Transverse outward outgoing optical waveguide and AR (Augmented Reality) glasses
Through the diffraction light waveguide design with transversely outward light, the problem of heavy AR glasses waveguide sheet at the nose bridge is solved, thinning and simplifying production, and improving the aesthetics and comfort of wearing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510779608.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-11
AI Technical Summary
The waveguide model of existing AR glasses is thick at the bridge of the nose, which affects the beauty and comfort of wearing, and is complex in production and is not convenient for promotion.
The diffraction optical waveguide design adopts a diffraction optical waveguide with light outwards, including a coupling grating and two coupling gratings. The light beam transmits transversely within the transverse waveguide and emits light from both ends. It has good structural symmetry and simplifies processing.
The waveguide sheet is thinner, which improves the aesthetics and comfort of wearing, and simplifies the production process.
Smart Images
Figure CN120294902A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of AR display, and particularly to a lateral light-emitting optical waveguide and an AR glasses. Background Art
[0002] The optical module of AR mainly includes two parts. The first part is a micro display module, including a micro display (LCD screen, LCOS / DLP display panel, uLED / uOLED, other micro projections), and the second part is the optical waveguide for the eyes, including a prism waveguide (in the form of a prism, the main companies are Epson and Naidejia), an array waveguide (a beam splitting device glued by multiple grating sheets, the main manufacturers are Shanghai Lipai, Longjing Optoelectronics, etc.), a diffraction waveguide (nano-scale micro stripes are transferred onto a silicon-based glass by nanoimprinting, and light propagates through diffraction), and other waveguide solutions.
[0003] Although the waveguide sheet model and AR glasses in the prior art can achieve the display of one-to-two binoculars from the middle by a single light engine, the biggest defect is that in actual use, since the light engine is in the middle, the glasses will be very thick at the nose bridge end (the thickness of the light engine), seriously affecting the aesthetics of wearing; at the same time, since the light engine is on the nose bridge side and the weight of the light engine is at the nose bridge end, the load on the nose will be relatively large, affecting the comfort of wearing.
[0004] Furthermore, how to reduce the size of the waveguide to make it more convenient to use has also become a problem to be solved.
[0005] Furthermore, the structure of the optical waveguide is complex, and the production and manufacturing are complex, which is not conducive to popularization.
[0006] In summary, there is a lack of a convenient-to-use optical waveguide in the prior art. It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background art section is only used for understanding the background of the present application, and therefore may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the Invention
[0007] The present invention provides a lateral light-emitting optical waveguide and an AR glasses, which can solve at least one technical problem in the background art.
[0008] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: A lateral out-coupling optical waveguide includes a lateral waveguide and an input grating, a first out-coupling grating, and a second out-coupling grating disposed on the surface of the lateral waveguide; the input grating is disposed between the first out-coupling grating and the second out-coupling grating; an optical engine is connected to the input grating for providing a projection image to the input grating, and the light beam is laterally transmitted in both sides in the lateral waveguide and respectively enters the first out-coupling grating and the second out-coupling grating; the light beam directly exits through the first out-coupling grating and the second out-coupling grating and enters the human eye.
[0009] Preferably, the grating periods of the input grating, the first out-coupling grating, and the second out-coupling grating are the same. In the K space, the lateral included angles between the grating vectors of the input grating, the first out-coupling grating, and the second out-coupling grating are θ, θ1, and θ2 respectively, and the angle ranges are: -60° to -30° or 30° to 60°; and the relationship condition is satisfied: θ = ±θ1 = ±θ2.
[0010] Preferably, the first out-coupling grating and the second out-coupling grating are on the same side of the lateral waveguide, and the input grating is disposed on the same side or the opposite side of the first out-coupling grating and the second out-coupling grating.
[0011] Preferably, the distances from the center line of the input grating to the center lines of the first out-coupling grating and the second out-coupling grating are d1 and d2 respectively, and d1 = d2.
