Asymmetric Projector Housing Design for Grip and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image projection apparatuses face challenges in preventing accidental drops during carrying without increasing cost or size, as existing solutions with handles add parts and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with an outer housing where the image forming unit and projecting optical unit are aligned in a specific order, with a wider width at the projecting optical unit position, featuring a curved surface and air channels for airflow, allowing for improved grip and reduced size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If handles are provided on the top surface of the outer housing to prevent dropping, then safety during carrying is improved, but the number of parts increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function against dropping is merged into the outer housing itself by creating an asymmetric width design where the housing is wider at the projecting optical unit side. This eliminates the need for separate handle parts while maintaining the safety function, as the asymmetric shape provides natural grip points that prevent accidental drops.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer housing serves multiple functions: it protects internal components, provides structural support, and simultaneously acts as a carrying handle through its asymmetric width design. The housing's geometric shape is optimized to provide grip points that prevent dropping, making the housing itself multi-functional rather than requiring dedicated handle components.
2Reliability
If handles are provided on the top surface of the outer housing to prevent dropping, then safety during carrying is improved, but the size of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrying handle function is merged into the outer housing's geometric design rather than being added as a separate component. The asymmetric width of the housing creates natural grip points that prevent dropping without requiring additional space for handle installations, thus maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding handles in the vertical dimension (which would increase height), the solution uses the horizontal dimension by creating an asymmetric width profile. The housing is wider at the projecting optical unit side, providing grip points that prevent drops without increasing the overall vertical size of the apparatus.
3Ease of operation
If the outer housing is made wider at the projecting optical unit position, then grip capability is improved, but the cross-sectional area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer housing employs asymmetric design where the width varies along the first direction: wider at the projecting optical unit side and narrower at the image forming unit side. This asymmetric profile provides optimal grip points for preventing drops while minimizing the overall cross-sectional area, as the width increase is localized only where needed for carrying safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing width is optimized locally at specific positions rather than uniformly throughout. The cross-section is wider at the projecting optical unit position where grip capability is needed, and narrower at other positions, providing localized enhancement of grip capability without proportionally increasing the overall cross-sectional area of the entire apparatus.
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 design effectively prevents the apparatus from slipping and falling while carrying, reduces the number of parts and cost, and maintains a compact size by utilizing the housing's geometry for enhanced grip and airflow.
Implementation Method 1
a channel for allowing air to flow therethrough is provided inside of the outer housing between a rear surface of the reflecting surface and the outer housing
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment, provided is an image projection apparatus (1) that includes: an image forming unit (A) that forms an image using light from a light source (20); a projecting optical unit (B) that forms a projected image of the image formed by the image forming unit (A); and an outer housing (59) that houses the image forming unit (A) and the projecting optical unit (B). The image forming unit (A) and the projecting optical unit (B) are provided in the given order from a setting surface of the outer housing (59). A width of the outer housing (59) in a direction perpendicular to a projection surface is larger at a position where the projecting optical unit (B) is provided than at a position where the image forming unit (A) is provided.