Static Phosphor Optical Projector Light Tunnel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projector systems for displaying information in devices such as appliances and personal devices require multiple lenses, mirrors, and illumination components, which increase costs, power consumption, and space, while maintaining high image quality remains a challenge.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical projection system utilizing a static phosphor and a light tunnel to produce combined light, which is then modulated by a spatial light modulator, reducing the need for complex optics and using a color element to provide colored light, thereby minimizing components and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional projector systems use multiple lenses, mirrors, and illumination components, then image quality can be maintained, but device complexity, cost, power consumption, and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions into a single integrated light tunnel structure that performs both illumination and collimation simultaneously. The light tunnel integrates the functions of traditional separate components (lenses, mirrors, illuminators) into one unified optical path, reducing component count while maintaining image quality through its specialized internal geometry and reflective surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The light tunnel serves multiple functions within a single component: it acts as an illumination source, a collimator, and an optical guide simultaneously. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while preserving optical performance
2Illumination intensity
If traditional projector systems use multiple illumination components, then adequate lighting can be provided, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple illumination sources into a single LED that excites a phosphor material within the light tunnel. This consolidated approach provides sufficient illumination intensity through the phosphor's light conversion while consuming less power than multiple separate illumination components would require
3Speed
If traditional projector systems use multiple optical components, then proper light direction can be achieved, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light tunnel is designed as a compact, nested optical structure where light travels through a confined internal path. The tunnel's geometry allows light to be directed efficiently through folded or curved pathways within a small footprint, enabling proper light direction without requiring a large device area
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
The system achieves low-cost, low-power, and compact projection with high image quality, suitable for applications like industrial equipment and consumer goods, by simplifying the optical path and eliminating the need for fly's eye arrays or collimators.
Implementation Method 1
a phosphor configured to receive first light having a first color, to produce second light having a second color responsive to the first light, and to transmit at least a first portion of the first light
Implementation Method 2
a light tunnel optically coupled between the phosphor and the color element, the light tunnel configured to transmit combined light including least a portion of the first light and the second light to the color element
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes: a phosphor configured to receive first light having a first color, to produce second light having a second color responsive to the first light, and to transmit at least a first portion of the first light; a color wheel comprising a first colored segment configured to transmit light having a third color and a second colored segment configured to transmit light having a fourth color; a light tunnel optically coupled between the phosphor and the color wheel configured to transmit combined light including least a portion of the first light and the second light; wherein the first segment is configured to transmit the third color as first transmitted light and the second segment to transmit light of the fourth color as second transmitted light; and a spatial light modulator configured to modulate the first transmitted light and the second transmitted light.