Waveguide display system

Abstract

The utility model provides a waveguide display system. The waveguide display system comprises a light projection part used for emitting light of various angles or various polarization states; the carrier is provided with a coupling-out part, the coupling-out part comprises a plurality of coupling-out gratings, the plurality of coupling-out gratings are sequentially stacked in the direction far away from the carrier, different coupling-out gratings are used for receiving light in different polarization states or different angles, and the diffraction angles of the different coupling-out gratings are different. Therefore, the plurality of coupling-out gratings can couple light out of the carrier at different angles to form a plurality of image areas. The waveguide display system solves the problem that the waveguide display system in the prior art is difficult to display a plurality of images respectively under the same visual angle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of optical imaging display equipment, in particular to a waveguide display system. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of the field of optical imaging display, various display technologies have gradually become known to people. For example, in terms of augmented reality (AR) technology, augmented reality technology can overlay virtual images on real scenes, allowing users to see not only actual images but also virtual images, thereby obtaining a more intuitive and richer experience.

[0003] At present, waveguide display systems have been widely and practically applied in the fields of medical treatment, sports, entertainment, security, etc., among which information display is one of the important application scenarios of waveguide display systems. For example, in security AR devices used to display the body temperature of visitors, sports AR devices used to display exercise time and calories consumed, etc. For information display applications, the FOV of the waveguide display system does not need to be too large, and a FOV of 30° or less can meet the needs of information display. However, in some application scenarios, it is hoped that the display screen with a small FOV can be distributed in different areas of the field of view, such as the lower and right positions of the field of view, and even hoped to display various information around the central field of view at the same time, leaving the middle position empty to prevent the line of sight from being blocked. However, in response to the demand for displaying information in different areas, the existing method is to use an optical machine with a large FOV and a waveguide structure with a large FOV. This method increases the overall cost of the waveguide display system, and secondly, the optical machine with a large FOV means a larger volume, while the waveguide with a large FOV means lower efficiency. For optical machines such as DMD and LCoS, a larger FOV usually means higher energy consumption while ensuring that the brightness of the optical machine remains unchanged, which greatly reduces the practicality of such products. Moreover, this method cannot meet the requirement of displaying a small image only in the required part and not providing an image in the unnecessary part.

[0004] That is to say, the waveguide display system in the prior art has the problem of difficulty in displaying multiple images separately at the same viewing angle. Utility Model Content

[0005] The main purpose of the utility model is to provide a waveguide display system to solve the problem that the waveguide display system in the prior art has difficulty in displaying multiple images at the same viewing angle.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the utility model provides a waveguide display system, comprising: a light projection part, which is used to emit light of multiple angles or multiple polarization states; a carrier, on which a coupling-out part is arranged, the coupling-out part comprises a plurality of coupling-out gratings, the plurality of coupling-out gratings are sequentially stacked in a direction away from the carrier, different coupling-out gratings are used to receive light of different polarization states or different angles, and the diffraction angles of different coupling-out gratings are different, so that the plurality of coupling-out gratings can couple the light out of the carrier at different angles respectively, thereby forming a plurality of image areas.

[0007] Furthermore, the waveguide display system also includes a light introduction part, which is used to introduce the light emitted by the light projection part into the carrier, and the light introduction part is one of a coupling grating and a prism.

[0008] Furthermore, the outcoupling grating is a grating film layer or a polarizer grating or a combination of a polarizer grating and a wave plate.

[0009] Furthermore, the multiple outcoupling gratings include a first outcoupling grating, a second outcoupling grating, a third outcoupling grating and a fourth outcoupling grating in sequence along the direction approaching the carrier, and the outcoupling part also includes a plurality of wave plates, a wave plate is arranged between the first outcoupling grating and the second outcoupling grating, and another wave plate is arranged between at least one group of adjacent two outcoupling gratings among the second outcoupling grating, the third outcoupling grating and the fourth outcoupling grating.

[0010] Further, the multiple wave plates include at least a first wave plate, a second wave plate and a third wave plate, the first wave plate is located between the first outcoupling grating and the second outcoupling grating, the second wave plate is located between the second outcoupling grating and the third outcoupling grating, and the third wave plate is located between the third outcoupling grating and the fourth outcoupling grating; or the second wave plate and the third wave plate are arranged between the second outcoupling grating and the third outcoupling grating in a direction away from the second outcoupling grating.

[0011] Further, the first wave plate is an electrically controlled half-wave plate, the second wave plate and the third wave plate are both electrically controlled half-wave plates, or the second wave plate and the third wave plate are both electrically controlled quarter-wave plates.

[0012] Furthermore, the plurality of wave plates further include a fourth wave plate, which is located on a surface of the first outcoupling grating on a side away from the carrier, and is an electrically controlled half-wave plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the light projection unit is an optical machine, which includes a selectively arranged fifth wave plate.

