Projection Lens Folded Optical Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wide-angle lens designs for projectors are bulky and costly due to the large number of lens elements, which complicates manufacturing and affects projector size, while fixed-focus designs fail to reduce production costs effectively.
Innovation Solution
A projection lens with a folded optical path using a first and second optical lens assembly, incorporating a reflective element and an optical member with translucent and reflective regions to reduce size and manufacturing complexity while maintaining optical quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If an intermediate image is formed in the optical path to reduce the size of lens elements, then the outer diameter of the lens is reduced, but the overall length of the optical system becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the optical path from a linear arrangement to a folded configuration by introducing reflective elements. The optical path is bent at multiple angles (45 degrees, 135 degrees, etc.) to redirect light transmission in three-dimensional space, effectively converting a long linear path into a compact folded path that fits within a shorter overall lens length while maintaining the intermediate image formation benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is divided into multiple segments or stages, each containing specific lens elements and reflective elements. The first optical lens assembly forms an intermediate image, which is then processed by the second optical lens assembly through a series of reflective elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while collectively achieving the desired compact form factor.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of lens elements is increased to improve optical quality, then the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces certain refractive optical elements with reflective elements (mirrors or reflective surfaces). Reflection-based optical paths can achieve similar or superior optical quality with fewer elements compared to traditional multi-element refractive systems. The reflective elements can be integrated into existing lens structures, reducing the total count of separate components while maintaining or improving image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. For example, reflective elements are integrated within the lens assemblies rather than being separate components. The first and second optical lens assemblies are configured to work together with the reflective elements in a unified optical path, reducing the need for additional independent elements and simplifying the overall system.
3Manufacturing precision
If the length of the lens is designed long to accommodate more optical elements, then the optical quality can be improved, but the projector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a folded optical path design where light is redirected multiple times through reflective elements arranged in three-dimensional space. This allows the optical system to achieve a long effective optical path length (beneficial for optical quality) while maintaining a compact physical footprint (reducing projector size). The optical path travels through multiple segments in different spatial directions rather than a single long linear path.
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 effectively reduces the size of the projection lens, simplifies manufacturing, and improves optical resolution by minimizing distortion aberration and reducing the distance between reflective elements, while maintaining good optical quality.
Implementation Method 1
the reflective element is configured to reflect the image beam from the first optical lens assembly and transmit to the translucent region
Implementation Method 2
The translucent region is configured to allow the image beam from the first reflective element to pass through and transmit to the second reflective element
Implementation Method 3
The second reflective element is configured to reflect the image beam from the translucent region and transmit to the reflective region
Implementation Method 4
The reflective region is configured to reflect the image beam from the second reflective element
Data Source
AI summary
A projection lens includes a first and a second optical lens assembly. The first optical lens assembly is configured to transmit an image beam to the second optical lens assembly, which projects out the image beam from the projection lens. The second optical lens assembly includes a first and a second reflective element, and an optical member disposed between the first and the second reflective element and including a translucent region and a reflective region. The first reflective element is configured to reflect the image beam from the first optical lens assembly and transmit to the translucent region, which allows the image beam from the first reflective element to pass through and transmit to the second reflective element. The second reflective element is configured to reflect the image beam from the translucent region and transmit to the reflective region, which reflects the image beam from the second reflective element.