[0012] Preferably, the distances from the center line of the input grating to the center lines of the first out-coupling grating and the second out-coupling grating are d1 and d2 respectively, and d1 / d2 = 0.5 to 2.
[0013] Preferably, the lateral waveguide is a single-layer first lateral waveguide; or it includes a 1-5 layer second lateral waveguide.
[0014] Preferably, a film is coated between each layer of the second lateral waveguide, and the transmittance range is: 30% to 70%.
[0015] Preferably, the thicknesses of the second lateral waveguides are different and are 0.6 to 1.5 times the thickness of the first lateral waveguide.
[0016] The present invention further provides an AR glasses, which includes a spectacle frame, spectacle legs, and spectacle lenses connected in sequence; the lateral out-coupling optical waveguide as described in any one of the above is disposed on the upper side of the spectacle frame; the outer sides of the spectacle lenses are respectively attached to a first output waveguide and a second output waveguide; the first out-coupling grating and the second out-coupling grating respectively enter the first output waveguide and the second output waveguide; then they respectively enter the spectacle lenses corresponding to the left and right eyes, and then enter the human eye.
[0017] Preferably, the first output waveguide and the second output waveguide have the same structure; the first output waveguide includes a first coupling-in part and a first coupling-out part from top to bottom, and the light of the first output grating directly enters the first coupling-in part and then propagates to the first coupling-out part; the second output waveguide includes a second coupling-in part and a second coupling-out part from top to bottom, and the light of the second output grating directly enters the second coupling-in part and then propagates to the second coupling-out part.
[0018] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: The laterally outward light-emitting waveguide of the present invention adopts a diffractive waveguide, which inputs light from the middle of the lateral waveguide and outputs light from both ends. It is simple to process, has good symmetry, and the light output is more uniform.
[0019] Furthermore, the laterally outward light-emitting waveguide provided by the present invention can place the lateral waveguide inside the spectacle frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of an AR glasses according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a laterally outward light-emitting waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of another laterally outward light-emitting waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a K space according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the beam transmission of a laterally outward light-emitting waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of an AR glasses according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of a laterally outward light-emitting waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of another laterally outward light-emitting waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of yet another laterally outward light-emitting waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of another AR glasses according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] Figure 11Schematic diagram of an output waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners
[0031] The following provides a detailed description of the implementation manners of the present invention. It should be emphasized that the following description is merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention and its applications. Without conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.
[0032] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element. In addition, the connection can be for a fixing function or for a coupling or communication function.
[0033] It should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be construed as a limitation of the present invention.
[0034] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, "a plurality of" means two or more unless otherwise specifically defined.
[0035] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment of the present invention provides a laterally out-coupling optical waveguide, including a lateral waveguide 1 and an input grating 11, a first output grating 121, and a second output grating 122 disposed on the surface of the lateral waveguide 1; the input grating 11 is disposed between the first output grating 121 and the second output grating 122; An optical engine 2 is connected to the input grating 11 and is used to provide a projection image to the input grating 11, and the light beam is laterally transmitted in both sides in the lateral waveguide 1 and enters the first output grating 121 and the second output grating 122 respectively; The light beam directly exits through the first output grating 121 and the second output grating 122 and enters the human eye.
[0036] The laterally out-going optical waveguide of the present invention adopts a diffractive optical waveguide, with light entering from the middle of the lateral waveguide and exiting from both ends. It is simple to process, has good symmetry, and the light output is more uniform.
[0037] Furthermore, the laterally out-going optical waveguide provided by the present invention can place the lateral waveguide inside the spectacle frame.
[0038] As Figure 3 shown, the lateral waveguide 1 of the present invention and the coupling grating 11, the first output coupling grating 121, and the second output coupling grating 122 provided on the surface of the lateral waveguide 1 do not require coating, which is simpler.
