Lensed Mirror Optical Path Folding for Thin Projection Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Projection display systems are generally thicker than flat screen display systems due to the greater distance light must travel to produce an image of desired size, which is a drawback for consumers preferring thinner profiles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a lensed mirror or catadioptric system in the light path between the array of light modulators and the display plane, which reduces the physical distance light travels while maintaining optical quality, allowing for a thinner display system cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional projection display system uses standard optical paths, then the image quality and contrast ratio are superior, but the cabinet depth becomes significantly thicker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a folding mirror that redirects the optical path at an angle, effectively changing the spatial dimension of light propagation. This allows the optical path to fold back on itself, reducing the linear depth of the cabinet while maintaining the necessary optical distance for image projection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent places the folding mirror within the existing optical path structure, nesting the reflected light path inside the cabinet space. This allows the optical system to be compacted by having light reflect off the folding mirror and travel through a folded path that fits within the reduced cabinet depth
2Area of moving object
If the distance that modulated light travels is increased to produce larger images, then the image size increases, but the cabinet depth increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mirror creates a non-linear optical path that extends the effective light travel distance without proportionally increasing the cabinet depth. By redirecting light at angles through the folding mirror, the system achieves larger image projection areas while keeping the physical cabinet dimensions compact
3Length of stationary object
If a thinner display system is designed, then the profile is more attractive to consumers, but the optical path length is insufficient to produce proper images
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mirror enables the optical path to achieve sufficient length for high-quality image projection within a thin cabinet profile by utilizing angular redirection. This maintains the necessary optical path length for image quality while keeping the cabinet depth minimal to achieve a thin display profile
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 use of a lensed mirror or catadioptric system enables a thinner and shorter projection display system cabinet, reducing component count and cost while increasing reliability and optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
The lensed mirror reflects modulated light from the array of light modulators onto the display plane
Implementation Method 2
The lensed mirror... is comprised of a refractive portion and a reflective portion
Implementation Method 3
The refraction unit bends light received along a first path to a second path
Implementation Method 4
the reflection unit reflects light back through the refraction unit along a third path
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for thin projection display systems. An embodiment comprises a light source, an array of light modulators optically coupled to the light source, a lensed mirror optically coupled to the array, and a controller electronically coupled to the array and to the light source. The array produces images on a display plane by modulating light from the light source based on image data and the controller provides light commands to the light source and load image data into the array. The lensed mirror reflects modulated light from the array onto the display plane, the lensed mirror comprising a refractive portion and a reflective portion. The refractive portion of the lensed mirror helps to increase the light bending capability to help reduce the overall thickness of a projection display system.