Intermediate-Image Optical Layout for Compact Wide-Angle Zoom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for image projection and imaging apparatuses face challenges in achieving wide-angle projection with a short focal length and a wide screen while maintaining a compact size and reducing weight, as they tend to be bulky and heavy, leading to potential tilting and degradation of optical performance.
Innovation Solution
An optical system with an intermediate imaging position conjugate to both magnification and reduction conjugate points, featuring a fixed magnification optical system and independently movable relay optical system with negative refractive power, allowing for reduced size and weight by minimizing the effective diameter of lenses and reducing the need for large movements during zooming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the optical system uses a conventional wide-angle design with short focal length and wide screen, then the projection angle is improved, but the total length of the optical system increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into two independent systems: a magnification optical system for wide-angle projection and a relay optical system for image transmission. This segmentation allows the magnification system to be optimized for wide angle while the relay system handles image transmission, enabling the use of smaller diameter lenses and reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent places the magnification optical system and relay optical system in a nested configuration where the relay optical system is positioned within the housing and the magnification system is integrated with it. This nesting allows compact arrangement of components, reducing the total length and weight of the optical system while maintaining wide-angle capability.
2Weight of stationary object
If the optical system is made compact to reduce weight, then the size is improved, but the optical performance may degrade due to tilting from center of gravity moment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the magnification optical system and relay optical system such that their combined center of gravity aligns with the rotation axis of the housing. This counterbalancing arrangement eliminates the moment that would cause tilting during rotation, ensuring optical performance stability while allowing compact design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical system uses a zoom mechanism with large movement range, then the zoom capability is improved, but the size and weight of the zoom mechanism increase
Solution Approach 1:
The relay optical system is designed with movable lens groups that can be independently adjusted along the optical axis during zooming. This dynamic configuration allows the system to achieve zoom capability with reduced movement ranges compared to conventional fixed designs, thereby reducing the size and weight of the zoom mechanism.
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
The solution enables a wider angle and smaller effective diameter, resulting in a reduced size and weight of the optical system and zoom mechanism, while maintaining high optical performance and correcting aberrations such as field curvature and astigmatism.
Implementation Method 1
the relay optical system includes a plurality of moving lens groups which are independently movable in an optical axis direction during zooming, and wherein the reduction side-closest moving lens group that is positioned closest to the reduction side among the plurality of moving lens groups has a negative refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to an optical system internally having an intermediate imaging position that is conjugate with both of a magnification conjugate point on a magnification side and a reduction conjugate point on reduction side, including: a magnification optical system including a plurality of lens elements and positioned on the magnification side with respect to the intermediate imaging position; and a relay optical system including a plurality of lens elements and positioned on the reduction side with respect to the intermediate imaging position, wherein the relay optical system includes a plurality of moving lens groups which are independently movable in an optical axis direction during zooming, and wherein the reduction side-closest moving lens group that is positioned closest to the reduction side among the plurality of moving lens groups has a negative refractive power.