Virtual image display device and optical unit

Abstract

The invention provides a virtual image display device and an optical unit, which can prevent an uncured area from remaining in an adhesive and ensure strength not only against external force in a surface direction, but also against external force in a rotation direction such as peeling from an end part. A virtual image display device (100A) according to one embodiment is provided with: an image element (11a); a projection optical system (12a) that projects an image formed on the image element (11a); a housing (CA) that accommodates the image element (11a) and the projection optical system (12a) in a positioned state; and an optical design member (123) on which the image light (ML) emitted from the projection optical system (12a) is incident, the optical design member (123) having a first adhesive surface (SJ1) and a second adhesive surface (SJ2) which extend in directions intersecting each other and are respectively adhered to the housing (CA), and the second adhesive surface (SJ2) being provided at a position separated from the housing (CA).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a head-mounted virtual image display device and an optical unit capable of observing a virtual image. Background Art

[0002] As a virtual image display device, there is known a virtual image display device in which an image display element housing and a lens barrel housing the projection lens are bonded together via a plate-shaped portion and a connecting portion while adjusting the relative position of the image display element and the projection lens (Patent Document 1). In this virtual image display device, even if the optical system deviates due to manufacturing errors of the projection lens, the deviation can be corrected when positioning the projection lens and the image display element.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-211674

[0004] In the above-mentioned background technology device, when the image element housing and the lens barrel are bonded using a photocurable adhesive, an uncured area is likely to remain in the adhesive deep inside. In addition, in the surface bonding, although the strength against the external force in the surface direction is strong, it is difficult to obtain strength against the external force in the rotation direction such as peeling from the end. Summary of the invention

[0005] A virtual image display device and an optical unit according to one aspect of the present invention include: an image element; a projection optical system that projects an image formed on the image element; a housing that houses the image element and the projection optical system in a positioned state; and an optical appearance component on which image light emitted from the projection optical system is incident, the optical appearance component having a first bonding surface and a second bonding surface that extend in directions intersecting each other and are respectively bonded to the housing, the second bonding surface being disposed at a position separated from the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 1 is an external perspective view for explaining a wearing state of the head mounted display device.

[0007] Figure 2 It is a side cross-sectional view for explaining an optical system etc. included in a one-sided virtual image display device.

[0008] Figure 3 It is a perspective view for explaining the optical unit and its supporting structure.

[0009] Figure 4 It is a side sectional view of the barrel and the optical components etc. held therein.

[0010] Figure 5 A rear view showing the remaining portion after the barrel cover has been removed.

[0011] Figure 6 It is a perspective view for explaining the structure of a perspective reflector.

[0012] Figure 7 These are the front view and top view of the virtual image display device or the optical unit.

[0013] Figure 8 It is a partially enlarged side view illustrating the fixation of the perspective reflector relative to the housing.

[0014] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view for explaining the see-through reflector in the second embodiment.

[0015] Fig.10 It is a perspective view of the back side for explaining the structure of the perspective reflector.

[0016] Fig.11 It is a partially enlarged side view illustrating the fixation of the perspective reflector relative to the housing.

[0017] Fig.12 It is a front view and a top view explaining the virtual image display device of the second embodiment.

[0018] Description of symbols

[0019] 11a, 11b: imaging element; 12a: first projection optical system; 12b: second projection optical system; 21: projection lens; 22: prism reflector; 23: perspective reflector; 23a: transmissive reflective film; 23b: substrate; 23c: partial reflection surface; 31: retaining member; 31a: supporting frame; 31b: base plate; 41: tube; 41a: tube body; 41c: side plate member; 41d: bottom plate member; 41e: front plate member; 41f, 41g: protrusion; 41u: tube cover; 41z: insertion port; 52: frame; 59j: bottom surface; 59k: back surface; 59k: front surface; 59p: convex strip; 59s: outer surface; 61: supporting plate; 61g: upper end; 62a, 62b: mounting portion; 62e: plate-like member; 62f: convex portion; 62g: upper surface ; 62h: front surface; 62j: protrusion; 62n: plate-like component; 62p: back surface; 62r: inner surface; 71: exterior component; 90: user terminal; 100: optical unit; 100A, 100B: virtual image display device; 100C: supporting device; 102a, 102b: display drive unit; 103a, 103b: combiner; 123: optical appearance component; AD: adhesive; AR: anti-reflection film; AX: optical axis; CA: shell; EP: exit pupil; EY: eye; GA1, GA2, GA3, GA4: gap; IM: intermediate image; IS: storage space; ML: image light; OL: external light; PP: pupil position; SJ1: 1st bonding surface; SJ2: 2nd bonding surface; SJ3: 3rd bonding surface; SJ4: 4th bonding surface; US: wearer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] [First embodiment]

[0021] Below, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 etc., a first embodiment of the virtual image display device of the present invention is described.

[0022] Figure 1 2 is a diagram for explaining a wearing state of a head mounted display device (hereinafter also referred to as a head mounted display or HMD) 200. The HMD 200 allows an observer or wearer US wearing the HMD 200 to recognize a video image as a virtual image. Figure 1 In the above, X, Y, and Z are orthogonal coordinate systems, the +X direction corresponds to the lateral direction in which the two eyes EY of the observer or wearer US wearing the HMD 200 are arranged, the +Y direction corresponds to the upward direction orthogonal to the lateral direction in which the two eyes EY of the wearer US are arranged, and the +Z direction corresponds to the front direction or the front direction of the wearer US. The ±Y directions are parallel to the vertical axis or the vertical direction.

[0023] The HMD 200 includes a first virtual image display device 100A for the right eye, a second virtual image display device 100B for the left eye, a pair of support devices 100C in the shape of temples that support the virtual image display devices 100A and 100B, and a user terminal 90 as an information terminal. The first virtual image display device 100A functions as an HMD alone, and is composed of a first display drive unit 102a arranged at the top and a first combiner 103a that covers the front of the eyes in the shape of a glasses lens. The second virtual image display device 100B also functions as an HMD alone, and is composed of a second display drive unit 102b arranged at the top and a second combiner 103b that covers the front of the eyes in the shape of a glasses lens. The support device 100C is a wearing component worn on the head of the wearer US, and supports the upper end sides of the pair of combiners 103a and 103b via the display drive units 102a and 102b that are integrated in appearance. The first virtual image display device 100A and the second virtual image display device 100B are optically identical or left-right inverted, and a detailed description of the second virtual image display device 100B is omitted.

