Integrated Optical Unit for Projection and Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projection apparatuses with imaging and projection functions have increased design costs and size due to multiple optical systems, lacking efficient configurations for cost and size reduction.
Innovation Solution
An optical unit is configured with a projection optical system, a common optical system, an optical member for guiding light, and an imaging optical system, where the intermediate image is formed between the common optical system and the optical member, allowing for reduced size and design costs by optimizing the optical path and system design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple optical systems are arranged between the half mirror and the imaging unit/projection unit, then projection performance and imaging performance are improved, but the size of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical systems (projection optical system, common optical system, and imaging optical system) into a single integrated optical unit. The common optical system serves dual purposes: forming intermediate images for both projection and imaging functions, thereby reducing the overall number of separate optical components needed and minimizing the apparatus size while maintaining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The common optical system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as part of the projection optical system for projecting images onto the screen and as part of the imaging optical system for capturing images. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated optical paths, thereby reducing the overall apparatus size.
2Reliability
If multiple optical systems are arranged between the half mirror and the imaging unit/projection unit, then projection performance and imaging performance are improved, but design cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the projection optical system, common optical system, and imaging optical system into a single integrated unit with shared components, the patent reduces the total number of design iterations and component selections required. This integration simplifies the design process and reduces design costs while maintaining high performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The common optical system is designed to serve multiple functions (projection and imaging), which reduces the total number of separate optical components that need to be designed and manufactured. This multi-functionality approach reduces design complexity and associated costs while preserving the required performance capabilities.
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 reduces the size of the optical unit, minimizes the design load of the imaging optical system, and facilitates cost reduction while maintaining projection and imaging performance.
Implementation Method 1
a projection optical system (2) on which light from a display unit (1) is incident
Implementation Method 2
a common optical system (3) that projects light passing through the projection optical system (2) to a projection target object SC and forms an image of subject light
Implementation Method 3
an optical member (4) for guiding light passing through the projection optical system (2) to the common optical system (3)
Implementation Method 4
an imaging optical system (5) for forming the intermediate image on the imaging element (6)
Data Source
AI summary
An optical unit includes: a projection optical system on which light from a display unit is incident; a common optical system that projects light passing through the projection optical system to a projection target object and forms an image of a subject at a side of the projection target object; an optical member for guiding light passing through the projection optical system to the common optical system and guiding an intermediate image formed by at least a part of the common optical system to an imaging element; and an imaging optical system for forming the intermediate image on the imaging element, and an image forming position of the intermediate image is present between a component closest to a side of the projection target object among components constituting the common optical system and the optical member.