Phosphor Rod Support Structure to Prevent Light Emission Inclination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The orientation of the light emission surface of a phosphor rod in a light source apparatus can change when lifted by foreign matter, leading to undesirable optical characteristics, particularly when the tip of the phosphor rod is inclined.

Innovation Solution

A light source apparatus with a light emitter, a light guide member, an angle conversion member, and a support member that supports the light guide member, where the angle conversion member is fixed to a protrusion of the light guide member and the support member is not in contact with the protrusion, ensuring stable light emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the phosphor rod is held in the groove of the heat conduction member with the phosphor rod pressed by a spring, then the phosphor rod can be securely positioned and heat can be dissipated, but the orientation of the light emission surface changes when foreign matter lifts the phosphor rod, degrading optical characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure positioning of phosphor rodVSAvoidforeign matter intrusion causing inclination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide member is divided into a groove portion (for heat dissipation contact) and a protrusion portion (for optical function). This segmentation allows the support member to contact only the groove portion, leaving the protrusion portion with the light emission surface free from foreign matter intrusion, thus resolving the contradiction between secure positioning and preventing inclination caused by foreign matter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion portion acts as an intermediary that separates the heat dissipation function (groove portion) from the optical function (light emission surface). By making the support member contact only the groove portion through the protrusion, the system prevents foreign matter from affecting the light emission surface orientation while maintaining secure positioning and heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the support member contacts the light guide member at multiple points including the protrusion, then stable support is achieved, but foreign matter between the support member and protrusion causes the light emission surface to incline

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable support of light guide memberVSAvoidorientation precision of light emission surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide member is segmented into a groove portion (for stable support contact) and a protrusion portion (for precise optical function). This segmentation ensures that the support member contacts only the groove portion, preventing foreign matter from interfering with the protrusion's light emission surface orientation, thus maintaining both stability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the light guide member are assigned different functions: the groove portion provides a stable contact surface for support, while the protrusion portion maintains precise orientation for light emission. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between stable support and orientation precision by preventing foreign matter from affecting the critical optical interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Maintains desired optical characteristics by preventing the light emission surface from being inclined due to foreign matter, enhancing the performance and reliability of the light source apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide member that the light emitted from the light emitter enters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an angle conversion member that converts an angular distribution of light output from the light guide member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12549693B2Light source apparatus and projector

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A light source apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a light emitter that outputs light, a light guide member that the light emitted from the light emitter enters, an angle conversion member that converts the angular distribution of the light output from the light guide member, and a support member having a groove that supports the light guide member, the light emission surface of the light emitter facing a third surface of the light guide member, the groove having a support surface that supports a fourth surface of the light guide member, the light guide member including a first protrusion that protrudes from the groove toward one side of the first axis, the first protrusion having a first surface, the angle conversion member fixed to the first surface of the first protrusion, and the support member not being in contact with the first protrusion.