Light Source Apparatus Polarization Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing projector technologies face challenges in reducing the size of the light source apparatus due to the difficulty in manufacturing small-interval polarization converters required for aligning the polarization direction of light, which affects the overall size of the projector.

Innovation Solution

A light source apparatus that outputs multiple color luminous fluxes with aligned polarization directions using a configuration involving a light source section, polarization separators, a diffusion element, and wavelength converters, eliminating the need for small-interval polarization converters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a small-interval polarization converter is used to align polarization directions of light, then color reproducibility and visual sensitivity are improved, but the size of the light source apparatus and projector increases and manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolarization alignment precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the polarization conversion function into multiple separate polarization separators positioned at different locations in the optical path. Each polarization separator handles a specific portion of the light flux, allowing for larger individual component sizes that are easier to manufacture while achieving the overall polarization alignment goal through distributed segmentation of the optical path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-plane polarization conversion approach to a multi-dimensional spatial arrangement of polarization separators. By positioning polarization separators at different locations and orientations in three-dimensional space, the system achieves polarization alignment without requiring small intervals in a single plane, thus easing manufacturing constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolarization alignment precisionVSAvoidprojector size

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the polarization conversion function across multiple locations in the optical path, allowing each component to be larger and easier to manufacture. This distributed approach achieves the required polarization alignment precision without concentrating all components in a small interval, thereby reducing the overall projector volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of polarization separators instead of confining them to a single small interval. By distributing components along the optical path in multiple dimensions, the system achieves polarization alignment while minimizing the overall footprint and volume of the projector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If a small-interval polarization converter is used to align polarization directions of light, then color reproducibility and visual sensitivity are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolarization alignment precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the polarization conversion into multiple separate, larger components that are easier and less costly to manufacture individually. This segmentation approach reduces manufacturing cost by avoiding the need for precision manufacturing of small-interval components, while still achieving the required polarization alignment precision through the distributed configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If unpolarized light from a lamp source is used, then light source versatility is maintained, but polarization alignment for liquid crystal display requires additional complex components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight source versatilityVSAvoidpolarization converter complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the polarization conversion function into multiple separate polarization separators positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the system to work with unpolarized light from versatile lamp sources while distributing the polarization alignment task across multiple simpler components, reducing overall device complexity compared to a single complex polarization converter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 allows for a reduced size of the light source apparatus and projector while improving color reproducibility and visual sensitivity by aligning polarization directions without requiring small-interval polarization converters, enhancing the efficiency of light utilization and manufacturing cost reduction.

Implementation Method 1

a first polarization separator that transmits in a first direction the first light polarized in the first polarization direction and incident from the light source section along the first direction and reflects in a second direction intersecting the first direction the first light polarized in the second polarization direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

a diffusion element that is disposed in a position shifted in the second direction from the first polarization separator, diffuses the first light incident from the first polarization separator along the second direction, and emits the diffused first light in a third direction opposite the second direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

a first wavelength converter that is disposed in a position shifted in the second direction from the second polarization separator, converts in terms of wavelength the portion of the first light incident from the second polarization separator along the second direction, and emits second light having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength conversion: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS11523093B2Light source apparatus and projector

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A light source apparatus includes a light source section that outputs first light, a first polarization separator that separates the first light in terms of polarization, a second polarization separator that reflects in the second direction a portion of the first light polarized in the first polarization direction and transmits the other portion of the first light polarized in the first polarization direction, a diffusion element that diffuses the first light incident from the first polarization separator, a first wavelength converter that converts in terms of wavelength the portion of the first light incident from the second polarization separator and emits second light, and a second wavelength converter that converts in terms of wavelength the other portion of the first light incident from the second polarization separator and emits third light.