Virtual image display device and optical unit

Abstract

The invention provides a virtual image display device and an optical unit, in an optical system provided with a lens barrel with a built-in lens component and a polarization control component, the position of the polarization control component relative to the lens barrel can be adjusted, and the inside of the lens barrel can be sealed to ensure the image quality. This virtual image display device is provided with: a lens barrel having a first opening into which image light enters; a first lens fixed inside the lens barrel; a sealing member that is fixed to the first opening and seals the first opening; and an image display panel fixed to the outside of the lens barrel and generating image light emitted to the first lens through a sealing member, the sealing member including a polarization control member that converts the image light into predetermined polarized light.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual image display device and optical unit capable of observing virtual images, and more particularly to a virtual image display device and optical unit using a lens barrel with an internally built-in lens and sealed from the outside. Background Technology

[0002] A known system (Patent Document 1) comprises: a central mounting portion; a rotating collar connected to the central mounting portion and configured to rotate about the central mounting portion; two or more retaining forks mounted on the rotating collar, wherein the two or more retaining forks are configured to hold a first lens during rotation of the rotating collar about the optical axis of the pancake lens display assembly, and the rotating collar rotates the first lens and positions a first orientation axis of a quarter-wave plate on the first lens such that the first orientation axis forms an angle relative to a second orientation axis of a reflective polarizer on a second lens, wherein the pancake lens display assembly includes a second lens optically connected in series with the first lens; an illumination source configured to radiate test light through the first lens and the second lens; and an illumination source configured to receive a sensor of the test light radiated through the illumination source, wherein the angle is an angle that causes the light transmitted through the second lens and then through the first lens to be substantially circularly polarized.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-501630

[0004] In the aforementioned system, the lens surface on the panel side of the first lens is sealed together with the panel via a lens barrel component. In this structure, because a sealing structure is not formed within the pancake lens section, foreign matter leaking from the inside of the pancake lens or from the sealing portion of the panel and lens barrel may adhere to the lens surface or panel surface on the panel side, leading to image quality degradation. To achieve high-quality HMD (Head Mounted Display) images during panel assembly, there is a risk of interference with the lens barrel component when adjustments are needed to match the rotation angle of the pancake lens (which is attached to the panel surface for polarizing elements), the optical axis direction for focusing the displayed image, and the horizontal and rotational positions. Therefore, there are limits to the range of these adjustments. Consequently, if the panel position cannot be adequately adjusted, assembly may not be possible while ensuring sufficient image quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A virtual image display device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a lens barrel having a first opening for image light to be incident; a first lens fixed inside the lens barrel; a sealing member fixed to the first opening and sealing the first opening; and an image display panel fixed outside the lens barrel and generating image light emitted through the sealing member to the first lens, the sealing member including a polarization control member for converting the image light into predetermined polarized light.

[0006] An optical unit according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a lens barrel having a first opening for image light to be incident; a first lens fixed inside the lens barrel; a sealing member fixed to the first opening and sealing the first opening; and an image display panel fixed outside the lens barrel and generating image light emitted through the sealing member to the first lens, the sealing member including a polarization control member for converting the image light into predetermined polarized light. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a front view illustrating the appearance of the virtual image display device in its wearing state according to the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 It is a side sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the optical system.

[0009] Figure 3 It is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the detailed structure of a part of the display optical system.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the optical operation of the virtual image display device according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional sectional view illustrating the structure of the lens tube in the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional sectional view illustrating the structure of the lens tube in the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the lens tube according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the optical operation of a modified virtual image display device.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a side sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the virtual image display device according to the second embodiment.

[0016] Figure 10 It is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the detailed structure of a part of the display optical system.

[0017] Figure 11This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the optical operation of the virtual image display device according to the second embodiment.

[0018] Figure 12 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the optical operation of a modified virtual image display device.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0020] 10…Display; 11…Image display panel; 11c…Glass cover; 11d…Display surface; 13…Circular polarizing plate; 20…Optical component; 21…Lens component; 21A, 21B…Lens; 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f…Optical surfaces; 22…Reflective optical element; 25…Polarizing optical element; 30…Eye barrel; 31, 32…Opening; 33, 34…Retaining part; 40…Dustproof component; 41…Tape; 42, 43…Adhesive; 50…Support frame; 51…Protrusion; 80…Circuit component; 90…User terminal; 100…Optical unit; 100A, 100B…Virtual image display device; 100C…Template ; 102…Driver; 102a, 102b…Display drive unit; 103a, 103b…Display optical system; 200…Head-worn display device, HMD; 224…Polarization conversion component; 311…Slot; AD…Adhesive film; AR1, AR2, AR3…Area; AX…Optical axis; BR1…Area; C1, C2…Circularly polarized light; CR1…Area; DR1, DR2, DR3, DR4…Area; EY…Eye; HM…Mirror; L1, L2…Linearly polarized light; ML…Image light; PC1, PC2, PC3…Polarization control component; PP…Pupil position; SP…Support plate; SP1…Notch; US…Wearer. Detailed Implementation

[0021] First Implementation Method

[0022] The following reference Figures 1-7 The present invention will now describe a virtual image display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating the wearing state of a head-mounted display, or head-worn display device 200. The head-worn display device (hereinafter also referred to as HMD) 200 allows the observer or wearer US to perceive an image as a virtual image. Figure 1 In the coordinate system, X, Y, and Z are orthogonal coordinates. The +X direction corresponds to the horizontal alignment of the EY pairs of the eyes of the observer or wearer US wearing the HMD200. The +Y direction is equivalent to the top, orthogonal to the horizontal alignment of the EY pairs of the eyes for the wearer US. The +Z direction is equivalent to the front or facing direction for the wearer US. The ±Y directions are parallel to the vertical axis or the vertical direction.

