Laser Projection Apparatus Orthogonal Optical Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser projection apparatuses are limited by bulky size and inefficient use of space due to the alignment and orientation of optical components, which affects the compactness and volume of the device.
Innovation Solution
The proposed laser projection apparatus incorporates a light pipe, lens assembly, reflector, prism assembly, and digital micromirror device (DMD) with specific optical axis configurations and a compact housing design, including a third prism to adjust optical path distances, allowing for perpendicular and parallel alignments that reduce the vertical size and volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional optical component alignment is used, then image projection quality is maintained, but device volume and vertical size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconfigures the optical path by changing the spatial dimension of component arrangement. The illumination optical axis and projection optical axis are arranged perpendicular to each other, transforming a linear sequential arrangement into a three-dimensional orthogonal structure. This dimensional change allows compact integration of illumination and projection systems without compromising optical performance, directly reducing device volume while maintaining alignment precision through the new spatial configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested integration where the illumination assembly is positioned within or alongside the projection assembly. The light pipe and illumination components are arranged to utilize the same spatial envelope as the projection lens assembly, with the illumination optical path nested within the overall device structure. This nesting allows both illumination and projection functions to coexist in a compact volume without requiring separate dedicated spaces
2Volume of moving object
If more optical components are added for compactness, then device volume reduces, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for optical components, defines the compact form factor, and integrates the perpendicular optical paths. The reflector and prism assemblies are designed to perform both beam direction and spatial configuration functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, achieving compactness without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the illumination assembly and projection assembly into a single integrated optical engine unit. The housing merges the structural support for both assemblies, and the optical paths are combined through the perpendicular arrangement where the illumination beam path and projection beam path share common spatial constraints and mounting structures. This merging reduces component count and simplifies the overall system architecture
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 results in a more compact structure with reduced vertical size and volume, enhancing the spatial efficiency of the laser projection apparatus while maintaining image projection quality.
Implementation Method 1
The light pipe is configured to receive and homogenize the illumination beam
Implementation Method 2
The lens assembly is configured to first amplify and next converge the homogenized illumination beam
Implementation Method 3
The reflector is configured to reflect the illumination beam to the prism assembly
Implementation Method 4
The prism assembly is configured to transmit the illumination beam to the beam receiving face of the digital micromirror device
Implementation Method 5
The prism assembly is configured to transmit the illumination beam to the beam receiving face of the digital micromirror device, and receive the projection beam reflected by the beam receiving face, and transmit the projection beam to the projection lens
Implementation Method 6
The digital micromirror device includes a beam receiving face facing the prism assembly, and is configured to modulate the illumination beam according to the image signal to form the projection beam
Data Source
AI summary
A laser projection apparatus includes a laser source, an optical engine and a projection lens. The optical engine includes a light pipe, a lens assembly, a reflector, a prism assembly and a digital micromirror device. An optical axis of the illumination beam transmitted by the light pipe and the lens assembly is a first optical axis. An optical axis of an illumination beam reflected by the reflector to the prism assembly is a second optical axis. The first optical axis is perpendicular to the second optical axis, and both the first optical axis and the second optical axis are parallel to the beam receiving face of the digital micromirror device.