Aspheric Lens Merging Optical Functions for Compact Projection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image projection apparatuses face challenges in achieving a compact structure and high durability while maintaining full HD picture quality, as they require a large number of glass lenses, which increases the system size and complicates the implementation of ultra short throw ratios and stereoscopic images.
Innovation Solution
The use of aspheric lenses formed from glass molding material with polarization characteristics reduces the number of lenses needed, eliminating the need for additional lenses to produce stereoscopic images and allowing for a more compact design by controlling the refraction degree of the light bundle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a large number of glass lenses are used to achieve full HD picture quality, then image quality is improved, but the system size and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lens functions are merged into a single aspheric lens. The aspheric lens integrates the optical functions that would traditionally require multiple spherical lenses, thereby reducing the total number of lenses while maintaining full HD picture quality. This merging approach directly addresses the contradiction by consolidating optical elements without sacrificing image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the lens from traditional spherical surfaces to aspheric surfaces. By modifying the lens shape parameters and using glass molding material with specific polarization characteristics, the aspheric lens achieves superior optical performance with fewer elements, resolving the contradiction between image quality and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional lenses are added to implement stereoscopic image output, then stereoscopic functionality is improved, but the system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aspheric lens is designed with polarization characteristics that enable it to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the primary focusing lens and the stereoscopic image output element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate additional lenses for stereoscopic output, thereby maintaining compact system size while achieving stereoscopic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stereoscopic functionality is merged into the aspheric lens itself through its polarization characteristics. Instead of adding separate stereoscopic output lenses, the invention integrates this capability into the existing aspheric lens structure, reducing system size while maintaining adaptability for stereoscopic imaging.
3Area of stationary object
If the number of lenses is increased to project a large image, then image projection capability is improved, but the entire size of the optical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from spherical lenses to aspheric lenses with optimized surface parameters, the invention achieves higher light gathering efficiency and better focusing capability. This parameter change allows for effective large image projection with fewer lenses, thereby preventing the optical system size from increasing proportionally with the projected image size.
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 enables a compact, durable image projection apparatus capable of projecting high-quality, full HD images, including stereoscopic content, without the need for additional lenses, thereby reducing the overall system size and enhancing image projection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first aspheric lens 151 having a first refraction surface 151a and a second refraction surface 151b, and a second aspheric lens 152 having a first refraction surface 152a and a second refraction surface 152b, in the projection system 140
Implementation Method 2
since a three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic image is output by using the aspheric lenses formed of a glass molding material and having a polarization characteristic
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention provides an image projection apparatus comprising a light source for emitting a light bundle, a display element forming an image by using the light bundle, and a projection system having: a lens unit refracting the light bundle so as to magnify and project the image and including first and second aspheric lenses, which are spaced from each other and change the refraction of the light bundle, and at least one spherical lens disposed between the first and second aspheric lenses; and a mirror for reflecting, toward the outside, the light bundle delivered by the lens unit.