Tilted Optical Modulator for Projector Lens Aberration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional projector units face challenges in designing lenses to project clear and distortionless full-color images due to field curvature and aberrations, which are not adequately addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A projector unit with a projection optical system where the optical axis of the projection lens does not coincide with the center of a rectangular image plane of an optical modulator, with the modulator tilted such that the optical axis and center normal intersect, and the image plane positioned to align with the Petzval surface of the projection lens, allowing for reduced curvature aberration and distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the optical axis of the projection lens is made to coincide with the center of the image plane of the optical modulator, then the alignment is simplified, but field curvature and aberrations cause distortion and reduce image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately offsetting the optical axis from the center of the image plane and tilting the optical modulator at a specific angle. This asymmetric configuration allows the optical axis to intersect the image plane at a point other than the center, thereby compensating for field curvature and reducing aberrations while maintaining clear image quality across the projection screen.
2Manufacturing precision
If the optical modulator is tilted to reduce field curvature, then image quality improves, but the design and alignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by specifying precise tilt angles for the optical modulator and defining exact positional relationships between the optical axis and image plane center. By optimizing these geometric parameters, the system achieves reduced field curvature and improved image quality while providing clear design guidelines that manage alignment complexity through quantifiable specifications.
3Manufacturing precision
If the optical axis is offset from the image plane center, then curvature aberration is reduced, but the lens design becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the tilted optical modulator as an intermediary element that mediates between the light source and the projection lens. By tilting the modulator, the system creates an intermediate geometric relationship that shifts the effective optical axis position, thereby reducing curvature aberration while providing a systematic approach to lens design through defined geometric constraints.
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
This configuration enables the projection of clear and distortionless images by minimizing curvature aberration and maintaining image quality across various zoom and focus settings, ensuring a clear and undistorted image is projected onto a screen.
Implementation Method 1
a projection optical system for projecting the image beam formed by the optical modulator on to a screen
Implementation Method 2
a projection lens, which constitutes a projection optical system
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a projector unit which can facilitate the design of lenses and project a distortionless and clear image and which comprises a projection optical system in which an optical axis of a projection lens does not coincide with a center of a rectangular image plane of an optical modulator for forming a projected image which corresponds to an image that is projected onto a screen, wherein the optical modulator is disposed in such a manner as to be tilted so that the optical axis of the projection lens and a center normal of the image plane of the optical modulator intersect each other.