Projection Optical System for Thin Image Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image display apparatuses face challenges in reducing the thickness of their housings while ensuring accurate light travel and minimizing the non-display section adjacent to the screen, leading to inefficiencies in design and optical path arrangement.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a projection optical system that includes a projection lens, a first mirror, a second mirror, and a third mirror, where the projection lens and second mirror are aligned to match their optical axes, and the third mirror is positioned to bend the optical path, allowing for a shift in the light's direction and reducing the housing thickness by optimizing the optical engine unit's placement and the screen's angle conversion unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the optical engine unit and projection lens are housed in a space below the screen, then the housing can be structured, but a large non-display section is formed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the optical engine unit from a horizontal arrangement below the screen to a vertical arrangement on the rear side of the screen, utilizing the depth dimension of the housing. This dimensional change allows the optical components to be positioned in a different spatial plane, reducing the non-display section area while maintaining structural integrity.
2Area of stationary object
If the optical engine unit is arranged on the rear side of the screen, then the non-display section below the screen is reduced, but it is unclear whether light can accurately travel through the entire structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical path into distinct segments with specific mirrors positioned at defined locations. The first mirror reflects light from the projection lens, the second mirror widens the angle, and the third mirror directs light to the screen. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while ensuring accurate light travel through the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate mirrors as mediators between the optical engine unit and the screen. These mirrors facilitate the transition of light from the rear-side arrangement to the front projection, ensuring accurate light path while maintaining the reduced non-display section configuration.
3Length of stationary object
If light is caused to travel in a direction along the screen surface, then the housing thickness is reduced, but the optical path becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes mirror reflections to change the dimension of light travel from a direct horizontal path to a vertical path along the screen surface. This dimensional change reduces the housing thickness requirement while the complex optical path is managed through standardized mirror components.
4Device complexity
If the projection lens and second mirror are arranged with matching optical axes, then design is simplified, but light cannot be shifted to a specific side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical path control into separate components: the projection lens with its optical axis, the second mirror with its optical axis, and the shift mechanism. This segmentation allows the projection lens and second mirror to have matching optical axes for simplified design, while the shift function is achieved through the relative positioning and orientation of these segmented components.
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 enables a thinner image display apparatus with a reduced non-display section, improved design flexibility, and enhanced optical performance by accurately controlling light travel and reducing aberrations, while allowing for ultra-short focus projection and efficient space utilization within the housing.
Implementation Method 1
a projection optical system that projects light modulated according to an image signal from an optical engine unit
Implementation Method 2
a first mirror that reflects light from the projection lens
Implementation Method 3
a second mirror that widens an angle of light from the first mirror by reflecting the light
Implementation Method 4
a third mirror that reflects light from the projection optical system
Implementation Method 5
a screen that transmits light from the third mirror
Data Source
AI summary
A projection optical system including a projection lens, a first mirror that reflects a light from the projection lens, and a second mirror that widens an angle of a light from the first mirror by reflecting the light projects a light modulated according to an image signal from an optical engine unit. A third mirror reflects a light from the projection optical system. A screen transmits a light from the third mirror. An optical axis of the projection lens substantially matches an optical axis of the second mirror, and the light from the optical engine unit is shifted to a specific side from the optical axis of the projection lens.