Prism Light Guide for Laser Projector Fluorescence Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source apparatuses suffer from decreased fluorescence conversion efficiency due to inefficient excitation light incidence on phosphors, resulting in insufficient brightness of generated fluorescence.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus comprising a first laser light emitter, a wavelength converter, and a prism member with intersecting optical elements that guide and reflect excitation light to ensure efficient incidence on the wavelength converter, enhancing the angle of incidence and thus improving fluorescence conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If excitation light sources are provided along the support surface to emit light in parallel to the support surface, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the excitation light cannot be efficiently incident on the phosphor, resulting in decreased fluorescence conversion efficiency and insufficient brightness
Solution Approach 1:
A light guiding member is introduced as an intermediary component between the excitation light source and the phosphor. This mediator captures the parallel light from the LED and redirects it to incident on the phosphor at an efficient angle, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and fluorescence conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical parameters of the excitation light are changed by using a light guiding member with specific refractive index and geometric shape. This changes the light propagation direction and incident angle on the phosphor, improving fluorescence conversion efficiency while maintaining the simple parallel LED configuration.
2Device complexity
If excitation light sources are provided along the support surface to emit light in parallel to the support surface, then the structural complexity is reduced, but the brightness of generated fluorescence is insufficient due to inefficient excitation light incidence
Solution Approach 1:
The light guiding member serves as a mediator that enhances the brightness of fluorescence by efficiently directing excitation light onto the phosphor. This allows the system to maintain low device complexity while achieving high fluorescence brightness through optimized light routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guiding member creates a periodic optical path where light is repeatedly reflected and directed toward the phosphor, increasing the effective incident light intensity and thus the fluorescence brightness without adding complex active components.
3Ease of operation
If parallel light emission from excitation light sources along the support surface is used, then the ease of operation is improved and alignment is simplified, but the excitation light cannot be efficiently incident on the phosphor, resulting in energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The light guiding member acts as an operational intermediary that maintains the simplicity of parallel LED alignment while automatically performing the complex task of redirecting light to the phosphor. This preserves ease of operation while eliminating energy loss through efficient optical coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guiding member is designed to automatically capture and redirect parallel light from the LED without requiring external alignment or adjustment. The structure itself performs the light routing function, making the system easy to operate while minimizing energy loss.
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 significantly increases the amount of excitation light entering the wavelength converter, up to 3.5 times more than traditional designs, leading to brighter and more efficient fluorescence generation.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflection surface configured to reflect the first light emitted from the first light incident surface and deflect the optical path of the first light
Implementation Method 2
a wavelength converter configured to convert the first light into second light having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus includes a first laser light emitter that emits first light, a wavelength converter that converts the first light into second light, a base including a first support part that supports the first laser light emitter and a second support part that supports the wavelength converter, and a first optical element that guides the first light to the wavelength converter. The first optical element has a first light incident surface which faces the first laser light emitter, a first reflection surface that reflects the first light emitted from the first light incident surface and deflects the optical path of the first light, and a first light exiting surface which faces the wavelength converter and via which the first light reflected off the first reflection surface exits. The first light incident surface, the first reflection surface, and the first light exiting surface intersect with each other.