Microlens Array Illumination Layout for Uniform Laser-Phosphor Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination systems face issues of light energy loss and poor light uniformity due to the overlap of laser wavelengths with phosphor light wavebands, requiring optical elements that sacrifice light energy and cause non-uniformity.
Innovation Solution
An illumination system with a light source module, wavelength conversion device, and microlens array module, utilizing separate light guiding assemblies to direct green, blue, and red laser beams to distinct regions of the microlens array, avoiding overlap and enhancing light uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If green or red laser is combined with phosphor light to overlap light paths, then light energy loss occurs due to sacrifice of light with overlapped wavebands by optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The microlens array is divided into a first region and a second region. The first region receives phosphor light converted from blue laser, while the second region receives green laser light. This spatial segmentation allows different wavelength lights to be guided through separate paths without overlapping, eliminating the need for transflective lenses that cause energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of combining light paths in the same spatial dimension, the patent uses temporal dimension by making the wavelength conversion region and wavelength non-conversion region enter the transmission path at different time periods. This allows blue laser (for phosphor conversion) and green laser to be transmitted at different times without interference, avoiding energy loss.
2Loss of energy
If green or red laser and phosphor light are incident to different positions of light uniformizing element, then light uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical paths of phosphor light and green laser at the microlens array module. Both light types are incident on the microlens array and emitted from the same second side surface, allowing them to be combined into a single illumination beam that maintains uniformity while avoiding energy loss through separate positioning.
3Use of energy by moving object
If transflective lens or light splitter is used to combine green or red laser with phosphor light, then optical path complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the green laser path from the traditional optical path that requires transflective lenses. By directing green laser directly to the microlens array through a separate light guiding assembly, the system eliminates the need for complex transflective optical elements, simplifying the overall optical path while maintaining energy 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 system achieves reduced light energy loss and improved light uniformity by guiding laser beams through separate paths, ensuring efficient energy distribution and uniform illumination.
Implementation Method 1
the wavelength conversion region is configured to convert the plurality of blue laser beams to generate a phosphor light beam
Implementation Method 2
the microlens array module is disposed in a transmission path of the plurality of green laser beams, the plurality of blue laser beams and the phosphor light beam
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 2D~2E
AI summary
An illumination system and a projection apparatus are provided. The illumination system includes a light source module, a wavelength conversion device, a first light guiding assembly, a second light guiding assembly and a microlens array module. The light source module is configured to provide a plurality of green and blue laser beams. The wavelength conversion device is configured to generate a phosphor light beam. The first light guiding assembly and the second light guiding assembly are configured to respectively guide the phosphor light beam and the green laser beams. The phosphor light beam forms a phosphor light spot on a first region of a first side surface of the microlens array module. The plurality of green laser beams form a plurality of green light spots on a second region of the first side surface of the microlens array module. The first region is adjacent to the second region.