Optical waveguide lens and augmented reality device

Abstract

The invention discloses an optical waveguide lens and augmented reality equipment. The optical waveguide lens comprises at least two waveguide layers, a protection layer and a supporting structure, the waveguide layers are arranged at intervals and located on the same side of the protection layer, the waveguide layers and the protection layer are arranged at intervals, and the supporting structure is arranged between every two adjacent waveguide layers and / or between the adjacent waveguide layer and the protection layer. The supporting structure is used for keeping a distance between two adjacent waveguide layers and / or between the adjacent waveguide layer and the protection layer. When the waveguide layers and the protection layers approach each other due to deformation, the support structures are used for keeping the distance between the waveguide layers and the protection layers and the distance between the waveguide layers so as to avoid attachment, and the display performance of the optical waveguide lens is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of augmented reality, and in particular, relates to an optical waveguide lens and an augmented reality device. Background Art

[0002] The optical module of an augmented reality (AR) near-eye display device usually consists of two parts: an optical machine (or light engine) and an optical combiner. The optical machine consists of an image source and a projection lens. The image source is used to generate the image to be displayed, and the projection lens projects the image displayed by the image source to infinity or a specified distance. The optical combiner can transmit the signal light emitted by the optical machine to the human eye in a direction, forming the image to be displayed on the retina; at the same time, the optical combiner has good transmittance to the ambient light in the real world. Through the optical combiner, the human eye can see the real-world scenery and the image projected by the optical machine at the same time; the optical waveguide lens is the preferred solution for the optical combiner because of its thin thickness, light weight and good light transmittance.

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown, the optical waveguide lens is usually composed of a plurality of diffraction waveguide layers 1 and a protective layer 2, and the diffraction waveguide layer 1 and the protective layer 2 are bonded by adhesive. A coupling-in grating and a coupling-out grating are arranged on the surface of each diffraction waveguide layer. The coupling-in grating is used to couple the light emitted by the light engine into the diffraction waveguide layer and cause total reflection. After total reflection in the diffraction waveguide layer, the light is transmitted to the coupling-out grating. The coupling-out grating diffracts the light in the diffraction waveguide layer into the free space, and after entering the human eye, a virtual image to be displayed is formed on the retina. In addition to the coupling-in grating and the coupling-out grating, a turning grating may also be arranged on the surface of each diffraction waveguide layer to achieve requirements such as pupil expansion.

[0004] Since the diffractive waveguide layer 1 and the protective layer 2 may be deformed due to their own residual stress and the influence of external environmental factors (such as temperature and humidity changes), the diffractive waveguide layer 1 and the protective layer 2 can no longer remain parallel and attached together after the surface shape changes, thereby affecting the appearance and display performance of the lens. Summary of the invention

[0005] The technical problem solved by the present invention is: how to prevent the poor appearance and reduced display performance of each layer of the optical waveguide lens due to deformation of the material under stress.

[0006] The present application provides an optical waveguide lens, which includes at least two waveguide layers, a protective layer and a supporting structure. The waveguide layers are spaced apart and are located on the same side of the protective layer. The waveguide layer and the protective layer are spaced apart. The supporting structure is disposed between two adjacent waveguide layers and / or between adjacent waveguide layers and the protective layer. When the waveguide layer and / or the protective layer are deformed, the supporting structure is used to maintain a spacing between two adjacent waveguide layers and / or between adjacent waveguide layers and the protective layer.

[0007] Optionally, when the supporting structure is arranged between two adjacent waveguide layers, the supporting structure is arranged on any waveguide layer of the two adjacent waveguide layers; when the supporting structure is arranged between the adjacent waveguide layer and the protective layer, the supporting structure is arranged on the waveguide layer or the protective layer.

[0008] Optionally, the elastic modulus of the protective layer is smaller than the elastic modulus of the waveguide layer, and the air layer between two adjacent waveguide layers is connected to the air layer between the adjacent waveguide layer and the protective layer.

[0009] Optionally, all waveguide layers except the outermost waveguide layer are provided with through holes, and the through holes communicate with the air layer between two adjacent waveguide layers and the air layer between the adjacent waveguide layer and the protective layer.

[0010] Optionally, the support structure is disposed between adjacent waveguide layers and protective layers.

[0011] Optionally, the support structure includes a plurality of support protrusions distributed at intervals.

[0012] Optionally, the plurality of supporting protrusions are distributed in an array, and a row spacing of the array distribution is equal to a column spacing.

