Compact Light Source Apparatus for Projectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source apparatuses for projectors require additional components and increased size to generate white light, as they need separate systems to combine blue and yellow light, and other color lights, leading to inefficiencies and larger dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A compact light source apparatus that includes a wavelength converter with a phosphor to convert blue light into yellow fluorescence, combined with blue light using a light combiner, which outputs white light, featuring a wavelength converter with intersecting end and side surfaces and a light combiner with intersecting surfaces, utilizing scatterers and a dichroic prism to optimize light combination and diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If separate light sources and optical systems are used to combine blue light and yellow light to generate white light, then white light generation is achieved, but the size of the light source apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wavelength conversion function and light combination function into a single integrated light source apparatus. The light combiner is positioned to receive both the blue light from the LED and the yellow fluorescence from the phosphor, merging these optical paths to produce white light in a compact configuration without requiring separate light sources and combining systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source apparatus performs multiple functions simultaneously: the LED generates blue light, the phosphor converts some blue light to yellow fluorescence, and the light combiner combines these wavelengths into white light. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for separate components and reduces overall apparatus size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional optical systems are provided to combine fluorescence with other color light, then color light generation is achieved, but the size of the light source apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a light combiner with multiple surfaces (first surface for receiving yellow fluorescence, second surface for outputting combined light, third surface for receiving blue light) to segment and independently control different optical paths. This allows flexible combination of different wavelength lights while maintaining a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The light combiner utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with intersecting surfaces to combine light paths. The first and second surfaces face each other while the third surface intersects them, creating an efficient compact geometry for multi-wavelength light combination without requiring linear extension of the optical path.
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 compact, efficient light source apparatus that reduces etendue, increasing light use efficiency and enabling the production of white light while minimizing the projector's size, with adjustable white balance and improved light distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength converter that at least contains a phosphor and converts the first light outputted from the light source into fluorescence having a wavelength band different from a wavelength band of the first light
Implementation Method 2
The light combiner may contain scatterers that scatter the second light and the fluorescence
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus according to an aspect includes a light source that outputs first light and second light, wavelength converter that contains phosphor and converts first light into fluorescence, and a light combiner that combines second light with fluorescence and outputs the resultant combined light. Wavelength converter has a first end surface and a second end surface and a side surface. Light combiner has a first surface and a second surface and a third surface. First end surface of the wavelength converter faces the first surface of the light combiner. First light enters the wavelength converter via the side surface, and the fluorescence exits out of the wavelength converter via the first end surface. Fluorescence enters the light combiner via the first surface, the second light enters the light combiner via the third surface, and the combined light exits out of the light combiner via the second surface.