Region Division Element for Time-division Projector Color Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In projectors using a phosphor light source, particularly in time-division projectors with one or two light valves, sufficient color separation is challenging, leading to deterioration in color gamut due to the mixing of excitation and fluorescent light paths.
Innovation Solution
An optical system with a region division element, comprising a first and second region, is introduced between the fluorescent unit and light valves, where the first region allows both the first color light beam and fluorescent light to reach the light valves, and the second region specifically allows only fluorescent light to reach the light valves, utilizing a region-division wavelength selective filter or diffraction grating to improve color separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a phosphor light source is used in a time-division projector with one or two light valves, then the device complexity is reduced, but color separation deteriorates due to mixing of excitation and fluorescent light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a region division element that divides the optical path into multiple regions (first region and second region). The first region allows both excitation light and fluorescent light to pass to illuminate light valves, while the second region allows only fluorescent light to pass. This segmentation of the optical path enables color separation without requiring additional light valves, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and color separation performance.
2Device complexity
If excitation light and fluorescent light are mixed in the optical path, then the optical system becomes simpler, but color gamut deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The region division element creates different optical properties in different regions. The first region has the property of transmitting both excitation and fluorescent light, while the second region has the property of transmitting only fluorescent light. This local differentiation of optical properties enables color separation to improve color gamut while maintaining a relatively simple overall optical path configuration.
3Manufacturing precision
If a region division element is introduced to separate colors, then color separation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The region division element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a beam splitter, a wavelength selector, and an optical path manager. By integrating these functions into a single component with different regional properties, the patent achieves color separation without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same element performs multiple critical roles in the optical system.
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 enhances color separation properties, effectively suppressing color gamut deterioration by reducing unnecessary blue light mixing with yellow light, thereby improving color reproducibility.
Implementation Method 1
a phosphor light source in which B (blue) light is used as excitation light, and yellow light including R (red) light or G (green) light is generated as fluorescent light
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a region-division wavelength selective filter or diffraction grating to improve color separation
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system of the disclosure includes: a fluorescent unit that includes a phosphor region excited by a first color light beam to output fluorescent light including at least one color light beam, and outputs the first color light beam in a first period and outputs the fluorescent light in a second period; one or two light valves illuminated by at least one of the first color light beam or the fluorescent light; and a region division element including first and second regions and disposed on an optical path between the fluorescent unit and the one or two light valves, the first region outputting the first color light beam and the fluorescent light from the fluorescent unit to be able to reach the one or two light valves, the second region outputting the fluorescent light from the fluorescent unit to be able to reach the one or two light valves.