Lens Barrel Fixing Device for Projector Optical Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing projectors face challenges in maintaining optical performance due to movement of optical components caused by weight and vibration, leading to a need for a firmer fixing structure that is also cost-effective and easy to manufacture and attach.

Innovation Solution

A fixing device that includes a first tube member, a contact section, and a pressing mechanism to securely attach a lens barrel within a projection optical device to a light emitting device, ensuring stable positioning and easy attachment/detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a high rigidity holding member is used to fix optical components, then optical performance is maintained, but weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidweight of holding member

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing structure is divided into multiple components: a holding member with holding sections for optical components, a separate pressing mechanism with pressing sections, and a tube member. This segmentation allows each component to have optimized functions without requiring the entire structure to be high-rigidity and heavy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding member is designed with specific local features including holding sections that contact optical components, a pressing section reception portion, and positioning protrusions. These localized structural qualities provide precise fixing functionality without requiring uniform high rigidity throughout the entire structure, reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a high rigidity holding member is used to fix optical components, then optical performance is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the fixing structure into a holding member, pressing mechanism, and tube member, each component can be manufactured independently using standard processes, avoiding the need for complex integrated manufacturing of a single high-rigidity structure, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tube member serves multiple functions: it houses the pressing mechanism, provides structural support, and acts as a guide for the pressing sections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying manufacturing and reducing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a separate lens holding mechanism is provided, then lens stability is improved, but device complexity and attachment difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens stabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of lens holding mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing mechanism is integrated within the tube member structure, combining the support function and pressing function into a single unified component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device complexity compared to providing a completely separate lens holding mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing mechanism is nested within the tube member, with pressing sections extending from the tube member's inner wall. This nested arrangement allows the pressing mechanism to be compact and integrated, reducing device complexity while maintaining lens stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If a separate lens holding mechanism is provided, then lens stability is improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens stabilityVSAvoidease of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding sections and pressing sections are pre-positioned in the holding member and tube member respectively, with positioning protrusions and reception portions designed to automatically align. This preliminary arrangement of fixing elements enables easy attachment by simply inserting the optical components into the pre-configured holding sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the lens holding mechanism actively clamp or secure the lenses through complex movements, the design uses passive holding sections that simply contact and support the lenses, with the pressing mechanism providing steady pressing force. This inverted approach from active clamping to passive support simplifies operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11921407B2Fixing device, projection optical device, and projector

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A fixing device that fixes, to a light emitting device that emits light, a lens barrel included in a projection optical device and holding a plurality of lenses includes a first tube member, a contact section provided on an outer side of the first tube member and in contact with a holding section included in the light emitting device, and a pressing mechanism provided to be opposed to the contact section and configured to press the holding section toward the contact section when the fixing device is attached to the light emitting device.