salukikev
Mechanical
- May 14, 2008
- 110
Hello,
I'm a product design engineer and I'm here today because I'm stumped by an optics problem, and I hope that someone with more experience can help me out.
I'm currently trying to educate myself on what practical options are available to project an image on a surface which is nearly paralell to the projection direction, as opposed to the ideal, which would of course be perpendicular. I have about an inch and a half of space to rise above the intended projection surface, and so I was thinking a reflector would be the best option to help maximize my available distance. I believe the term that best describes my intent is 'acute angle projection'.
I took a shot at creating an optics diagram to better illustrate my goal, and though I'm sure that there are errors in the light path, I hope that it will help to clarify my arrangement.
I realize that there is an inherent problem in that traditional optics bend light to a focal point. By definition, a system with a focal point converges to a single point which can be adjusted to clear focus. Because of my angle, the problem I have is that this point is stretched. The result I have achieved is a clear image projected at center, and blurring quickly out of focus from that point. My hope is that I can find an arrangement or cut a custom lens that will essentially have a variable or 'stretched' focal point which is the inverse of the projection blur.
I've spoken with a several optics manufacturers, but all seem to be experienced in more traditional optical engineering tasks.
In considering this problem, I have thought of a few ways where it seems that it should be possible. One theoretical example is to imagine the image broken into 1000 "pixels". Each pixel of light could then be directed through one of 1000 individual lenses and out to the resulting end image, each maintaining its individual focal point, and producing and end result that is in focus in spite of its orientation. Effectively, 1000 pixels = 1000 lenses = 1000 focal points. This thought makes me wonder if I averaged the geometry of said lens 'group' if that would deliver a shape which would achieve my goal. (a parabola, perhaps?)
I've considered some Fresnel type layered solutions, or a lenticular sort of optic, but still haven't made any solid conclusions.
I'm still educating myself in the realm of optical engineering, so I would greatly appreciate any insights, experience, or other suggestions to help resolve this problem.
Thanks in advance for any help!!
-Kevin Dahlquist
I'm a product design engineer and I'm here today because I'm stumped by an optics problem, and I hope that someone with more experience can help me out.
I'm currently trying to educate myself on what practical options are available to project an image on a surface which is nearly paralell to the projection direction, as opposed to the ideal, which would of course be perpendicular. I have about an inch and a half of space to rise above the intended projection surface, and so I was thinking a reflector would be the best option to help maximize my available distance. I believe the term that best describes my intent is 'acute angle projection'.
I took a shot at creating an optics diagram to better illustrate my goal, and though I'm sure that there are errors in the light path, I hope that it will help to clarify my arrangement.
I realize that there is an inherent problem in that traditional optics bend light to a focal point. By definition, a system with a focal point converges to a single point which can be adjusted to clear focus. Because of my angle, the problem I have is that this point is stretched. The result I have achieved is a clear image projected at center, and blurring quickly out of focus from that point. My hope is that I can find an arrangement or cut a custom lens that will essentially have a variable or 'stretched' focal point which is the inverse of the projection blur.
I've spoken with a several optics manufacturers, but all seem to be experienced in more traditional optical engineering tasks.
In considering this problem, I have thought of a few ways where it seems that it should be possible. One theoretical example is to imagine the image broken into 1000 "pixels". Each pixel of light could then be directed through one of 1000 individual lenses and out to the resulting end image, each maintaining its individual focal point, and producing and end result that is in focus in spite of its orientation. Effectively, 1000 pixels = 1000 lenses = 1000 focal points. This thought makes me wonder if I averaged the geometry of said lens 'group' if that would deliver a shape which would achieve my goal. (a parabola, perhaps?)
I've considered some Fresnel type layered solutions, or a lenticular sort of optic, but still haven't made any solid conclusions.
I'm still educating myself in the realm of optical engineering, so I would greatly appreciate any insights, experience, or other suggestions to help resolve this problem.
Thanks in advance for any help!!
-Kevin Dahlquist