[0039] As Figure 4 shown, the grating periods of the coupling grating 11, the first output coupling grating 121, and the second output coupling grating 122 are the same, and their grating periods are d11, d121, and d121 respectively. In the K space, the angular differences between the grating vectors of the coupling grating 11, the first output coupling grating 121, and the second output coupling grating 122 in the lateral direction are θ, θ1, and θ2 respectively, and the angular range is: -60° to -30° or 30° to 60°; and the relationship condition is satisfied: θ = ±θ1 = ±θ2. Among them, BND1 and BND2 respectively represent the first boundary for satisfying the total internal reflection (TIR) standard in the optical waveguide, and BND2 represents the second boundary of the maximum wave vector in the waveguide plate. The maximum wave vector can be determined by the refractive index of the optical waveguide and the incident angle.
[0040] In a specific embodiment, the grating periods of the coupling grating 11, the first output coupling grating 121, and the second output coupling grating 122 are 300 nm to 500 nm.
[0041] As Figure 5 shown, it is a schematic diagram of the beam transmission of the laterally out-going optical waveguide when θ, θ1, and θ2 take negative values. The beam of the optical machine is coupled into the coupling grating 11, and then the beam travels laterally in both directions in the lateral waveguide 1 and enters the first output coupling grating 121 and the second output coupling grating 122 respectively, and exits downward.
[0042] Continuing as Figure 6 shown, the laterally out-going optical waveguide is arranged inside the upper side of the spectacle frame, and the light exiting downward from the side can be incident on the human eye.
[0043] As Figure 7As shown, the first output grating 121 and the second output grating 122 are on the same side of the transverse waveguide 1, and the input grating 11 is disposed on the same side or the opposite side of the first output grating 121 and the second output grating 122. In a preferred embodiment, the first output grating 121 and the second output grating 122 are on the inner side of the transverse waveguide, and the input grating 11 is on the outer side of the transverse waveguide. The optical machine 2 is on the same side as the input grating, so that the optical machine is far from the nasal tip, which is beneficial to heat dissipation.
[0044] As Figure 8 shown, in the previous embodiment, the distances from the center line of the input grating 11 to the center lines of the first output grating 121 and the second output grating 122 are d1 and d2 respectively, and d1 = d2. In the embodiment herein, the distances from the center line of the input grating 11 to the center lines of the first output grating 121 and the second output grating 122 are d1 and d2 respectively, and these distances are not equal, d1 / d2 = 0.5 to 2. Such an asymmetric setting can place the optical machine on one side of the nasal tip, avoiding directly in front of the nasal tip, which is also beneficial to hiding the optical machine.
[0045] As Figure 9 shown, in the previous embodiment shown, the transverse waveguide 1 is a single-layer first transverse waveguide; in the embodiment herein, the transverse waveguide 1 is a multi-layer design. In a specific embodiment, it includes 1 - 5 layers of second transverse waveguides, and such a design can provide better light output coverage.
[0046] In a specific embodiment, a film is coated between each layer of the second transverse waveguides, and the transmittance range is: 30% - 70%, which is beneficial to the transmission of light beams between the second transverse waveguides.
[0047] In another specific embodiment, the thicknesses of the second transverse waveguides are different, being 0.6 - 1.5 times the thickness of the first transverse waveguide.
[0048] As Figure 1 、 Figure 10 and Figure 11 shown, the present invention also provides an AR glasses, including a lens 32, temple 33 and frame 31 connected in sequence.
[0049] The transverse out-coupling optical waveguide as described in any one of the above is disposed on the upper side of the spectacle frame 31; The outer sides of the spectacle lenses 32 are respectively adhered to a first output waveguide 341 and a second output waveguide 342; the first output grating 121 and the second output grating 122 respectively enter the first output waveguide 341 and the second output waveguide 342; and then enter the spectacle lenses 351 and 352 corresponding to the left and right eyes respectively, and then enter the human eyes 41 and 42.
[0050] The AR glasses of the present invention place the horizontal optical waveguide inside the frame, and the light output of the optical waveguide is downward and directly incident on the human eyes.
[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first output waveguide 341 and the second output waveguide 342 have the same structure.
[0052] As Figure 11 shown, it is a schematic diagram taking the first output waveguide 341 as an example.