[0013] Optionally, the plurality of supporting protrusions are distributed in concentric circles, and the supporting protrusions on the same circle are distributed at equal intervals.

[0014] Optionally, the plurality of support protrusions are distributed in multiple rows, and the support protrusions in the odd rows are distributed in a first array, and the support protrusions in the even rows are distributed in a second array, the row spacing of the first array is equal to the row spacing of the second array, the column spacing of the first array is equal to the column spacing of the second array, and the row spacing of the first array is equal to the column spacing of the first array. times, the first row of supporting protrusions distributed in the second array is located between the first row of supporting protrusions distributed in the first array and the second row of supporting protrusions distributed in the first array, and the first column of supporting protrusions distributed in the second array is located between the first column of supporting protrusions distributed in the first array and the second column of supporting protrusions distributed in the first array.

[0015] The present application also discloses an augmented reality device, which includes the above-mentioned optical waveguide lens.

[0016] The optical waveguide lens and augmented reality device disclosed in the present invention have the following technical effects:

[0017] The optical waveguide lens provided by the present application has a support structure arranged between the waveguide layer and the protective layer, and between the waveguide layers. When the waveguide layer and the protective layer are close to each other due to deformation, the support structure is used to maintain a spacing between the waveguide layer and the protective layer, and between the waveguide layers to avoid adhesion, thereby ensuring the display performance of the optical waveguide lens. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide lens in the prior art before and after deformation;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an optical waveguide lens according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which both the waveguide layer and the protective layer are provided with supporting structures;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the optical waveguide lens of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which only the support structure is provided on the waveguide layer;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the optical waveguide lens of the first embodiment of the present invention, in which only the supporting structure is provided on the protective layer;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution of supporting protrusions according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of supporting protrusions of various different structures according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the array distribution of multiple supporting protrusions according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the concentric circle distribution of multiple supporting protrusions according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of equidistant distribution of multiple supporting protrusions according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The corresponding relationship between the reference numerals and the component names is as follows:

[0028] 10 - waveguide layer, 11 - through hole, 20 - protective layer, 30 - supporting structure, 31 - supporting protrusion, 40 - adhesive layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0030] Before describing the various embodiments of the present application in detail, the technical concept of the present application is briefly described first: the current augmented reality devices can be applied to various scenarios, and the augmented reality devices will also be squeezed by external forces in different scenarios. For example, the optical waveguide lens is squeezed and deformed, and the protective layer and the waveguide layer are formed and bonded due to changes in temperature and humidity or their own residual stress, thereby affecting the appearance and display performance of the lens. To this end, the optical waveguide lens provided by the present application is provided with a support structure between the waveguide layer and the protective layer, and between the waveguide layer and the waveguide layer. When the waveguide layer and the protective layer are close to each other due to deformation, the support structure is used to maintain a spacing between the waveguide layer and the protective layer, and between the waveguide layer and the waveguide layer to avoid bonding, thereby ensuring the display performance of the optical waveguide lens. The specific structure of the optical waveguide lens of the present application is described below in conjunction with more embodiments.

[0031] Specifically, Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the optical waveguide lens of the first embodiment includes at least two waveguide layers 10, a protective layer 20 and a support structure 30. The waveguide layers 10 are arranged at intervals and are all located on the same side of the protective layer 20. The waveguide layers 10 and the protective layer 20 are arranged at intervals. The support structure 30 is arranged between two adjacent waveguide layers 10 and / or between adjacent waveguide layers 10 and protective layers 20. When the waveguide layers 10 and / or the protective layers 20 are deformed, the support structure 30 is used to maintain a spacing between two adjacent waveguide layers 10 and / or between adjacent waveguide layers 10 and protective layers 20.

[0032] Exemplarily, the protective layer 20 here can be an outer protective layer or an inner protective layer. When the protective layer 20 is an outer protective layer, each waveguide layer 10 is located on the inner side of the protective layer 20, and the inner side is the side of the optical machine close to the protective layer 20, and is also the side close to the user, so that the waveguide layer is protected by the protective layer 20. When the protective layer 20 is an inner protective layer, each waveguide layer 10 is located on the outer side of the protective layer 20, and the outer side is the side of the optical machine away from the protective layer 20, and is also the side away from the user, so that the waveguide layer 10 is protected by the protective layer 20.

