Projection Light Engine With Focused Diffusion for High-Brightness Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current projection apparatuses face challenges in achieving high brightness and efficient light energy utilization due to bulky and complex light-combining structures, which limit the adjustment of light spot size and shape, and require multiple optical elements that reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A projection apparatus design utilizing a focusing lens and an asymmetric diffusing element to shape and uniformly illuminate the light spot, eliminating the need for homogenizers and other optical elements, allowing for adjustable light spot size and shape through actuating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If more laser light sources are added to increase brightness, then the projection brightness is improved, but the light-combining structure becomes bulky and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple laser light sources of different colors (red, green, blue) into a single integrated illumination system that feeds into one light valve, eliminating the need for separate light-combining elements for each color channel. This consolidation reduces structural complexity while maintaining high brightness through the combined output of multiple light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system is designed to handle multiple wavelengths and colors simultaneously through a single optical path, allowing the same optical components to serve multiple functions (combining different colors, focusing, and illuminating the light valve) without requiring separate dedicated paths for each color.
2Ease of manufacture
If homogenizers and additional optical elements are used to combine light, then the light-combining function is improved, but light energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the homogenizer element from the optical path, achieving light combination and uniform illumination through the focusing lens and light valve configuration alone. This removal of the homogenizer reduces optical elements that would otherwise cause energy loss through absorption and scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The focusing lens serves as an intermediary element that performs multiple functions: it focuses the light from multiple sources, combines their paths, and creates uniform illumination on the light valve without requiring separate homogenizing components. This single intermediary element replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated components.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional light-combining elements are used, then the light combination is improved, but the adjustability of light spotlight spot size and shape is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable optical elements including a variable focal length lens and movable light valve that can be dynamically positioned to change the size and shape of the light spotlight spot. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different projection requirements without requiring multiple fixed optical configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables adjustment of light spot parameters (size, shape, position) by changing optical parameters such as focal length, object distance, and image distance. The focusing lens can be adjusted to different focal lengths, and the light valve can be positioned at different distances, allowing continuous variation of the output light spot characteristics.
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 design achieves lower production costs, higher light energy efficiency, and better space utilization with fewer optical elements, enabling high-contrast projection.
Implementation Method 1
The excitation beams sequentially pass through the focusing lens and the diffusing element to form the illumination beam. The maximum width of a first light spot formed by the excitation beams on a light-exit surface of the focusing lens is a first width.
Implementation Method 2
The diffusing element is disposed between the focusing lens and the focal point of the focusing lens, and the excitation beams sequentially pass through the focusing lens and the diffusing element to form the illumination beam. The maximum width of a second light spot formed on a light-exit surface of the diffusing element is a second width.
Implementation Method 3
The light valve is disposed on the transmission path of the illumination beam and the light valve is configured to convert the illumination beam into an image beam.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a projection apparatus including a light valve, a projection lens, and an illumination system including at least one light-source module, at least one focusing lens, and at least one diffusing element. The excitation beams pass through from the at least one light-source module to the focusing lens and the diffusing element sequentially to form an illumination beam. The maximum width of a first light spot formed by the excitation beams on a light-exit surface of the focusing lens is a first width. The maximum width of a second light spot formed on a light-exit surface of the diffusing element is a second width. The maximum width of a third light spot formed by the illumination beam on a light-incident surface of the light valve is a third width. The first width is greater than the second width, and the second width is greater than the third width.