Projector Illumination System Reducing Optical Element Count

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional illumination systems for projectors have a complex structure, leading to high costs, large volume, and poor optical efficiency due to the numerous optical elements required.

Innovation Solution

The illumination system incorporates an excitation light source group, a phosphor wheel with a reflection and wavelength conversion region, a light combiner element with dichroic and reflection portions, and a first lens group, which reduces the number of optical components by optimizing the optical path, thereby decreasing cost and volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional illumination system uses multiple optical elements to achieve wavelength conversion and light combination, then light processing function is improved, but device complexity and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight processing functionVSAvoidnumber of optical elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple optical elements into a single integrated optical element that simultaneously performs wavelength conversion and light combination functions. This merging approach reduces the total number of optical elements while maintaining the required light processing capabilities, directly resolving the contradiction between functional versatility and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated optical element is designed to perform multiple functions including wavelength conversion, light reflection, and beam combination within a single component. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve complex light processing without requiring multiple separate elements, thereby reducing overall device complexity while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional illumination system uses multiple optical elements, then light processing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight processing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple optical elements into one integrated component, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and aligned. This significantly lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the required light processing capability through the multi-functional design of the integrated element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional illumination system uses multiple optical elements, then optical path functionality is improved, but optical efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical path functionalityVSAvoidoptical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated optical element eliminates multiple air-glass interfaces and alignment gaps that exist in conventional multi-element systems. By combining functions into a single element, the patent reduces optical losses from reflections, scattering, and misalignment, thereby improving optical efficiency while maintaining full optical path functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration results in a more cost-effective and compact projector with improved light utilization efficiency and image quality by reducing the number of optical components and optimizing the optical path.

Implementation Method 1

The light combiner element has a dichroic portion and a reflection portion. The first beam passes through the dichroic portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDichroic reflection: Dichroic Filter

Implementation Method 2

The reflected first beam passes through the first lens group and is transmitted to the light combiner element. The first beam reflected from the reflection region passes through the first lens group via a second side of the second optical axis and is transmitted to the reflection portion of the light combiner element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The phosphor wheel has a reflection region and a wavelength conversion region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Data Source

PatentUS10386710B2Projector and illumination system thereof

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 CORETRONIC CORPORATION

AI summary

A projector and an illumination system thereof are provided. The illumination system includes an excitation light source group, a phosphor wheel, a light combiner element and a first lens group. The excitation light source group provides a first beam and has a first optical axis. The phosphor wheel has a reflection region and a wavelength conversion region. The light combiner element is disposed between the excitation light source group and the phosphor wheel and has a dichroic portion and a reflection portion. The first lens group is disposed between the light combiner element and the phosphor wheel. The first lens group has a second optical axis. The illumination system is provided in the projector to reduce the number of optical elements, thereby reducing the cost and volume.