Mold for a waveguide lens and waveguide lens
By using multi-mold design and casting process to form lenses on the surface of optical waveguide modules, the problems of large thickness and complex manufacturing process of AR lenses are solved, and the lens thickness is reduced and the manufacturing process is simplified.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ASPHETEK SOLUTION (CHENGDU) LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
AI Technical Summary
AR lenses are thick and have complex manufacturing processes. In existing technologies, the bonding of functional layers with adhesives increases the thickness and complicates the manufacturing process.
The design employs a multi-mold system. The optical waveguide module with optical auxiliary functions is placed in the first groove of the first mold, and a lens is formed on the surface of the optical waveguide module. The multi-mold molding and casting process is used to achieve glue-free bonding between the lens and the optical waveguide module, reducing the manufacturing process.
The thickness of the waveguide lens was reduced, the manufacturing process was simplified, adhesive usage was reduced, and production efficiency was improved.
Smart Images
Figure CN118003676B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic product technology, and in particular to a mold and a waveguide lens for waveguide lenses. Background Technology
[0002] Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that calculates the position and angle of camera images in real time and adds corresponding images to them, enabling the real environment and virtual objects to be superimposed onto the same scene or space in real time. Augmented Reality devices can utilize optical waveguides to achieve augmented reality functions.
[0003] In related technologies, the manufacturing process of AR glasses uses traditional bonding processes to bond various functional materials together to complete AR lenses with various functions. Since each functional layer is bonded with adhesive, the AR lenses are relatively thick and the manufacturing process is complicated. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of this, this application provides a mold and a waveguide lens for waveguide lenses, which can reduce the thickness of the waveguide lens while reducing the manufacturing process of the waveguide lens.
[0005] The first aspect of this application provides a mold for a waveguide lens, comprising: a first mold having a first groove on one side for placing an optical waveguide module with optical auxiliary functions; and a second mold for closing with the first mold, wherein the second mold has a second groove on one side facing the first mold; wherein the optical waveguide module includes a first surface near the second mold, and the second groove is used to form a first lens on the first surface.
[0006] Compared with related technologies, the embodiments of this application have at least the following advantages: by setting a first mold, since the first mold has a first groove, an optical waveguide module with optical auxiliary function can be placed, so that the waveguide lens subsequently manufactured has the optical function corresponding to the optical waveguide module; by setting a second mold, since the second mold has a second groove on the side facing the first mold, the first lens can be formed on the first surface of the optical waveguide module with the cooperation of the first mold and the second mold, so that the optical waveguide module and the first lens do not need to be bonded by an adhesive layer, reducing the thickness of the waveguide lens and reducing the manufacturing process of the waveguide lens.
[0007] In some possible implementations, the following are also included: a third mold with a third groove on one side for placing the first lens and the optical waveguide module; a fourth mold for closing with the third mold, the fourth mold having a fourth groove on the side facing the third mold; wherein the optical waveguide module further includes a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface and close to the fourth mold, the fourth groove being used to form the second lens on the second surface.
[0008] By adopting this technical solution, the thickness of waveguide lenses can be further reduced, and the fabrication process of waveguide lenses can be further simplified.
[0009] In some possible implementations, the first lens is an objective lens, the second lens is an eyepiece, and the width of the fourth groove is smaller than the width of the third groove.
[0010] In some possible implementations, the first lens is an eyepiece, the second lens is an objective lens, and the width of the fourth groove is greater than the width of the third groove.
[0011] The second aspect of this application discloses a waveguide lens, which is made using the above-mentioned mold for waveguide lenses, including an optical waveguide module, a first lens, and a second lens; the optical waveguide module is located between the first lens and the second lens, and at least one of the first lens and the second lens is integrally formed with the optical waveguide module.
[0012] In some possible implementations, the optical waveguide module includes: a stacked grating structure and an optical functional layer; the waveguide lens also includes an adhesive layer, through which the grating structure and the optical functional layer are bonded together.
[0013] In some possible implementations, the optical functional layer includes one or any combination of the following: an electrochromic color-changing functional layer, an eye-tracking functional layer.
[0014] In some possible implementations, the optical waveguide module includes a grating structure; the first lens and the second lens are disposed on opposite sides of the grating structure and are both integrally formed with the grating structure.
[0015] In some possible implementations, the waveguide lens further includes an electrochromic color-changing functional layer; the electrochromic color-changing functional layer is attached to the surface of the first lens away from the grating structure.
[0016] In some possible implementations, the waveguide lens further includes an eye-tracking functional layer disposed on the surface of the grating structure not adhered to by the second lens, and surrounding the second lens.