[0024] Figure 2 1 is a side sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the first virtual image display device 100A. The first virtual image display device 100A includes a first image element 11a, a first display unit 20a, and a first circuit component 80a. The first display unit 20a is an imaging optical system for forming a virtual image, and includes a projection lens 21, a prism reflector 22, and a perspective reflector 23. The projection lens 21 and the prism reflector 22 in the first display unit 20a function as a first projection optical system 12a for incident image light ML from the first image element 11a. The first display unit 20a includes the first projection optical system 12a and the perspective reflector 23 in an integrated state. The projection lens 21 constituting the first projection optical system 12a is equivalent to the first optical component 2a disposed on the light emitting side of the first image element 11a, and the prism reflector 22 is equivalent to the second optical component 2b disposed on the light emitting side of the projection lens 21, i.e., the first optical component 2a. In addition, the first image element 11a, the projection lens 21 and the prism reflector 22 correspond to Figure 1 The first display drive unit 102a shown in FIG. 1 is a part of the first display drive unit 102a, and the transparent reflector 23 corresponds to Figure 1 The projection lens 21 and the prism reflector 22 constituting the first projection optical system 12a are fixed in a container-shaped barrel 41 in a state of being mutually positioned together with the first image element 11a. The barrel 41 is a housing CA that accommodates the first projection optical system 12a and the first image element 11a in a positioned state.

[0025] In the first virtual image display device 100A, the first image element 11a is a self-luminous image light generating device. The first image element 11a emits image light ML to the first projection optical system 12a. The first image element 11a is rear-accommodated and supported by the tube 41. The first image element 11a is, for example, an organic EL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) display, which forms a color static image or dynamic image on a two-dimensional display surface 11d. The first image element 11a is driven by a display control device 88 including a driving circuit component 80a to perform a display operation. The first image element 11a is not limited to an organic EL display, and can be replaced by a display device using an inorganic EL, an organic LED, an LED array, a laser array, a quantum dot light-emitting element, etc. The first image element 11a is not limited to a self-luminous image light generating device, and can also be composed of other light modulators such as LCDs, and an image is formed by illuminating the light modulator using a light source such as a backlight. As the first image element 11a, LCOS (Liquid crystal on silicon, LCoS is a registered trademark), a digital micromirror device, etc. may be used instead of LCD. In the first virtual image display device 100A, the optical device other than the drive circuit component 80a and the display control device 88 is referred to as an optical unit 100.

[0026] The first display unit 20a includes two reflecting surfaces, and the optical path is bent by the perspective reflector 23 and the prism reflector 22. The first display unit 20a is an off-axis optical system OS. The projection lens 21, the prism reflector 22, and the perspective reflector 23 are arranged non-axisymmetrically. In the first display unit 20a, by bending the optical axis AX in an off-axis surface parallel to the YZ plane as a reference plane, optical elements 21, 22, and 23 are arranged along the off-axis surface (i.e., the reference plane). Specifically, it is configured as follows: in the off-axis surface parallel to the YZ plane and corresponding to the paper surface, the optical path portion P1 from the projection lens 21 to the reflecting surface 22b, the optical path portion P2 from the reflecting surface 22b to the perspective reflector 23, and the optical path portion P3 from the perspective reflector 23 to the pupil position PP are folded back in two stages in a Z-shape.

[0027] The optical path portion P1 from the projection lens 21 to the reflecting surface 22b in the first display unit 20a extends in a slightly upward direction or in a direction nearly parallel to the Z direction toward the rear with the viewpoint as the reference. The optical path portion P2 from the reflecting surface 22b to the perspective reflector 23 extends in a downward direction toward the front. When the horizontal plane direction (XZ plane) is used as the reference, the inclination of the optical path portion P2 is greater than the inclination of the optical path portion P1. The optical path portion P3 from the perspective reflector 23 to the pupil position PP extends in a slightly upward direction or in a direction nearly parallel to the Z direction toward the rear. In the example shown in the figure, the portion of the optical axis AX corresponding to the optical path portion P3 becomes about -10° when the direction is negative downward in the +Z direction. That is, the perspective reflector 23 reflects the image light ML in a manner that the optical axis AX or the optical path portion P3 is a predetermined angle upward, that is, about 10° upward. As a result, the emission optical axis EX obtained by extending the portion of the optical axis AX corresponding to the optical path portion P3 extends downwardly inclined by about 10 degrees with respect to the central axis HX parallel to the forward +Z direction.

[0028] The projection lens 21 in the first display unit 20a includes a first lens 21o, a second lens 21p, and a third lens 21q. The projection lens 21 receives the image light ML emitted from the first image element 11a and makes it incident on the prism reflector 22. The projection lens 21 converges the image light ML emitted from the first image element 11a into a state of nearly parallel light beams. The optical surfaces of the first lens 21o, the second lens 21p, and the third lens 21q constituting the projection lens 21, that is, their incident surfaces and exit surfaces are free-form surfaces or aspherical surfaces. The incident surfaces and exit surfaces of the first lens 21o, the second lens 21p, and the third lens 21q are respectively asymmetric with respect to the optical axis AX in the longitudinal direction parallel to the YZ plane and intersecting the optical axis AX, and are respectively symmetric with respect to the optical axis AX in the transverse direction or the X direction. The first lens 21o, the second lens 21p, and the third lens 21q are formed of, for example, resin, but may also be made of glass. Antireflection films may be formed on the optical surfaces of the first lens 21 o , the second lens 21 p , and the third lens 21 q constituting the projection lens 21 .

