Light-Splitting Unit for Compact Projection Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to reduce the size of projection apparatuses while maintaining the quality of light beams, as existing systems require additional optical devices to adjust light paths, making them bulky and difficult to miniaturize.
Innovation Solution
An illumination system with a light-splitting unit featuring a transparent substrate and a first optical film with a hole, along with a wavelength conversion device, allows the excitation beam to pass through and be converted without additional optical devices, reducing the overall volume and maintaining optical quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional optical devices (lenses, field lenses, reflective mirrors) are used to adjust light paths in wavelength conversion units, then the light path can be properly adjusted, but the size of the projection apparatus increases and becomes difficult to miniaturize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wavelength conversion function and the light path adjustment function into a single integrated wavelength conversion unit. The reflective mirror is positioned at the back of the wavelength conversion unit to reflect excitation light back through the wavelength conversion material, eliminating the need for separate light path adjustment devices and reducing overall apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The wavelength conversion unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it converts the wavelength of excitation light and also adjusts the light path through its integrated reflective mirror structure. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed in the projection apparatus.
2Productivity
If wavelength conversion units with large light transmission areas are used to allow excitation beams to pass through, then wavelength conversion can be effective, but the apparatus size increases and miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the light path is folded back through the wavelength conversion unit using a reflective mirror. The excitation light passes through the wavelength conversion material, is reflected back, and passes through the material again, effectively nesting the light path within the compact unit and doubling the conversion interaction without increasing the physical footprint.
3Reliability
If multiple optical devices are added to generate appropriate light paths for projection, then image projection quality can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wavelength conversion function and light path adjustment function into a single integrated wavelength conversion unit with an embedded reflective mirror. This consolidation reduces the total number of optical components while maintaining the necessary light path configuration for high-quality image projection.
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 enables a compact projection apparatus that produces uniform beams and high-quality images without the need for extra optical devices, achieving reduced volume and consistent optical quality.
Implementation Method 1
the first optical film of the light-splitting unit reflects the excitation beam that comes from the diffusion area
Implementation Method 2
the at least one wavelength conversion area cutting into the transmission path of the excitation beam reflects the excitation beam and converts the excitation beam into a conversion beam transmitted to the light-splitting unit. Here, a wavelength of the conversion beam is different from a wavelength of the excitation beam
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination system including an excitation light source module configured to emit an excitation beam, a wavelength conversion device, and a light-splitting unit on a transmission path of the excitation beam and between the excitation light source module and the wavelength conversion device is provided. The light-splitting unit includes a transparent substrate and a first optical film with a hole through which the excitation beam is transmitted to the wavelength conversion device. A wavelength conversion area and a diffusion area of the wavelength conversion device cut into the transmission path by turns. The wavelength conversion area converts the excitation beam into a conversion beam transmitted to the light-splitting unit. The diffusion area reflects the excitation beam to the light-splitting unit; the first optical film reflects the excitation beam coming from the diffusion area. Wavelengths of the conversion beam and excitation beam are different. A projection apparatus is also provided.