[0014] Furthermore, the light projection part is a combination of an optical machine and a beam modulation component, the beam modulation component is used to output the light emitted by the optical machine in a plurality of polarization states or output angles, the beam modulation component is a polarization switch component, the polarization switch component is used to output the light emitted by the optical machine in a plurality of polarization states, the polarization switch component is located on the light output side of the optical machine, and the polarization switch component includes one or more polarization switches.

[0015] Furthermore, the polarization switch component includes a plurality of polarization switches, which include a first polarization switch, a second polarization switch, and a third polarization switch that selectively switch along a direction away from the optical machine. The optical machine emits a first polarized light, the first polarization switch is used to convert the first polarized light into a second polarized light, the second polarization switch is used to convert the first polarized light into a third polarized light, and the third polarization switch is used to convert the first polarized light into a fourth polarized light.

[0016] Furthermore, the multiple out-coupling gratings include a first out-coupling grating, a second out-coupling grating, a third out-coupling grating and a fourth out-coupling grating, the first out-coupling grating to the fourth out-coupling grating are stacked in sequence along a direction close to the carrier, the first out-coupling grating and the second out-coupling grating are both polarizer gratings, the third out-coupling grating and the fourth out-coupling grating are both three-layer structures, the three-layer structures include a polarizer grating and two quarter-wave plates, and the two quarter-wave plates are respectively arranged on both side surfaces of the polarizer grating.

[0017] Furthermore, the image source image of the optical machine is divided into a plurality of image source areas, the plurality of image source areas are arranged at intervals, and the light beams of different image source areas have different emission angles, and different outcoupling gratings are used to receive light at different angles.

[0018] Further, the light introduction part and the coupling-out part are respectively located on a set of two opposite surfaces of the carrier, and the projections of the light introduction part and the coupling-out part on the carrier do not overlap.

[0019] Furthermore, the carrier is an optical waveguide sheet or a glass sheet.

[0020] Applying the technical solution of the utility model, a waveguide display system includes a light projection part and a carrier, the light projection part is used to emit light of multiple angles or multiple polarization states; a coupling part is arranged on the carrier, the coupling part includes a plurality of coupling gratings, the plurality of coupling gratings are stacked in sequence along a direction away from the carrier, different coupling gratings are used to receive light of different polarization states or different angles, and the diffraction angles of different coupling gratings are different, so that the plurality of coupling gratings can couple the light out of the carrier at different angles to form a plurality of image areas.

[0021] The light projection part is used as an image source to provide light of multiple angles or multiple polarization states. The light emitted by the light projection part enters the carrier. The present application sets a coupling part including multiple coupling gratings. The multiple coupling gratings are sequentially stacked in the direction away from the carrier. Different coupling gratings are used to receive light of different polarization states or different angles. The diffraction angles of different coupling gratings are different, so that one coupling grating can only diffract light of one polarization state or one angle, thereby enabling the light in the carrier to be coupled out at different angles at different coupling gratings, thereby realizing the simultaneous display or separate display of multiple image areas. Image areas with different contents at different positions can be displayed simultaneously or form visual residues on the retina of the human eye, thereby realizing the function of distributing the picture in different areas of the visual field. The present application efficiently utilizes the field of view of the light projection part and the carrier without increasing the field of view of the light projection part and the carrier, greatly avoiding the situation where the overall volume of the waveguide display system is too large, realizing the lightweight of the waveguide display system, and avoiding the increase of energy consumption, improving the use effect of the waveguide display system, and improving the actual experience of the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The drawings constituting part of the present application are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present invention. In the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 An optical path diagram of a waveguide display system according to an optional embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0024] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 The imaging effect diagram of the waveguide display system in FIG.

[0025] Figure 3 The optical path diagram of the waveguide display system of the first embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0026] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 An optional optical path diagram of the third outcoupling grating in;

[0027] Figure 5 Shows Figure 3 Another optional optical path diagram of the third outcoupling grating in;

[0028] Figure 6 Shows Figure 3 Another optional optical path diagram of the third outcoupling grating in;

[0029] Figure 7 Shows Figure 3 An optional optical path diagram of the fourth outcoupling grating in;

[0030] Figure 8 Shows Figure 3 Another optional optical path diagram of the fourth outcoupling grating in;

[0031] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 3 Another optional optical path diagram of the fourth outcoupling grating in;

[0032] Fig.10 A diagram showing the segmentation effect of an image source image of an optical machine of an optional embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0033] Fig.11 The optical path diagram of the waveguide display system of the second embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0034] Fig.12 The optical path diagram of the waveguide display system of the third embodiment of the present utility model is shown;

[0035] Fig.13 The optical path diagram of the waveguide display system of the fourth embodiment of the utility model is shown.

[0036] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0037] 10. Light projection unit; 11. Optical machine; 111. Image source image; 12. First polarization switch; 13. Second polarization switch; 14. Third polarization switch; 15. Fourth polarization switch; 21. Optical waveguide plate; 22. Glass plate; 30. Prism; 40. Outcoupling unit; 41. First outcoupling grating; 42. Second outcoupling grating; 43. Third outcoupling grating; 431. First quarter wave plate; 432. First right-handed polarizer grating; 433. Second quarter wave plate; 44. Fourth outcoupling grating; 441. Third quarter wave plate; 442. Second right-handed polarizer grating; 443. Fourth quarter wave plate; 45. First wave plate; 46. Second wave plate; 47. Third wave plate; 48. Fourth wave plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other. The present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0039] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meanings as commonly understood by ordinary technicians in the technical field to which this application belongs.

