Floating Image Display Device Using Laminated Micro Mirror Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high manufacturing costs associated with fine fabrication technologies required for existing floating image display devices make them expensive to produce.
Innovation Solution
A floating image display device utilizing a light reflecting optical member with micro mirror units arranged in a matrix configuration, where two assemblies of longitudinal members with light reflecting sides are laminated to reflect light twice, forming a mirror image without the need for costly fine fabrication technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If fine fabrication technologies are used to form the optics with many fine openings, then the floating image display device can display real three-dimensional floating images, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optics into multiple sheets, each containing a portion of the micro mirror units. This segmentation allows each sheet to be manufactured separately using less precise fabrication, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining the functional precision of the complete assembled optics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, precisely fabricated monolithic optics with assemblies of simpler, cheaper optical components (sheets with micro mirror units) that can be manufactured more economically and potentially replaced more easily
2Measurement precision
If fine openings of 100×100×100 μm are formed through the substrate, then mirror images can be formed as real images in space, but the fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex monolithic optics into multiple simpler sheets, each containing micro mirror units. This reduces the fabrication complexity of individual components while achieving the same optical function through assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional monolithic substrate to a multi-layered sheet structure, adding the dimension of layering to simplify the fabrication of individual components while maintaining the overall optical precision
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 the display of floating images as real images at a lower cost by simplifying the production process and eliminating the requirement for high-cost fabrication techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The light reflecting optical member reflects the displayed light by the first and second light reflecting sides at two times to form a mirror image
Data Source
AI summary
A floating image display device includes an object, and a light reflecting optical member for reflecting displayed light from the object to a viewer. The light reflecting optical member comprises a structure in which micro mirror units each having first and second light reflecting sides are arranged in matrix. The light reflecting optical member reflects the displayed light by the first and second light reflecting sides at two times to form a mirror image. The light reflecting optical member comprises a first assembly and a second assembly. Each of the first and second assemblies is constructed by arranging a plurality of longitudinal members each having one light reflecting side such that all of the light reflecting sides are oriented in a same direction. The first assembly and the second assembly are laminated onto each other with the light reflecting sides of the first assembly and the light reflecting surfaces of the second assembly intersecting with each other. The light reflecting sides of the first assembly constitute the first light reflecting sides of the respective micro mirror units, and the light reflecting sides of the second assembly constitute the second light reflecting sides of the respective micro mirror units.