Compact Projection System With Shared Lens Optical Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polarized beam-splitting projectors face challenges in reducing size due to separate design of lighting and imaging systems, necessitating a polarization mechanism that impedes further miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
A projection system design that integrates a light source assembly and imaging assembly with a reflective component, eliminating the need for a polarization mechanism by sharing an imaging assembly, allowing non-coaxial arrangement of lighting and imaging optical paths, and utilizing a reflective component to separate optical paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a polarization mechanism is used to separate optical paths of lighting and imaging systems, then the optical paths can be separated, but the projector size cannot be further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lighting and imaging optical paths into a single shared optical path. The light source assembly and imaging assembly use the same optical axis and share common optical components, eliminating the need for separate optical paths and the polarization mechanism required to separate them. This merging directly reduces projector size while maintaining functional separation through spatial arrangement of components along the shared path.
Solution Approach 2:
The first lens serves multiple functions: it acts as both the objective lens for the imaging system and the condenser lens for the lighting system. By making this single optical element perform dual roles, the patent eliminates the need for separate optical components for lighting and imaging, thereby reducing overall system complexity and size without requiring a polarization mechanism.
2Reliability
If lighting and imaging systems are designed separately, then each system can be optimized independently, but the projector size cannot be further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lighting and imaging systems into a unified optical architecture where both systems share the same optical path and the first lens. The light source assembly and imaging assembly are positioned along the optical axis with their respective optical paths overlapping, allowing independent optimization of each subsystem while achieving compact integration through shared components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the conflict between separate system design and size reduction by transitioning from a planar separation approach to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement. The lighting and imaging optical paths are arranged in different spatial dimensions along the optical axis, with the first lens serving both functions at different positions in the optical path. This dimensional reorganization allows independent optimization while achieving compact integration.
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 design reduces the volume of the projector by integrating lighting and imaging systems, enabling parallel optical axes and minimizing overall size without a polarization mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
at least a chief ray among rays emitted by the light source assembly is incident through the first part of the first lens, and is then reflected by the reflective component to form reflection rays
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a projection system and an electronic device. The projection system includes a light source assembly, an imaging assembly, and a reflective component; the imaging assembly includes a first lens located near an exit pupil of the imaging assembly; the first lens has a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part being separated by an optical axis; the light source assembly is configured to emit rays. among which least a chief emitted ray is incident through the first part of the first lens, and is then reflected by the reflective component to form reflection rays, among which at least a chief reflection ray is emergent through the second part of the first lens.