Proximity Projector Dust Cover Anti-Reflection Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Projectors suffer from reduced image brightness due to light reflection off the cover portion's light-incident surface, especially in proximity projection-type projectors that use wide-angle light, leading to increased reflectance and loss of projection light.

Innovation Solution

The cover portion is divided into areas based on the angle of incidence, with anti-reflection processes applied to each area to minimize reflection, reducing the need for a multilayer coating and lowering manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a multilayer anti-reflection coating is applied to the entire cover portion to reduce reflection across a wide range of angles, then the anti-reflection capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage brightnessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cover portion is divided into multiple areas (first area, second area, third area) corresponding to different angle of incidence ranges. Each area is selectively coated with anti-reflection films optimized for its specific angle range, rather than applying a complex multilayer coating to the entire surface. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining effective anti-reflection performance across all angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different anti-reflection treatments are applied to different areas of the cover portion based on the local angle of incidence characteristics. The first area (small angles) receives one type of coating, the second area (intermediate angles) receives another, and the third area (large angles) receives a third type. This local optimization ensures each area has the appropriate anti-reflection properties for its specific operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cover portion is designed for proximity projection with wide-angle light, then the projection capability is improved, but the light loss due to reflection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojection capabilityVSAvoidlight loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cover portion is divided into multiple areas (first area, second area, third area) corresponding to different angle of incidence ranges. Each area is selectively coated with anti-reflection films optimized for its specific angle range, rather than applying a complex multilayer coating to the entire surface. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining effective anti-reflection performance across all angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different anti-reflection treatments are applied to different areas of the cover portion based on the local angle of incidence characteristics. The first area (small angles) receives one type of coating, the second area (intermediate angles) receives another, and the third area (large angles) receives a third type. This local optimization ensures each area has the appropriate anti-reflection properties for its specific operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 approach effectively reduces light loss and maintains image brightness by tailoring the anti-reflection treatment to specific areas, allowing for efficient production and easy maintenance while protecting the projection unit from dust and dirt.

Implementation Method 1

a process of changing the reflectance of the light-incident surface of the cover portion at which the projection light is reflected is performed on each of the areas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnti-reflection coating: Anti-Reflective Coating

Data Source

PatentUS8794772B2Proximity projector having a dust-proof cover with an anti-reflection film

Publication Date: 2014.08.05 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A proximity projection-type projector includes a housing; a dust-proof cover arranged on a top portion of the housing; and a projection unit arranged within the housing. The projection unit projects projection light though the dust-proof cover on the housing toward a screen disposed outside the housing. An anti-reflection film forms a light incident surface of the dust-proof cover.