[0033] Exemplarily, the waveguide layers 10 and the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20 can be fixed by bonding through the adhesive layer 40, so that a closed air layer is formed between the waveguide layers 10 and between the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20. The adhesive layer 40 can be made of an annular adhesive, which is preferably arranged at the edges of the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20.

[0034] In one embodiment, a support structure 30 is disposed between two adjacent waveguide layers 10 and between adjacent waveguide layers 10 and protective layers 20, so as to avoid adhesion between the layers to the greatest extent. When the support structure 30 is disposed between two adjacent waveguide layers 10, the support structure 30 is disposed on any waveguide layer 10 of the two adjacent waveguide layers 10; when the support structure 30 is disposed between the adjacent waveguide layer 10 and protective layers 20, the support structure 30 is disposed on the waveguide layer 10 or the protective layers 20. For example, the support structure 30 can be fixed on the waveguide layer 10, and when the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layers 20 are not deformed, the support structure 30 does not contact the protective layers 20, and after deformation, the support structure 30 abuts against the protective layers 20 to prevent the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layers 20 from getting closer. Similarly, the support structure 30 can be fixed on the protective layer 20, and when the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20 are not deformed, the support structure 30 does not contact the waveguide layer 10. After deformation, the support structure 30 abuts against the waveguide layer 10 to prevent the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20 from getting closer.

[0035] In one embodiment, the support structure 30 is disposed on the inner surface of the protective layer 20 facing the waveguide layer 10. When the waveguide layer 10 and / or the protective layer 20 are deformed and the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20 are relatively close to each other, the support structure 30 is used to abut the waveguide layer 10, thereby preventing the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20 from getting closer to each other.

[0036] In other embodiments, the support structure 30 may be disposed on the adhesive layer 40. For example, one end of the support structure 30 is fixed on the adhesive layer 40, and the other end of the support structure 30 extends into the gap between the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20. When the waveguide layer 10 and / or the protective layer 20 are deformed and the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20 are relatively close to each other, the other end of the support structure 30 abuts against the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20, respectively, so that the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20 maintain a certain distance.

[0037] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the elastic modulus of the protective layer 20 is smaller than that of the waveguide layer 10, and the air layer between two adjacent waveguide layers 10 is connected to the air layer between the adjacent waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20. When the optical waveguide lens is in an environment with a relatively high air pressure, the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20 are squeezed and deformed, and the external pressure is concentrated on the protective layer 20 and the outermost waveguide layer 10. Since the elastic modulus of the protective layer 20 is smaller than that of the waveguide layer 10, the protective layer 20 is deformed first, thereby reducing the air pressure difference inside and outside the optical waveguide lens. At the same time, part of the air between the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20 will flow into the waveguide layers 10, thereby reducing the deformation of the outermost waveguide layer 10. In this embodiment, the support structure 30 may be provided only between adjacent waveguide layers 10 and protective layers 20 to prevent the protective layer 20 from being excessively deformed and adhered to the waveguide layer 10. The outermost waveguide layer 10 will not be excessively deformed due to two factors, namely, a large elastic modulus and internal gas flow, and therefore does not need to be supported by the support structure 30.

[0038] For example, Figure 4 As shown, in order to achieve the connection between the air layers, through holes 11 can be opened in all the waveguide layers 10 except the outermost waveguide layer 10, and the through holes 11 connect the air layers between two adjacent waveguide layers 10 and the air layers between the adjacent waveguide layers 10 and the protective layer 20. The through holes 11 are staggered with the support structure 30 to prevent the ventilation process of the through holes 11 from being affected by the support structure 30, and to prevent the support structure 30 from sinking into the through holes 11 and failing to play a supporting role.

[0039] For example, Figure 5 As shown, the support structure 30 includes a plurality of support protrusions 31 distributed at intervals, and the plurality of support protrusions 31 are disposed on the surface of the waveguide layer 10 and / or the surface of the protective layer 20. The plurality of support protrusions 31 may be evenly distributed, or may be densely distributed in the center area and sparsely distributed in the edge area. In some embodiments, the support structure 30 may also be a support protrusion 31, and the support protrusion 31 is disposed at the center of the surface of the waveguide layer 10 and / or the center of the surface of the protective layer 20. Figure 6 As shown, the support protrusion 31 can be a cylinder, a prism, a prism, a cone, a cone, a pyramid, a stalactite or other similar shapes. The bottom end of the support protrusion 31 is attached to the surface of the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20, and the top end is suspended. The diameter of the support protrusion 31 ranges from 1um to 100um, and the preferred diameter range is 20um to 50um. The height of the support protrusion 31 ranges from 1um to 100um, and the preferred height range is 5um to 20um.

