Projection Optical System Compact Size Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projection optical systems face challenges in achieving a compact size while maintaining high performance, particularly in avoiding interference between light beams and lens barrels, and effectively correcting curvature of field and distortion aberrations, which can lead to increased manufacturing errors and performance deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A projection optical system is designed with a refraction optical system, a first reflecting surface, and a second reflecting surface, where specific conditions regarding the distance between optical components and the angles of light beams are met to minimize interference and optimize lens diameter, allowing for miniaturization and high-performance imaging. This includes using aspherical lenses and free-form curved surfaces to correct aberrations and maintain image quality across varying projection distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the projection optical system is miniaturized to reduce overall size, then the projector becomes more compact, but light beam interference with lens barrels increases and manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a folding mirror to change the optical path direction, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space to separate the light beam path from the lens barrel. This dimensional change allows the system to maintain compact overall volume while preventing light beam interference with lens barrels by routing light through a different spatial dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mirror acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the projection lens and the screen. By introducing this intermediate component, the patent successfully separates the direct line of sight between lens and screen, thereby preventing light beam interference with the lens barrel while maintaining the projection function.
2Volume of moving object
If the projection optical system is miniaturized, then the projector becomes more compact, but curvature of field and distortion aberrations increase leading to performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs aspherical lenses and free-form curved surfaces, which represent parameter changes in the optical component geometry. These modified surface parameters enable effective correction of curvature of field and distortion aberrations even in the miniaturized system, maintaining high image quality despite the reduced size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes aspherical surfaces and free-form curved surfaces instead of simple spherical surfaces. This increased curvature complexity allows for better aberration correction in the compact optical system, addressing the reliability issue while maintaining miniaturization.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional spherical lenses are used, then manufacturing is easier, but aberration correction effectiveness is insufficient leading to larger lens diameter requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from spherical to aspherical and free-form curved surfaces. While manufacturing becomes more complex, the dramatic improvement in aberration correction effectiveness allows for smaller lens diameters, which is the prioritized outcome for system miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the surface parameter equations from simple spherical to complex aspherical and free-form curves, the patent achieves superior optical performance that enables lens diameter reduction, accepting the trade-off of increased manufacturing complexity.
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 system achieves a compact size without interference, enhances manufacturing precision, and maintains high image quality with reduced manufacturing error sensitivity, effectively addressing the challenges of miniaturization and performance in projection optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
a refraction optical system including a plurality of lenses
Implementation Method 2
a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a projection optical system capable of projecting an image formed on an image forming unit on a projection plane, which has an extremely short projection distance and a small size.