An even-order polarization maintaining optical reflection structure, a projection screen and a projection system

Abstract

An even-order polarization maintaining optical reflection structure, a projection curtain and a projection system, the reflection structure comprising a substrate layer and a microstructure layer, the microstructure layer being laid on the substrate layer, the microstructure layer being provided with a plurality of structure portions, a reflection region being formed between two adjacent structure portions, the reflection region having oppositely arranged first and second reflection surfaces, the first and second reflection surfaces being used to reflect incident projection light rays to the reflection region by even order to make the projection light rays reach an imaging region, due to the even-order reflection, the polarization directions of the light rays are the same, thereby achieving a polarization maintaining effect, meanwhile, due to the structure, the projection light rays incident thereto can be reflected by even order to reach the imaging region, most of the side ambient light cannot be reflected or refracted to the imaging region due to the angle and the reflection times, thereby realizing an anti-light effect, greatly ensuring the picture brightness, and realizing the combination of polarization maintaining and anti-light.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of projection screen technology, specifically to an even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure, a projection screen, and a projection system. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of various display technologies, projection display technology, which can achieve ultra-large display screens, is receiving increasing attention. For projection display technology to match or surpass the mainstream LCD or OLED display technologies in terms of image quality, in addition to a high-quality projector, a high-quality optical projection screen is also an essential key component.

[0003] Optical projection screens achieve projection imaging by forming an imaging layer on their surface to refract and reflect incident light. However, screens made in this way may have poor reflection, resulting in uneven images. They also cannot achieve polarization preservation or ambient light resistance in terms of structure.

[0004] Most existing screens achieve polarization protection by adding a polarization-maintaining coating to create a more uniform reflection coefficient, thereby effectively improving the reflection effect. Alternatively, they can use an absorption layer to absorb ambient light and prevent it from affecting the imaging light, thus achieving anti-glare. However, this method has a more complex structure and process, and the effects of the two methods interfere with each other, making it impossible to achieve the best polarization protection and anti-glare effects simultaneously. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides an even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure, a projection screen, and a projection system. By setting up a microstructure layer and a reflective layer, optimal polarization maintenance and anti-glare effects can be achieved.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure, comprising:

[0007] Substrate layer;

[0008] A microstructure layer is laid on the substrate layer. The microstructure layer has multiple structural parts, and a reflective region is formed between two adjacent structural parts. The reflective region has a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface that are disposed opposite to each other.

[0009] The first and second reflective surfaces are used to reflect the projected light rays incident on the reflective area an even number of times, so that the projected light rays reach the imaging area, and the projected light rays reaching the imaging area have the same polarization direction as the projected light rays incident on the reflective area.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are respectively located on two adjacent structural parts, and the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are arranged at an angle A1, wherein the angle A1 is an acute angle.

[0011] In one embodiment, the structural part is a triangular pyramid structure, which has three sides and a bottom surface. The opposite sides of two adjacent triangular pyramid structures are connected to each other to enclose and form the reflective area. The first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are respectively located on the opposite sides of two adjacent triangular pyramid structures.

[0012] In one embodiment, the triangular pyramid structure is a regular triangular pyramid structure, and the base of the triangular pyramid structure is an equilateral triangle.

[0013] In one embodiment, the side length D1 of the base of the triangular pyramid structure ranges from 1μm to 1000μm, the distance D2 between a vertex of the base of the triangular pyramid structure and the midpoint of the corresponding side is in the range of 0.5μm to 500μm, and the distance D3 between the vertex of the triangular pyramid structure and the center of the base is in the range of 1μm to 50μm.

[0014] In one embodiment, a plurality of the structural portions protrude or are recessed in the substrate layer to form the microstructure layer.

[0015] In one embodiment, a reflective layer is further included, which is disposed on the microstructure layer and the substrate layer to enhance the brightness of the light.

[0016] In one embodiment, the reflective layer is a metal reflective layer; the thickness of the reflective layer is 0.05μm-1μm.

[0017] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a polarization-maintaining projection screen with an even-order optical reflection structure, including the even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure described above.

[0018] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a polarization-maintaining projection system with an even-order optical reflection structure, comprising:

[0019] The projection screen described above;

[0020] And a projection structure that provides projection light toward the projection screen.

