Integration rod assemblies for image projectors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10288891-B2
Application number	US-201515540994-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 23, 2015
Priority date	Dec 31, 2014
Publication date	May 14, 2019
Grant date	May 14, 2019

Abstract

Integrating rod modules are disclosed comprising a plurality of single and/or solid integrating rods that are mated together by straps. Such modules tend to comprise a greater length than the single and/or solid integrating rods and provide good illumination to a modulator that light from a light source is transmitted through the integrating rod module. The straps may comprise a material (e.g., glass) that has substantially same or similar thermal characteristics as the integrating rods. The straps may be glued to the integrating rods by a glue having a substantially different (e.g., lower) index of refraction than the integrating rods, so as not to disturb the internal reflectance of the rods. The straps may be reinforced by braces that may allow the integrating rod module to be set within a projection display system at an angle substantially different from horizontal.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An integrating rod module, comprising:
a first integrating rod;
a second integrating rod;
a strap, said strap mechanically mated to the first integrating rod and the second integrating rod, such that the end of the first integrating rod is proximal to the end of the second integrating rod; and
further wherein, the strap is glued to the first integrating rod and the second integrating rod.

2. The integrating rod module of claim 1 wherein further
the strap comprises a material having substantially the same thermal expansion property of the first integrating rod.

3. The integrating rod module of claim 2 wherein further the strap comprises glass.

4. The integrating rod module of claim 3 wherein further the strap is glued to the first integrating rod and the second integrating rod with a first glue.

5. The integrating rod module of claim 4 wherein further the first glue mating the strap to the first integrating rod and the second integrating rod comprises a first glue that has substantially a different index of refraction from the material comprising the integrating rods.

6. The integrating rod module of claim 5 wherein the first glue does not substantially disturb the internal reflectance of the first integrating rod.

7. The integrating rod module of claim 6 wherein the first glue comprises a thickness of greater than several multiples the wavelength of the light transmitted through the integrating rod.

8. The integrating rod module of claim 1 wherein the end of the first integrating rod is glued to the end of the second integrating rod with a second glue.

9. The integrating rod module of claim 8 wherein the second glue comprises an index of refraction substantially the same as the material comprising the first integration rod.

10. The integrating rod module of claim 1 wherein the module further comprises:
a brace, the brace mated to the strap and the brace further mated to a projector display system.

11. The integrating rod module of claim 10 , wherein the brace is mated to the projector display system in such a manner as to orient the integrating rod module at an angle substantially different from horizontal.

12. The integrating rod module of claim 1 wherein the length of the integrating rod module substantially allows more than one bounce of the light transmitted through the integrating rod module.

13. The integrating rod module of claim 12 wherein the length of the integrating rod module substantially provides substantially uniform illumination to a first modulator.

14. A image projection display system, comprising:
a light source;
a modulator;
an integration rod module, the integration rod module transmitting light from said light source to the modulator; and
wherein the integration rod module further comprises:
a first integrating rod;
a second integrating rod;
a strap, said strap mechanically mated to the first integrating rod and the second integrating rod, such that the end of the first integrating rod is proximal to the end of the second integrating rod; and
further wherein, the strap is glued to the first integrating rod and the second integrating rod.

15. The image projection display system of claim 14 where further the integration rod module further comprises a brace, the brace mated to the strap and the brace further mated to the projector display system.

16. The image projection display system of claim 15 wherein the brace is mated to the projector display system in such a manner as to orient the integrating rod module at an angle substantially different from horizontal.

17. The image projection display system of claim 15 , further comprising optical glue between at least two components being several multiples thicker than the wavelength of light being transmitted through the optical components.

18. The image projection display of claim 15 , wherein the mechanically mated straps match a thermal expansion property of the integrating rods.

19. The image projection display of claim 15 , further comprising a second modulator in an optical patch extending from the first modulator to the second modulator, and wherein the projection display comprises light recycling between the first modulator and the second modulator.

20. The image projection display according to claim 19 , wherein the optical path comprises a projection that includes highlight illumination within part of the image to be displayed.

Assignees

• Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corp

Inventors

• Dewald Duane Scott
• Wainwright Nathan
• Gorny Douglas J
• Richards Martin J

Classifications

• G03B21/28

  Reflectors in projection beam {(in illumination beam G03B21/2066)} · CPC title

• G03B21/208 Primary

  Homogenising, shaping of the illumination light · CPC title

• G02B19/0047

  for use with a light source (G02B19/009, G02B19/0095 take precedence; details of lighting devices in general F21V; non-semiconductor lasers having optical devices external to the laser cavity H01S3/005) · CPC title

• G02B27/0994 Primary

  Fibers, light pipes (optical fibers per se G02B6/02) · CPC title

• G03B21/008

  using micromirror devices · CPC title