[0029] The prism reflector 22 is an optical component having a refractive and reflective function, and has a function of combining a reflector and a lens, and refracts and reflects the image light ML from the projection lens 21. The prism reflector 22 has an incident surface 22a, which is arranged on the light emitting side of the first optical component 2a; a reflecting surface 22b, which bends the optical axis AX; and an emitting surface 22c, which is opposite to the reflecting surface 22b and is arranged in a direction symmetrical to the incident surface 22a. The prism reflector 22 emits the image light ML incident from the front where the projection lens 21 is arranged in a manner of bending the image light ML in a direction inclined downward relative to the direction inverting the incident direction (the direction of the light source when viewed from the prism reflector 22). The optical surfaces constituting the prism reflector 22, namely the incident surface 22a, the reflecting surface 22b, and the emitting surface 22c, are asymmetric with respect to the optical axis AX in the longitudinal direction parallel to the YZ plane and intersecting the optical axis AX, and are symmetric with respect to the optical axis AX in the transverse direction or the X direction. The optical surfaces of the prism reflector 22, i.e., the incident surface 22a, the reflecting surface 22b and the emitting surface 22c, are, for example, free-form surfaces. The incident surface 22a, the reflecting surface 22b and the emitting surface 22c are not limited to free-form surfaces, but can also be aspherical surfaces. The prism reflector 22 is, for example, formed of resin, but can also be made of glass. As for the reflecting surface 22b, it is not limited to reflecting the image light ML by total reflection, but can also be set as a reflecting surface composed of a metal film or a dielectric multilayer film. In this case, on the reflecting surface 22b, a reflecting film composed of a single-layer film or a multilayer film formed by a metal such as Al or Ag is formed by vapor deposition, or a sheet-like reflecting film formed by a metal is pasted. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, an anti-reflection film can be formed on the incident surface 22a and the emitting surface 22c.

[0030] The emitting surface 22c of the prism reflector 22 is a concave surface as a whole, and is a concave surface on the off-axis surface parallel to the YZ plane and through which the optical axis AX passes, i.e., on the paper surface, and is also a concave surface on the cross section CS perpendicular to the YZ plane and through the center of the emitting surface 22c. The emitting surface 22c of the prism reflector 22 is exposed at the emission port 41o of the barrel 41, so by setting it as a concave surface, it is easy to avoid contact with external objects, and the occurrence of damage can be suppressed.

[0031] The perspective reflector 23, i.e., the first combiner 103a, is a reflector having light transmittance in the visible band. The perspective reflector 23 is a curved plate-shaped optical appearance component 123 that functions as a concave surface reflector, partially reflecting the image light ML from the prism reflector 22 and partially transmitting the external light OL. The image light ML emitted from the projection optical system 12a is incident on the perspective reflector 23, and the perspective reflector 23 reflects the image light ML from the projection optical system 12a toward the pupil position PP. The perspective reflector 23 has a partial reflection surface 23c and an outer side surface 23o. The perspective reflector 23 covers the pupil position PP where the eye EY or the pupil is arranged, and has a concave shape toward the pupil position PP, and has a convex shape toward the outside world. The pupil position PP or its opening PPa is called an eye point or an eye box, which is equivalent to the emission pupil EP of the first display unit 20a including the perspective reflector 23. The perspective reflecting mirror 23 is a concave reflecting mirror having a positive refractive power, and can magnify and observe the intermediate image IM formed on the first image element 11 a and re-imaged by the first projection optical system 12 a .

[0032] The perspective reflector 23 has a structure in which a transmissive reflective film 23a is formed as a concave partial reflective surface 23c on the back side of a substrate 23b which is a plate-like body having light transmittance. The partial reflective surface 23c or the transmissive reflective film 23a is asymmetric with respect to the optical axis AX in the longitudinal direction parallel to the YZ plane and intersecting the optical axis AX, and is symmetric with respect to the optical axis AX in the transverse direction or the X direction. The partial reflective surface 23c of the perspective reflector 23 is, for example, a free-form surface. The partial reflective surface 23c is not limited to a free-form surface, and can also be an aspherical surface.

[0033] The partial reflection surface 23c of the perspective reflector 23 allows a part of the light to pass through when the image light ML is reflected. As a result, the external light OL passes through the perspective reflector 23, so that the external world can be observed through perspective, and the virtual image can be overlapped with the external image. At this time, if the substrate 23b is as thin as a few mm or less, the magnification change of the external image can be suppressed to be small. From the perspective of ensuring the brightness of the image light ML and making it easy to observe the external image through perspective, the reflectivity of the partial reflection surface 23c to the image light ML and the external light OL is 10% or more and 50% or less within the assumed incident angle range of the image light ML. The substrate 23b of the perspective reflector 23 is formed of resin, for example, but can also be made of glass. The substrate 23b is formed of the same material as the support plate 61 that supports the substrate 23b from the periphery and has the same thickness as the support plate 61. The transmissive reflective film 23a is formed of, for example, a dielectric multilayer film composed of a plurality of dielectric layers with adjusted film thickness. The transmissive reflective film 23a can also be a single-layer film or a multilayer film of a metal such as Al or Ag with adjusted film thickness. The transmissive reflective film 23a can be formed by lamination by vapor deposition, for example, but may also be formed by pasting a sheet-like reflective film. An antireflective film AR is formed on the outer side surface 23o of the base material 23b.

[0034] The anti-reflection film AR does not need to be formed directly on the substrate 23b. For example, the substrate 23b may be covered with a hard coating film, and the anti-reflection film AR or an antifouling coating may be formed thereon. The transmissive reflective film 23a also does not need to be formed directly on the substrate 23b. For example, the substrate 23b may be covered with a hard coating film, and the transmissive reflective film 23a may be formed thereon. The transmissive reflective film 23a may be covered with a protective film or an antifouling coating.

[0035] The optical path is described. The image light ML from the first image element 11a is incident on the projection lens 21 and is emitted from the projection lens 21 in a substantially collimated state. The image light ML that has passed through the projection lens 21 is incident on the prism reflector 22, refracted and passed through the incident surface 22a, reflected by the reflection surface 22b with a high reflectivity close to 100%, and refracted again at the emission surface 22c. After temporarily forming an intermediate image IM, the image light ML from the prism reflector 22 is incident on the perspective reflector 23, and reflected by the partial reflection surface 23c with a reflectivity of about 50% or less. The image light ML reflected by the perspective reflector 23 is incident on the pupil position PP where the eye EY or pupil of the wearer US is arranged. The external light OL that has passed through the perspective reflector 23 and the support plate 61 around it is also incident on the pupil position PP. That is, the wearer US wearing the first virtual image display device 100A can observe the virtual image based on the image light ML in an overlapping manner with the external image.

