Projector Light Modulator Optical Path Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Projectors using dichroic mirrors to separate white light into RGB light fluxes face a decrease in light use efficiency due to differing optical path lengths and area illumination sizes for color light fluxes.
Innovation Solution
A projector design incorporating a light source, excitation light source, wavelength converter, collimator system, light separator, correction lenses, and a light modulator with specific sub-pixels and microlenses, ensuring that different colored light fluxes are incident on the light modulator in distinct directions and positions, thereby maintaining consistent optical path lengths and efficient illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dichroic mirrors are used to separate white light into RGB light fluxes, then color separation is achieved, but light use efficiency decreases due to different optical path lengths and area illumination sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a correction lens in the optical path to change the optical parameters (focal length, convergence angle) of specific color light fluxes. This adjustment equalizes the optical path lengths and area illumination sizes for all color channels, thereby improving light use efficiency while maintaining the color separation function of the dichroic mirrors
2Measurement precision
If different colored light fluxes are directed to different sub-pixels through a single light modulator, then image quality improves, but chromatic aberrations occur due to varying optical paths
Solution Approach 1:
The correction lens modifies the optical parameters of the light fluxes before they reach the light modulator. By adjusting the convergence angles and focal positions for different color channels, the lens compensates for chromatic aberrations and ensures accurate color rendering on the corresponding sub-pixels, thereby improving image quality without suffering from color fringing
3Loss of energy
If a correction lens is added to equalize optical path lengths, then light use efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The correction lens serves as an intermediary optical element that mediates between the dichroic mirror separation system and the light modulator. It specifically targets and corrects the optical path discrepancies without requiring a complete redesign of the optical system, thus improving light use efficiency with minimal added complexity
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 image quality by preventing color light flux area size discrepancies and reducing chromatic aberrations, resulting in improved light modulation and projection clarity.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength converter that converts the excitation light outputted from the excitation light source into fluorescence
Implementation Method 2
a collimator system that parallelizes the fluorescence outputted from the wavelength converter
Implementation Method 3
a light separator that separates the fluorescence into second light and third light having colors different from each other
Implementation Method 4
a microlens array including a plurality of microlenses corresponding in a one-to-one relationship to the plurality of pixels
Data Source
AI summary
A present disclosure relates to a projector including a light source, an excitation light source, a wavelength converter, a collimator system that parallelizes fluorescence outputted from the wavelength converter, a light separator that separates the fluorescence into second light and third light, a correction lens provided in an optical path of the second or third light, a superimposing lens, a light modulator having a plurality of pixels each including first, second, and third sub-pixels, a microlens array including a plurality of microlenses corresponding to the plurality of pixels, and a projection optical apparatus. First light is incident on a first position on the superimposing lens, the second light is incident on a second position on the superimposing lens, and the third light is incident on a third position on the superimposing lens.