Projector Diffractive Element Light Redistribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projectors suffer from low light-use efficiency due to light absorption by polarizers in liquid crystal panels, leading to inefficient light utilization during black displays.
Innovation Solution
A projector design incorporating a solid-state light source, a diffractive element that dynamically controls light diffraction, and a projection optical system, which redistributes light to effectively use absorbed components, reducing the field angle and minimizing diffraction image shift, thereby enhancing light-use efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a polarizer is used in the liquid crystal panel to control light, then the polarization direction can be controlled, but light is absorbed during black displays leading to low light-use efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the polarizer from the optical system. Instead of using a polarizer to control light absorption for black displays, the invention uses a different mechanism (liquid crystal panel with specific drive methods) that eliminates the need for light absorption, thereby improving light-use efficiency while maintaining the ability to produce black displays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by not relying on light absorption for black displays. Instead of absorbing light to create dark areas, the system uses controlled light redirection and phase changes to achieve black display without absorption, thereby eliminating the energy loss associated with polarizer absorption
2Productivity
If a diffractive element dynamically controls diffraction, then light can be redistributed effectively, but the field angle must be reduced to minimize diffraction image shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically controllable diffractive element that can adjust its diffraction pattern in real-time. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize light redistribution for different display conditions while maintaining a narrow field angle, resolving the contradiction between effective light redistribution and minimizing diffraction image shift
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the diffractive element, specifically controlling the field angle to be 0.03 degrees or less. This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve effective light redistribution while minimizing diffraction image shift, as the narrow field angle reduces angular deviations that cause image displacement
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 achieves high light-use efficiency by dynamically redistributing light, reducing light absorption by polarizers, and minimizing diffraction image shift, resulting in improved contrast and reliability of the projector.
Implementation Method 1
a diffractive element that dynamically controls diffraction of light from the solid-state light source
Implementation Method 2
a collimating lens that is disposed on an optical path between the solid-state light source and the diffractive element and collimates the light from the solid-state light source
Data Source
AI summary
A projector includes: a solid-state light source; a diffractive element that dynamically controls diffraction of light from the solid-state light source; a light modulator that modulates, in response to image information, diffracted light emitted from the diffractive element to generate image light; and a projection optical system that projects the image light.