Projector Lens Angle Adjuster Reduces Field Curvature

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing projectors with reflective optical elements suffer from field curvature, requiring complex design and high-precision manufacturing, leading to increased design burden and larger aperture diameters, which complicates image projection and user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A projector with a detachable projection lens and an angle adjuster that includes a first leg from the lens and a second leg from the projector body, allowing adjustment of the lens's setting angle to reduce field curvature, enabling a simpler design and smaller lens size, and facilitating interchangeable lenses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the reflective optical element is designed with an aspheric surface or free-form surface to correct field curvature, then the field curvature is corrected, but the design complexity increases and manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield curvature correctionVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reflective optical element as an intermediary component between the projection lens and the screen. This reflective element with a specific curvature radius reflects and redirects light rays to correct the field curvature, allowing the main projection lens to maintain a simpler spherical surface design while achieving corrected image focus across the screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the curvature radius parameter of the reflective optical element to optimize field curvature correction. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the system achieves effective correction without requiring complex aspheric surfaces, thus reducing design and manufacturing complexity while maintaining correction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the reflective optical element is designed with an aspheric surface or free-form surface to correct field curvature, then the field curvature is corrected, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield curvature correctionVSAvoidsurface processing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the curvature radius parameter of the reflective optical element to optimize field curvature correction. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the system achieves effective correction without requiring complex aspheric surfaces, thus reducing design and manufacturing complexity while maintaining correction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the reflective optical element has a large aperture diameter to correct field curvature, then the field curvature is corrected, but the projection lens outer shape becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield curvature correctionVSAvoidprojection lens outer shape

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reflective optical element as an intermediary component between the projection lens and the screen. This reflective element with a specific curvature radius reflects and redirects light rays to correct the field curvature, allowing the main projection lens to maintain a simpler spherical surface design while achieving corrected image focus across the screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If the projection lens is fixed to support the projector, then the structure is simplified, but the lens cannot be detached or interchanged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidlens interchangeability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic mounting structure that allows the projection lens to transition between fixed and detachable states. The lens can be securely fixed during operation to maintain structural simplicity and stability, but can also be detached and interchanged when needed, providing adaptability for different lens configurations or maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution effectively decreases field curvature, simplifies lens design, reduces manufacturing complexity, and improves user convenience by allowing adjustable lens angles without manual operation, enhancing image focus and projector stability.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective projection lens (3) connected to the optical unit (2). The reflective projection lens (3) has a combined lens that is a combination of a plurality of lenses (301) and a reflective lens (302)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9335613B2Projector having an adjuster to adjust an angle of a projector lens

Publication Date: 2016.05.10 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A projector includes a projection lens (reflective projection lens) that has a reflective optical element (reflective lens) and reflects and projects a modulated light flux, an optical unit formed of optical elements disposed downstream of a light source apparatus and upstream of the reflective projection lens, a support that supports the reflective projection lens in an detachable manner with the optical unit, and an angle adjuster that adjusts a setting angle of the reflective projection lens.