Projector Light Source Optical Path Merging for Compact White Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source apparatuses that separate blue light for generating white light using a phosphor face an issue of increased size due to separate optical paths for blue light traveling towards the phosphor and diffuser, necessitating additional optical components.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus design that includes a diffuser, optical element, wavelength converter, and reflection system, where a reflection film separates blue light into excitation and reflected components, allowing shared optical paths for fluorescence and reflected blue light, reducing apparatus size and minimizing interference fringes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If separate optical paths are used for blue light traveling toward the phosphor and diffuser, then the light source apparatus can generate white light effectively, but the apparatus size increases due to additional optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical paths by using a beam splitter to merge the blue light path and yellow fluorescence path into a common optical path. This allows both wavelengths to travel together toward the projection lens, eliminating the need for separate optical components and reducing apparatus size while maintaining effective white light generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The common optical path serves dual functions by transmitting both blue light (for direct projection) and yellow fluorescence (from phosphor conversion) simultaneously. This multi-functional path design eliminates redundant components and achieves compact apparatus configuration without compromising illumination quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical components are disposed in separate optical paths, then the light source apparatus can separate and process different wavelengths, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the previously separate blue light and yellow fluorescence optical paths into a single common path using a beam splitter. This consolidation reduces the number of optical components and simplifies the overall device structure while preserving the wavelength separation capability achieved through the phosphor and beam splitter configuration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If blue light is separated into excitation and reflected components, then interference fringes and speckle noise are minimized, but additional reflection films are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a beam splitter to merge the excitation blue light path and reflected blue light path into a common optical path. This approach minimizes interference fringes and speckle noise by properly managing the separated blue light components while using the same beam splitter for both wavelength separation and path merging, thereby avoiding additional reflection films.
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 design achieves a compact light source apparatus that generates white light efficiently while minimizing interference fringes and speckle noise, enabling high-quality image projection.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength converter configured to convert part of the first light into second light having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band
Implementation Method 2
the optical element includes a first reflection film configured to transmit the first light and reflect the second light
Implementation Method 3
a second reflection film provided at the first surface and configured to separate the first light into the part and the other part
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a light source configured to output first light; a diffuser that the first light output; an optical element that the first light passing through the diffuser enters; a light collection system that the first light passing through the optical element enters; a wavelength converter configured to convert part of the first light into second light; and a reflection system configured to reflect another part of the first light, wherein the optical element includes a first reflection film configured to reflect the second light, the wavelength converter includes a light incident surface on which the first light is incident, and a second reflection film provided at the light incident surface and configured to separate the first light into the part and the other part, and the other part of the first light separated by the second reflection film enters the diffuser.