Region-Based Light Splitter for Phosphor Illumination Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional illumination systems using phosphor-based light sources face inefficiencies as unexcited blue laser light is converted to heat, reducing brightness and display quality in projection apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

An illumination system incorporating an excitation light source, a wavelength converting element, and a region-based light splitter, where the light splitter directs unexcited excitation beams back to the wavelength converting element for re-excitation, increasing the conversion efficiency and brightness of the excited beam.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If phosphor-based light sources are used to convert excitation beam into excited beam, then wavelength conversion is achieved, but unexcited blue laser is converted to heat reducing brightness and conversion efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion efficiencyVSAvoidbrightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers unexcited blue laser light that would otherwise be wasted as heat by using a light splitter to separate and redirect this unconverted excitation beam back through the phosphor wheel for additional conversion opportunities, thereby improving overall energy efficiency and brightness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a continuous conversion process by cycling unexcited excitation beam back through the wavelength converting element multiple times, ensuring that the useful action of wavelength conversion continues until the excitation beam is fully converted, thus eliminating energy loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Illumination intensity

If unexcited blue laser is converted to heat during phosphor excitation, then wavelength conversion occurs, but display quality and brightness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebrightnessVSAvoiddisplay quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 approach enhances the conversion efficiency and improves the display effect by recycling unexcited excitation beams, thereby increasing the brightness and quality of the projected image.

Implementation Method 1

The wavelength converting element is disposed on a transmission path of the excitation beam to convert the excitation beam into an excited beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength conversion: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

The at least one first region reflects the excitation beam and allows the excited beam to pass through

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11782334B2Illumination system and projection apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 CORETRONIC CORPORATION

AI summary

An illumination system including an excitation light source, a wavelength converting element, and a region-based light splitter is provided. The excitation light source provides an excitation beam. The wavelength converting element is disposed on a transmission path of the excitation beam to convert the excitation beam into an excited beam. The region-based light splitter is disposed on the transmission path of the excitation beam and includes at least one first region and at least one second region. The first region reflects the excitation beam and allows the excited beam to pass through. The second region allows the excitation beam and the excited beam to pass through. The excitation beam reflected by the region-based light splitter is transmitted toward the wavelength converting element. A projection apparatus including the illumination system is also provided.