Wavelength Selective Element for Laser Illumination Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination systems for projection devices have complex architectures and large volumes due to the need for additional light combining elements and optical components, which increases costs and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The illumination device incorporates a laser light source, a first wavelength selective element with different transmittances for varying incident angles, and a wavelength conversion element. This configuration allows the laser beam to be controlled to penetrate or be reflected by the wavelength selective element, achieving a light combining effect without the need for polarization splitting prisms, thus reducing device volume and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If additional light combining elements and optical components are used to combine laser beam and converted light beam, then the illumination system can achieve light combining effect, but the device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wavelength selective element serves multiple functions: it acts as a beam splitter to separate laser beam and converted light beam, a wavelength filter to select specific wavelengths, and a reflective element to redirect light paths. By making one component perform multiple optical functions, the patent eliminates the need for separate light combining elements, condensing lenses, and other auxiliary optical components, thereby simplifying the illumination system architecture while maintaining effective light combining capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of beam splitting, wavelength selection, and light redirection into a single wavelength selective element. This consolidation replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate optical components (beam splitter, wavelength filter, reflective elements), reducing device complexity and volume while achieving the same light combining effect
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional illumination system with multiple optical elements is used, then light combining is achieved, but the device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (beam splitting, wavelength filtering, light redirection) into a single wavelength selective element, eliminating the need for separate optical components such as condensing lenses, field lenses, and multiple reflectors. This consolidation dramatically reduces the physical volume of the illumination system while maintaining full light combining capability
Solution Approach 2:
The wavelength selective element is designed to perform multiple optical functions simultaneously: separating laser beam and converted light beam by wavelength, selecting specific wavelengths for projection, and redirecting light paths. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple dedicated components, thereby reducing overall system volume
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional illumination system with multiple optical elements is used, then light combining is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of beam splitting, wavelength selection, and light redirection into a single wavelength selective element. This consolidation replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate optical components (beam splitter, wavelength filter, reflective elements, condensing lenses), reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining effective light combining capability
Solution Approach 2:
The wavelength selective element serves multiple functions: it acts as a beam splitter to separate laser beam and converted light beam, a wavelength filter to select specific wavelengths, and a reflective element to redirect light paths. By making one component perform multiple optical functions, the patent eliminates the need for separate light combining elements, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and device complexity
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 solution enables the production of illumination beams with different colored lights without the need for polarization splitting prisms, resulting in reduced costs and device volume, while also achieving better uniformity and layout of the converted light beam compared to other architectures.
Implementation Method 1
The wavelength conversion element is used to convert the laser beam into a first converted light beam
Implementation Method 2
In a first mode of the illumination device, the laser beam is incident on the first wavelength selective element at a first angle, and the laser beam is reflected by the first wavelength selective element
Implementation Method 3
In a second mode of the illumination device, the laser beam is incident on the first wavelength selective element at a second angle greater than the first angle, and the laser beam penetrates the first wavelength selective element
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device including a laser light source, a first wavelength selective element, and a wavelength conversion element is provided. The laser light source provides a laser beam. The first wavelength selective element has different transmittances for the laser beam incident at different angles. In a first mode of the illumination device, the laser beam is incident on the first wavelength selective element at a first angle, and the laser beam is reflected by the first wavelength selective element. In a second mode of the illumination device, the laser beam is incident on the first wavelength selective element at a second angle greater than the first angle, and the laser beam penetrates the first wavelength selective element. The wavelength conversion element converts the laser beam into a first converted light beam. A projection device using the illumination device is also provided.