Micro LED Projector with Moving Color Filter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional projectors using liquid crystal display (LCD) or digital light processing (DLP) technologies face issues with complex structure, large size, low luminous efficiency, and high cost due to the need for separate light sources and expensive components.

Innovation Solution

A projector utilizing a self-luminous micro LED display panel with a color filter and a filter driver to produce color images, where the color filter moves to selectively filter light emitted by the micro LEDs, eliminating the need for a separate light source and complex optics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If LCD or DLP technology is used with separate light sources, then color images can be projected, but the structure becomes complex and size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidoptical system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light source function with the display panel by using self-luminous micro LEDs that emit light directly without requiring external illumination systems. This integration eliminates separate light sources and complex optical components, achieving both structure simplicity and color image projection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The micro LEDs serve dual functions as both display elements and light sources. Each micro LED emits light directly to form color images, eliminating the need for external light sources and complex optical systems. The display panel is self-luminous, reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If multiple LCDs and optical components are used to represent color images, then color projection is achieved, but luminous efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluminous efficiencyVSAvoidoptical component quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary optical components (lenses, mirrors, prisms) from the system by using self-luminous micro LEDs that project light directly. This removal of redundant components improves luminous efficiency by reducing energy losses in optical pathways while maintaining color projection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical optical systems with direct light emission from micro LEDs. Instead of using mechanical optical components to redirect and filter light, the micro LEDs generate color light directly through electroluminescence, improving energy efficiency and reducing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If DMDs and color filter wheels are used, then color images can be projected, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcomponent cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive micro LED components that can be mass-produced and replaced, eliminating the need for expensive DMDs and color filter wheels. The micro LEDs are simple, durable light-emitting elements that reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining projection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the display function using micro LEDs that directly emit light, replacing expensive DMDs with simpler light-emitting components. This substitution maintains the essential projection function while dramatically reducing component cost and manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 solution enhances brightness efficiency, reduces projector size, and lowers manufacturing costs by simplifying the structure and eliminating the need for expensive components like DMDs and prisms, while maintaining high-quality color projection.

Implementation Method 1

a color filter disposed in front of the monochromatic self-luminous display panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

a micro lens array disposed in front of or behind the color filter and configured to convert light emitted from the monochromatic self-luminous display panel into parallel light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight parallelization: Lens

Data Source

PatentUS11550143B2Projector

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A projector includes a monochromatic self-luminous display panel; a color filter disposed in front of the monochromatic self-luminous display panel; a filter driver configured to move the color filter in direction parallel to the monochromatic self-luminous display panel; a micro lens array disposed in front of or behind the color filter and configured to convert light emitted from the monochromatic self-luminous display panel into parallel light; a projection lens disposed in front of the micro lens array and the color filter and configured to project light that has passed through the micro lens array and the color filter onto a screen; and a processor configured to control the monochromatic self-luminous display panel and the filter driver.