μ-LED Projection Optics With Light-Collecting Protrusions for Brightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional projection technologies using DLP or LCD are large, noisy, and inefficient in utilizing light due to subtractive systems, while μ-LEDs lack brightness due to wide emission angles, making them unsuitable for compact and high-performance projection devices.
Innovation Solution
A projection device with a light collecting structure featuring conical protrusions that optically couples to μ-LEDs, restricting the angular space of emitted light and enhancing brightness, allowing for compact and efficient light projection without mechanical synchronization or precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional DLP or LCD projection technology is used, then projection functionality is achieved, but device size becomes large and mechanical components become noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical projection systems (DLP with moving mirrors, LCD with liquid crystal layers) with a static μ-LED array that directly emits light patterns. The μ-LED matrix eliminates mechanical moving parts, color wheels, and complex optical path switching mechanisms, achieving projection functionality through direct light emission from controlled LED pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary mechanical components from traditional projection systems. By using a static μ-LED array with integrated color filtering or multiplexing at the LED level, the system eliminates color wheels, moving mirrors, and complex synchronization mechanisms, retaining only the essential light emission and modulation functions.
2Device complexity
If μ-LEDs are used for projection, then device compactness is improved, but brightness is insufficient due to wide emission angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the wide emission angle problem by introducing optical elements such as microlenses or light guiding structures that redirect light in the vertical dimension. These elements collect light emitted at wide angles and redirect it forward, effectively converting the isotropic emission pattern into a directional beam without changing the fundamental μ-LED structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the optical parameters of the μ-LED system by integrating photonic structures (microlenses, photonic crystals, or reflective layers) that change the light emission characteristics. These structures alter the angular distribution of emitted light, concentrating it in the forward direction to increase brightness while maintaining the compact μ-LED form factor.
3Reliability
If conventional white-light projectors are used, then projection is achieved, but light utilization efficiency is low due to subtractive systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional subtractive projection approach by using additive color mixing with μ-LEDs. Instead of starting with white light and subtracting colors through filters or absorptive elements, the system generates red, green, and blue light directly from μ-LEDs and combines them additively to form the final image, eliminating light absorption losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each μ-LED pixel multi-functional by enabling it to emit multiple colors through techniques such as quantum dot conversion, phosphor integration, or rapid color switching. This allows a single μ-LED structure to perform the function of multiple dedicated color LEDs or white light sources with filters, improving overall light utilization efficiency.
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
The light collecting structure increases light output and brightness, enabling compact and cost-effective projection devices that utilize μ-LEDs efficiently, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components and synchronization.
Implementation Method 1
a light collecting structure (2) having individual protrusions, the protrusions being optically coupled to individual LEDs of the LED array in such a way as to restrict the angular space of a light emitted by the individual LED
Implementation Method 2
restricting the angular space of emitted light and enhancing brightness
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment a projection device includes an LED array on which a plurality of micro LEDs is arranged at regular intervals, projection optics spaced from the LED array and configured to receive light emitted from the LED array and to project the light onto a projection surface and a light collecting structure comprising individual protrusions, wherein the protrusions are optically coupled to individual LEDs of the LED array such that they restrict an angular space of light emitted by the individual LED and/or make an emission uniform.