[0036] Figure 31 is a stereoscopic diagram illustrating the optical unit 100 and its supporting structure in the virtual image display devices 100A and 100B. In the first virtual image display device 100A, the first display unit 20a is housed in the tube 41, i.e., the housing CA, and is fixed to a portion 52a on the -X side of the elongated frame 52 shown by the dotted line, for example, by using an adhesive, and is supported by the frame 52 in a suspended manner, and is arranged on the lower side of the frame 52. In the second virtual image display device 100B, the second display unit 20b is housed in the tube 41, i.e., the housing CA, and is fixed to a portion 52b on the +X side of the elongated frame 52 shown by the dotted line, for example, by using an adhesive, and is supported by the frame 52 in a suspended manner, and is arranged on the lower side of the frame 52. From the viewpoint of ensuring rigidity and lightness, the frame 52 is formed of a metal material such as a magnesium alloy. The frame 52 has a recess RE on the upper side for arranging the drive circuit component 80a, and is covered by the outer casing 71 from top to bottom together with the tube 41 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 ).

[0037] The first display unit 20a includes the first projection optical system 12a and the first combiner 103a in an integrated state, and the second display unit 20b includes the second projection optical system 12b and the second combiner 103b in an integrated state. The upper end 61g of the first combiner 103a is fixed to the tube 41 or the housing CA that accommodates the first projection optical system 12a by bonding or the like in a positioned state. The tube 41 that supports the first combiner 103a has a space for accommodating the first image element 11a in addition to the first projection optical system 12a, and the first image element 11a is arranged relative to the first projection optical system 12a. Figure 2 The upper end 61g of the second combiner 103b is fixed to the tube 41 or the housing CA that accommodates the second projection optical system 12b by bonding or the like in a positioned state. The tube 41 that supports the second combiner 103b has a space for accommodating the second image element 11b in addition to the second projection optical system 12b, and the second image element 11b is arranged in a manner opposite to the projection optical system 12b. Figure 2 The projection lens 21 and other similar components shown in the figure are supported in a positioned state.

[0038] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5, the structure of the tube 41, i.e., the housing CA, is described. The tube 41, i.e., the housing CA, includes a tube body 41a and a tube cover 41u, which accommodates the first optical component 2a and holds the second optical component 2b. The tube body 41a and the tube cover 41u are formed of a resin material having light-shielding properties by adding black pigment to a polycarbonate resin, for example. The tube body 41a is a bathtub-shaped container open at the top, and has an ejection port 41o at a part of the bottom. The tube cover 41u is fixed in a manner of covering the tube body 41a from above. The tube body 41a has two side plate components 41c, a bottom plate component 41d, a front plate component 41e, and two protrusions 41f and 41g. Among them, the two side plate components 41c are called side walls SW. The two side plate components 41c extend approximately parallel to the reference plane HS extending from the optical axis AX and are separated from each other. The bottom plate component 41d extends along an XZ plane approximately perpendicular to the reference plane HS extending from the optical axis AX, and an ejection port 41o is provided at its rear end. In the bottom plate member 41d, a protection member 41q is provided behind and to the side of the emission port 41o so as to cover the side surface 22s of the second optical member 2b (see Figure 5 ) in the lower part. The front plate member 41e connects the front end of the bottom plate member 41d and the front ends of the two side plate members 41c. The two protrusions 41f and 41g extend in the lateral direction in a manner extending outward from the upper parts of the two side plate members 41c. That is, the cylinder 41, i.e., the housing CA, has a pair of protrusions 41f and 41g extending from the two side plate members 41c constituting the side wall SW or the side surface.

[0039] On one side plate member 41c (see Figure 4 ) are formed with stepped guide protrusions 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d as protrusions for supporting the first lens 21o, the second lens 21p, and the third lens 21q constituting the first optical component 2a, and the prism reflector 22 of the second optical component 2b. In addition, although not shown in the figure, on the other side plate component 41c (refer to Figure 5 ) is also formed with guide protrusions identical to the guide protrusions 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d on the inner surface of the two side plate members 41c. The first lens 21o is bonded in a biased and positioned state and supported on the barrel body 41a by means of two first guide protrusions 45a disposed on the inner surfaces of the two side plate members 41c and opposed to each other. Similarly, the second lens 21p is bonded in a positioned state by the second guide protrusion 45b and supported on the barrel body 41a, and the third lens 21q is bonded in a positioned state by the third guide protrusion 45c and supported on the barrel body 41a. The prism reflector 22 is bonded in a positioned state by means of the fourth guide protrusion 45d with the aid of the protrusion 22t disposed on the side surface 22s of the prism reflector 22 and supported on the barrel body 41a.

[0040] The tube cover 41u is arranged on the opposite side of the bottom plate member 41d, and forms a storage space IS by covering the inner side of the tube body 41a. The tube cover 41u includes a top plate 41x and a rear plate 41y. The top plate 41x extends parallel to the XZ plane, and the rear plate 41y is arranged obliquely in a manner to cover the outer side of the reflection surface 22b of the prism reflector 22 of the second optical component 2b. In the tube cover 41u, a positioning holder seat 41s is formed on the front +Z side, which is lowered by a predetermined height relative to the surroundings, and an insertion port 41z is formed in front of the holder seat 41s. The holder seat 41s provided on the tube cover 41u is opposite to the base plate 31b of the holder 31 for the first image element 11a. The base plate 31b extends in the horizontal direction along the holder seat 41s, covers a part or all of the insertion port 41z, and is fixed to the tube 41 by an adhesive. The inner surface 41 m of the rear plate 41 y is inclined with respect to the XZ plane and the XY plane, and extends along the reflecting surface 22 b of the prism reflector 22 in the vicinity of the reflecting surface 22 b .

[0041] The aperture plate member 26 is disposed between the first optical member 2a and the second optical member 2b in the tube 41. The aperture plate member 26 has a central portion 26a and two side portions 26b (see Figure 5 ) That is, the aperture plate member 26 has a shape with an open upper end.

