light combining element by means of the converging lens.