[0021] According to the above embodiment, an even-numbered polarization-preserving optical reflection structure includes a substrate layer and a microstructure layer. The microstructure layer is laid on the substrate layer and has multiple structural parts. A reflection region is formed between two adjacent structural parts. The reflection region has a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface arranged opposite to each other. The first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are used to reflect the projection light incident on the reflection region an even number of times, so that the projection light reaches the imaging region. Due to the even number of reflections, the polarization direction of the light is the same, thereby achieving a polarization-preserving effect. At the same time, since this structure can make the projection light incident on it reach the imaging region after an even number of reflections, most of the ambient light from the side cannot be reflected or refracted to the imaging region due to the angle and the number of reflections, thereby achieving an anti-glare effect and ensuring the brightness of the image to a large extent, achieving a balance between polarization preservation and anti-glare.

[0022] Based on the projection screen and projection system in the above embodiments, since it includes a reflective structure that can reflect the projection light an even number of times, the polarization direction of the incident projection light and the projection light reaching the imaging area is the same, and the ambient side light is prevented from reaching the imaging area, thereby achieving polarization preservation and anti-glare effects, and improving the image quality and brightness. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the microstructure layer of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between two adjacent structural parts of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the reflection of the projected light rays in the reflection area of ​​the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the structural part of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure in one embodiment;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure in another embodiment;

[0029] Wherein: 100, microstructure layer; 110, structural part; 120, reflective area; 1221, first reflective surface; 122, second reflective surface; 200, reflective layer; 300, substrate layer. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Similar elements in different embodiments are referred to by related similar element reference numerals. In the following embodiments, many details are described to facilitate a better understanding of the present application. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that some features may be omitted in different situations, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, certain operations related to the present application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid obscuring the core parts of the present application with excessive description. For those skilled in the art, detailed description of these related operations is not necessary; they can fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and general technical knowledge in the art.

[0031] Furthermore, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any suitable manner to form various embodiments, and the operational steps involved in each embodiment can also be rearranged or adjusted in a manner that is obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the specification and drawings are only for clearly describing a particular embodiment and do not imply that they represent the necessary components and / or order.

[0032] The serial numbers assigned to components in this document, such as "first" and "second," are used only to distinguish the described objects and have no sequential or technical meaning. The terms "connection" and "linkage" used in this application, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (linkages).

[0033] First, a brief explanation and description of some of the technical terms used below is required.

[0034] I. Polarization

[0035] Polarization is a property of transverse waves, referring to the property of a transverse wave oscillating in a specific direction within a plane perpendicular to its propagation direction. Light is an electromagnetic wave that propagates as a transverse wave, with both its electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to its propagation direction. Generally, the polarization direction of light refers to the direction of oscillation of its electric field.

[0036] II. Preserving the bias

[0037] Polarization preservation refers to maintaining the same polarization state (including polarization direction) of the input and output light under certain conditions.

[0038] refer to Figure 1-4This application provides an even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure, including a microstructure layer 100. The microstructure layer 100 has a plurality of structural portions 110, and a reflection region 120 is formed between two adjacent structural portions 110. The reflection region 120 has a first reflection surface 121 and a second reflection surface 122 disposed opposite to each other. The first reflection surface 121 and the second reflection surface 122 are used to reflect the projection light incident on the reflection region 120 an even number of times, so that the projection light reaches the imaging region, and the projection light reaching the imaging region has the same polarization direction as the projection light incident on the reflection region.

[0039] The imaging area mentioned above refers to the location of the observer, which can be specifically defined as the location of the observer's eyes, that is, the projection light enters the human eye to form an image after being reflected by the microstructure layer 100 on the screen.

[0040] Furthermore, the first reflective surface 121 and the second reflective surface 122 are respectively located on two adjacent structural parts 110.

[0041] Because the polarization direction of light changes once with odd-numbered reflections and returns to its original direction with even-numbered reflections, this application creatively designs a special reflection structure so that light rays cannot reach the imaging area during odd-numbered reflections, while they can reach the imaging area during even-numbered reflections. This prevents most ambient light from reaching the imaging area, achieving anti-ambient light (ambient light) effects and improving image quality. Furthermore, even-numbered reflections ensure that the polarization direction of the projected light remains consistent between the incident and emitted rays, thus achieving a polarization-preserving effect.

[0042] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the projected light entering the reflection area 120 can be better reflected, reduce the reflection and refraction of the ambient light outside, and achieve a better anti-light effect, the first reflective surface 121 and the second reflective surface 122 are set at an angle A1, wherein the angle A1 is an acute angle.

