Rotary Diffusion Plate Detection for Projector Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illumination devices for projectors require complex mechanisms for detecting failures in rotary wheels, leading to increased costs and potential false detections, and are limited in their ability to effectively use light for display due to the placement of detection sections.

Innovation Solution

A simplified configuration where the detection section is positioned differently from the light source entry point, allowing for independent wavelength settings and the ability to block or diffuse light, enabling versatile detection of wheel failures without hindering light usage, and potentially formed from the diffusion section itself.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complicated mechanism is provided to the attachment section of the transmissive member to detect rotation, then failure detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure detection capabilityVSAvoidattachment section complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the detection function from the attachment section by providing a separate detection section that detects rotation based on reflected light periodic changes. This separates the detection mechanism from the transmissive member attachment, simplifying the attachment section while maintaining failure detection capability through the independently positioned detection section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a reflecting member as an intermediary element that enables rotation detection through periodic reflected light changes. This intermediary allows the detection section to monitor wheel rotation without requiring complex mechanisms in the attachment section, as the reflecting member converts rotational motion into detectable light signal variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the detection section is disposed in an area overlapping the transmissive member, then detection function is achieved, but light usage for display is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation detection functionVSAvoidlight usage efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the optical path by separating the detection function from the light transmission path. The detection section is positioned to detect reflected light from the rotating wheel, while the transmissive member continues to transmit light for display purposes. This segmentation allows both detection and light transmission to occur simultaneously without mutual interference, maintaining light usage efficiency while achieving rotation detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a simple configuration is adopted by adjusting detection section position, then cost is reduced and versatility is improved, but detection precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidrotation detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements feedback through the detection section that monitors periodic changes in reflected light caused by wheel rotation. This feedback mechanism provides continuous rotation status information, enabling precise failure detection. The simple positional adjustment of the detection section maintains detection precision because the periodic nature of reflected light changes provides sufficient signal variation for accurate rotation monitoring without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 reduces costs, enhances reliability, and allows for accurate detection of wheel failures in both transmissive and reflective structures, preventing light interference and false detections.

Implementation Method 1

a reflecting member is provided to a light transmissive member attached to a part of a rotary wheel to detect a rotation based on a periodic change of the reflected light due to the rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a light source device for irradiating a phosphor layer with a laser beam as excitation light to generate fluorescence different in wavelength from the excitation light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3032329B1Illumination device and projector
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3032329B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3032329B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3032329B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An illumination device and a projector each capable of appropriately detecting a trouble caused in a wheel with a simple configuration are provided. The invention relates to an illumination device including a light source device, a rotary diffusion plate, which includes a first surface, a second surface, a diffusion section disposed on the first surface, and a detection section disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface, and to which light from the light source device is input, a light collecting optical system to which light from the diffusion section is input, a detector adapted to detect light from the detection section, and a control device adapted to control the light source device in accordance with a signal output from the detector. The detection section is disposed at a position different from a position where the light from the light source device enters the diffusion section.