[0042] In the tube 41, the first image element 11a supported by the support frame 31a extending vertically downward from the base plate 31b in the holder 31 is inserted from above into the space ISa facing the front plate part 41e through the insertion port 41z and is fixed in a positioned state.

[0043] Reference Figure 6 , for fixing the first combiner 103a, that is, the perspective reflector 23, to the housing CA (refer to Figure 4 ) is described below.

[0044] A pair of mounting parts 62a and 62b are formed at the upper end 61g of the perspective reflector 23 so as to extend toward the inner side of the perspective reflector 23, i.e., the -Z side. The two mounting parts 62a and 62b are separated in the horizontal X direction. The mounting part 62a on one side includes a plate-like part 62e extending in the horizontal direction and parallel to the XZ plane, and a convex part 62f protruding upward from the plate-like part 62e and extending in the horizontal X direction. The mounting part 62b on the other side includes a plate-like part 62e extending in the horizontal direction and parallel to the XZ plane, and a convex part 62f protruding upward from the plate-like part 62e and extending in the horizontal X direction. That is, the pair of mounting parts 62a and 62b have a pair of plate-like parts 62e and a pair of convex parts 62f. In each plate-like member 62e, as a local area of ​​the upper surface 62g, a first bonding surface SJ1 extending in parallel with the horizontal XZ plane is provided, and in the front surface 62h of each convex portion 62f, a second bonding surface SJ2 extending in parallel with the vertical XY plane is provided. The first bonding surface SJ1 and the second bonding surface SJ2 are used to fix the perspective reflector 23 to a pair of protrusions 41f and 41g formed on the housing CA. The first bonding surface SJ1 and the second bonding surface SJ2 extend in directions intersecting each other. More specifically, the first bonding surface SJ1 and the second bonding surface SJ2 are arranged in a state of being orthogonal to each other and adjacent to each other without separation.

[0045] Reference Figure 7 The fixing of the first combiner 103a, i.e., the perspective reflector 23, to the housing CA will be described. Figure 7 In the figure, area AR1 is a front view of the casing CA and the transparent reflecting mirror 23 , and area AR2 is a top view of the casing CA and the transparent reflecting mirror 23 .

[0046] The pair of inner surfaces 62s of the pair of mounting portions 62a and 62b provided on the transparent reflector 23 are arranged to sandwich the inner surfaces 62s provided on the transparent reflector 23. Figure 4The pair of lateral sides 51s narrowed in a stepped manner and fit in the boundary between the front plate component 41e and the side plate component 41c of the housing CA shown in the figure. Thus, a pair of inner surfaces 62s fit in the pair of lateral sides 51s with a predetermined clearance, and the positioning of the perspective reflector 23 in the ±X direction is performed in a manner that reduces the tilt. A pair of stepped back surfaces 62t of a pair of mounting portions 62a, 62b abut against a pair of front surfaces 51r that are set at the boundary between the front plate component 41e and the side plate component 41c of the housing CA and retreat in a stepped manner. Thus, the positioning of the perspective reflector 23 in the ±Z direction is performed in a manner that reduces the tilt. In addition, a plurality of convex strips 59p protruding from the bottom surfaces 59j of a pair of protrusions 41f, 41g abut against a pair of upper surfaces 62g of a pair of mounting portions 62a, 62b, and the positioning in the ±Y direction is performed. After the above positioning, that is, after the positioning of the six axes, the adhesive AD is supplied from the periphery to between the protrusions 41f, 41g and the mounting parts 62a, 62b, and the supplied adhesive AD is cured by ultraviolet rays, etc., thereby completing the fixing of the perspective reflector 23 or the first combiner 103a to the housing CA. That is, the perspective reflector 23 is integrated with the housing CA, and the perspective reflector 23 is integrated with the first projection optical system 12a.

[0047] Reference Figure 8 , the adhesive AD is filled and cured in the gap GA1 between the upper surface 62g, i.e., the first adhesive surface SJ1, of the mounting portion 62b provided on the perspective reflector 23 and the bottom surface 59j of the protrusion 41g provided on the housing CA, and the mounting portion 62b is joined to the protrusion 41g. That is, the first adhesive surface SJ1 is bonded to the bottom surface 59j of the protrusion 41g. In addition, the adhesive AD is filled and cured in the gap GA2 between the front surface 62h, i.e., the second adhesive surface SJ2, provided on the mounting portion 62b and the back surface 59k of the protrusion 41g provided on the housing CA, and the mounting portion 62b is joined to the protrusion 41g by the cured adhesive AD. That is, the second adhesive surface SJ2 is bonded to the back surface 59k of the protrusion 41g. At this time, the second adhesive surface SJ2 is separated from the housing CA in a manner to avoid interference when positioning the perspective reflector 23. As shown in the figure, the adhesive AD is not only filled in the gap GA1 between the first bonding surface SJ1 extending in the XZ direction and the bottom surface 59j, but also filled in the gap GA2 between the second bonding surface SJ2 extending in the XY direction and the back surface 59k. Thus, compared with the case where bonding is performed only by the first bonding surface SJ1, even if various external forces are applied to the perspective reflector 23 with respect to the housing CA, it is not easy to cause damage. That is, even if the external force along the direction of the first bonding surface SJ1 and the external force along the direction of the second bonding surface SJ2 (specifically, the rotation force around the X-axis) act on the joint of the housing CA and the perspective reflector 23, it is difficult to peel off due to these external forces, and it is easy to ensure the strength of these joints, and it is difficult to cause damage in these joints.

[0048] The gap GA2 between the second adhesive surface SJ2 provided on the mounting portion 62b of the transparent reflector 23 and the back surface 59k of the protrusion 41g provided on the housing CA can be used as a clearance when positioning the transparent reflector 23 as the optical appearance component 123 relative to the housing CA. Thus, the positioning accuracy of the transparent reflector 23 relative to the housing CA can be ensured, and the transparent reflector 23 can be fixed to the housing CA with sufficient strength by the adhesive AD filled in the gap GA2.

[0049] In the above, the first bonding surface SJ1 and the second bonding surface SJ2 provided on one mounting portion 62b of the transparent reflector 23 are described, but the first bonding surface SJ1 and the second bonding surface SJ2 provided on the other mounting portion 62a are also described. Figure 8 The structure shown is similarly joined to the protrusion 41f of the case CA. As a result, the front plate member 41e and the like, which are a part of the case CA, are sandwiched between the first bonding surface SJ1 and the second bonding surface SJ2.