[0040] In the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the directional words used, such as "up, down, top, bottom", usually refer to the directions shown in the drawings, or to the components themselves in the vertical, perpendicular or gravity directions; similarly, for ease of understanding and description, "inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the outline of each component itself, but the above-mentioned directional words are not used to limit the present invention.

[0041] In order to solve the problem in the prior art that it is difficult to display multiple images separately at the same viewing angle in a waveguide display system, the utility model provides a waveguide display system.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 13 As shown, the waveguide display system includes a light projection part 10 and a carrier, the light projection part 10 is used to emit light of multiple angles or multiple polarization states; a coupling part 40 is arranged on the carrier, the coupling part 40 includes a plurality of coupling gratings, the plurality of coupling gratings are sequentially stacked in a direction away from the carrier, different coupling gratings are used to receive light of different polarization states or different angles, and the diffraction angles of different coupling gratings are different, so that the plurality of coupling gratings can couple the light out of the carrier at different angles to form a plurality of image areas.

[0043] The light projection unit 10 is used as an image source to provide light of multiple angles or multiple polarization states. The light emitted by the light projection unit 10 enters the carrier. The present application sets the coupling unit 40 to include multiple coupling gratings. The multiple coupling gratings are sequentially stacked in the direction away from the carrier. Different coupling gratings are used to receive light of different polarization states or different angles. The diffraction angles of different coupling gratings are different, so that one coupling grating can only diffract light of one polarization state or one angle, thereby enabling the light in the carrier to be coupled out at different angles at different coupling gratings, thereby realizing the simultaneous display or separate display of multiple image areas. Image areas of different contents at different positions can be displayed simultaneously or form visual residues on the retina of the human eye, thereby realizing the function of distributing the picture in different areas of the visual field. The present application efficiently utilizes the field of view of the light projection unit 10 and the carrier without increasing the field of view of the light projection unit 10 and the carrier, greatly avoiding the situation where the overall volume of the waveguide display system is too large, realizing the lightweight of the waveguide display system, and avoiding the increase of energy consumption, improving the use effect of the waveguide display system, and improving the actual experience of the user.

[0044] like Figure 1As shown, the waveguide display system also includes a light introduction part, which is used to introduce the light emitted by the light projection part 10 into the carrier, and the light introduction part is one of a coupling grating and a prism 30. In practical applications, the light introduction part can be selected as a coupling grating or a prism 30 according to actual needs. In a specific embodiment of the present application, the light introduction part is a prism 30, specifically a prism, and one side surface of the prism is in contact with one side surface of the carrier. And one edge of the prism is located at the edge of the surface of the carrier where it is located, and the light projection part 10 is inclined to the carrier. The light emitted by the light projection part 10 enters the prism from the surface of the prism away from the center of the carrier. This arrangement makes the light projection part 10 located outside the carrier, which facilitates the reasonable arrangement of the waveguide display system of the present application in the head-mounted device. For example: the carrier is located in front of the human eye, and the light projection part 10 is located on the side of the human eye, so as to avoid the situation where the light projection part 10 blocks the line of sight.

[0045] In addition, the light introduction part and the coupling part 40 are respectively located on two opposite surfaces of the carrier and the projections of the light introduction part and the coupling part 40 on the carrier do not overlap. Specifically, the projections of the light introduction part and the coupling part 40 on the carrier are arranged at intervals.

[0046] Specifically, the outcoupling grating is a grating film layer or a polarizer grating or a combination of a polarizer grating and a wave plate. The specific form of the outcoupling grating can be reasonably selected according to the polarization state or angle of the diffracted light corresponding to the specific outcoupling grating.

[0047] Specifically, the carrier is an optical waveguide sheet 21 or a glass sheet 22. The specific selection of the optical waveguide sheet 21 can be set according to actual needs. In the embodiment of the present application, the carrier is preferably an optical waveguide sheet 21, and the light introduction part guides the light emitted by the light projection part 10 into the optical waveguide sheet 21, so as to perform total reflection transmission in the optical waveguide sheet 21 and then reach the coupling-out part 40.

[0048] Specifically, the light projection unit 10 is an optical machine 11 or a combination of the optical machine 11 and a beam modulation component. When the light projection unit 10 is the optical machine 11, the optical machine 11 includes a selectively arranged fifth wave plate. When the light transmission unit is a combination of the optical machine 11 and the beam modulation component, the beam modulation component is used to output the light emitted by the optical machine 11 in multiple polarization states or multiple exit angles. The beam modulation component is a polarization switch component. The polarization switch component is used to output the light emitted by the optical machine 11 in multiple polarization states. The polarization switch component is located on the light output side of the optical machine 11. The polarization switch component includes one or more polarization switches. In a specific embodiment of the present application, the optical machine 11 is an LBS optical machine, and can also be a combination of an LCoS optical machine or a DMD optical machine with a lens.

