Projector with PBS Light Separation for Compact Multi-Screen Display
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projectors that display two screens using two illumination and projection optical systems are bulky and reduce resolution when displaying multiple screens.
Innovation Solution
A projector design that separates illumination light into two paths using a polarization beam splitter (PBS) to generate separate image lights for multiple displays, projected by a single projection optical system, allowing for varied display modes without increasing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two illumination optical systems and two projection optical systems are used to display two screens, then multi-screen display capability is achieved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two illumination optical systems into one shared illumination system that uses a polarization beam splitter to divide light into two paths. Each path illuminates a separate light valve, and both projected images are combined by a single projection optical system. This merging approach achieves multi-screen display capability while reducing device size compared to using completely separate illumination and projection systems for each screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the illumination light into two separate paths using a polarization beam splitter, with each path directing light to a different light valve. The projection optical system similarly segments the projected images to different display regions. This segmentation allows independent control of multiple screens while sharing common optical components, resolving the contradiction between multi-screen capability and device size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two illumination optical systems and two projection optical systems are used to display two screens, then multi-screen display capability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two illumination systems and two projection systems into a single shared system with polarization-based path separation. By combining common components (light source, condenser lens, projection lens) and using polarization beam splitters to create separate optical paths, the system achieves multi-screen functionality with reduced overall complexity compared to completely independent dual systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The polarization beam splitter acts as an intermediary component that divides the single illumination light into two separate paths and later combines the two projected images. This intermediary element enables the sharing of illumination and projection components between multiple screens while maintaining independent optical paths, thereby reducing system complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If a single illumination optical system is shared between two light valves, then device size is reduced, but illumination light must be separated into two paths
Solution Approach 1:
The polarization beam splitter serves as an intermediary that efficiently separates illumination light into two distinct paths based on polarization orientation. This intermediary component enables the sharing of a single illumination system between two light valves while maintaining clear optical path separation, resolving the contradiction between compact size and optical path management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses polarization state changes to separate and later recombine light paths. By controlling the polarization orientation of light and using polarization beam splitters accordingly, the system achieves efficient path separation and combination without requiring physically separate illumination systems, thereby reducing device size while managing optical complexity through parameter 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
Enables display of multiple screens with maintained resolution and flexibility in display configurations, including independent or combined screens with variable aspect ratios.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization beam splitter (PBS) to separate the illumination light into two paths
Implementation Method 2
first liquid crystal panel 31 and a second liquid crystal panel 32... each liquid crystal panel 31, 32 having a plurality of pixels
Implementation Method 3
a projection optical system 2... the projection optical system 2 projects the generated first image light and second image light onto a projection surface 3
Data Source
AI summary
A projector according to the present disclosure includes: an illumination optical system; a separator; a first light valve; a second light valve; and a projection optical system. The illumination optical system generates illumination light. The separator separates the illumination light from the illumination optical system into first illumination light and second illumination light. The first light valve is illuminated with the first illumination light separated by the separator and generates first image light. The second light valve is illuminated with the second illumination light separated by the separator and generates second image light. The first image light generated by the first light valve and the second image light generated by the second light valve enter the projection optical system through the separator. The projection optical system projects the first image light that has entered the projection optical system toward a first display region and projects the second image light that has entered the projection optical system toward a second display region.