[0024] The HMD200 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 temples 100C supporting the virtual image display devices 100A and 100B, and a user terminal 90 serving as an information terminal. The first virtual image display device 100A consists of a first display driving unit 102a located at the top and a first display optical system 103a covering the eye. The second virtual image display device 100B consists of a second display driving unit 102b located at the top and a second display optical system 103b covering the eye. The HMD200, which combines the first virtual image display device 100A and the second virtual image display device 100B, is also a virtual image display device in a broader sense. The pair of temples 100C support the upper ends of the pair of display optical systems 103a and 103b via the externally integrated display driving units 102a and 102b. The device obtained by combining the pair of display driving units 102a and 102b is called a driving unit 102.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a conceptual side sectional view illustrating the structure of the first display optical system 103a. Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the detailed structure of a portion of the first display optical system 103a. Figure 3 This includes regions AR1, AR2, and AR3. Figure 3 Regions AR1, AR2, and AR3 are magnified respectively. Figure 2 The structures of regions AR1, AR2, and AR3 are shown. The first display optical system 103a includes a display 10 that emits circularly polarized image light ML, an optical component 20 that refracts the image light ML twice by reflection to form a virtual image, and a circuit component 80 that controls the operation of the display 10, etc.

[0026] It should be noted that in the first virtual image display device 100A, the optical device (specifically the display 10 and the optical component 20) after removing the circuit component 80 is referred to as the optical unit 100.

[0027] Detailed description omitted. The second display optical system 103b is optically identical to the first display optical system 103a, or is an optical system obtained by reversing the first display optical system 103a left and right. In the following text, the first display optical system 103a will be described, and the description of the second display optical system 103b will be omitted.

[0028] In the first display optical system 103a, the display 10 includes an image display panel 11, which is a self-emissive image light generating device, and a polarization control component PC1, which converts image light ML emitted from the image display panel 11 into circularly polarized light. A glass cover 11c protecting the image display panel 11 may also be disposed between the image display panel 11 and the polarization control component PC1. Figure 3 As shown in region AR2, the glass cover 11c is separated from the polarization control component PC1.

[0029] The image display panel 11 is, for example, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, and forms monochrome or color still or moving images on a two-dimensional display surface 11d. The image light ML emitted from the image display panel 11 is light including randomly polarized light. The image display panel 11 is driven by circuit components 80 to perform display operations. The image display panel 11 is not limited to an OLED display and can be replaced with display devices using inorganic EL, organic LED, LED array, laser array, quantum dot light-emitting elements, etc.

[0030] The image display panel 11 is not limited to a self-emissive image light generating device, but can also be a device that generates an image by illuminating the light modulation element of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) using a light source such as a background.

[0031] The polarization control component PC1 has a circular polarizer 13. As an example, the circular polarizer 13 can also be a thin, film-like circular polarizing element. The thickness of the film-like circular polarizing element can be approximately 0.2 mm. Alternatively, as an example, the circular polarizer 13 can also be supported by being adhered to a transparent support plate SP, etc.

[0032] The optical component 20 includes a polarization control component PC2, a lens component 21, and a polarization control component PC3 in sequence, starting from the image display panel 11 side. The lens component 21 is fixed inside the lens barrel 30. Thus, the optical component 20 is disposed inside the lens barrel 30.

[0033] The optical component 20 for imaging consists of only one lens, making it an extremely simple optical configuration. Furthermore, since it can be constructed with a single lens, it is simple and has fewer parts. Moreover, because there is no need for a lens bonding process, costs can be significantly reduced compared to existing configurations. As a result, the entire optical system can be made very lightweight.

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown in region AR2, in optical component 20, polarization control component PC2 has a reflective optical element 22. (As shown in the image) Figure 3 As shown in region AR1, the polarization control component PC3, arranged in order from the lens component 21 side toward the -Z direction, includes a polarization conversion component 224 and a reflective polarization optical element 25.

[0035] In the polarization control component PC2, the reflective optical element 22 is a transmission-type reflector HM, which partially transmits and partially reflects the image light ML. The reflective optical element 22 covers the eye EY or the pupil position PP where the pupil is located, and has a concave shape facing the pupil position PP and a convex shape facing outwards. From the viewpoint of ensuring the brightness of the image light ML, the reflectivity of the reflective optical element 22 to the image light ML is set to, for example, about 50%, but is not limited to this. The reflective optical element 22 is a single-layer or multi-layer film of metals such as Al or Ag with adjusted film thickness. The reflective optical element 22 can be formed, for example, by using a deposited laminate, or by attaching a sheet-like reflective film.

[0036] Lens component 21 is a convex-concave pancake lens with positive focal power, having a first optical surface 21a on the incident side and a second optical surface 21b on the emitting side. The first optical surface 21a and the second optical surface 21b are curved surfaces, specifically spherical or aspherical. Lens component 21 is formed of resin, for example, but can also be made of glass. From the viewpoint of miniaturization, it is more advantageous to make lens component 21 of glass. It should be noted that the reflective optical element 22 is positioned opposite to the first optical surface 21a, and more specifically, is formed directly on the first optical surface 21a. That is, the first optical surface 21a and the reflective optical element 22 have the same shape, but the first optical surface 21a functions as a convex refractive surface, while the reflective optical element 22 functions as a concave reflective surface. On the other hand, the polarizing optical element 25 is positioned opposite to the second optical surface 21b, and more specifically, is formed on the second optical surface 21b through a thin-film polarization conversion member 224. In other words, the second optical surface 21b and the polarizing optical element 25 have the same shape, but the second optical surface 21b functions as a concave refractive surface, while the polarizing optical element 25 functions as a convex reflective surface.