[0049] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the light introduction part is a prism 30, the carrier is an optical waveguide sheet 21, and the light projection part 10 can emit four kinds of light with different polarization states or different angles, which are coupled into the optical waveguide sheet 21 through the prism 30 and transmitted by total reflection in the optical waveguide sheet 21. The decoupling part 40 is composed of a first decoupling grating 41, a second decoupling grating 42, a third decoupling grating 43 and a fourth decoupling grating 44 along the direction close to the optical waveguide sheet 21. The first decoupling grating 41, the second decoupling grating 42, the third decoupling grating 43 and the fourth decoupling grating 44 are all gratings with polarization selectivity or angle selectivity, and only diffract light beams with certain polarization or angle characteristics. Specifically, light with a first polarization state or angle is diffracted only at the first outcoupling grating 41 and coupled out of the optical waveguide plate 21 at the first diffraction angle to form image area A. Similarly, light with a second polarization state or angle is diffracted only at the second outcoupling grating 42 and coupled out of the optical waveguide plate 21 at the second diffraction angle to form image area B. Light with a third polarization state or angle is diffracted only at the third outcoupling grating 43 and coupled out of the optical waveguide plate 21 at the third diffraction angle to form image area C. Light with a fourth polarization state or angle is diffracted only at the fourth outcoupling grating 44 and coupled out of the optical waveguide plate 21 at the fourth diffraction angle to form image area D. Figure 2 It can be seen that the first to fourth coupling gratings 41 to 44 have different diffraction angles, which can couple light out of the optical waveguide plate 21 at different angles to form four image areas, namely, image area A, image area B, image area C, and image area D, thereby realizing the function of separately displaying multiple image areas at the same viewing angle. At the same time, the FOV of the light projection unit 10 is fully utilized, thereby ensuring the portability of the waveguide display system.

[0050] like Fig.10 As shown, the image source image 111 of the optical machine 11 is divided into a plurality of image source areas, the plurality of image source areas are arranged at intervals, and the light beams of different image source areas have different emission angles, and different outcoupling gratings are used to receive light at different angles. Figure 4 The light beam of the optical machine 11 shown in the figure is divided into four image source areas. There is a certain blank interval between two adjacent image source areas in the four image source areas. The emission angles of the image light beams in each image source area are different. The four image source areas are image source area A, image source area B, image source area C, and image source area D. Fig.10 In the figure, the image source area A corresponds to the first angle range, the image source area B corresponds to the second angle range, the image source area C corresponds to the third angle range, and the image source area D corresponds to the fourth angle range. After the light beams at different angles are coupled into the optical waveguide plate 21 through the prism 30, they are coupled out through the coupling unit 40 to form four image areas, namely, the image area A, the image area B, the image area C, and the image area D. Figure 2 .

[0051] The waveguide display system of the present application is described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and drawings.

[0052] Embodiment 1

[0053] like Figures 3 to 9 As shown, the waveguide display system of the first embodiment is described. The waveguide display system includes a light projection unit 10, a prism 30, a coupling unit 40 and a carrier, the carrier is a light waveguide sheet 21, the prism 30 and the coupling unit 40 are respectively arranged on a set of two opposite surfaces of the light waveguide sheet 21, and the projections of the prism 30 and the coupling unit 40 on the light waveguide sheet 21 are arranged at intervals.

[0054] In this embodiment, the light projection unit 10 is used to emit light of multiple polarization states, and the multiple coupling gratings of the coupling unit 40 are respectively used to receive light of different polarization states. The diffraction angles of different coupling gratings are different, so that the multiple coupling gratings can couple the light out of the optical waveguide plate 21 at different angles to form multiple image areas.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the light projection unit 10 is a combination of an optical machine 11 and a beam modulation component. The beam modulation component is a polarization switch component. The polarization switch component is used to output the light emitted by the optical machine 11 in multiple polarization states. The polarization switch component is located on the light output side of the optical machine 11. The polarization switch component includes a plurality of polarization switches. The plurality of polarization switches are stacked in sequence in a direction away from the optical machine 11. The plurality of polarization switches include a first polarization switch 12, a second polarization switch 13, and a third polarization switch 14 that selectively switch in a direction away from the optical machine 11. The optical machine 11 emits a first polarized light. The first polarization switch 12 is an electrically controlled phase delay device. When it is closed, it does not change the polarization state of the incident light. When the first polarization switch 12 is turned on, it can convert the first polarized light into a second polarized light. Similarly, when the second polarization switch 13 is turned on, it can convert the first polarized light into a third polarized light. When the third polarization switch 14 is turned on, it can convert the first polarized light into a fourth polarized light. Specifically, the laser scanning beam emitted by the optical machine 11 is usually linearly polarized light. In this embodiment, the light emitted by the optical machine 11 is S light. The first polarization switch 12 is an electrically controlled phase delay device. When it is closed, it does not change the polarization state of the incident light beam. When it is opened, it can convert the S light into P light. The second polarization switch 13 can convert the S light into right-handed circularly polarized light when it is opened, and the third polarization switch 14 can convert the S light into left-handed circularly polarized light when it is opened. By controlling the opening or closing of the three polarization switches, the polarization state of the light beam entering the prism 30 can be changed.

