DMD Movable Plate Positioning for High-Resolution Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image projection apparatuses face challenges in increasing resolution without complicating the projection optical system and reducing the flexibility of design, particularly in accurately and swiftly moving decentered lenses to shift the projection image by distances less than the interval between picture elements.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a movable unit with a DMD and a heat sink, where the DMD is mounted on a movable plate supported by a joint plate, allowing precise control of the DMD's position using Lorentz forces generated by interacting coils and magnets, enabling high-speed movement between positions less than the micromirror array interval, thereby enhancing image resolution without complex system modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If decentered lenses are moved to shift the projection image to increase resolution, then the resolution of the projection image is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms required for moving the lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lens shifting mechanism with an optical field shifting approach. Instead of physically moving decentered lenses through complex mechanical mechanisms, the invention shifts the optical field by moving the image generation unit (DMD) relative to the optical axis using a simple movable unit with positioning actuators. This substitution eliminates the need for complex lens moving mechanisms while achieving the same resolution enhancement effect.
2Manufacturing precision
If decentered lenses are moved to shift the projection image, then the resolution of the projection image is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in controlling lens positions at high speed and with good accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lens positioning system with an electrical control system for the movable unit. The image generation unit (DMD) is positioned by electrically controlled actuators (voice coil motors or piezoelectric elements) that can rapidly and accurately adjust the DMD's position relative to the optical axis. This electrical control system offers superior speed and precision compared to mechanical lens positioning, enabling high-resolution image generation without operational complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If picture element density in the image generation unit is increased to increase resolution, then the resolution of the projection image is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of relative position between the image generation unit and the optical axis rather than changing the picture element density. By shifting the optical field through positional adjustment of the DMD, the system achieves higher effective resolution without increasing the physical density of picture elements in the DMD. This approach maintains the same manufacturing cost for the DMD while achieving enhanced resolution through optical field manipulation.
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 allows for increased resolution of the projection image, maintains system simplicity, and effectively prevents temperature-related malfunctions by efficient cooling of the DMD, achieving higher resolution than conventional systems without reducing image size or aspect ratio.
Implementation Method 1
allowing precise control of the DMD's position using Lorentz forces generated by interacting coils and magnets
Implementation Method 2
effectively prevents temperature-related malfunctions by efficient cooling of the DMD
Data Source
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AI summary
An image projection apparatus includes a light source, an image generation unit configured to receive light from the light source and generate an image based on the received light, a projection optical system unit configured to project the image generated by the image generation unit, a heat dissipation unit configured to dissipate heat of the image generation unit, and a movable member configured such that a position of the movable member is movable relative to the projection optical system unit, wherein the image generation unit and the heat dissipation unit are mounted on the movable member.