[0053] The first output waveguide 341 sequentially includes a first coupling-in part 3411 and a first coupling-out part 3412 from top to bottom. The light of the first output grating 121 directly enters the first coupling-in part 3411 and then propagates to the first coupling-out part 3412; Similarly, the second output waveguide 342 sequentially includes a second coupling-in part and a second coupling-out part from top to bottom. The light of the second output grating 122 directly enters the second coupling-in part and then propagates to the second coupling-out part.
[0054] The above light beams finally enter the spectacle lenses 351, 352 and the human eyes 41, 42.
[0055] The above content is a further detailed description of the present invention in combination with specific / preferred embodiments, and it cannot be determined that the specific implementation of the present invention is only limited to these descriptions. For those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, without departing from the concept of the present invention, they can make several substitutions or modifications to these described embodiments, and these substitution or modification methods should all be regarded as belonging to the protection scope of the present invention. In the description of this specification, the description with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "preferred embodiment", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples. Although the embodiments of the present invention and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of protection of the patent application.
Claims
1. A laterally outward light waveguide, characterized in that: It includes a transverse waveguide, an input grating, a first output grating, and a second output grating disposed on the surface of the transverse waveguide; the input grating is disposed between the first output grating and the second output grating; An optical machine is connected to the input grating for providing a projection image to the input grating, and the light beam is transversely transmitted in both sides in the transverse waveguide and enters the first output grating and the second output grating respectively; The light beam directly exits through the first output grating and the second output grating and enters the human eye.
2. The lateral out-coupling optical waveguide according to claim 1, characterized in that: The grating periods of the input grating, the first output grating, and the second output grating are the same. In the K space, the grating vector angles of the input grating, the first output grating, and the second output grating in the transverse direction are θ, θ1, and θ2 respectively, and the angle range is: -60° to -30° or 30° to 60°; and the relationship condition is satisfied: θ = ±θ1 = ±θ2.
3. The laterally outward light waveguide according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first output grating and the second output grating are on the same side of the transverse waveguide, and the input grating is disposed on the same side or the opposite side of the first output grating and the second output grating.
4. The laterally outward light waveguide according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distances from the center line of the input grating to the center lines of the first output grating and the second output grating are d1 and d2 respectively, and d1 = d2.
5. The lateral outward light waveguide according to claim 1, wherein: The distances from the center line of the input grating to the center lines of the first output grating and the second output grating are d1 and d2 respectively, and d1 / d2 = 0.5 to 2.
6. The lateral out-coupling optical waveguide according to claim 1, wherein: The transverse waveguide is a single-layer first transverse waveguide; or it includes a 1-5 layer second transverse waveguide.
7. The lateral out-coupling optical waveguide according to claim 6, wherein: A film is coated between each layer of the second transverse waveguide, and the transmittance range is: 30% to 70%.
8. The lateral out-coupling optical waveguide according to claim 7, characterized in that: The thicknesses of the second transverse waveguides are different and are 0.6-1.5 times the thickness of the first transverse waveguide.
9. An AR glasses, characterized in that: It includes a spectacle frame, spectacle legs, and spectacle lenses connected in sequence; The transverse out-coupling optical waveguide according to any one of claims 1-8 is disposed on the upper side of the spectacle frame; The outer sides of the spectacle lenses are respectively adhered to a first output waveguide and a second output waveguide; the first output grating and the second output grating respectively enter the first output waveguide and the second output waveguide; then they respectively enter the spectacle lenses corresponding to the left and right eyes and then enter the human eye.
10. The AR glasses according to claim 9, characterized in that: The structures of the first output waveguide and the second output waveguide are the same; The first output waveguide sequentially includes a first input portion and a first output portion from top to bottom, and the light of the first output grating directly enters the first input portion and then propagates to the first output portion; The second output waveguide sequentially includes a second input portion and a second output portion from top to bottom, and the light of the second output grating directly enters the second input portion and then propagates to the second output portion.