[0037] In the polarization control component PC3, the polarization conversion component 224 converts the circularly polarized light that has passed through the lens component 21 into first linearly polarized light L1 with a first polarization direction corresponding to the vertical or vertical direction, i.e., the Y direction (see reference). Figure 4 The polarization conversion component 224 is formed, for example, of a liquid crystal material such as a photocrosslinkable polymer liquid crystal material. As another example, the polarization conversion component 224 may also be a film-shaped quarter-wave plate.

[0038] The fabrication of the polarization conversion component 224 will be briefly described. For example, a photocrosslinked polymer liquid crystal material is coated onto a flexible transparent resin substrate to form a photocrosslinked polymer liquid crystal material layer, i.e., a thin film. By irradiating the photocrosslinked polymer liquid crystal material film with ultraviolet light of linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is controlled, the film can be cured and the orientation state of the rod-shaped molecules expressing liquid crystal properties (i.e., molecules with a refractive index difference between their major and minor axes) can be controlled. At this time, the molecules expressing liquid crystal properties through ultraviolet light that extend in the same direction as the polarization direction of the ultraviolet light are crosslinked, and their orientation state is fixed in the same direction as the polarization direction. Here, a concave lens or container with a spherical surface is prepared, and the photocrosslinked polymer liquid crystal material is coated on the surface of the concave lens or container. By using a suitable optical system, the photocrosslinked polymer liquid crystal material is irradiated with ultraviolet light that forms a spherical wave with the same curvature as the surface, thereby fixing the orientation state such that the polarization direction is along the surface. After irradiation with ultraviolet light, the photocrosslinked polymer liquid crystal material film is annealed. Thus, it is possible to liquidify liquid crystal molecules whose orientation states do not change due to ultraviolet light, and to align their orientation states with those of the polymer portions that have already reached the target orientation state. This orientation state is then fixed by subsequent cooling. In other words, a waveplate composed of a thin film can be obtained, wherein the film aligns the orientation directions of almost all the liquid crystal molecules constituting the photocrosslinked polymer liquid crystal material. The retardation of such a waveplate can be adjusted by adjusting its thickness. The polarization conversion component 224 thus obtained is fixed to the lens component 21 by, for example, attaching it to the second optical surface 21b using an adhesive material. In the above description, although the polarization conversion component 224 is described as being formed by coating a transparent resin substrate with a photocrosslinked polymer liquid crystal material, it is also possible to directly form the polarization conversion component 224 by coating the optical surfaces 21a and 21b of the lens component 21.

[0039] The liquid crystal optics, such as the polarization conversion component 224, can also be manufactured using the manufacturing method for liquid crystal optics described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-501147. Furthermore, the liquid crystal optics, such as the polarization conversion component 224, can also be manufactured using the method described in https: / / www.jstage.jst.go.jp / article / oubutsu1932 / 70 / 9 / 70_9_1078 / _pdf.

[0040] The polarizing optical element 25 is a linear grating polarizer that selectively reflects the first linearly polarized light L1 with a first polarization direction corresponding to the vertical or vertical direction, i.e., the Y direction, and only allows the second linearly polarized light L2 with a second polarization direction corresponding to the horizontal direction, i.e., the X direction, to be transmitted (see reference). Figure 4The polarizing optical element 25 has the following structure: for example, a plurality of metal wires made of materials such as aluminum or nickel are arranged in parallel on a flexible transparent resin substrate, and a wire grating layer composed of the plurality of metal wires is covered with a transparent protective layer. The polarizing optical element 25 reflects linearly polarized light having an electric field component (corresponding to the polarization direction) that is parallel to the direction in which the plurality of metal wires extend and perpendicular to the periodic direction corresponding to the arrangement direction. The main body of the polarizing optical element 25 is fabricated as follows: using a mold with a concave-convex structure, a concave-convex shape is transferred onto the surface of a resin film formed of UV resin or thermoplastic resin, and then aluminum is deposited from an inclined direction on the top and sides of the convex portion of the concave-convex shape using a vacuum deposition method. The main body of the polarizing optical element 25 can also be fabricated by applying a polymer solution to a mold with a concave-convex structure using a spin coating method and curing the polymer solution formed on the surface of the mold (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-221334). The polarizing optical element 25 thus obtained is fixed to the lens component 21 by, for example, attaching it to the polarization conversion component 224 using an adhesive material.

[0041] The polarizing optical element 25 may not be a wire grid polarizer, but may be a polarizer obtained by stacking multiple anisotropic films obtained by rolling.

[0042] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The optical operation of the virtual image display device 100A according to the first embodiment will be explained. First, as Figure 2 As shown, the display 10 emits image light ML, which is incident on the polarization control component PC1. Here, the image light ML is incident on and passes through the central portion of the sealing component including the polarization control component PC1, excluding the peripheral portion that is connected to and fixed to the first opening, where a circular polarizing plate 13 is disposed (see reference). Figure 3 (Region AR3). At this time, such as Figure 4As shown, the image light ML emitted from the display 10 is converted into right-circularly polarized light C1 by passing through the polarization control member PC1. The image light ML of right-circularly polarized light C1 incident from the display 10 to the optical member 20 is partially transmitted through the reflective optical element 22, but its intensity is attenuated to about half during transmission. The image light ML transmitted through the reflective optical element 22 passes through the lens member 21 and then through the polarization conversion member 224. At this time, the image light ML is refracted by the lens member 21 and undergoes relative convergence due to its positive focal length. Furthermore, the image light ML is converted from right-circularly polarized light C1 into first linearly polarized light L1 with a first polarization direction by passing through the polarization conversion member 224 in the forward direction, and then incident on the polarization optical element 25. The image light ML incident on the polarization optical element 25 is efficiently reflected by the polarization optical element 25 while maintaining the first linearly polarized light L1 unchanged. When passing through the lens member 21, it is converted back into right-circularly polarized light C1 by passing through the polarization conversion member 224 in the reverse direction. The image light ML emitted from lens component 21 is reflected by reflective optical element 22 and is relatively converged due to positive focal length, but its intensity is attenuated to about half during reflection. At this time, the image light ML is converted from right circularly polarized light C1 to left circularly polarized light C2. The image light ML, which is left circularly polarized light C2 reflected by reflective optical element 22, passes through polarization conversion component 224 in the forward direction when passing through lens component 21, and is converted into second linearly polarized light L2 with the second polarization direction, and then enters polarization optical element 25. In the above, the image light ML passes through lens component 21 twice through reflection in reflective optical element 22, resulting in passing through lens component 21 three times. The image light ML that enters polarization optical element 25 through lens component 21 is efficiently transmitted to polarization optical element 25 while maintaining the second linearly polarized light L2 with the second polarization direction unchanged. The image light ML that exits from optical component 20 is collimated by the converging effect of optical component 20 and enters the pupil position PP of the wearer's eye EY (see reference). Figure 2 In other words, the wearer US wearing the first virtual image display device 100A can observe the virtual image presented by the image light ML.

