Resonant Drive System for Swept Surface 3D Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing volumetric 3D display systems face challenges in driving a projection screen at elevated excursion frequencies to reduce apparent flicker, requiring a robust drive system that can handle high reciprocation frequencies while ensuring synchronized image projection.

Innovation Solution

A drive system incorporating a resonant mounting arrangement with resilient members and electromagnetic actuators, such as subwoofers or bass shakers, amplifies the input reciprocating motion to achieve high excursion distances and frequencies, allowing the projection screen to reciprocate at frequencies like 20 Hz with reduced physical stress and improved synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the screen reciprocation frequency is increased to reduce flicker, then the display quality improves, but the physical stress on the drive system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay qualityVSAvoidphysical stress on drive system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration by using electromagnetic actuators (subwoofers or bass shakers) to generate reciprocating motion at high frequencies (around 20 Hz). The actuators create controlled vibrations that move the projection screen back and forth, reducing flicker while maintaining system reliability through resonant frequency operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters by operating the electromagnetic actuators at their resonant frequency. This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve high reciprocation frequencies with minimal physical stress, as the resonant operation maximizes efficiency and reduces the force requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the screen excursion distance is increased to improve 3D image quality, then the volumetric display performance improves, but the complexity of the drive system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D image qualityVSAvoiddrive system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By utilizing resonant vibration at the natural frequency of the mounting arrangement, the system achieves large excursion distances without requiring complex multi-stage actuators or mechanisms. The resonance amplifies the motion from simple electromagnetic actuators, maintaining drive system simplicity while improving 3D image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The resonant mounting arrangement acts as an intermediary between the electromagnetic actuators and the projection screen. It amplifies the small motions from the actuators into large screen excursions, enabling high-quality volumetric display without directly coupling complex drive mechanisms to the screen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the reciprocation frequency is increased to reduce flicker, then the apparent flicker decreases, but the synchronization requirements between screen and projector increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparent flickerVSAvoidsynchronization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by sensing the actual position and velocity of the reciprocating screen and using this information to dynamically adjust the projector timing. This closed-loop synchronization ensures that images are projected at the correct moments regardless of variations in reciprocation frequency, reducing flicker while maintaining simple synchronization control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning the screen at specific locations before projection begins. The synchronization system anticipates the screen position based on the known reciprocation cycle, allowing images to be projected at the optimal moments without complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system effectively reduces flicker and enhances the quality of the 3D image by enabling higher frequency and excursion distances, increasing the reliability and stability of the 3D display while minimizing the need for complex control systems.

Implementation Method 1

electromagnetic actuators, such as subwoofers or bass shakers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

resonant mounting arrangement with resilient members

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3230791B1Volumetric 3D display
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 VOXON CO
  • EP3230791B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3230791B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3230791B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A drive system for a projection screen in a swept surface volumetric three dimensional (3D) display is disclosed where the drive system causes the projection screen to reciprocate through an excursion distance at a screen reciprocating frequency relative to a projection system. The drive system includes an actuator arrangement for generating an input reciprocating force substantially at the screen reciprocating frequency through an input excursion distance and a support structure for the projection screen. The support structure further includes a resonant mounting arrangement for the projection screen where the resonant mounting arrangement is operably connected to the actuator arrangement and configured to allow the projection screen to reciprocate through the excursion distance. In addition, the resonant mounting arrangement is configured to have a resonant frequency substantially equivalent to the screen reciprocating frequency on actuation of the actuator arrangement. A gaming console incorporating a swept surface volumetric 3D display based on the drive system is also disclosed.