Curved-Edge Projection Lens Apertures for Reduced Diffraction Artifacts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Circular projection lens apertures provide some improvements in image quality but still suffer from artifacts that degrade resolution and contrast, while square apertures experience a higher rate of such artifacts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing apertures with non-straight sections, such as those with at least three edges and vertices, that are curved relative to the center, to capture diffraction orders and reduce artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a square aperture is used to match pixel shape, then modulation accuracy is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to higher artifact rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the aperture edges, transitioning from straight lines (square) to curved segments (rounded square/oval). This curvature reduces the sharp corners that cause diffraction artifacts while maintaining the overall square shape for pixel matching, thus reducing image artifacts while preserving modulation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric edge curvature where different sides of the square aperture have different curvature radii. This asymmetric design optimizes the balance between maintaining the square pixel shape for modulation and reducing diffraction artifacts, resolving the contradiction between modulation accuracy and image quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a circular aperture is used to reduce artifacts, then image quality is improved, but pixel shape matching deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a fully circular aperture, the patent applies curvature only to the edges of a square-based shape, creating a rounded square or oval. This partial curvature reduces diffraction artifacts at the corners while maintaining the overall square geometry for better pixel shape matching, thus balancing image quality and pixel correspondence.
3Ease of manufacture
If straight edges are used in aperture, then manufacturing is simpler, but resolution deteriorates due to vertical and horizontal blurring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces straight edges with curved segments in the aperture design. This curvature eliminates the sharp corners that cause diffraction patterns and vertical/horizontal blurring, thereby improving image resolution. The curved edges are still manufacturable using standard optical fabrication techniques, maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving resolution.
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
Enhances image quality by reducing artifacts, improving resolution and contrast, and minimizing the visibility of pixel lines in projected displays.
Implementation Method 1
Such apertures capture the diffraction orders required for high contrast projection while reducing artifacts that reduce resolution by blurring pixels vertically and horizontally
Data Source
AI summary
Projection lens apertures for laser-based image projection systems (100). One embodiment provides a projection lens assembly (112) for a projector system (100). The projection lens assembly (112) includes an aperture (1200, 1300, 1800, 1900) integrated within the projection lens assembly and configured to block a portion of incident light. The aperture includes an aperture hole (1205, 1305, 1805, 1905) composed of at least three edges (1215, 1315,1815, 1915) and a plurality of vertices (1210, 1310, 1810, 1910). The at least three edges are curved relative to a center of the aperture hole.