Polarizer-Free 3D Printer Projection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
3D printers using liquid crystal screens have high power consumption due to the loss of non-polarized light as it passes through polarizers, leading to inefficient light utilization and increased energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
A projection device for 3D printers that employs a display panel without polarizers, utilizing electrochromic or electrophoretic materials to create light transmission and shielding regions, allowing non-polarized light to pass through with minimal loss, thereby reducing the required light source power and overall printer energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a liquid crystal screen with polarizers is used as the projection device, then the image can be displayed with light transmission and shielding regions, but the power consumption is high due to loss of non-polarized light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the polarizers from the projection system entirely. By extracting these light-blocking components, the system allows non-polarized light to pass through the light transmission regions without being filtered out, thereby maintaining high light transmission efficiency while dramatically reducing power consumption requirements of the light source
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical properties of the display panel by using electrochromic or electrophoretic materials that can switch between transparent and opaque states without requiring polarization. This parameter change in the display mechanism eliminates the need for polarizers and enables efficient transmission of non-polarized light
2Ease of operation
If polarizers are used in the projection device, then light transmission control is achieved, but light intensity is reduced due to absorption of non-polarized light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical polarization mechanism with an electrochromic or electrophoretic display system that controls light transmission through electrical actuation of material phase changes or particle movement. This substitution eliminates the need for polarizers while maintaining precise light transmission control and preserving light intensity
3Reliability
If a conventional liquid crystal screen is used, then the projection function is achieved, but energy efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the polarizer components from the conventional liquid crystal screen system, the patent eliminates the primary source of energy loss. The extracted polarizer-free design maintains reliable projection functionality while dramatically improving energy efficiency by allowing maximum light transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the projection system from a polarization-based liquid crystal display to an electrochromic or electrophoretic display system. This parameter change in the display technology enables the system to maintain projection reliability while operating with significantly lower energy consumption
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 solution results in a significant reduction of power consumption in 3D printers by maintaining light intensity and reducing energy usage, making the technology more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochromic material is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrochromic material becomes black to form the light shielding region when an electric field is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the electrochromic material becomes transparent to form the light transmission region when no electric field is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode
Implementation Method 2
the pixel unit is provided with a solvent and a plurality of electrophoretic particles disposed in the solvent, and the projection device is configured such that an electric field is formed within the pixel unit to control the plurality of electrophoretic particles to cover the top wall or the side walls, to form the light shading region or the light transmission region
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a projection device for a 3D printer, the projection device including a light source and a display panel for displaying an image to be printed, the image to be printed including a light transmission region and/or a light shielding region. The projection device is configured such that lights emitted from the light source pass through the light transmission region, and that the lights passing through the light transmission region from the light source are non-polarized lights. The present disclosure also provides a 3D printer.