[0050] The first adhesive surface SJ1 provided on the mounting portion 62a and the first adhesive surface SJ1 provided on the mounting portion 62b are provided at positions separated by the front plate member 41e of the housing CA. In addition, the second adhesive surface SJ2 provided on the mounting portion 62a and the second adhesive surface SJ2 provided on the mounting portion 62b are provided at positions separated by the front plate member 41e which is a part of the housing CA. In this way, by providing a pair of second adhesive surfaces SJ2 at positions separated by the housing CA, the strength of the joint corresponding to the second adhesive surface SJ2 can be improved even when it is around the Z axis and around the Y axis, and the mounting accuracy and mounting strength of the perspective reflector 23 relative to the housing CA can be improved.

[0051] Furthermore, the base material 23 b of the transparent reflector 23 is formed of a light-transmitting material, and the photocurable (specifically, UV-curable) adhesive AD filled in the gaps GA1 and GA2 can be cured relatively easily.

[0052] The first combiner 103a is fixed to the housing CA before the holder 31 for the image elements 11a and 11b is fixed to the housing CA. On the contrary, when the holder 31 is fixed before the first combiner 103a, the holder 31 is positioned relative to the first projection optical system 12a.

[0053] The virtual image display device 100A, 100B of the first embodiment described above includes: image elements 11a, 11b; projection optical systems 12a, 12b, which project images formed on the image elements 11a, 11b; a shell CA, which accommodates the image elements 11a, 11b and the projection optical systems 12a, 12b in a positioned state; and an optical appearance component 123, on which the image light ML emitted from the projection optical systems 12a, 12b is incident, and the optical appearance component 123 has a first bonding surface SJ1 and a second bonding surface SJ2 extending in directions intersecting with each other and respectively bonded to the shell CA, and the second bonding surface SJ2 is arranged at a position separated by the shell CA.

[0054] In the above, the optical appearance component 123 of the virtual image display device 100A, 100B has a first bonding surface SJ1 and a second bonding surface SJ2 extending in mutually intersecting directions and respectively bonded to the housing CA, so that sufficient bonding strength can be ensured not only for external forces along the first bonding surface SJ1 but also for external forces in the rotation direction applied to the end of the first bonding surface SJ1. In addition, the second bonding surface SJ2 is provided at a position separated from the housing CA, so that the assembly accuracy and assembly strength of the optical appearance component 123 can be improved.

[0055] [Second embodiment]

[0056] Hereinafter, a virtual image display device according to a second embodiment will be described. Note that the virtual image display device according to the second embodiment is obtained by partially modifying the virtual image display device according to the first embodiment, and description of the same parts as those of the virtual image display device according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0057] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , a rectangular protrusion 62j is formed at the upper end 61g of the perspective reflector 23 as the optical appearance component 123 so as to extend toward the upper side of the perspective reflector 23, i.e., the +Y side. The protrusion 62j is a plate-shaped component parallel to the XY plane extending in the vertical direction, and a third bonding surface SJ3 extending parallel to the vertical XY plane is provided on the back surface 62p of the protrusion 62j. The third bonding surface SJ3 is a surface added to the first bonding surface SJ1 and the second bonding surface SJ2, and is used to strengthen the perspective reflector 23 relative to the pair of protrusions 41f and 41g (see FIG. 1 ) formed on the housing CA. Figure 3 ) is fixed.

[0058] The perspective reflector 23 is formed by injection molding, and the protrusion 62j is a gate mark after the molten resin is injected. The protrusion 62j is formed in the center of the upper end 61g of the perspective reflector 23. That is, the third bonding surface SJ3 set on the protrusion 62j is arranged opposite to the middle position of the two second bonding surfaces SJ2. This is because, by setting the gate for molding the protrusion 62j in the center, the flow of the resin is symmetrical on the left and right, which can suppress the formation of flow marks on the substrate 23b and make the shrinkage during molding uniform. The lateral width of the protrusion 62j is about 1cm, and the thickness of the front and back of the protrusion 62j is more than 1mm, preferably more than about 1.5mm. From the viewpoint of molding, the thickness of the substrate 23b and the support plate 61 as the main body of the perspective reflector 23 is also more than 1mm, preferably more than about 1.5mm. By setting the thickness of the substrate 23b and the support plate 61 to be 1 mm or more, the substrate 23b and the support plate 61 can be molded with high precision. By setting the thickness of the protrusion 62j to be 1 mm or more, it is easy to maintain the strength of the protrusion 62j and to suppress flow marks. The thickness of the mounting portion 62a, 62b or the plate-like component 62e is also 1 mm or more, preferably about 1.5 mm or more. The thickness of the mounting portion 62a, 62b or the plate-like component 62e is the same as the thickness of the substrate 23b or the support plate 61, or is relatively thicker than the thickness of the substrate 23b or the support plate 61. The thickness of the protrusion 62j in the Z direction is the same as the thickness of the substrate 23b or the support plate 61, or is relatively thinner than the thickness of the substrate 23b or the support plate 61.

[0059] like Fig.11 As shown, the gap GA3 between the back side 62p of the protrusion 62j, i.e., the third bonding surface SJ3, and the front surface 59q of the front panel component 41e of the housing CA is filled with adhesive AD and cured, and the protrusion 62j is bonded to the front panel component 41e by the cured adhesive AD.

[0060] In the virtual image display device 100A, 100B of the second embodiment described above, the optical appearance component 123 has a third adhesive surface SJ3 facing the opposite direction of the second adhesive surface SJ2, and a part of the housing CA is sandwiched between the second adhesive surface SJ2 and the third adhesive surface SJ3. In this case, the front plate component 41e, the protrusions 41f, 41g, which are a part of the housing CA, are sandwiched between the second adhesive surface SJ2 and the third adhesive surface SJ3, and three-point fixation is achieved by the second adhesive surface SJ2 and the third adhesive surface SJ3 extending parallel to the vertical direction, so that the optical appearance component 123 can be fixed to the housing CA more stably and the mounting accuracy can be improved. In particular, from the perspective of sandwiching the front plate component 41e, the protrusions 41f, 41g, which are a part of the housing CA, between the second adhesive surface SJ2 and the third adhesive surface SJ3, the strength against external forces such as the rotational force around the X-axis can be improved.