[0043] exist Figure 2In the case of the display optical systems 103a and 103b shown, because the second optical surface 21b is concave, the angle of the image light ML emitted from the image display panel 11 is turned inward, that is, towards the optical axis AX. The material of the lens component 21 has a margin for total internal reflection, thus increasing the radius of curvature of the lens and miniaturizing the image display panel 11 and the overall optical system. Furthermore, by setting the ratio of the radius of curvature R1 of the first optical surface 21a to the radius of curvature R2 of the second optical surface 21b to satisfy the following relationship 0.5 ≤ R1 / R2 ≤ 1.5, the angle of the image light ML emitted from the image display panel 11 is approximately parallel to the normal direction of the panel (parallel to the optical axis AX). Therefore, when a user observes an image through the display optical systems 103a and 103b, since the image light ML emitted along the normal direction of the panel is incident on the eye EY, the displayed image, i.e., a virtual image, can be visually recognized without brightness or color unevenness. In particular, the radius of curvature R2 of the second optical surface 21b is preferably 5 mm to 30 mm.

[0044] It should be noted that the first polarization direction and the second polarization direction are directions set for convenience and can replace the definition of specific directions. That is to say, in Figure 4 In the example shown, polarizing optical element 25 reflects the first linearly polarized light L1 with the first polarization direction in the Y direction. However, polarizing optical element 25 can also be an optical element that reflects the first linearly polarized light L1 with the first polarization direction in the X direction. In this case, the direction of the main axis of polarization conversion component 224 is adjusted to fit the polarizing optical element 25.

[0045] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 The configuration of the first opening 31 of the sealed lens barrel 30, into which image light ML from the image display panel 11 is incident, will be described. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the lens component 21 seals the second opening 32 of the lens barrel 30 for the emitted image light ML. Additionally, the polarization control component PC1 also serves as a sealing component to seal the first opening 31 of the lens barrel 30 containing the built-in lens component 21 for the image light ML to enter. The sealing component may also include a circular polarizing plate 13 and a support plate SP.

[0046] like Figure 3As shown in region AR3, the end of the support plate SP included in the polarization control component PC1, which serves as a sealing component, is held by a first retaining portion 33 located on the inner side of the first opening 31 of the lens barrel 30. The end of the support plate SP functions as a peripheral portion fixed to the first opening 31 in the sealing component. The first retaining portion 33 and the end of the support plate SP can also be bonded together by a first adhesive 42. Here, the gap between the first retaining portion 33 and the end of the support plate SP is sealed by the first adhesive 42 and the tape 41, which serve as a dustproof component 40, thereby improving the airtightness of the first opening 31 of the lens barrel 30 and ensuring dustproofness. The tape 41 can also be configured to wrap around the gap between the polarization control component PC1 and the first opening 31 to ensure dustproofness and temporarily fix the polarization control component PC1 to the first opening 31.

[0047] Before fixing the position of the polarization control component PC1, which serves as a sealing member, relative to the lens barrel 30 through bonding using the first adhesive 42, the position of the polarization control component PC1 relative to the lens barrel 30 is adjusted. This position adjustment is mainly performed by rotating the polarization control component PC1 in the XY plane orthogonal to the optical axis AX. Figure 5 As shown in region BR1, the range of position adjustment can also be minimized by providing a mechanism that limits the angle of rotation of the polarization control component PC1, which serves as a sealing member, in the XY plane. Region BR1 shows a portion of the lens barrel 30 and the polarization control component PC1. This mechanism may also include a slot 311 provided on the inner side of the first opening 31 of the lens barrel 30 and a notch SP1 provided on the outer side of the support plate SP of the polarization control component PC1. As an example, the range of the angle of rotation of the polarization control component PC1 in the XY plane may also be approximately ±10 degrees.

[0048] To prevent foreign objects from entering the lens barrel 30 during the adjustment of the polarization control component PC1 relative to the first opening 31, the gap between the polarization control component PC1 and the first holding part 33 is sealed with a first adhesive 42 and tape 41 before the position adjustment begins. Here, to avoid hindering the movement and / or rotation of the polarization control component PC1 relative to the first opening 31 during position adjustment, the tape 41 has sufficient elasticity. Furthermore, the first adhesive 42 can be cured at any time after the position adjustment is completed, for example, it is a UV-curable type. More specifically, the first adhesive 42 has sufficient fluidity before curing, allowing adjustment of the position and orientation of the polarization control component PC1 relative to the lens barrel 30 while the first adhesive 42 is applied between the first holding part 33 of the first opening 31 and the periphery of the support plate SP before curing. Additionally, the first adhesive 42 has sufficient hardness after curing, fixing the position and orientation of the polarization control component PC1 relative to the lens barrel 30 even with residual stress from the elasticity of the tape 41. The tape 41 has sufficient transmittance to the UV light so that the UV light curing the first adhesive 42 can reach the first adhesive 42. As an example, the tape 41 may also be a flexible acrylic substrate-free adhesive tape. However, these tapes 41 and the first adhesive 42 are merely examples and are not intended to limit this embodiment.