[0017] Understandably, the waveguide lens of the second aspect provided above corresponds to the mold for the waveguide lens of the first aspect described above. Therefore, the beneficial effects it can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a mold for a waveguide lens provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of a mold for a waveguide lens provided in one embodiment of this application.
[0020] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the fabrication process of a waveguide lens according to an embodiment of this application.
[0021] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating another fabrication process of a waveguide lens provided in one embodiment of this application.
[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a waveguide lens provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of a waveguide lens provided in one embodiment of this application.
[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of a waveguide lens provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of a waveguide lens provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0026] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of a waveguide lens provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0027] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of a waveguide lens provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0028] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of a waveguide lens provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0029] To better understand the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application, the application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in these embodiments can be combined with each other.
[0030] The following description sets forth many specific details to provide a full understanding of this application. The described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application.
[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application.
[0032] It should be further noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.
[0033] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc. (if present) in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects, not to describe a specific order or sequence.
[0034] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of the terms "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.
[0035] Please refer to Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a mold for a waveguide lens provided in an embodiment of this application. The mold 100 for the waveguide lens includes: a first mold 1 with a first groove 10 on one side for placing an optical waveguide module 5 with optical auxiliary functions; and a second mold 2 for closing with the first mold 1, the second mold 2 having a second groove 20 on the side facing the first mold 1; wherein the optical waveguide module 5 includes a first surface 501 near the second mold 2, and the second groove 20 is used to form a first lens (not shown) on the first surface 501.
[0036] In some embodiments, the shape of the first groove 10 is not specifically limited. The shape of the first groove 10 is matched with the shape of the optical waveguide module 5 to ensure that the optical waveguide module 5 can be securely held in the first groove 10.
[0037] In some embodiments, a first lens is formed on the first surface 501 of the optical waveguide module 5 by a casting process. In this way, the first lens is integrally formed with the optical waveguide module 5, thereby eliminating the need to fix the first lens to the optical waveguide module 5 with adhesive, and thus reducing the thickness of the waveguide lens.
[0038] Please refer to Figure 2 This is another structural schematic diagram of a mold for a waveguide lens provided in an embodiment of this application. The mold 200 for the waveguide lens includes: a third mold 3, with a third groove 30 on one side for placing a first lens and an optical waveguide module 5; a fourth mold 4 for closing with the third mold 3, with a fourth groove 40 on the side of the fourth mold 4 facing the third mold 3; wherein, the optical waveguide module 5 further includes a second surface 502 disposed opposite to the first surface 501 and close to the fourth mold 4, and the fourth groove 40 is used to form a second lens (not shown in the figure) on the second surface 502.
[0039] It should be noted that, Figure 2 The third groove 30 shown is used to place the first lens and the optical waveguide module 5. In practical applications, the third groove 30 can also be designed to place only the optical waveguide module 5. That is, the optical waveguide module 5 is cast on one side, and the second lens is integrally formed on the second surface 502.
[0040] Please refer to Figure 3 The above is a flowchart of the preparation process of the waveguide lens provided in the embodiment of this application. The third groove 30 is used to place the first lens 6 and the optical waveguide module 5. That is to say, the mold 200 for the waveguide lens and the mold 100 for the waveguide lens are used in cooperation with each other.
[0041] Specifically, using a mold 100 for waveguide lenses, a first lens 6 is formed on the first surface 501 of the optical waveguide module 5 through a casting process; then using a mold 200 for waveguide lenses, the integrally formed first lens 6 and the optical waveguide module 5 are placed in a third groove 30, and a second lens 7 is formed on the second surface 502 of the optical waveguide module 5 through a casting process.
[0042] It is understandable that by performing double-sided casting on the optical waveguide module 5 as described above, neither the first lens 6 nor the second lens 7 needs to be bonded to the optical waveguide module 5 with adhesive, thereby further reducing the thickness of the waveguide lens and further reducing the fabrication process of the waveguide lens.
[0043] In some embodiments, the third groove 30 is used for the optical waveguide module 5, that is, the mold 200 for the waveguide lens is used alone to form the second lens 7 on the second surface 502 of the optical waveguide module 5 by casting.
[0044] Please refer to this again. Figure 3 The first lens 6 formed by the mold 100 for waveguide lenses is an objective lens, the second lens 7 formed by the mold 200 for waveguide lenses is an eyepiece, and the groove width of the fourth groove 40 is smaller than the groove width of the third groove 30.
[0045] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is another fabrication flowchart of the waveguide lens provided in this embodiment. The first lens 6 formed by the mold 300 for the waveguide lens is an eyepiece, and the second lens 7 formed by the mold 400 for the waveguide lens is an objective lens; the groove width of the fourth groove 40 is greater than the groove width of the third groove 30.
