Projector Illumination Integrators for Uniform Laser Fluorescence Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional projectors using dichroic mirrors to separate white light into R, G, and B components suffer from inefficiencies due to differing optical path lengths and illuminated areas, leading to decreased light use efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A projector design incorporating a laser light source, fluorescence light source, multi-lens arrays in integrators, and a superimposing lens to ensure even illumination and polarization conversion, with a light blocker shaping the light fluxes to prevent color mixing and bleeding, allowing efficient incident light on a light modulator with sub-pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If dichroic mirrors are used to separate white light into R, G, and B components, then color separation is achieved, but optical path length differences and area differences occur resulting in decreased light use efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the illumination system into separate laser light source and fluorescence light source paths, each with its own integrator (multi-lens array). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each light path to achieve uniform optical path lengths and areas without the constraints of dichroic mirror-based white light separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different integrator configurations to different light sources: the first integrator processes laser light while the second integrator processes fluorescence. Each integrator is specifically designed for its light type, with the first multi-lens array having a higher lens division number than the second, creating locally optimized quality for each light path.
2Illumination intensity
If different integrators are used for laser light and fluorescence, then uniform illumination is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two multi-lens arrays (first and second) that serve dual purposes: they function as integrators for their respective light sources and simultaneously act as homogenizers to uniformize illumination. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving uniform illumination.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a superimposing lens is added to combine light paths, then light use efficiency improves, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary uniformization of the light beams using the first and second multi-lens arrays before they reach the superimposing lens. By pre-processing the laser light and fluorescence to have uniform intensity distributions and matched optical path lengths, the alignment burden on the superimposing lens is significantly reduced, making the system more tolerant to manufacturing variations.
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 ensures uniform illumination and efficient light use by preventing optical path length and area differences among color components, enhancing image quality and reducing light bleeding, thereby improving projector efficiency and extending the life of liquid crystal materials.
Implementation Method 1
a laser light source apparatus that outputs laser light
Implementation Method 2
a fluorescence light source apparatus that includes a phosphor and outputs fluorescence
Implementation Method 3
The first integrator includes a first multi-lens array including a plurality of first lenslets. The second integrator includes a second multi-lens array including a plurality of second lenslets
Implementation Method 4
a superimposing lens which is provided on a downstream of the first integrator and the second integrator and which the first laser light and the first fluorescence enter
Data Source
AI summary
A projector includes a laser light source apparatus, a fluorescence light source apparatus, a first integrator, a second integrator, a superimposing lens that laser light and fluorescence enter, a light modulator on which the laser light and the fluorescence having exited out of the superimposing lens are incident and which includes a plurality of pixels each formed of a plurality of sub-pixels, a microlens array including a plurality of microlenses provided in correspondence with the plurality of pixels, and a projection optical apparatus that projects light outputted from the light modulator. The first integrator includes a first multi-lens array including a plurality of first lenslets. The second integrator includes a second multi-lens array including a plurality of second lenslets. A lens division number of the first multi-lens array is greater than a lens division number of the second multi-lens array.