[0040] In one embodiment, Figure 7As shown, multiple support protrusions 31 are distributed in an array, and the row spacing of the array distribution is equal to the column spacing. The uniformly distributed multiple support protrusions 31 can achieve uniform support for the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20, which is beneficial to cope with deformation in different areas. The row spacing and column spacing of the array distribution range from 0.5mm to 10mm, and the preferred range is 2mm to 5mm.

[0041] In another embodiment, if Figure 8 As shown, a plurality of support protrusions 31 are distributed in concentric circles, and the support protrusions 31 on the same circle are distributed at equal intervals. The number of concentric circles can be set according to actual needs. For example, the radius difference between each two adjacent concentric circles is the same. For example, along the direction from the center of the circle to the outside, the radius difference between the first circle and the second circle is equal to the radius difference between the second circle and the third circle, and so on, so that the uniform distribution of the support protrusions 31 can be achieved. In other embodiments, more dense support protrusions 31 can be set in the area close to the center of the circle, and more sparse support protrusions 31 can be set in the area away from the center of the circle.

[0042] Further, in another embodiment, if Fig. 9 As shown, the plurality of support protrusions 31 are distributed in a plurality of rows, and the support protrusions 31 in the odd-numbered rows are distributed in a first array, such as Fig. 9 As shown by the solid points in FIG. 1 , the supporting protrusions 31 located in the even-numbered rows are distributed in a second array, such as Fig. 9 As shown by the hollow points in the figure, the row spacing of the first array distribution is equal to the row spacing of the second array distribution, the column spacing of the first array distribution is equal to the column spacing of the second array distribution, and the row spacing of the first array distribution is equal to the column spacing of the first array distribution. times, the first row of supporting protrusions in the second array distribution is located between the first row of supporting protrusions and the second row of supporting protrusions in the first array distribution, the first column of supporting protrusions in the second array distribution is located between the first column of supporting protrusions and the second column of supporting protrusions in the first array distribution, similarly, the second row of supporting protrusions in the second array distribution is located between the second row of supporting protrusions and the third row of supporting protrusions in the first array distribution, and the second column of supporting protrusions in the second array distribution is located between the second column of supporting protrusions and the third column of supporting protrusions in the first array distribution. Under this distribution mode, a plurality of supporting protrusions 31 are periodically and closely arranged in an equilateral triangle, so that the distances between any adjacent supporting protrusions 31 can be ensured to be equal, which also means that the ability of each position of the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20 to resist deformation is the same.

[0043] Exemplarily, the material of the support structure 30 may be resin or glass.

[0044] Furthermore, the support structure 30 can be formed on the protective layer 20 or the waveguide layer 10. For example, the support structure 30 can be formed on the protective layer 20 or the waveguide layer 10 by means of a steel screen printing process, a yellow light process, a coating process, a nanoimprint process, a semiconductor process, etc. In other embodiments, the support structure 30 can be integrally formed with the protective layer 20 or the waveguide layer 10, that is, the support structure 30 is formed while the protective layer 20 or the waveguide layer 10 is prepared.

[0045] Further, when the support structure 30 is disposed on the protective layer 20, the projection of the support structure 30 on the waveguide layer 10 is staggered from the grating region of the waveguide layer 10. In one embodiment, when the support structure 30 is a plurality of support protrusions 31 distributed at intervals, the support protrusions 31 are disposed in a region of the protective layer 20 other than the region opposite to the grating region of the waveguide layer 10. When the waveguide layer 10 and / or the protective layer 20 are deformed and the waveguide layer 10 and the protective layer 20 are relatively close, the support protrusions 31 abut against the non-grating region of the waveguide layer 10 to prevent the support protrusions 31 from damaging the grating on the waveguide layer 10. The grating region of the waveguide layer 10 includes an in-coupling grating region, a turning grating region, and an out-coupling grating region. When the support structure 30 is disposed on the waveguide layer 10, the support structure 30 is disposed in the non-grating region of the waveguide layer 10.