[0061] [Third embodiment]

[0062] Hereinafter, a virtual image display device according to a third embodiment will be described. Note that the virtual image display device according to the third embodiment is obtained by partially modifying the virtual image display device according to the first embodiment, and description of the same parts as those of the virtual image display device according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0063] Reference Fig.12 , the virtual image display devices 100A and 100B according to the third embodiment are described. Fig.12 In FIG. 1 , region BR1 is a front view of the housing CA and the transparent reflector 23 , and region BR2 is a top view of the housing CA and the transparent reflector 23 .

[0064] A pair of plate-like members 62n extending parallel to the YZ plane as the vertical direction are provided on a pair of mounting portions 62a and 62b formed at the upper end 61g of the perspective reflector 23. A fourth bonding surface SJ4 extending parallel to the vertical YZ plane is provided on the inner surface 62r of the two plate-like members 62n. The fourth bonding surface SJ4 is added to the first bonding surface SJ1 and the second bonding surface SJ2, and is used to strengthen the fixation of the perspective reflector 23 relative to the pair of protrusions 41f and 41g formed on the housing CA.

[0065] The adhesive AD is filled and cured in the gap GA4 between the inner surface 62r of the pair of plate-like members 62n, i.e., the fourth bonding surface SJ4, and the outer surface 59s of the pair of protrusions 41f, 41g of the housing CA, and the plate-like member 62n and the pair of protrusions 41f, 41g are joined by the cured adhesive AD. The pair of plate-like members 62n can provide strength not only against external forces in the lateral X direction but also against external forces in the Y direction and the Z direction, and can also improve the fixing strength of the perspective reflector 23 against external forces that rotate around the horizontal Z axis.

[0066] 〔Variations and others〕

[0067] The present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0068] In the above, the HMD 200 includes the first virtual image display device 100A and the second virtual image display device 100B, but the HMD 200 or the optical unit 100 may support a single first virtual image display device 100A or second virtual image display device 100B in front of the eyes via the support device 100C.

[0069] The first adhesive surface SJ1 and the second adhesive surface SJ2 are not limited to flat surfaces, but can also be curved surfaces. However, in the case of curved surfaces, it is preferred that the back surface 59k or the bottom surface 59j opposite to them is also a curved surface with a corresponding curvature. Similarly, the third adhesive surface SJ3 and the fourth adhesive surface SJ4 can also be curved surfaces.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the adhesive surface SJ1 is composed of two regions and is disposed at positions separated from each other via the case CA. However, the adhesive surface SJ1 may be composed of one region.

[0071] The adhesive surfaces SJ1 , SJ2 , SJ3 , and SJ4 are used in an auxiliary sense for temporary positioning of the perspective reflector 23 relative to the housing CA, but may not be used for the temporary positioning, or may be used for strict positioning.

[0072] exist Fig.12 In the third embodiment shown, the perspective reflector 23 may also have Fig. 9 The protrusion 62j shown is provided on the third adhesive surface SJ3 of the protrusion 62j.

[0073] The optical components 2a and 2b of the first projection optical system 12a are not limited to those shown in the figure. For example, the number of optical elements constituting the first optical component 2a and the shape of the optical surface can be appropriately changed according to the purpose of use of the HMD 200.

[0074] The optical appearance component 123 is not limited to the perspective reflector 23, and may also be a component such as a light guide plate. Here, the light guide plate reflects the image light emitted from the image element on the inner surface and guides it to a position opposite to the pupil, so that the image light is incident on the inside from the incident surface set at the end, or the image light is incident on the inside via a diffraction element set on a part of the parallel flat plate constituting the light guide plate. The light guide plate as the optical appearance component 123, for example, has a half mirror arranged obliquely built in. The light guide plate as the optical appearance component 123 may also be provided with a diffraction element on the surface of the light extraction area or the light intake area, or a plurality of inclined reflectors may be built into the light guide plate in the light extraction area or the light intake area.

[0075] In the case where the virtual image display devices 100A and 100B are composed of a birdbath type optical system, the plane half mirror for light branching arranged obliquely and the concave half mirror covering the outer side of the plane half mirror are arranged in front of the eyes. In this case, the plane half mirror and the concave half mirror are optical appearance components 123. Therefore, in order to fix the plane half mirror and the concave half mirror as the optical appearance components 123 to the housing CA that accommodates the projection optical system, the plane half mirror and the concave half mirror have a first bonding surface SJ1 and a second bonding surface SJ2 extending in the intersecting direction and respectively bonded to the housing CA, and if the second bonding surface SJ2 is set at a position separated by the housing CA, the bonding surface can cope with stress from various directions, and the assembly accuracy and assembly strength of the plane half mirror and the concave half mirror can be improved.

[0076] The optical component 123 is not limited to the optical element disposed on the outermost side of the HMD 200. That is, even when a light-reducing shield or a protective cover is provided in front of the see-through reflector 23 or the light guide plate as the optical component 123, the see-through reflector 23 and the like are also the optical component 123 from the perspective of an optical component exposed in front of the eye.

[0077] In the above description, the perspective reflector 23 is integrated with the first projection optical system 12a via the shell CA, but the portion where the perspective reflector 23 is fixed to the shell CA is not limited to the protrusions 41f and 41g, and can be set as the main body of the shell CA. In addition, a receiving portion can be set on any one of the optical elements constituting the first projection optical system 12a, and the perspective reflector 23 can be directly fixed to the receiving portion.

[0078] The above description assumes that the HMD 200 is worn on the head for use, but the virtual image display devices 100A and 100B may be used as handheld displays for viewing like binoculars instead of being worn on the head. That is, in the present invention, the head mounted display also includes a handheld display.