[0056] Specifically, the plurality of outcoupling gratings include a first outcoupling grating 41, a second outcoupling grating 42, a third outcoupling grating 43 and a fourth outcoupling grating 44. The first outcoupling grating 41 to the fourth outcoupling grating 44 are sequentially stacked in a direction close to the optical waveguide plate 21, and a surface of the fourth outcoupling grating 44 on a side away from the third outcoupling grating 43 is connected to a surface of the optical waveguide plate 21. The outcoupling portion 40 further includes a plurality of wave plates, a wave plate is disposed between the first outcoupling grating 41 and the second outcoupling grating 42, and another wave plate is disposed between at least one group of adjacent two outcoupling gratings among the second outcoupling grating 42, the third outcoupling grating 43 and the fourth outcoupling grating 44. In this embodiment, the plurality of wave plates at least include a first wave plate 45, a second wave plate 46 and a third wave plate 47, the first wave plate 45 is located between the first outcoupling grating 41 and the second outcoupling grating 42, and the second wave plate 46 and the third wave plate 47 are arranged between the second outcoupling grating 42 and the third outcoupling grating 43 in a direction away from the second outcoupling grating 42. That is to say, the second wave plate 46 and the third wave plate 47 are both arranged between the second outcoupling grating 42 and the third outcoupling grating 43. In this embodiment, the first wave plate 45 is an electrically controlled half-wave plate, and the second wave plate 46 and the third wave plate 47 are both electrically controlled quarter-wave plates.

[0057] In the present embodiment, after the light beam is coupled into the optical waveguide plate 21 by the prism 30, it is totally reflected and transmitted in the optical waveguide plate 21. The absolute value of the reflection angle of the light beam on the interface between the light beam and the air in the optical waveguide plate 21 is limited to the range of θ1 to θ2 in the xy plane, and is limited to the range of θ3 to θ4 in the yz plane. The first out-coupling grating 41 to the fourth out-coupling grating 44 are all gratings with polarization selectivity and angle selectivity, and only diffract a certain specific polarized light incident at a certain specific angle. Specifically, the first out-coupling grating 41 diffracts right-handed circularly polarized light with an incident angle within the range of θ1 to θ2 in the xy plane and within the range of θ3 to θ4 in the yz plane, and propagates in the negative direction of the y-axis, and is transparent to light incident at other angles or left-handed circularly polarized light. The second out-coupling grating 42 diffracts left-handed circularly polarized light whose incident angle is within the range of θ1 to θ2 in the xy plane, within the range of θ3 to θ4 in the yz plane, and propagates in the negative direction of the y-axis, and is transparent to light incident at other angles or right-handed circularly polarized light. The third out-coupling grating 43 diffracts S light whose incident angle is within the range of θ1 to θ2 in the xy plane, within the range of θ3 to θ4 in the yz plane, and propagates in the positive direction of the y-axis, and is transparent to light incident at other angles or P light. The fourth out-coupling grating 44 diffracts P light whose incident angle is within the range of θ1 to θ2 in the xy plane, within the range of θ3 to θ4 in the yz plane, and propagates in the positive direction of the y-axis, and is transparent to light incident at other angles or S light.

[0058] like Figures 4 to 9In the optional embodiment shown, the first outcoupling grating 41 and the second outcoupling grating 42 are both single-layer structures of polarizer gratings. The third outcoupling grating 43 and the fourth outcoupling grating 44 are both three-layer structures, and the three-layer structure includes a polarizer grating and two quarter-wave plates, and the two quarter-wave plates are respectively arranged on the two side surfaces of the polarizer grating. Figures 4 to 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the third outcoupling grating 43 and its response to light of different angles and polarization states. Specifically, the third outcoupling grating 43 includes a first quarter-wave plate 431, a first right-handed polarizer grating 432, and a second quarter-wave plate 433. The third outcoupling grating 43 responds to incident light of different states in the following situations: Figures 4 to 9 In the figure, right-handed polarized light is represented as RCP and left-handed polarized light is represented as LCP.

[0059] The first case: when the incident light is S light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis, the first quarter-wave plate 431 will convert the incident light into right-handed circularly polarized light; the first right-handed polarizer grating 432 will couple out the light and convert it into left-handed circularly polarized light; the second quarter-wave plate 433 will convert the transmitted light into P light, refer to Figure 4 .

[0060] The second case: when the incident light is P light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis, the first quarter-wave plate 431 will convert the incident light into left-handed circularly polarized light; the first right-handed polarizer grating 432 will directly transmit the light without changing its propagation direction and polarization state; the second quarter-wave plate 433 will convert the transmitted light into P light, refer to Figure 4 .