[0043] Furthermore, the structural part 110 is a triangular pyramid structure, which has three sides and a bottom surface. One side of two adjacent triangular pyramid structures is connected to each other to enclose and form a reflective area 120. The first reflective surface 121 and the second reflective surface 122 are respectively disposed on the side of the two adjacent triangular pyramid structures.

[0044] Specifically, each triangular pyramid structure is adjacent to three triangular pyramid structures, which can enclose three reflective areas 120. Each reflective area 10 can allow the projected light to reach the imaging area after reflection. The projected light enters from one side of the reflective area 120, and is first reflected by the first reflective surface 121 to the second reflective surface 122, and then reflected by the second reflective surface 122 to the first reflective surface 121. This process is repeated, and after an even number of reflections (such as 4, 6, 8, etc.), the light is emitted from the other side of the reflective area 120 to the imaging area.

[0045] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the projected light rays can be reflected uniformly and reach the imaging area smoothly, the horizontal and vertical lengths of two adjacent structural parts 110 are between 1μm and 1000μm.

[0046] Furthermore, two adjacent structural parts 110 are evenly arranged and can be connected to each other or separated. The horizontal and vertical lengths of two adjacent structural parts 110 can be adjusted to ensure that the corresponding sides of the two structural parts 110 can allow light to enter and exit with the same polarization.

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, when two adjacent structural parts 110 are connected to each other and evenly distributed, the orthographic projection of the two adjacent structural parts 110 is a rhombus structure, and its horizontal and vertical lengths are the lengths of the two diagonals of the rhombus structure, ranging from 1μm to 1000μm.

[0048] Specifically, the side length D1 of the base of the triangular pyramid structure ranges from 1μm to 1000μm, the distance D2 (i.e., the height of the base triangle) from a vertex of the base of the triangular pyramid structure to the midpoint of the corresponding side is ranged from 0.5μm to 500μm, and the distance D3 (i.e., the height of the triangular pyramid structure) from a vertex to the center of the base is ranged from 1μm to 50μm.

[0049] Based on the above principle, to ensure the polarization preservation effect, even-numbered reflections are used. This is related to the structure and size of the structural part 110. Its size and structure are set so that the incident projection light rays, after passing from one side, can exit from the corresponding other side in the same polarization direction and reach the imaging area. For better explanation, the bottom surface of the triangular pyramid structure is defined as the horizontal plane, and the view projected onto it is the orthographic projection view. Therefore, the angle between the first reflecting surface 121 and the second reflecting surface 122 and the horizontal plane is the same. Thus, the triangular pyramid structure is a regular triangular pyramid structure. The bottom surface of the triangular pyramid structure is an equilateral triangle, and the orthographic projection of two adjacent triangular pyramid structures is a regular rhombus structure. The angle formed between the first reflecting surface 121 and the second reflecting surface 122 is 60°.

[0050] Furthermore, it also includes a substrate layer 300, which can provide support for the microstructure layer 100.

[0051] In one embodiment, a plurality of the structural portions 110 protrude from the substrate layer 300 to form the microstructure layer 100. The protruding structural portions 110 enable even-number reflections of projection light incident at multiple angles to achieve a polarization preservation effect. This ensures that when the projection light is polarized, the light reaching the imaging area is also polarized in the same polarization direction, thereby guaranteeing the projection quality and effect.

[0052] Furthermore, a reflective layer 200 is included, which is disposed on the microstructure layer 100 and the substrate layer 300 to enhance the brightness of the light. Specifically, when two adjacent structural parts 110 are connected, the substrate layer 300 is not exposed between them, so there is no need to provide a reflective layer 200 on the substrate layer 300. When they are separated from each other and there is a gap between them, the substrate layer 300 in the gap area needs to be provided with a reflective layer 200.

[0053] Preferably, the reflective layer 200 is a metal reflective layer.

[0054] It should be noted that in this application, the projection imaging structure composed of the metal reflective layer 200 has a high gain in imaging. Since the structure part 110 may produce reflections at other angles, the overall gain will be reduced. However, by setting the metal reflective layer 200, the strong reflective characteristics of the metal reflective layer are utilized to make the structure part 110 have a high gain and achieve high brightness. In this application, the metal reflective layer 200 is processed onto the structure part 110 by means of metal particle coating or other methods.

[0055] like Figure 5 As shown, the metal reflective layer 200 completely covers the protruding structural part 110, and the side projection of the structural part 110 is a triangular structure. If it is a regular pyramidal structure, its side projection is also an equilateral triangle.

