Piezoelectric Actuator Vibration for Laser Speckle Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical deflector systems for projection displays using laser light sources suffer from speckle noise, which degrades image quality, and existing solutions require additional optical elements and drive mechanisms, increasing system size, power consumption, and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact actuator device for optical deflectors that uses piezoelectric actuators to translate and vibrate the optical deflector, creating small optical path differences and averaging speckle patterns, thereby reducing coherence between adjacent pixels without the need for additional optical elements or drive mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If additional optical elements and drive mechanisms are added to reduce speckle noise, then speckle noise is reduced, but system size, power consumption, and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the speckle reduction function with the existing optical deflector system by integrating a vibration mechanism directly into the deflector's support structure. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate optical elements and drive mechanisms, reducing system complexity while maintaining speckle noise reduction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical deflector system serves dual purposes: it performs its primary function of deflecting and scanning light beams while simultaneously reducing speckle noise through integrated vibration. The system uses its own structural components for speckle reduction rather than requiring external dedicated mechanisms, achieving self-service functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional optical elements and drive mechanisms are added to reduce speckle noise, then speckle noise is reduced, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration mechanism for speckle reduction is merged with the existing support structure of the optical deflector. By utilizing the deflector's own mounting components as the vibration source, the patent avoids adding external optical elements and drive mechanisms, thereby preventing increase in system volume
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional optical elements and drive mechanisms are added to reduce speckle noise, then speckle noise is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its existing operational movements to achieve speckle reduction. The optical deflector's normal scanning and positioning movements simultaneously serve to create the necessary vibrations for speckle pattern averaging, eliminating the need for additional power-consuming dedicated vibration drive mechanisms
4Object-affected harmful factors
If polarization distribution converting means is used to reduce speckle noise, then speckle noise is reduced, but laser beam diameter must be expanded requiring additional lens or enlarging optical system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the speckle reduction function from the optical path itself and implements it through mechanical vibration of the deflector. This extraction eliminates the need for polarization distribution converting means and associated beam expansion optics, maintaining a compact optical system
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
Effectively reduces speckle noise in projection displays while maintaining a small and simple system configuration, improving image quality without increasing system size or power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
at least one piezoelectric actuator to translate and vibrate the base
Implementation Method 2
an optical deflector for deflecting and scanning a light beam
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator device for optical deflector includes a base for mounting an optical deflector deflecting a light beam from a light source, at least one piezoelectric actuator translating and vibrating said base; and a supporting body supporting said piezoelectric actuator.