[0061] The third case: when the incident light is S light propagating in the negative direction of the y-axis, the second quarter-wave plate 433 will convert the incident light into left-handed circularly polarized light; the first right-handed polarizer grating 432 will directly transmit the light without changing its propagation direction and polarization state; the first quarter-wave plate 431 will convert the transmitted light into S light, refer to Figure 5 .

[0062] Fourth case: When the incident light is P light propagating in the negative direction of the y-axis, the second quarter-wave plate 433 will convert the incident light into right-handed circularly polarized light; the first right-handed polarizer grating 432 will directly transmit the light without changing its propagation direction and polarization state; the first quarter-wave plate 431 will convert the transmitted light into P light, refer to Figure 5 .

[0063] Fifth case: When the incident light is right-handed circularly polarized light propagating in the negative direction of the y-axis, the second quarter-wave plate 433 will convert the incident light into P light; the first right-handed polarizer grating 432 will directly transmit the light without changing its propagation direction and polarization state; the first quarter-wave plate 431 will convert the transmitted light into right-handed circularly polarized light, refer to Figure 6 .

[0064] The sixth case: when the incident light is left-handed circularly polarized light propagating in the negative direction of the y-axis, the second quarter-wave plate 433 will convert the incident light into S light; the first right-handed polarizer grating 432 will directly transmit the light without changing its propagation direction and polarization state; the first quarter-wave plate 431 will convert the transmitted light into left-handed circularly polarized light, refer to Figure 6 .

[0065] In summary, the third outcoupling grating 43 couples out the S light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis and converts its polarization state into P light. The fourth outcoupling grating 44 transmits light in other states without changing its polarization state. This embodiment does not involve the case where circularly polarized light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis is incident on the third outcoupling grating 43, so it is not discussed here.

[0066] In addition, if Figures 7 to 9 As shown, the fourth outcoupling grating 44 includes a third quarter wave plate 441, a second right-handed polarizer grating 442, and a fourth quarter wave plate 443. The fourth outcoupling grating 44 responds to incident light of different states in the following situations:

[0067] The first case: when the incident light is P light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis, the third quarter-wave plate 441 will convert the incident light into right-handed circularly polarized light; the second right-handed polarizer grating 442 will couple out the light and convert it into left-handed circularly polarized light; the fourth quarter-wave plate 443 will convert the transmitted light into S light, refer to Figure 7 .

[0068] Second case: when the incident light is S light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis, the third quarter-wave plate 441 will convert the incident light into left-handed circularly polarized light; the second right-handed polarizer grating 442 will directly transmit the light without changing its propagation direction and polarization state; the fourth quarter-wave plate 443 will convert the transmitted light into S light, refer to Figure 7 .

[0069] The third case: when the incident light is S light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis, the fourth quarter-wave plate 443 will convert the incident light into left-handed circularly polarized light; the second right-handed polarizer grating 442 will directly transmit the light without changing its propagation direction and polarization state; the third quarter-wave plate 441 will convert the transmitted light into S light, refer to Figure 8 .

[0070] Fourth case: When the incident light is P light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis, the fourth quarter-wave plate 443 will convert the incident light into right-handed circularly polarized light; the second right-handed polarizer grating 442 will directly transmit the light without changing its propagation direction and polarization state; the third quarter-wave plate 441 will convert the transmitted light into P light, refer to Figure 8 .

[0071] Fifth case: When the incident light is right-handed circularly polarized light propagating in the negative direction of the y-axis, the fourth quarter-wave plate 443 will convert the incident light into S light; the first right-handed polarizer grating 432 will directly transmit the light without changing its propagation direction and polarization state; the third quarter-wave plate 441 will convert the transmitted light into right-handed circularly polarized light, refer to Fig. 9 .

[0072] The sixth case: when the incident light is right-handed circularly polarized light propagating in the negative direction of the y-axis, the fourth quarter-wave plate 443 will convert the incident light into S light; the first right-handed polarizer grating 432 will directly transmit the light without changing its propagation direction and polarization state; the third quarter-wave plate 441 will convert the transmitted light into right-handed circularly polarized light, refer to Fig. 9 .

[0073] In summary, the fourth outcoupling grating 44 couples out the P light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis and converts its polarization state into S light. The fourth outcoupling grating 44 transmits light in other states without changing its polarization state. This embodiment does not involve the case where circularly polarized light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis is incident on the fourth outcoupling grating 44, so it is not discussed here.

[0074] When light is coupled out from the first coupling grating 41, the second coupling grating 42, the third coupling grating 43, and the fourth coupling grating 44, four image areas, image area A, image area B, image area C, and image area D, are formed at the same viewing angle, realizing the function of separately displaying multiple image areas at the same viewing angle. When the first wave plate 45 is turned on, the S light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis can be converted into right-handed circularly polarized light. When the second wave plate 46 is turned on, the P light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis can be converted into right-handed circularly polarized light. When the switching states of the three wave plates are different, light with different polarization states coupled in can display images at different positions, and the corresponding relationship is shown in the following Table 1.