[0049] The same applies to the second opening 32. Alternatively, the position of the lens component 21 relative to the lens barrel 30 can be adjusted while a UV-curable adhesive is applied to the gap between the second opening 32 and the end of the lens component 21. Then, UV light is irradiated from either the second opening 32 or the first opening 31 to cure the adhesive. In this way, the lens component 21 can be fixed to the lens barrel 30 and the second opening 32 can be sealed. It should be noted that when the lens component 21 is inserted into the lens barrel 30 through the first opening 31, the first opening 31 is then sealed.

[0050] By sealing the first opening 31 and the second opening 32 of the lens barrel 30 in this way, foreign objects that may exist inside the lens barrel 30 can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the lens barrel 30. In addition, foreign objects that may exist outside the lens barrel 30 can be prevented from entering the inside of the lens barrel 30. As an example of such foreign objects, dust from a portion of the first adhesive 42, a portion of the tape 41, or sebum from the worker who touched the components during assembly can be cited.

[0051] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 The method of adjusting and fixing the position of the image display panel 11 relative to the lens barrel 30 using the support bracket 50 will be explained. Figure 6As shown, the support frame 50 supports the image display panel 11. Furthermore, the support frame 50 has a protrusion 51 protruding in the -Z direction of the image light ML emitted towards the image display panel 11, and is fixed to the second retaining portion 34 (see reference 30) provided on the outer side of the lens barrel 30 by means of a second adhesive 43 via the protrusion 51. Figure 7 The image display panel 11 is connected to an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) section 11f that transmits control signals from the circuit component 80 to the image display panel 11. A gap 52 is provided on the support frame 50 to allow the FPC section 11f to pass through without interference.

[0052] like Figure 7 As shown in region CR1, the protrusion 51 of the support frame 50 is held by a second retaining portion 34 provided on the outer side of the first opening 31 of the lens barrel 30. The support frame 50 may have multiple protrusions 51 and multiple second retaining portions 34 on the lens barrel 30. Each protrusion 51 is fixed to its respective second retaining portion 34 by a second adhesive 43. It should be noted that... Figure 7 Region CR1 shows a cross-section of the portion of the second retaining part 34 of the lens barrel 30 and the protrusion 51 of the support frame 50 that is related to the fixation achieved by the second adhesive 43.

[0053] Second adhesive 43 and Figure 3 Similarly, the first adhesive 42 shown in region AR3 can be cured at any time after the position adjustment of the support frame 50 relative to the lens barrel 30, for example, it can be a UV-curing type. That is, with the second adhesive 43 before curing applied between the second holding part 34 of the lens barrel 30 and the protrusion 51 of the support frame 50, the position adjustment of the support frame 50 relative to the lens barrel 30 is performed, and then the second adhesive 43 is cured at any time, thereby fixing the support frame 50 relative to the lens barrel 30. Here, the position adjustment of the support frame 50 relative to the lens barrel 30 can also include rotation around the Z-axis. As an example, the range of rotation around the Z-axis in this position adjustment can also be about one degree. The position adjustment of the support frame 50 relative to the lens barrel 30 can also include movement parallel to the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis respectively.

[0054] By adjusting the position of the support frame 50 relative to the lens barrel 30 in this way, the position of the image display panel 11 fixed to the support frame 50 relative to the lens barrel 30 can be adjusted.

[0055] Variations

[0056] In the above embodiments, the configuration of the image display panel 11 being an OLED or the like and the polarization control component PC1 having a circular polarizer 13 has been described. As a variation of this configuration, such as... Figure 8As shown, the configuration of the polarization control component PC1, which includes a linear polarizer 14 and a quarter-wave plate 15, will be described. In this case, the image display panel 11 is not limited to a self-emissive image light generating device, but can also be a device composed of other light modulation elements of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and forming an image by illuminating the light modulation elements using a light source such as a background.

[0057] The polarization control component PC1 has a linear polarizer 14 and a quarter-wave plate 15, arranged in order from the side of the image display panel 11.

[0058] The linear polarizer 14 is, for example, an absorption-type polarizer, in this embodiment, selectively allowing only the second linearly polarized light (horizontally polarized light) in the X direction, which is the horizontal direction, to pass through. That is, in the image light ML emitted from the image display panel 11, only the linearly polarized light in the X direction passes through the linear polarizer 14 and is incident on the quarter-wave plate 15. The linear polarizer 14 is sheet-shaped and is manufactured by stretching a film obtained by impregnating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with dichroic pigments such as iodine along a certain direction.

[0059] The quarter-wave plate 15 has its principal axis or fast axis set between the vertical and horizontal directions, that is, between the Y and X directions, and converts the second linearly polarized light (horizontally polarized light) passing through the linear polarizer 14 into, for example, right-hand circularly polarized light C1. As an example, the quarter-wave plate 15 can also be a film-like retardation plate formed by rolling a polymer. Specifically, during polymer rolling, a density difference and / or refractive index difference is generated in the rolling direction and / or opposite directions, thereby generating a film-like retardation plate. Alternatively, as another example, the quarter-wave plate 15 can be formed from a liquid crystal material such as a photocrosslinkable polymer liquid crystal material, but it can also be a wave plate obtained by processing a birefringent crystalline material such as crystal into a thin sheet. Specifically, a linear polarizer 14 is provided on the glass cover 11c of the image display panel 11, and a quarter-wave plate 15 made of a UV-curable photocrosslinkable polymer liquid crystal material is provided on it. While controlling the film thickness, the photocrosslinkable polymer liquid crystal material is coated onto the glass cover plate 11c by spin coating, inkjet printing, etc., and then polarized ultraviolet light is irradiated and baked, thereby enabling it to function as a 1 / 4 wave plate 15.

