Projector Optical Engine Light Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical engines face issues with heat dissipation, where dumped light beams can reflect or scatter onto internal components, reducing image contrast and shortening the service life of components like the DMD and projection lens due to heat accumulation.

Innovation Solution

The optical engine design modifies the light path of the dumped light beam to reflect it multiple times within a secondary case, away from the projection lens, utilizing a light absorption material or anti-reflection coating to absorb the energy, thereby reducing heat load and improving component reliability and image contrast.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a conventional heat dissipation device is used to absorb dumped light beam, then heat dissipation is achieved, but part of the dumped light beam reflects or scatters to the projection lens reducing image contrast

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidimage contrast

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A light absorbing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the heat dissipation device and the projection lens. This member absorbs scattered light before it reaches the projection lens, preventing contrast reduction while maintaining heat dissipation functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful reflected/scattered light is extracted from the optical path by the light absorbing member, separating the heat dissipation function from the image projection function to eliminate the negative interaction between them

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the housing is kept airtight for protection, then component protection is achieved, but heat accumulates inside the housing causing convection that heats up the DMD and projection lens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidcomponent temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A heat dissipation opening is provided in the housing to extract accumulated heat from the internal environment. This allows the housing to remain airtight for protection while removing the harmful heat accumulation through controlled ventilation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat dissipation opening converts the harmful trapped heat into a controlled heat release mechanism, using natural convection currents to draw heat away from sensitive components while maintaining overall system sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the heat dissipation device covers the opening to absorb dumped light, then light absorption is improved, but the dumped light beam still reflects off the heat dissipation device inner wall to the projection lens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight absorptionVSAvoidlight scattering

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The light absorbing member serves as a mediator placed between the heat dissipation device and the projection lens, intercepting scattered light that escapes from the heat dissipation device and preventing it from degrading image contrast

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light absorbing member is strategically positioned only in the region where scattered light travels, providing localized light absorption exactly where needed without affecting the overall heat dissipation performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively attenuates the energy of the dumped light beam, lowering the temperature of critical components and enhancing image contrast, while maintaining the optical engine's reliability and service life without increasing costs.

Implementation Method 1

the inner wall of the second case is suitable for absorbing the energy of the dumped light beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the dumped light beam enters the second case through the first opening and reflects twice or more inside the second case

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS7896501B2Projector and optical engine thereof

Publication Date: 2011.03.01 CORETRONIC CORPORATION

AI summary

An optical engine includes a light source system for providing an incident light beam, a reflective light valve, a first case, a projection lens and a second case. The reflective light valve is disposed in the first case for receiving the incident light beam, reflecting and outputting an image light beam or a dumped light beam. The first case provides a first opening located in the light path of the dumped light beam. The projection lens is connected to the first case for receiving and projecting the image light beam to form an image. The second case intercommunicates with the first case via the first opening. The dumped light beam enters the second case through the first opening, and is reflected twice or more inside the second case. Moreover, the inner wall of the second case applies to absorb the energy of the dumped light beam.