Light Source Device With Shifted Collimator Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projector designs that increase the number of laser light sources and collimator lenses two-dimensionally to achieve high luminance result in a large and costly condenser lens, increasing manufacturing costs and projector size.
Innovation Solution
A light source device with plural light sources and collimator lenses arranged in a plane, where the collimator lenses are shifted parallel to the light sources to focus light beams on a specific region, reducing the need for a large condenser lens and simplifying the projector's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the number of laser light sources and collimator lenses is increased and arranged two-dimensionally to attain high luminance, then luminance is improved, but a relatively large condenser lens becomes necessary, increasing manufacturing costs and projector size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the illumination system into multiple independent light source units, each consisting of a laser light source and its corresponding collimator lens. These units are arranged in a two-dimensional array, with each unit independently focusing light onto specific regions of the phosphor wheel. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single large condenser lens, as each small-sized collimator lens handles a portion of the total illumination area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional or centralized light source arrangement to a two-dimensional array of light source units. By distributing light sources and collimator lenses across a plane rather than using a single centralized path, the system achieves high luminance through parallel illumination of multiple phosphor regions, eliminating the requirement for a large condenser lens that would be needed in a centralized configuration.
2Illumination intensity
If the number of laser light sources and collimator lenses is increased and arranged two-dimensionally to attain high luminance, then luminance is improved, but manufacturing costs increase due to the large condenser lens
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple independent light source units, each with its own small collimator lens. This segmentation allows the use of smaller, less expensive optical components compared to a single large condenser lens, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high luminance through the combined output of multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple copies of identical or similar light source and collimator lens units arranged in a two-dimensional array. By replicating a standardized, small-scale unit design rather than designing and manufacturing a single large condenser lens, the system achieves cost efficiency through standardized production and assembly of multiple identical components.
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 high-luminance projector with a simpler structure and lower manufacturing costs, as the light source device achieves focused illumination with a smaller condenser lens or without one, maintaining high luminance and uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
The light beams emitted from the light sources are refracted by the collimator lenses and focused on the certain region
Data Source
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AI summary
A light source device includes: light sources arranged in a plane; collimator lenses disposed in the vicinities of corresponding each of the light sources, each of the collimator lenses collimating a light beam emitted from the corresponding light source, and a holder that holds the light sources and the collimator lenses. The holder holds the light sources and the collimator lenses so that optical axes of the collimator lenses are parallel with the optical axes of the light sources and respectively shifted relative to the latter by shift lengths that are set so that light beams emitted from the light sources via the collimator lenses are focused on a certain region of an illumination subject body. The light beams emitted from the light sources are refracted by the collimator lenses and focused on the certain region.