[0060] The virtual image display devices 100A and 100B and optical unit 100 of the first embodiment described above include: a lens barrel 30 having a first opening 31 for image light ML to be incident; a lens component 21 serving as a first lens, fixed inside the lens barrel 30; a polarization control component PC1 and a support plate SP serving as sealing components, fixed to the first opening 31 and sealing the first opening 31; and an image display panel 11 fixed outside the lens barrel 30, generating image light ML emitted to the first lens via the sealing component, the sealing component including the polarization control component PC1 that converts the image light ML into predetermined polarized light.

[0061] The aforementioned virtual image display devices 100A, 100B, and optical unit 100 incorporate a lens component 21 within the lens barrel 30, and seal the first opening 31 and the second opening 32 of the lens barrel 30 with a polarization control component PC1 and the lens component 21, respectively. As a result, it prevents foreign objects from intruding into the lens barrel 30 from the outside and from leaking out from the inside of the lens barrel 30, and suppresses image quality degradation caused by foreign objects reflecting onto the image light ML emitted from the image display panel 11 located outside the lens barrel 30. Furthermore, compared to cases where the circular polarizer 13 and quarter-wave plate 15 of the polarization control component PC1 are attached to the surface of the image display panel 11 or the glass cover 11c of the display 10 instead of the first opening 31 of the lens barrel 30, the amount of rotation of the image display panel 11 relative to the lens barrel 30 for purposes such as optical axis adjustment and defocusing of the optical system can be minimized in the aforementioned virtual image display devices 100A, 100B, and optical unit 100. Therefore, the aforementioned virtual image display devices 100A, 100B and optical unit 100 also have the excellent effect of enabling miniaturization of the lens barrel 30 and support frame 50.

[0062] Second Implementation Method

[0063] In the first embodiment described above, the virtual image display devices 100A and 100B, whose lens components 21 are composed of individual convex and concave lenses, and the optical unit 100 were described. In the second embodiment, the virtual image display devices 100A and 100B, whose lens components 21 are composed of plano-convex and plano-concave lenses, and the optical unit 100 were described. Details regarding configurations common to the first embodiment in the virtual image display devices 100A and 100B and the optical unit 100 of the second embodiment, other than the lens component 21, will be omitted.

[0064] like Figure 9As shown, the lens component 21 of the second embodiment includes a first lens 21A and a second lens 21B. The first lens 21A is a plano-convex lens having a convex third optical surface 21c and a flat fourth optical surface 21d. The first lens 21B is a plano-concave lens having a flat fifth optical surface 21e and a concave sixth optical surface 21f. The second lens 21B and the first lens 21A are arranged in this order inside the lens barrel 30 from the image display panel 11 toward the -Z direction. The fifth optical surface 21e of the second lens 21B faces the polarization control component PC1, which is a sealing component fixed to the first opening 31 of the lens barrel 30, and the fourth optical surface 21d of the first lens 21A faces the second opening 32 of the lens barrel 30. The sixth optical surface 21f of the second lens 21B faces the third optical surface 21c of the first lens 21A. The sixth optical surface 21f of the second lens 21B and the third optical surface 21c of the first lens 21A have complementary shapes and are either spherical or aspherical surfaces with rotational symmetry about the optical axis AX.

[0065] Figure 10 This includes regions DR1, DR2, DR3, and DR4. Figure 10 Regions DR1, DR2, DR3, and DR4 will respectively Figure 9 The structures of regions DR1, DR2, DR3, and DR4 are shown in enlarged form. (See attached image.) Figure 10 As shown in region DR2, the glass cover 11c is separated from the polarization control component PC1. Additionally, the support plate SP is separated from the fifth optical surface 21e of the second lens 21B. (As shown...) Figure 10 As shown in region DR4, the end of the support plate SP included in the polarization control component PC1, which serves as a sealing component, is held by a first retaining part 33 located on the inner side of the first opening 31 of the lens barrel 30. The first retaining part 33 and the end of the support plate SP can also be bonded together by a first adhesive 42. Here, the gap between the first retaining part 33 and the end of the support plate SP is sealed by the first adhesive 42 and tape 41, which serve as a dustproof component 40, thereby improving the airtightness of the first opening 31 of the lens barrel 30. The tape 41 can also be configured to wrap around the gap between the polarization control component PC1 and the first opening 31. Figure 10 As shown in region DR3, a polarization control component PC2 is formed on the surface of the third optical surface 21c of the first lens 21A. The polarization control component PC2 has a reflective optical element 22, which is a transmission-type reflector HM. Furthermore, the sixth optical surface 21f of the second lens 21B is bonded to the third optical surface 21c of the first lens 21A via an adhesive film AD. However, the polarization control component PC2 is formed between the sixth optical surface 21f of the second lens 21B and the adhesive film AD. Figure 10As shown in region DR1, a polarization control component PC3 is disposed on the surface of the fourth optical surface 21d of the first lens 21A. The polarization control component PC3 has a polarization conversion component 224 and a reflective polarization optical element 25 sequentially arranged from the first lens 21A in the -Z direction.

