Ultra-thin Display Using Tapered Plate and Mirrors
Solution Overview
Problem
Rear projection display systems require a small footprint to compete with thin flat-panel displays, and existing technologies struggle to achieve this while maintaining effective image projection.
Innovation Solution
A display system utilizing a transparent tapered plate with tiltable mirror plates and an optical scanning system, where light reflected by the mirror plates enters the tapered plate at a narrow base, is reflected by a slanted face, and forms a display image on a vertical surface, allowing for a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a traditional rear projection display system is used, then image projection capability is maintained, but the footprint size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar projection geometry to a three-dimensional tapered plate structure. Light enters through the narrow base face, reflects off the slanted second face, and forms an image on the vertical third face. This dimensional transformation allows the display to achieve a compact footprint while maintaining effective image projection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system is divided into functionally distinct segments: the tapered plate with its specialized faces (narrow base face for light entry, slanted second face for reflection, vertical third face for image formation), the array of tiltable mirror plates for spatial light modulation, and the optical scanning system for directing light. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while contributing to the overall compact design.
2Area of stationary object
If the display system uses a compact tapered plate structure, then footprint is reduced, but light path complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a light guide, a reflection surface, and an image display surface. The narrow base face receives light from the mirror array, the slanted second face redirects the light, and the vertical third face presents the final image. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate optical components, thereby managing complexity while achieving compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered plate functions as an intermediary element that mediates between the light source (mirror array) and the display surface (third face). It transforms the light path from the mirror array into the appropriate direction and format for image formation on the vertical surface, simplifying the overall optical path management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources and beam dividers are used, then color display capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources (red, green, blue LEDs) and beam dividers into an integrated illumination assembly that feeds a single tapered plate. The beam dividers redirect light from multiple sources onto the appropriate faces of the tapered plate, merging their functions into a unified optical path that maintains color display capability while reducing the number of separate optical paths required.
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 achieves an ultra-thin display solution suitable for rear-projection applications, enabling a small footprint while maintaining effective image projection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
each of the mirror plates is configured to tilt to an 'on' position to reflect incident light in an 'on' direction or to tilt to an 'off' position to reflect incident light in an 'off' direction
Implementation Method 2
the row of the tiltable mirror plates and the tapered plate are so configured to allow the light reflected by the row of mirror plates in the 'on' direction to enter the tapered plate at the first face, be reflected by the second face
Data Source
AI summary
A display system includes a transparent tapered plate comprising a first face, a second face, and a third face. The first face is substantially smaller than the second face and the third face. The display system also includes a row of tiltable mirror plates each comprising a reflective surface. Each of the mirror plates is configured to tilt to an “on” position to reflect incident light in an “on” direction or to tilt to an “off” position to reflect incident light in an “off” direction. An optical scanning system is configured to control the direction of the light reflected by the mirror plates in the “on” direction. The row of the tiltable mirror plates, optical scanning system and the tapered plate are configured to allow the light reflected by the row of mirror plates in the “on” direction to enter the tapered plate at the first face, be reflected by the second face, and produce a line of image pixels on the third face. The optical scanning system is configured to scan the line of image pixels across the third face to produce a display image.