[0046] It should be noted that the specific structure of the optical waveguide module 5 is described in detail in subsequent embodiments, and will not be repeated here to avoid repetition.
[0047] Please refer to Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the waveguide lens provided in an embodiment of this application. The waveguide lens 1000 provided in this embodiment is made using the mold for waveguide lenses described above, and includes an optical waveguide module 1001, a first lens 1002, and a second lens 1003; the optical waveguide module 1001 is located between the first lens 1002 and the second lens 1003, and at least one of the first lens 1002 and the second lens 1003 is integrally formed with the optical waveguide module 1001.
[0048] In some embodiments, the optical waveguide module 1001 includes: a stacked grating structure and an optical functional layer; the waveguide lens 1000 further includes an adhesive layer 1004, through which the grating structure and the optical functional layer are bonded together.
[0049] Please refer to this again. Figure 5 The first lens 1002 and the grating structure 1001A are integrally formed; the optical functional layer includes an electrochromic color-changing functional layer 1001B and an eye-tracking functional layer 1001C.
[0050] Specifically, the first lens 1002 is the objective lens, and the grating structure 1001A, the color-changing functional layer 1001B, and the eye-tracking functional layer 1001C are stacked in sequence, and the grating structure 1001A, the color-changing functional layer 1001B, and the eye-tracking functional layer 1001C are all bonded together by the adhesive layer 1004.
[0051] also, Figure 5The second lens 1003 shown is an eyepiece, and the second lens 1003 is bonded to the eye-tracking functional layer 1001C through an adhesive layer 1004.
[0052] It is understood that the optical functional layer is not limited to this, and can also be other layer structures with optical auxiliary functions. This embodiment does not specifically limit the number and types of functional layers included in the optical functional layer.
[0053] In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 1004 may be made of OCA adhesive or OCR adhesive. This type of adhesive layer 1004 is colorless and transparent with high transmittance, so as not to affect the optical performance of the waveguide lens.
[0054] In some embodiments, the material of the grating structure 1001A can be a geometric waveguide, a diffractive waveguide, a surface relief grating waveguide, or a holographic grating waveguide, etc. This embodiment does not specifically limit the material of the grating structure 1001A.
[0055] In some embodiments, the shapes of the first lens 1002 and the second lens 1003 can be spherical lenses, aspherical lenses, or double aspherical lenses, etc., and this embodiment does not specifically limit them.
[0056] In some embodiments, the first lens 1002 and the second lens 1003 may be made of optical lens materials such as glass, cyclic olefin copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate and polycarbonate. This embodiment does not specifically limit the materials of the first lens 1002 and the second lens 1003.
[0057] In some embodiments, the refractive index of the first lens 1002 and the second lens 1003 is between 1.4 and 2.0, and the radius of curvature of the lenses is between 25 and 300.
[0058] In some embodiments, the shape of the waveguide lens 1000 can be circular, elliptical, rectangular, or square, etc. This embodiment does not specifically limit the shape of the waveguide lens 1000.
[0059] In some embodiments, the maximum width of the waveguide lens 1000 is between 3 cm and 30 cm. The waveguide lens 1000 can be a single lens or a double lens.
[0060] In some embodiments, the maximum thickness of the waveguide lens 1000 is between 0.2 mm and 20 mm.
[0061] Please refer to Figure 6 This is another structural schematic diagram of the waveguide lens 1000 provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 6The first lens 1002 shown is the objective lens, and the second lens 1003 is the eyepiece; the optical waveguide module 1001 includes a grating structure 1001A and a color-changing functional layer 1001B.
[0062] Specifically, the first lens 1002 and the grating structure 1001A are integrally formed; the grating structure 1001A and the color-changing functional layer 1001B are bonded together by an adhesive layer 1004, and the second lens 1003 and the color-changing functional layer 1001B are also bonded together by an adhesive layer 1004.
[0063] Please refer to Figure 7 This is another structural schematic diagram of the waveguide lens 1000 provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 7 The first lens 1002 shown is the objective lens, and the second lens 1003 is the eyepiece; the optical waveguide module 1001 includes a grating structure 1001A and an eye-tracking functional layer 1001C.
[0064] Specifically, the first lens 1002 and the grating structure 1001A are integrally formed; the grating structure 1001A and the eye-tracking functional layer 1001C are bonded together by an adhesive layer 1004, and the second lens 1003 and the eye-tracking functional layer 1001C are also bonded together by an adhesive layer 1004.
[0065] Please refer to Figure 8 This is another structural schematic diagram of the waveguide lens 1000 provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 8 The first lens 1002 shown is the objective lens, and the second lens 1003 is the eyepiece; the optical waveguide module 1001 includes a grating structure 1001A, a color-changing light-emitting functional layer 1001B, and an eye-tracking functional layer 1001C.