[0066] Reference Figure 11 The optical operation of the virtual image display device 100A according to the second embodiment will be explained. Figure 11 As shown, the image light ML emitted from the display 10 passes through the polarization control component PC1 and becomes right-circularly polarized light C1. The image light ML, having passed through the polarization control component PC1, is refracted by the second lens 21B, which is a plano-concave lens, and is relatively diverged due to its negative focal length. The right-circularly polarized light ML of the image light ML, which passes through the second lens 21B and is incident on the optical component 20, is partially transmitted through the reflective optical element 22, but its intensity is attenuated to about half during transmission. The image light ML, having passed through the reflective optical element 22, passes through the first lens 21A and then through the polarization conversion component 224. The image light ML, by passing through the polarization conversion component 224 from the positive direction, is converted from right-circularly polarized light C1 into first linearly polarized light L1 with a first polarization direction and is incident on the polarization optical element 25. The image light ML incident on the polarizing optical element 25 is efficiently reflected by the polarizing optical element 25 while maintaining the first linearly polarized light L1 unchanged. Upon passing through the first lens 21A, it is converted into right-circularly polarized light C1 by passing in the reverse direction through the polarization conversion member 224. The image light ML emitted from the first lens 21A is reflected by the reflecting optical element 22 and undergoes relative convergence due to positive focal length, but its intensity is attenuated to about half during reflection. At this time, the image light ML is converted from right-circularly polarized light C1 to left-circularly polarized light C2. The image light ML, which is the left-circularly polarized light C2 reflected by the reflecting optical element 22, passes through the first lens 21A in the forward direction through the polarization conversion member 224 and is converted into second-polarized light L2 with a second polarization direction, and then incident on the polarizing optical element 25. Thus, the image light ML travels back and forth to the first lens 21A through reflection in the reflecting optical element 22, passing through the first lens 21A twice in total, resulting in three passes through the first lens 21A. Image light ML, incident on polarizing optical element 25 through first lens 21A, is efficiently transmitted through polarizing optical element 25 while maintaining the second linearly polarized light L2 in the second polarization direction. Image light ML, exiting optical component 20, is collimated by the converging effect of optical component 20 and then incident on the pupil position PP of the wearer's eye EY (see reference). Figure 9 In other words, the wearer US wearing the first virtual image display device 100A can observe the virtual image presented by the image light ML.

[0067] Variations

[0068] like Figure 12 As shown, in this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the polarization control component PC1 may also have a linear polarizing plate 14 and a quarter-wave plate 15. In this case, the image display panel 11 may also be a device that forms an image by illuminating the light modulation element with a light source such as a background using other light modulation elements of an LCD.

[0069] In the virtual image display devices 100A, 100B and optical unit 100 of the second embodiment described above, the first lens 21A includes a plano-convex lens having a convex surface as a third optical surface 21c and a flat surface as a fourth optical surface 21d. The virtual image display devices 100A, 100B and optical unit 100 also include a second lens 21B as a plano-concave lens, wherein the second lens 21B has a concave surface as a sixth optical surface 21f opposite to the third optical surface 21c and a flat surface as a fifth optical surface 21e opposite to the first opening 31.

[0070] In the virtual image display devices 100A, 100B and optical unit 100 of the first embodiment described above, since the polarization control member PC1 faces the convex surface of the lens member 21 which has a strong curvature, a lens effect of the polarizing plate included in the polarization control member PC1 occurs, which degrades the resolution performance of the optical system. On the other hand, in the virtual image display devices 100A, 100B and optical unit 100 described above, since the polarization control member PC1 faces the plane of the second lens 21B, which is a plano-concave lens, the lens effect of the polarizing plate is smaller than in the first embodiment, and the degradation of the resolution performance of the optical system due to the lens effect can be suppressed.

[0071] The virtual image display device of a specific manner includes: a lens barrel having a first opening for image light to enter; a first lens fixed inside the lens barrel; a sealing member fixed to the first opening and sealing the first opening; and an image display panel fixed outside the lens barrel and generating image light emitted through the sealing member to the first lens, the sealing member including a polarization control member for converting the image light into predetermined polarized light.

[0072] In a specific virtual image display device, the sealing member includes: a peripheral portion fixed to a first opening; and a central portion on which a polarization control member is disposed and through which image light passes.

[0073] In a specific virtual image display device, the sealing component further includes a support plate that supports the polarization control component, and the first opening has a first retaining portion that retains the end of the support plate.

[0074] The virtual image display device in this specific manner also includes a dustproof component, which ensures dust protection at the first opening of the lens barrel and achieves the fixation of the sealing component to the lens barrel.

[0075] The aforementioned virtual image display device incorporates a lens component within the lens barrel and seals the first opening of the lens barrel using a polarization control component. As a result, it can prevent foreign objects from entering the interior from the outside of the lens barrel and from leaking out from the inside of the lens barrel, and it can suppress image quality degradation caused by foreign objects reflecting the image light emitted from the image display panel located outside the lens barrel.

[0076] In a specific virtual image display device, the dustproof component includes: an elastic tape that ensures dustproofing and temporarily fixes the sealing component to a first opening in the lens barrel; and a first adhesive that, before curing, has fluidity capable of adjusting the position and orientation of the polarization control component relative to the lens barrel, and after curing, fixes the position and orientation of the polarization control component relative to the lens barrel.

[0077] The virtual image display device in a specific manner also includes a support frame to support the image display panel, and the lens barrel also has a second retaining part to hold the support frame. The virtual image display device also includes a second adhesive, which can be cured at any time and fix the support frame to the second retaining part of the lens barrel after the position and orientation of the image display panel relative to the lens barrel have been adjusted.

[0078] The aforementioned virtual image display device uses elastic tape and an adhesive that can cure at any time as dustproof components, and can fix the polarization control component and the image display panel to the lens barrel 30 after adjusting the position of the polarization control component and the image display panel relative to the lens barrel 30.

[0079] In a specific virtual image display device, the lens barrel also has a second opening through which image light passing through the first lens is emitted, and the first lens seals the second opening.

[0080] The aforementioned virtual image display device uses a first lens to seal the second opening of the lens barrel. As a result, it can prevent foreign objects from entering the interior from the outside of the lens barrel and from leaking out from the inside of the lens barrel, and it can suppress the degradation of image quality caused by foreign objects reflecting the image light emitted from the image display panel located on the outside of the lens barrel.

