Projector Light Source Apparatus Polarization Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to reduce the size of a projector's light source apparatus while maintaining aligned polarization of color luminous fluxes, as existing technologies rely on small-interval polarization converters that are difficult to manufacture, especially when using lamp light sources with unpolarized light.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus with a light source section outputting polarized light in specific directions, utilizing optical layers and a wavelength converter to achieve aligned polarization without a small-interval polarization converter, comprising a light source section, optical layers, a diffusion element, and a wavelength converter to separate and polarize light into multiple color bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a small-interval polarization converter is used to align polarization directions of color luminous fluxes, then the projector can achieve uniform illumination and proper polarization, but the device size cannot be reduced due to manufacturing difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the polarization alignment function from the traditional small-interval polarization converter and implements it through a combination of wavelength converter and polarization separation layers. The wavelength converter converts blue light to yellow light, which then interacts with the polarization separation layers to achieve the desired polarization alignment without requiring small intervals between layers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of light by introducing a wavelength converter that transforms blue light (first wavelength band) to yellow light (second wavelength band). This wavelength change enables the polarization separation layers to function effectively with larger intervals, solving the manufacturing difficulty while maintaining polarization alignment
2Reliability
If a polarization converter with polarization separation layers and reflection layers arranged at small intervals is manufactured, then aligned polarization can be achieved, but manufacturing becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wavelength converter as an intermediary component between the light source and polarization separation layers. This mediator transforms the incident blue light to yellow light, enabling the polarization separation layers to achieve proper alignment with larger, more manufacturable intervals between layers
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the wavelength parameter of incident light from blue to yellow through the wavelength converter, the patent enables the polarization separation layers to function correctly with relaxed spacing requirements, making the device manufacturable while maintaining reliable polarization alignment
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 allows for a compact projector design with efficient light utilization and improved image brightness by aligning polarization of color luminous fluxes without the need for small-interval polarization converters, enhancing manufacturing simplicity and reducing optical losses.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical layer that transmits in a first direction the first light polarized in the first polarization direction and reflects in a second direction that intersects the first direction the first light polarized in a second polarization direction
Implementation Method 2
a diffusion element that is disposed in a position shifted in the second direction from the first optical layer, diffuses the first light incident from the first optical layer along the second direction
Implementation Method 3
a wavelength converter that is disposed in a position shifted in the second direction from the third optical layer, converts in terms of wavelength the first light polarized in the first polarization direction and incident from the fourth optical layer
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus includes a light source section, a first optical layer that transmits first light polarized in a first polarization direction and incident from the light source section and reflects the first light polarized in a second polarization direction and incident from the light source section, a second optical layer that transmits the first light polarized in the first polarization direction and incident from the first optical layer, a third optical layer that transmits the first light polarized in the first polarization direction and incident from the second optical layer, a fourth optical layer that reflects the first light polarized in the first polarization direction and incident from the third optical layer, a diffusion element, and a wavelength converter.