[0066] Specifically, the second lens 1003 and the grating structure 1001A are integrally formed; the grating structure 1001A, the color-changing light-emitting functional layer 1001B and the eye-tracking functional layer 1001C are stacked in sequence, and adjacent pairs are bonded together by an adhesive layer 1004. The color-changing light-emitting functional layer 1001B and the first lens 1002 are bonded together by an adhesive layer 1004.
[0067] Please refer to Figure 9 This is another structural schematic diagram of the waveguide lens 1000 provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 9 The first lens 1002 shown is the objective lens, and the second lens 1003 is the eyepiece; the optical waveguide module 1001 includes a grating structure 1001A and a color-changing functional layer 1001B.
[0068] Specifically, the second lens 1003 and the grating structure 1001A are integrally formed; the grating structure 1001A and the color-changing functional layer 1001B are bonded together by an adhesive layer 1004, and the color-changing functional layer 1001B is bonded to the first lens 1002 by an adhesive layer 1004.
[0069] Please refer to Figure 10 This is another structural schematic diagram of the waveguide lens 1000 provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 9 The first lens 1002 shown is the objective lens, and the second lens 1003 is the eyepiece; the optical waveguide module 1001 includes a grating structure 1001A and an eye-tracking functional layer 1001C.
[0070] Specifically, the second lens 1003 and the grating structure 1001A are integrally formed; the grating structure 1001A and the eye-tracking functional layer 1001C are bonded together by an adhesive layer 1004, and the eye-tracking functional layer 1001C is bonded to the first lens 1002 by an adhesive layer 1004.
[0071] Please refer to Figure 11 The first lens 1002 and the second lens 1003 are disposed on opposite sides of the grating structure 1001A, and are both integrally formed with the grating structure 1001A. The first lens 1002 is the objective lens, and the second lens 1003 is the eyepiece.
[0072] Figure 11 The waveguide lens 1000 shown also includes an electrochromic color-changing functional layer 1001B, which is attached to the surface of the first lens 1002 away from the grating structure 1001A.
[0073] In some embodiments, the electrochromic color-changing functional layer 1001B is formed by coating an electrochromic (EC) material onto the surface of the first lens 1002 away from the grating structure 1001A.
[0074] Please refer to this again. Figure 11 The waveguide lens 1000 also includes an eye-tracking functional layer 1001C, which is disposed on the surface of the grating structure 1001A that is not attached to the second lens 1003, and surrounds the second lens 1003. This structure allows for a reduction in the thickness of the waveguide lens 1000 while maximizing its optical auxiliary functions, thereby improving the user experience.
[0075] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. A mold for waveguide lenses, characterized in that, include: The first mold has a first groove on one side for placing an optical waveguide module with optical auxiliary functions; The second mold is used to close with the first mold, and the second mold has a second groove on one side facing the first mold; wherein, the optical waveguide module includes a first surface near the second mold, and the second groove is used to form a first lens on the first surface; The third mold has a third groove on one side for placing the first lens and the optical waveguide module; A fourth mold is used to close with the third mold, and a fourth groove is provided on the side of the fourth mold facing the third mold; wherein, the optical waveguide module also includes a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface and close to the fourth mold, and the fourth groove is used to form a second lens on the second surface; Wherein, the first lens is an objective lens, the second lens is an eyepiece, and the width of the fourth groove is smaller than the width of the third groove; or The first lens is an eyepiece, the second lens is an objective lens, and the width of the fourth groove is greater than the width of the third groove.
2. A waveguide lens, characterized in that, The waveguide lens is manufactured using the mold as described in claim 1, comprising an optical waveguide module, a first lens, and a second lens; The optical waveguide module is located between the first lens and the second lens, and at least one of the first lens and the second lens is integrally formed with the optical waveguide module.
3. The waveguide lens as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The optical waveguide module includes: a stacked grating structure and an optical functional layer; The waveguide lens also includes an adhesive layer, through which the grating structure and the optical functional layer are bonded together.
4. The waveguide lens as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The optical functional layer includes one or any combination of the following: Electrochromic color-changing functional layer, eye-tracking functional layer.
5. The waveguide lens as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The optical waveguide module includes a grating structure; The first lens and the second lens are disposed on opposite sides of the grating structure, and are both integrally formed with the grating structure.
6. The waveguide lens as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The waveguide lens further includes an electrochromic color-changing functional layer; the electrochromic color-changing functional layer is attached to the surface of the first lens away from the grating structure.
7. The waveguide lens as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The waveguide lens also includes an eye-tracking functional layer, which is disposed on the surface of the grating structure that is not attached to the second lens and surrounds the second lens.