[0046] The second embodiment also discloses an augmented reality device, which includes the optical waveguide lens in the first embodiment. The augmented reality device can be applied to scenarios such as being squeezed by external forces, changes in temperature and humidity, etc. The support structure is used to avoid excessive deformation of the optical waveguide lens, thereby ensuring the display performance of the optical waveguide lens and improving the visual experience of the augmented reality device.

[0047] The augmented reality device can be an augmented reality device, such as augmented reality glasses. In the example of augmented reality glasses, the augmented reality device can be configured to pass data to an external processing device and receive data from the external processing device through a signal connection, and the signal connection can be a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination thereof. However, in other cases, the augmented reality device can be used as a standalone device, that is, data processing is performed on the augmented reality device itself. The signal connection can be configured to carry any kind of data, such as image data (e.g., still images and / or full motion video, including 2D and 3D images), audio, multimedia, voice, and / or any other type of data. The external processing device can be, for example, a game console, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, or other types of processing devices. The signal connection can be, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) connection, a Wi-Fi connection, a Bluetooth or Bluetooth low energy (BLE) connection, an Ethernet connection, a cable connection, a DSL connection, a cellular connection (e.g., 3G, LTE / 4G or 5G), etc., or a combination thereof. Additionally, the external processing device may communicate with one or more other external processing devices via a network, which may be or include, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an intranet, a metropolitan area network (MAN), the global Internet, or a combination thereof.

[0048] It should be noted that it is understandable that a complete augmented reality glasses should also have other necessary basic components, but the other components are not the focus of this embodiment, so they are not shown in the drawings and are not described in detail in the specification, and these components are well-known technologies to those skilled in the art.

[0049] The specific implementation methods of the present invention are described in detail above. Although some embodiments have been shown and described, those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments can be modified and improved without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents. These modifications and improvements should also be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical waveguide lens, characterized in that: The optical waveguide lens comprises at least two waveguide layers, a protective layer and a supporting structure, wherein the waveguide layers are spaced apart and are located on the same side of the protective layer, the waveguide layer and the protective layer are spaced apart, and the supporting structure is disposed between two adjacent waveguide layers and / or between adjacent waveguide layers and the protective layer. When the waveguide layer and / or the protective layer are deformed, the supporting structure is used to maintain a spacing between two adjacent waveguide layers and / or between adjacent waveguide layers and the protective layer.

2. The optical waveguide lens according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the support structure is arranged between two adjacent waveguide layers, the support structure is arranged on any waveguide layer of the two adjacent waveguide layers; when the support structure is arranged between the adjacent waveguide layer and the protective layer, the support structure is arranged on the waveguide layer or the protective layer.

3. The optical waveguide lens according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic modulus of the protective layer is smaller than the elastic modulus of the waveguide layer, and the air layer between two adjacent waveguide layers is connected to the air layer between the adjacent waveguide layer and the protective layer.

4. The optical waveguide lens according to claim 3, characterized in that: All waveguide layers except the outermost waveguide layer are provided with through holes, and the through holes communicate with the air layer between two adjacent waveguide layers and the air layer between the adjacent waveguide layer and the protective layer.

5. The optical waveguide lens according to claim 3, characterized in that: The supporting structure is disposed between adjacent waveguide layers and protective layers.

6. The optical waveguide lens according to claim 2, characterized in that: The supporting structure includes a plurality of supporting protrusions distributed at intervals.

7. The optical waveguide lens according to claim 6, characterized in that: The plurality of support protrusions are distributed in an array, and a row spacing of the array distribution is equal to a column spacing.

8. The optical waveguide lens according to claim 6, characterized in that: The plurality of support protrusions are distributed in concentric circles, and the support protrusions on the same circle are distributed at equal intervals.

9. The optical waveguide lens according to claim 6, characterized in that: The plurality of support protrusions are distributed in multiple rows, and the support protrusions in the odd rows are distributed in a first array, and the support protrusions in the even rows are distributed in a second array, the row spacing of the first array is equal to the row spacing of the second array, the column spacing of the first array is equal to the column spacing of the second array, and the row spacing of the first array is equal to the column spacing of the first array. times, the first row of supporting protrusions distributed in the second array is located between the first row of supporting protrusions distributed in the first array and the second row of supporting protrusions distributed in the first array, and the first column of supporting protrusions distributed in the second array is located between the first column of supporting protrusions distributed in the first array and the second column of supporting protrusions distributed in the first array.

10. An augmented reality device, characterized in that: The augmented reality device comprises the optical waveguide lens according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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