Projector Light Modulator with Independent Optical Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projector designs face challenges in separating light from a solid-state light source into excitation light and image display light without causing thermal distortion, leading to potential changes in the polarization state and requiring separate light sources, which increases the projector's size.
Innovation Solution
A projector configuration that includes a first light source, a first light modulator, a first polarization separator, a first retardation film, and a first reflector, with a second optical path independent of the first, allowing for separate paths for excitation and image display light, and optional additional components like a second light source, wavelength converter, and additional reflectors to maintain compactness and efficient light separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the power of the solid-state light source is increased to separate light into excitation light and image display light, then the separation efficiency is improved, but thermal distortion occurs causing polarization state disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into two independent optical paths: one for excitation light and another for image display light. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized separately, avoiding thermal distortion affecting polarization state while maintaining efficient light separation through dedicated optical components for each function.
2Reliability
If the optical path of image display light is made independent of excitation light path, then polarization state stability is improved, but the size of the projector increases due to requiring separate light source apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (beam splitting, polarization control, light modulation) into integrated optical components and shared optical paths where possible. By merging the excitation light path and image display light path in a compact configuration with shared elements, the projector achieves independent optical paths for stability while minimizing overall size through efficient space utilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If a polarization separator is used to separate blue light into excitation light and image display light, then light separation is achieved, but thermal distortion from high power causes change in separation state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces polarization-maintaining optical elements and thermal management components as intermediaries between the high-power solid-state light source and the polarization separator. These intermediary elements protect the polarization separator from thermal distortion while maintaining effective light separation, ensuring stable operation under high-power conditions.
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 high-quality color video images by maintaining independent optical paths for different light components, preventing thermal distortion and allowing for a compact projector design without the need for additional light sources.
Implementation Method 1
a first polarization separator disposed on a first optical path along which the first light emitted from the first light source and entering the first light modulator travels
Implementation Method 2
a first retardation film disposed on the first optical path
Implementation Method 3
a first reflector disposed on the first optical path, and a second light modulator on which second light different from the first light is incident. The first optical path passes through the first polarization separator and the first retardation film, is then deflected back by the first reflector
Implementation Method 4
a wavelength converter that is excited with excitation light emitted from the second light source to produce wavelength-converted light
Implementation Method 5
a color separator configured to separate the wavelength-converted light emitted from the wavelength converter into the second light and third light
Data Source
AI summary
A projector includes a first light source, a first light modulator on which first light is incident, a first polarization separator disposed on a first optical path along which the first light emitted from the first light source and entering the first light modulator travels, a first retardation film disposed on the first optical path, a first reflector disposed on the first optical path, and a second light modulator on which second light different from the first light is incident. The first optical path passes through the first polarization separator and the first retardation film, is then deflected back by the first reflector, and reaches the first light modulator via the first retardation film and the first polarization separator. A second optical path along which the second light travels is independent of the first optical path and does not intersect the first optical path.