[0075]

[0076] Table 1

[0077] In summary, by controlling the switch states of the three wave plates, it is possible to switch between different image positions under different coupled polarization states, and it is also possible to display several image areas simultaneously. For example: in one optional manner, S light is coupled in, the first wave plate 45 is turned on, the second wave plate 46 is turned on, and the third wave plate 47 is turned off, and finally image area D is displayed; in another optional manner, P light is coupled in, the first wave plate 45 is turned on, the second wave plate 46 is turned off, and the third wave plate 47 is turned on, and finally image area C is displayed; in another optional manner, right-handed circularly polarized light is coupled in, the first wave plate 45 is turned off, the second wave plate 46 is turned off, and the third wave plate 47 is turned on, and finally image area A and image area B are displayed; in another optional manner, left-handed circularly polarized light is coupled in, the first wave plate 45 is turned on, the second wave plate 46 is turned on, and the third wave plate 47 is turned off, and finally image area B and image area D are displayed.

[0078] In this embodiment, the second quarter wave plate 433 and the third quarter wave plate 441 can be combined into a layer of half wave plate. The second electrically controlled quarter wave plate and the first quarter wave plate 431 can be combined into a layer of electrically controlled quarter wave plate, and the corresponding relationship between the wave plate state and the coupled image position is adjusted accordingly.

[0079] Embodiment 2

[0080] like Fig.11 As shown, a waveguide display system according to embodiment 2 is described.

[0081] The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the polarization switch assembly consists of only one polarization switch, which is the fourth polarization switch 15 .

[0082] In this embodiment, the types of the first wave plate 45 , the second wave plate 46 and the third wave plate 47 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the structures of the third outcoupling grating 43 and the fourth outcoupling grating 44 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0083] Specifically, the light emitted by the optical machine 11 is S light, and the fourth polarization switch 15 is an electrically controlled phase delay device. When it is closed, it does not change the polarization state of the incident light beam, and when it is turned on, it can convert the S light into P light. When the light is coupled out from the first coupling grating 41, the second coupling grating 42, the third coupling grating 43, and the fourth coupling grating 44, image area A, image area B, image area C, and image area D are formed respectively. When the first wave plate 45 is turned on, the S light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis can be converted into right-handed circularly polarized light. When the second wave plate 46 is turned on, the P light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis can be converted into right-handed circularly polarized light. When the switching states of the two wave plates are different, the S light or P light is coupled in, and the images can be displayed at different positions. The corresponding relationship is shown in Table 2 below.

[0084]

[0085] Table 2

[0086] Embodiment 3

[0087] like Fig.12 As shown, a waveguide display system of embodiment three is described.

[0088] The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the light projection unit 10 is composed of an optical machine 11, and the optical machine 11 includes a selectively arranged fifth wave plate, which is a half-wave plate. In this embodiment, the second wave plate 46 is located between the second out-coupling grating 42 and the third out-coupling grating 43, the third wave plate 47 is located between the third out-coupling grating 43 and the fourth out-coupling grating 44, and the first wave plate 45, the second wave plate 46 and the third wave plate 47 are all electrically controlled half-wave plates.

[0089] Specifically, the optical machine 11 emits left-handed circularly polarized light. The first coupling grating 41 is a right-handed polarizer grating that responds to light propagating in the negative direction of the y-axis, the second coupling grating 42 is a left-handed polarizer grating that responds to light propagating in the negative direction of the y-axis, the third coupling grating 43 is a right-handed polarizer grating that responds to light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis, and the fourth coupling grating 44 is a left-handed polarizer grating that responds to light propagating in the positive direction of the y-axis. When the switching states of the three wave plates are different, S light or P light is coupled in, and images can be displayed at different positions, and the corresponding relationship is shown in Table 3 below.

[0090]

[0091]

[0092] Table 3

[0093] Embodiment 4

[0094] like Fig.13 As shown, a waveguide display system of embodiment 4 is described.

[0095] The difference between this embodiment and the third embodiment is that the application scenarios are different. Specifically, the light projection unit 10 is set at a different position and the carrier is different. The waveguide display system of this embodiment is applied to a vehicle head-up display device, and the carrier is a glass sheet 22, specifically a vehicle window glass.

[0096] In this embodiment, the optical machine 11 includes a fifth wave plate that is selectively set, and the fifth wave plate is a half-wave plate. The first wave plate 45, the second wave plate 46 and the third wave plate 47 are all electrically controlled half-wave plates. The plurality of wave plates also include a fourth wave plate 48, which is located on a side surface of the first outcoupling grating 41 away from the carrier, and the fourth wave plate 48 is an electrically controlled half-wave plate.