[0056] In another implementation, such as Figure 6 As shown, a plurality of the structural portions 110 are recessed in the substrate layer 300 to form the microstructure layer 100. The recessed structural portions 110 are formed by imprinting on the substrate layer 200.

[0057] It is understandable that some of the projected light may be incident on a portion of the substrate layer 300. Therefore, the metal reflective layer 200 is disposed on the structural part 110 and the substrate layer 200, completely covering the structural part 110 and the side of the structural part 110 on which the substrate layer 200 is disposed, thereby improving the reflection effect through the reflective effect of the metal.

[0058] The metal particles used in the metal reflective layer 200 can be one or more of aluminum, silver, cadmium, nickel, zinc, etc., with aluminum being the preferred material.

[0059] When a metal reflective layer is formed by coating, the diameter of the metal particles used in the metal reflective layer can range from 3μm to 50μm.

[0060] The thickness of the metal reflective layer 200 ranges from 0.05μm to 1μm, with the optimal range being 0.05μm to 0.1μm.

[0061] The metal reflective layer 200 can be made of aluminum, and when a coating method is used, the optimal thickness range of this metal reflective layer 200 is 0.1μm-0.8μm. To achieve polarization maintenance performance, the metal reflective layer 200 can fully cover the structural part 110 and the base layer 300 without being too thick to disrupt the unevenness of the structure.

[0062] Furthermore, the arrangement of the structural parts 110 on the substrate layer 300 can be regular and uniform, which can make the projected light reflect evenly and ensure the viewing effect within the viewing angle.

[0063] Secondly, this application also provides a polarization-maintaining projection screen with an even-order optical reflection structure, which includes the aforementioned even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure. The structural portion 110 and the metal reflective layer 300 on this even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure can achieve both polarization-maintaining and anti-glare effects while ensuring gain.

[0064] Thirdly, this application also provides an even-order optical reflection structure polarization-maintaining projection system, which includes the above-mentioned projection screen and projection structure, wherein the projection structure provides projection light toward the projection screen.

[0065] The above examples illustrate the present invention only to aid in understanding it and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various simple deductions, modifications, or substitutions based on the principles of this invention.

Claims

1. An even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure, characterized in that, include: Substrate layer; A microstructure layer is laid on the substrate layer. The microstructure layer has multiple structural parts, and a reflective region is formed between two adjacent structural parts. The reflective region has a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface that are disposed opposite to each other. The first and second reflective surfaces are used to reflect the projected light rays incident on one side of the reflective area an even number of times, so that the projected light rays exit from the other side of the reflective area and reach the imaging area, and the projected light rays reaching the imaging area have the same polarization direction as the projected light rays incident on the reflective area; the first and second reflective surfaces are respectively located on two adjacent structural parts, and the horizontal and vertical lengths of the two adjacent structural parts are in the range of 1μm-1000μm; The first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are arranged at an angle A1, where the included angle A1 is an acute angle. The structural part is a triangular pyramid structure, which has three sides and a bottom surface. The opposite sides of two adjacent triangular pyramid structures are connected to each other to enclose and form the reflective area. The first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are respectively located on the opposite sides of two adjacent triangular pyramid structures.

2. The even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The triangular pyramid structure is a regular triangular pyramid structure, and the base of the triangular pyramid structure is an equilateral triangle.

3. The even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The side length D1 of the base of the triangular pyramid structure ranges from 1μm to 1000μm, the distance D2 between a vertex of the base of the triangular pyramid structure and the midpoint of the corresponding side is in the range of 0.5μm to 500μm, and the distance D3 between a vertex of the triangular pyramid structure and the center of the base is in the range of 1μm to 50μm.

4. The even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple structural portions are provided protruding or recessed in the substrate layer to form the microstructure layer.

5. The even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a reflective layer disposed on the microstructure layer and the substrate layer to enhance the brightness of the light.

6. The even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The reflective layer is a metal reflective layer; the thickness of the reflective layer is 0.05μm-1μm.

7. A polarization-maintaining projection screen with an even-order optical reflection structure, characterized in that, Includes an even-order polarization-maintaining optical reflection structure as described in any one of claims 1-6.

8. A polarization-maintaining projection system with an even-order optical reflection structure, characterized in that, include: The projection screen as described in claim 7; And a projection structure that provides projection light toward the projection screen.

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