[0079] The virtual image display device in a specific embodiment comprises: an image element; a projection optical system that projects an image formed on the image element; a housing that houses the image element and the projection optical system in a positioned state; and an optical appearance component, into which the image light emitted from the projection optical system is incident, the optical appearance component having a first bonding surface and a second bonding surface that extend in mutually intersecting directions and are respectively bonded to the housing, and the second bonding surface is provided at a position separated from the housing. Here, the optical appearance component is fixed to the housing using the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface, and is integrated with the housing. As a result, the optical appearance component is also integrated with the projection optical system, etc., which is held in the housing.

[0080] In the head mounted display device, the optical appearance component has a first bonding surface and a second bonding surface extending in mutually intersecting directions and respectively bonded to the housing, so that sufficient bonding strength can be ensured not only against external forces along the first bonding surface but also against external forces in the rotational direction applied to the end of the first bonding surface. In addition, since the second bonding surface is provided at a position separated from the housing, the assembly accuracy and assembly strength of the optical appearance component can be improved.

[0081] In a specific embodiment of the virtual image display device, the second adhesive surface is separated from the housing so as to avoid interference during positioning of the optical component.

[0082] In the virtual image display device of specific mode, the 1st bonding surface and the 2nd bonding surface are configured in a state of being orthogonal and adjacent. In this case, the 1st bonding surface and the 2nd bonding surface are configured as an L letter. Thus, the 1st bonding surface and the 2nd bonding surface can be formed in one place in a lump sum, and the assembly of the optical appearance component of saving space can be realized.

[0083] In a specific embodiment of the virtual image display device, the housing has a pair of protrusions extending from both sides, the first adhesive surface is bonded to the bottom surface of the pair of protrusions, and the second adhesive surface is bonded to the back surface of the pair of protrusions. In this case, the optical appearance component can be assembled to the pair of protrusions provided on the housing in a stable state.

[0084] In a specific embodiment of the virtual image display device, the optical appearance component is a light-transmitting reflective mirror.

[0085] In a virtual image display device of a specific mode, the optical appearance component is a plate-shaped perspective reflector with a concave partial reflection surface, and the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface are formed on the mounting portion formed at the upper end of the perspective reflector. In this case, the perspective reflector is fixed to the housing by the mounting portion at its upper end, and is supported on the housing in a suspended manner from the housing. In addition, the thickness of the perspective reflector is more than 1mm (millimeter). In the case of a base material of the perspective reflector formed by injection molding, the thickness of the gate or gate mark used for injection is less than the thickness of the base material and the mounting portion. In addition, the thickness of the mounting portion is more than the thickness of the base material.

[0086] In a specific embodiment of the virtual image display device, the transparent reflector is formed of a light-transmitting substrate. When a light-curing adhesive is used as the adhesive, the curing light easily reaches the joint portion by making the transparent substrate of the transparent reflector light-transmitting, so that the adhesive can be cured quickly and reliably.

[0087] In a specific embodiment of the virtual image display device, the first adhesive surface is formed on the upper surface of the plate-shaped member in the mounting portion, and the second adhesive surface is formed on the front surfaces of a pair of protrusions protruding from the plate-shaped member in the mounting portion.

[0088] In a specific embodiment of the virtual image display device, the optical appearance component has a third adhesive surface facing the opposite direction of the second adhesive surface, and a portion of the housing is sandwiched between the second adhesive surface and the third adhesive surface. In this case, a portion of the housing is sandwiched between the second adhesive surface and the third adhesive surface, and three-point fixation is achieved by the second adhesive surface and the third adhesive surface extending in parallel, so that the fixation of the optical appearance component relative to the housing can be more stabilized, and the mounting accuracy can be improved.

[0089] In a specific embodiment of the virtual image display device, the third bonding surface is a molding gate disposed to face the middle position of the two second bonding surfaces. In this case, the third bonding surface can be provided by the runner.

[0090] The optical unit in a specific embodiment comprises: an imaging element; a projection optical system that projects an image formed on the imaging element; a housing that houses the imaging element and the projection optical system in a positioned state; and an optical appearance component on which image light emitted from the projection optical system is incident, the optical appearance component having a first bonding surface and a second bonding surface that extend in directions intersecting each other and are respectively bonded to the housing, and the second bonding surface is disposed at a position separated from the housing.

Claims

1. A virtual image display device, comprising: Image components; a projection optical system that projects the image formed on the imaging element; a housing that houses the imaging element and the projection optical system in a positioned state; and an optical appearance component, into which the image light emitted from the projection optical system is incident, The optical appearance component has a first bonding surface and a second bonding surface extending in directions intersecting each other and respectively bonded to the housing. The second adhesive surface is provided at a position separated from the housing.

2. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein: The second adhesive surface is separated from the housing in a manner that avoids interference when the optical component is positioned.

3. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein: The first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface are arranged in a state of being orthogonal and adjacent to each other.

4. The virtual image display device according to claim 3, wherein: The housing has a pair of protrusions extending from two side surfaces. The first bonding surface is bonded to the bottom surfaces of the pair of protrusions. The second bonding surface is bonded to the back surfaces of the pair of protrusions.

5. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein: The optical appearance component is a light-transmitting reflector.

6. The virtual image display device according to claim 5, wherein: The optical appearance component is a plate-shaped perspective reflector having a concave partial reflection surface, The first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface are formed on a mounting portion formed at an upper end of the transparent reflector.

7. The virtual image display device according to claim 6, wherein: The transparent reflector is formed of a light-transmitting base material.

8. The virtual image display device according to claim 6, wherein: The first adhesive surface is formed on the upper surface of the plate-shaped member in the mounting portion. The second adhesive surface is formed on front surfaces of a pair of protrusions protruding from the plate-shaped member in the mounting portion.

9. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein: The optical appearance component has a third adhesive surface facing in the opposite direction of the second adhesive surface, A portion of the housing is sandwiched between the second adhesive surface and the third adhesive surface.

10. The virtual image display device according to claim 9, wherein: The third bonding surface is a molding gate disposed to face a middle position between the two second bonding surfaces.

11. An optical unit comprising: Image components; a projection optical system that projects the image formed on the imaging element; a housing that houses the imaging element and the projection optical system in a positioned state; and an optical appearance component, into which the image light emitted from the projection optical system is incident, The optical appearance component has a first bonding surface and a second bonding surface extending in directions intersecting each other and respectively bonded to the housing. The second adhesive surface is provided at a position separated from the housing.

Images