Projector Lens Position Adjuster with Rotational Operation Member

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing projectors face challenges in operability and size increase due to the design of focus adjustment mechanisms, where increased distances between operation components lead to difficulties in lens position adjustment and resistance, and larger enclosures.

Innovation Solution

A projector design featuring a position adjuster with an arm member, operation member, and linkage mechanism, where the operation member is pivotable around a pivotal axis parallel to the optical axis, allowing for efficient lens position adjustment without increasing the projector's size, by reducing the distance between pivotal axes and operation components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the distance between the operation opening and the rotation lever is increased, then the operability of lens position adjustment is improved, but the size of the operation knob increases and resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperability of lens position adjustmentVSAvoidsize of operation knob

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational dimension from linear movement along the optical axis to rotational movement around a pivotal axis. The operation member rotates around a pivotal axis that is offset from the optical axis, allowing the user to operate the focus adjustment by rotating the operation member in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. This dimensional change enables compact design while maintaining operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the operation member along the optical axis (linear movement), the patent inverts the approach by rotating the operation member around a pivotal axis perpendicular to the optical axis. This inversion allows the operational force to be applied more efficiently, reducing the size of the operation member while improving operability through rotational motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the distance between the operation window and each ring is increased, then the operability is improved, but the size of the outer enclosure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperability of focus adjustmentVSAvoidsize of outer enclosure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the pivotal axis of the operation member at a location offset from the optical axis, creating a compact rotational mechanism that fits within a smaller enclosure. The operation member rotates in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, allowing the entire focus adjustment mechanism to be contained within a compact volume while maintaining good operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the operation member is designed with larger size for better operability, then the lens position adjustment becomes easier, but the projector size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of lens position adjustmentVSAvoidprojector size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional design by having the operation member rotate around a pivotal axis that is offset from the optical axis rather than moving linearly along the optical axis. This inversion allows the operation member to be compact while providing sufficient leverage and rotational travel for easy focus adjustment, thereby reducing the overall projector volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a dynamic rotational mechanism where the operation member rotates around a pivotal axis. This rotational motion provides mechanical advantage and allows for compact design while maintaining ease of operation. The linkage mechanism converts the rotational motion into the appropriate movement of the lens along the optical axis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11539925B2Projector with operation member for adjusting a position of a lens

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A projector includes a light projector and a position adjuster. The light projector includes a holder holding a plurality of lenses and a movable frame element provided to be pivotable around the optical axis of the plurality of lenses and that pivots to move a target lens out of the plurality of lenses along the optical axis. The position adjuster includes an arm member connected to the movable frame element that pivots along with the movable frame element, an operation member provided to be pivotable around a pivotal axis substantially parallel to the optical axis and pivots when an end portion of the operation member opposite the arm member is moved, and a linkage mechanism that links the arm member to the operation member and causes the arm member to pivot in response to the pivotal motion of the operation member.