Projector Multi-Lens Array Illumination Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In projectors, the outer edge portion of illumination light is often not utilized due to illuminance irregularities, leading to reduced light use efficiency and display quality.
Innovation Solution
A projector design incorporating a collimator, a first multi-lens array dividing light into partial pencils, and a second multi-lens array with aspheric lenses to superimpose these pencils onto the image formation area, reducing streaky illuminance irregularities and improving light distribution uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the image formation area is irradiated with an inner area than the outer edge portion of the illumination light to suppress illuminance irregularities, then illuminance uniformity is improved, but light use efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The first lens array divides the illumination light into multiple partial pencils of light, each corresponding to a specific region. By segmenting the light path and using multiple lens arrays with different focal lengths, the system can utilize the entire illumination light area including outer edge portions while maintaining illuminance uniformity through controlled superimposition on the image formation area.
2Loss of energy
If the outer edge portion of illumination light is used for image light, then light use efficiency is improved, but illuminance irregularities worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the illumination light are handled differently through the multi-lens array system. The first lens array segments the light into partial pencils corresponding to different regions, and the second lens array with different focal length groups superimposes these regions with appropriate weighting, allowing outer edge portions to be utilized while controlling the contribution of each region to achieve both high light use efficiency and good illuminance uniformity.
3Loss of energy
If multiple lens arrays with different focal lengths are used to superimpose partial pencils of light, then light use efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses lens arrays with different focal lengths that can be dynamically adjusted or selected to optimize the superimposition of partial pencils of light. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different illumination conditions and maintain high light use efficiency while managing complexity through controlled variability in the optical path.
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 design enhances light use efficiency and display quality by reducing streaky illuminance irregularities and improving the uniformity of illuminance distributions, making the projector more efficient and effective.
Implementation Method 1
a collimator (26) that parallelizes first light WL emitted from the light source (20)
Implementation Method 2
a first multi-lens array (51) having a plurality of first small lenses (53) that divide the first light WL parallelized by the collimator (26) into a plurality of partial pencils of light Wp
Implementation Method 3
a second multi-lens array (52) having a plurality of second small lenses (54) that are aspheric lenses and placed to correspond to the respective plurality of light incident regions (51R) of the first multi-lens array (51)
Data Source
AI summary
A projector includes a light source, a collimator collimating a first light emitted from the light source, a first multi-lens array having a plurality of first small lenses dividing the first light into a plurality of partial pencils of light, and a plurality of light incident regions each containing at least two of the first small lenses, a second multi-lens array having a plurality of second small lenses placed to correspond to the respective plurality of light incident regions, a superimposing lens superimposing the plurality of partial pencils of light emitted from the respective plurality of second small lenses on an illumination area, and a light modulator containing an image formation area as the illumination area and modulating light. The partial pencils of light emitted from at least the two respective first small lenses contained in the corresponding single light incident region enter the single second small lens.