Nested Projector Foot Unit for Compact Size and Wide Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing projectors face challenges in size reduction while maintaining the ability to adjust the image projection height and inclination over a wide range, as the adjustment mechanisms often compromise on either size or positional accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A projector design featuring a foot unit with variable projection lengths, including a first and second foot main body, and adjustable units that allow for independent adjustment of each foot's length, enabling both size reduction and wide-range image height adjustment, with a holding unit that supports rotation and fine-tuning of the first foot main body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the foot unit is shortened for size reduction, then the projector size decreases, but position adjusting of the image projection height in a wide range becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojector sizeVSAvoidimage projection height adjustment range

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The foot unit employs a nested structure where the second foot main body is inserted into the first foot main body, and the adjusting units are housed within the foot main bodies. This nesting allows the foot unit to achieve a long projection length for wide adjustment range while maintaining a compact retracted size for portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The foot unit is divided into multiple segments: first foot main body, second foot main body, first adjusting unit, and second adjusting unit. Each segment can be independently adjusted, allowing the system to achieve complex projection length changes while keeping each individual component compact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the structure accommodating the foot unit is reduced in size, then the projector size decreases, but the ability to maintain wide-range position adjusting is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepiston storage chamber sizeVSAvoidposition adjusting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The foot unit employs dynamic adjusting mechanisms where the first and second foot main bodies can rotate and extend independently. The holding unit dynamically shifts with the first foot main body to maintain proper engagement of the second adjusting unit, enabling precise control over the projection length despite compact storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8708503B2Projector having foot unit with increased projection length and decreased size

Publication Date: 2014.04.29 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A projector includes: an external case which stores an optical unit; and a foot unit which projects from the external case, the foot unit includes: a first foot main body whose projection length from the external case is variable, a second foot main body whose projection length from the first foot main body in the same direction as the projection direction of the first foot main body is variable, a first adjusting unit configured to adjust the projection length of the first foot main body, and a second adjusting unit configured to adjust the projection length of the second foot main body.