Projector Light Source Optical Layout for Fluorescence Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source devices using phosphors for fluorescence emission suffer from low extraction efficiency of fluorescence, leading to inefficient use of illumination light.
Innovation Solution
A light source device with a substrate, a first light source emitting excitation light, a first optical member with an inclined optical layer, and a wavelength conversion layer disposed on the substrate, which converts excitation light into fluorescence and reflects it efficiently using multiple optical members to enhance extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a reflective phosphor wheel is used to generate illumination light, then the light source device can produce fluorescence, but the extraction efficiency of fluorescence is insufficient and light use efficiency becomes lower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional planar phosphor wheel configuration to a three-dimensional stacked structure where the phosphor layer is positioned between a light source and a reflective surface. This spatial arrangement enables the phosphor to be irradiated from one side while reflecting fluorescence back through the same side, effectively utilizing vertical space to improve extraction efficiency without increasing horizontal footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reflective surface as an intermediary element behind the phosphor layer. This reflective surface captures fluorescence that would otherwise be lost in the backward direction and redirects it toward the extraction side, acting as a mediator to enhance overall fluorescence extraction efficiency without requiring changes to the phosphor material itself.
2Productivity
If fluorescence extraction efficiency is increased, then illumination light efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical member to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as both a support structure for the phosphor layer and a reflective surface for enhancing fluorescence extraction. This multi-functional design achieves improved illumination efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single component fulfills multiple optical roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the phosphor support function and the fluorescence reflection function into an integrated structure. By merging these two functions that were previously separate (phosphor mounting and light reflection), the design achieves efficient fluorescence extraction while minimizing the number of discrete components required.
3Loss of energy
If the phosphor layer is positioned to maximize fluorescence extraction, then light use efficiency improves, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the heat dissipation function from the light extraction function by providing thermal pathways that are distinct from the optical path. The substrate and mounting structure are designed with thermal conductivity in mind, creating dedicated heat sinks and thermal management pathways that do not interfere with the optical configuration optimized for fluorescence extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal management structures as intermediaries between the phosphor layer and the ambient environment. These structures act as heat sinks and thermal conduction pathways that efficiently transfer heat away from the phosphor without interfering with the optical arrangement, thereby decoupling thermal management from optical optimization.
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 increases the efficiency of fluorescence extraction as illumination light, reducing etendue and suppressing fluorescence conversion efficiency loss, while allowing for improved heat dissipation and layout flexibility of the light source.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical member having a first optical layer facing the supporting surface and reflecting the first light emitted from the first light source
Implementation Method 2
a first wavelength conversion layer having a light-incident surface that the first light output from the first light source enters, and configured to convert the first light into second light in a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range and emit the second light from the light-incident surface
Implementation Method 3
The first optical layer is inclined with respect to the light-incident surface and configured to reflect further the second light
Implementation Method 4
a second optical member disposed at the light emitting portion and having a second optical layer configured to reflect the first light and transmit the second light
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device includes a substrate having a supporting surface, a first light source disposed at the substrate and emitting a first light, a first optical member having a first optical layer facing the supporting surface and reflecting the first light, a first wavelength conversion layer having a light incident surface and converting the first light into second light, a light emitting portion formed by at least the substrate and the first optical member, and a second optical member disposed at the light emitting portion and having a second optical layer which reflects the first light and transmits the second light. The first optical layer is inclined with respect to the light incident surface and reflects the second light. The first wavelength conversion layer is disposed on one of a surface of the first optical layer and the supporting surface. The light emitting portion emits the second light.