Projector Light Source Wave Plate Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of light source devices for projectors is attributed to the use of expensive crystal quartz in quarter wave plates, which are necessary for polarization separation and combining processes.
Innovation Solution
A light source device design that includes a first optical element with distinct areas for reflecting and converting light into circularly-polarized light, using a diffuser element and a third optical element formed using quartz crystal, which reduces the size and cost of wave plates by optimizing the optical path and polarization conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a quarter wave plate is used for polarization separation and combining in the optical path, then the light beam can be properly separated and combined, but the cost of the light source device increases due to the expensive crystal quartz material
Solution Approach 1:
The first optical element is divided into a first area and a second area with different functions. The first area reflects the first light to the second optical element for polarization conversion, while the second area transmits the second light directly. This segmentation allows the system to achieve polarization separation and combining without requiring a traditional quarter wave plate made of expensive crystal quartz.
Solution Approach 2:
The first optical element and the second optical element are merged into a coordinated system where the first optical element performs both reflection and transmission functions for different light beams, and the second optical element performs polarization conversion. This merging of functions into multiple optical elements eliminates the need for a single expensive quarter wave plate.
2Ease of operation
If a quarter wave plate is used for reflecting and converting light polarization, then the optical path can be controlled, but the size and cost of the wave plate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is segmented into different areas (first area and second area) with distinct optical functions. The first area is optimized for reflecting specific polarization directions, while the second area is optimized for transmitting other polarization directions. This segmentation allows each area to be smaller and more specialized, reducing the overall size while maintaining optical path control.
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the first optical element have different optical properties tailored to their specific functions. The first area has reflective properties optimized for the first polarization direction, while the second area has transmissive properties optimized for the second light beam. This local optimization allows for compact design while maintaining precise optical path control.
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 reduces the size and cost of wave plates, enhancing the efficiency of light polarization conversion and illumination while maintaining image quality, thereby lowering the overall cost of the light source device and projector systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical element having a first area that reflects the first light
Implementation Method 2
a second optical element into which the first light reflected by the first area of the first optical element is entered, converting the first light into a circularly-polarized second light
Implementation Method 3
a diffuser element into which the second light output from the second optical element is entered, wherein the second light reflected by the diffuser element
Implementation Method 4
the second light reflected by the diffuser element and entered into the second area of the first optical element is transmitted in the second area of the first optical element, and a fourth light output from the diffuser element
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device of the present disclosure includes a light emitting device that outputs a first light having a first wavelength in a first polarization direction, a first optical element having a first area and a second area, a second optical element into which the first light reflected by the first area is entered, converting the first light into a circularly-polarized second light having the first wavelength, and a diffuser element into which the second light is entered. The second light entering the second optical element is converted into a third light having the first wavelength in a second polarization direction, the third light is transmitted through the first area, the second light is transmitted through the second area, and a fourth light output from the diffuser element and entered into the first area and the second area is transmitted through the first area and the second area.