[0081] In a specific virtual image display device, a polarization control unit converts image light from an image display panel into circularly polarized light. A semi-reflective mirror is provided on a first optical surface opposite to the first opening of the first lens. A polarization conversion unit is provided on a second optical surface opposite to the second opening of the first lens to convert linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light and vice versa. A polarization optical element is provided on the second optical surface outside the polarization conversion unit to reflect the first linearly polarized light and transmit the second linearly polarized light.

[0082] In a specific virtual image display device, the first lens includes a pancake lens having a convex surface as a first optical surface and a concave surface as a second optical surface.

[0083] The aforementioned virtual image display device achieves miniaturization and weight reduction by changing and reflecting the polarized light of the image light between the optical surfaces of the pancake lens before it reaches the wearer's eyes.

[0084] In a specific virtual image display device, the first lens includes a plano-convex lens having a convex surface as a first optical surface and a flat surface as a second optical surface. The virtual image display device also includes a second lens as a plano-concave lens, the second lens having a concave surface as a third optical surface opposite to the first optical surface and a flat surface as a fourth optical surface opposite to the first opening.

[0085] The aforementioned virtual image display device, by using a second lens whose optical surface is a plane opposite to the polarization control component, can suppress the degradation of the resolution performance of the optical system due to the lens effect between the polarization control component and the lens opposite to the polarization control component.

[0086] In a specific virtual image display device, the image display panel includes an OLED panel that generates image light, and the polarization control component includes a circularly polarizing element that converts the image light from the image display panel into circularly polarized light.

[0087] In a specific virtual image display device, the image display panel includes a liquid crystal panel that generates image light, and the polarization control component includes: a polarizing plate that extracts a predetermined linearly polarized light component from the image light from the image display panel; and a quarter-wave plate that converts the linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light.

[0088] The aforementioned virtual image display device can use OLED panels and liquid crystal panels as image display panels.

[0089] The optical unit of the specific embodiment includes: a lens barrel having a first opening for image light to enter; a first lens fixed inside the lens barrel; a sealing member fixed to the first opening and sealing the first opening; and an image display panel fixed outside the lens barrel and generating image light emitted through the sealing member to the first lens, the sealing member including a polarization control member for converting the image light into predetermined polarized light.

[0090] The aforementioned optical unit integrates the lens component within the lens barrel and seals the first opening of the lens barrel using a polarization control component. As a result, it can prevent foreign objects from entering the lens barrel from the outside and from leaking out of the lens barrel from the inside, and it can suppress image quality degradation caused by foreign objects reflecting the image light emitted from the image display panel located outside the lens barrel.

[0091] The invention described above, based on the embodiments, has been specifically explained by the inventor. However, the invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the various features described in the embodiments can be freely combined without technical inconsistencies.

Claims

1. A virtual image display device, characterized in that, have: The lens barrel has a first opening for image light to enter; The first lens is fixed inside the lens barrel; A sealing component is fixed to the first opening and seals the first opening; as well as An image display panel, fixed to the outside of the lens barrel, generates the image light emitted towards the first lens via the sealing member. The sealing component includes: A polarization control component converts the image light into predetermined polarized light.

2. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing component includes: The peripheral portion is fixed to the first opening; and The polarization control component is located in the central part, through which the image light passes.

3. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing component further includes: Support plate, supporting the polarization control component. The first opening has: The first retaining part retains the end of the support plate.

4. The virtual image display device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The virtual image display device also includes: A dustproof component ensures dust protection for the first opening of the lens barrel and secures the sealing component to the lens barrel.

5. The virtual image display device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The dustproof component includes: Adhesive tape, having elasticity, ensures dustproofing and temporarily secures the sealing component to the first opening of the lens barrel; and The first adhesive, before curing, has fluidity that allows adjustment of the position and orientation of the polarization control component relative to the lens barrel, and after curing, fixes the position and orientation of the polarization control component relative to the lens barrel.

6. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The virtual image display device also includes: Support frame, supporting the image display panel. The lens tube also features: The second retaining part retains the support frame. The virtual image display device also includes: The second adhesive can cure at any time and, after the position and orientation of the image display panel relative to the lens barrel have been adjusted, fixes the support frame to the second holding part of the lens barrel.

7. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lens barrel also has: The second opening emits the image light that has passed through the first lens. The first lens seals the second opening.

8. The virtual image display device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The polarization control component converts the image light from the image display panel into circularly polarized light. A semi-reflective mirror is provided on the first optical surface of the first lens, opposite to the first opening. A polarization conversion component is provided on the second optical surface of the first lens, opposite to the second opening, to convert linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light and vice versa. A polarizing optical element is disposed on the outside of the polarization conversion component on the second optical surface, which reflects the first linearly polarized light and transmits the second linearly polarized light.

9. The virtual image display device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first lens includes a pancake lens having a convex surface as the first optical surface and a concave surface as the second optical surface.

10. The virtual image display device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first lens includes a plano-convex lens, which has a convex surface as the first optical surface and a flat surface as the second optical surface. The virtual image display device also includes: The second lens, which is a plano-concave lens, has a concave surface that is the third optical surface opposite to the first optical surface and a flat surface that is the fourth optical surface opposite to the first opening.

11. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The image display panel includes: OLED panel, generating the image light. The polarization control component includes: A circular polarizing element converts the image light from the image display panel into circularly polarized light.

12. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The image display panel includes a liquid crystal panel that generates the image light. The polarization control component includes: A polarizing plate is used to extract a predetermined linearly polarized component from the image light from the image display panel; and A quarter-wave plate converts the linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light.

13. An optical unit, characterized in that, have: The lens barrel has a first opening for image light to enter; The first lens is fixed inside the lens barrel; A sealing component is fixed to the first opening and seals the first opening; as well as An image display panel, fixed to the outside of the lens barrel, generates the image light emitted towards the first lens via the sealing member. The sealing component includes a polarization control component that converts the image light into predetermined polarized light.

Images