Light Source Device Segmentation for Polarization Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projector technologies face challenges in reducing size due to the difficulty in manufacturing narrow-pitch polarization conversion elements, which are necessary for uniforming the polarization direction of light beams, leading to limitations in miniaturizing the light source device and projector.
Innovation Solution
A light source device that emits linearly polarized colored light beams with uniform polarization directions using a configuration involving a light source section, polarization split elements, a diffusion element, and a wavelength conversion element, without requiring a narrow-pitch polarization conversion element, allowing for spatial separation and efficient light modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a polarization conversion element with narrow pitch is used to uniform the polarization direction of light beams, then the polarization uniformity is improved, but the device size cannot be reduced due to manufacturing difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the polarization conversion function into multiple separate polarization split elements arranged in a specific configuration. Instead of using a single narrow-pitch polarization conversion element, the system segments the function across multiple elements with wider spacing, making the overall structure manufacturable and easier to assemble while achieving the same polarization uniformity effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional narrow-pitch structure to a two-dimensional or three-dimensional arrangement of polarization split elements. By distributing elements across multiple dimensions with larger spacing, the design avoids the manufacturing constraints of narrow-pitch elements while maintaining polarization conversion effectiveness.
2Productivity
If a polarization conversion element with narrow pitch is used to uniform the polarization direction, then the light modulation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to manufacturing constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the polarization conversion function across multiple polarization split elements, each with standard pitch dimensions. This segmentation maintains light modulation efficiency by ensuring proper polarization uniformity while reducing device complexity by using manufacturable, standard-pitch components that are easier to produce and assemble.
3Volume of moving object
If the pitch between polarization split layer and reflecting layer is reduced to miniaturize the device, then the device size is reduced, but the manufacturing difficulty increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the pitch constraint by transitioning to a multi-dimensional arrangement of polarization split elements. Instead of reducing pitch in one dimension, the design distributes elements across multiple dimensions with larger spacing, maintaining compact overall device size while using manufacturing-friendly pitch dimensions for each individual element.
4Manufacturing precision
If a conventional polarization conversion element is used, then the polarization direction uniformity is achieved, but the projector size cannot be reduced due to the element's physical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the polarization conversion function into multiple polarization split elements arranged in a configuration that achieves polarization direction uniformity while occupying less overall space. By distributing the conversion function across multiple elements rather than using a single large element, the projector size is reduced while maintaining the required polarization uniformity.
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
Enables the reduction of the light source device and projector size while maintaining efficient light modulation and increasing the luminosity and color reproducibility of the projection image by eliminating the need for narrow-pitch polarization conversion elements.
Implementation Method 1
a first polarization split element which is configured to transmit the first light beam entering the first polarization split element from the light source section along a first direction and polarized in the first polarization direction toward the first direction, and is configured to reflect the first light beam polarized in the second polarization direction toward a second direction crossing the first direction
Implementation Method 2
a diffusion element disposed at the second direction side of the first polarization split element, and configured to diffuse the first light beam which enters the diffusion element along the second direction from the first polarization split element
Implementation Method 3
a wavelength conversion element disposed at the second direction side of the second polarization split element, configured to perform wavelength conversion on the first light beam which enters the wavelength conversion element along the second direction from the second polarization split element
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device according to the present disclosure includes a light source section for emitting first light, a first polarization split element for performing polarization split on the first light, a second polarization split element for reflecting the first light polarized in a first polarization direction and transmitting the first light polarized in a second polarization direction, a diffusion element for diffusing the first light from the first polarization split element, a wavelength conversion element for performing wavelength conversion on the first light entering the wavelength conversion element from the second polarization split element to emit second light, and an optical element having a flat-surface area and the concave-surface area.