Compact Photographic and Projection Module with Movable Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable electronic devices with small screens for multimedia data consumption are inconvenient for long-term viewing, and conventional projectors are bulky, generate excessive heat, and produce high noise due to cooling fans.
Innovation Solution
A photographic and projection module incorporating a zoom lens, image sensor, and a movable reflective member that switches between image-capturing and projection modes, allowing for compact, portable, and quiet operation by using a zoom lens with a fixed and movable reflective member to manage light paths effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional projector is used to project multimedia data on a larger screen, then the viewing experience is improved, but the device volume becomes too large to be portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the projector and camera functions into a single integrated module. The projector unit and camera unit share common optical components including the objective lens, reflective member, and image sensor, allowing both functions to be performed by a compact unified structure rather than separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The objective lens and reflective member serve dual purposes: they are used by both the projector unit to project images and by the camera unit to capture images. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed and enables portable form factor while maintaining projection capability
2Illumination intensity
If a conventional projector is used to project multimedia data, then the projection function is achieved, but excessive heat is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional high-power lamp-based light source with an LED array as the light emitting unit. LEDs generate significantly less heat compared to traditional projector lamps, thereby reducing the temperature and heat generation while maintaining projection brightness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the light source parameter from high-power lamp to LED, which fundamentally alters the thermal characteristics of the system. This parameter change reduces heat generation while maintaining the required illumination intensity for projection
3Temperature
If a cooling fan is added to a conventional projector to dissipate heat, then the temperature is reduced, but unacceptably high levels of noise are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cooling fan system with a passive heat dissipation approach. By using LED light sources that generate less heat and designing the housing with heat dissipation structures, the system achieves thermal management without requiring active mechanical cooling, thereby eliminating fan-generated noise
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harmful effect of heat generation into a benefit by using LED technology that inherently produces less heat. This reduces the need for aggressive cooling measures and their associated noise, turning a thermal management challenge into an advantage
4Volume of moving object
If a small screen is used in portable electronic devices, then the device remains compact and portable, but watching multimedia data for a long period of time becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the device to dynamically switch between camera mode and projector mode. The reflective member can be positioned to direct light either to the image sensor for camera operation or through the objective lens for projection operation, allowing the user to adapt the device function to the viewing situation
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
Enables compact, portable, and quiet multimedia data projection with improved image quality and reduced noise, addressing the limitations of conventional projectors and small screen devices.
Implementation Method 1
the light beams are emitted by the projection unit, then refracted by the first reflective member, passing through the zoom lens, and then projected out of the photographic and projection module
Implementation Method 2
first image beams pass through the cover lens, then being reflected by the fixed reflective member, zoomed by the zoom lens, and then focused on the image sensor
Implementation Method 3
the panel emitting the second image beams, which are then reflected by the movable reflective member, zoomed by the zoom lens, reflected by the fixed reflective member, and passed out of the cover lens and the opening
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides compact photographic and projection modules and electronic systems having the photographic and projection modules, which not only can project image data but also can capture image with good image quality high zoom ratio. Additionally, the photographic and projection modules are reliable and able to be made with low cost.