[0097] The light emitted by the optical machine 11 is left-handed circularly polarized light, and the four out-coupling gratings are all right-handed polarized gratings, which can respond to the light incident along the normal direction of the plane where the out-coupling grating is located, and couple it out to the human eye, forming the following at the human eye: Figure 2 The first out-coupling grating 41 couples out the image area A, the second out-coupling grating 42 couples out the image area B, the third out-coupling grating 43 couples out the image area C, and the fourth out-coupling grating 44 couples out the image area D. When the switching states of the four wave plates are different, images can be displayed at different positions, and the corresponding relationship is shown in Table 4 below.

[0098]

[0099]

[0100] Table 4

[0101] Obviously, the embodiments described above are only some embodiments of the utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0102] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0103] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the numbers used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0104] The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the utility model, and is not intended to limit the utility model. For those skilled in the art, the utility model can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the utility model shall be included in the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A waveguide display system, characterized in that: include: A light projection unit (10), the light projection unit (10) being used to emit light at multiple angles or in multiple polarization states; A carrier is provided with an outcoupling portion (40), the outcoupling portion (40) comprising a plurality of outcoupling gratings, the plurality of outcoupling gratings being stacked in sequence in a direction away from the carrier, different outcoupling gratings being used to receive light of different polarization states or different angles, and different outcoupling gratings having different diffraction angles, so that the plurality of outcoupling gratings can couple light out of the carrier at different angles, thereby forming a plurality of image areas.

2. The waveguide display system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waveguide display system further comprises a light introduction part, which is used to introduce the light emitted by the light projection part (10) into the carrier, and the light introduction part is one of a coupling grating and a prism (30).

3. The waveguide display system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outcoupling grating is a grating film layer or a polarizer grating or a combination of a polarizer grating and a wave plate.

4. The waveguide display system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of out-coupling gratings include, in sequence along a direction approaching the carrier, a first out-coupling grating (41), a second out-coupling grating (42), a third out-coupling grating (43) and a fourth out-coupling grating (44); the out-coupling portion (40) further includes a plurality of wave plates; one of the wave plates is arranged between the first out-coupling grating (41) and the second out-coupling grating (42); another wave plate is arranged between at least one group of adjacent two out-coupling gratings among the second out-coupling grating (42), the third out-coupling grating (43) and the fourth out-coupling grating (44).

5. The waveguide display system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plurality of wave plates at least include a first wave plate (45), a second wave plate (46) and a third wave plate (47), wherein the first wave plate (45) is located between the first outcoupling grating (41) and the second outcoupling grating (42), The second wave plate (46) is located between the second outcoupling grating (42) and the third outcoupling grating (43), and the third wave plate (47) is located between the third outcoupling grating (43) and the fourth outcoupling grating (44); or The second wave plate (46) and the third wave plate (47) are arranged between the second outcoupling grating (42) and the third outcoupling grating (43) in a direction away from the second outcoupling grating (42).

6. The waveguide display system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first wave plate (45) is an electrically controlled half-wave plate, The second wave plate (46) and the third wave plate (47) are both electrically controlled half-wave plates, or The second wave plate (46) and the third wave plate (47) are both electrically controlled quarter wave plates.

7. The waveguide display system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The plurality of wave plates further include a fourth wave plate (48), wherein the fourth wave plate (48) is located on a surface of the first outcoupling grating (41) on a side away from the carrier, and the fourth wave plate (48) is an electrically controlled half-wave plate.

8. The waveguide display system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light projection unit (10) is an optical machine (11), and the optical machine (11) includes a selectively arranged fifth wave plate.

9. The waveguide display system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light projection unit (10) is a combination of an optical machine (11) and a light beam modulation component, wherein the light beam modulation component is used to output the light emitted by the optical machine (11) in a plurality of polarization states or output angles, and the light beam modulation component is a polarization switch component, wherein the polarization switch component is used to output the light emitted by the optical machine (11) in a plurality of polarization states, and the polarization switch component is located on the light output side of the optical machine (11), and the polarization switch component includes one or more polarization switches.

10. The waveguide display system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The polarization switch assembly comprises a plurality of polarization switches, wherein the plurality of polarization switches include a first polarization switch (12), a second polarization switch (13) and a third polarization switch (14) that selectively switch in a direction away from the optical machine (11); the optical machine (11) emits a first polarized light, the first polarization switch (12) is used to convert the first polarized light into a second polarized light, the second polarization switch (13) is used to convert the first polarized light into a third polarized light, and the third polarization switch (14) is used to convert the first polarized light into a fourth polarized light.

11. The waveguide display system according to claim 10, characterized in that: The plurality of out-coupling gratings include a first out-coupling grating (41), a second out-coupling grating (42), a third out-coupling grating (43) and a fourth out-coupling grating (44); the first out-coupling grating (41) to the fourth out-coupling grating (44) are stacked in sequence along a direction close to the carrier; the first out-coupling grating (41) and the second out-coupling grating (42) are both polarizer gratings; the third out-coupling grating (43) and the fourth out-coupling grating (44) are both three-layer structures; the three-layer structures include a polarizer grating and two quarter-wave plates; the two quarter-wave plates are respectively arranged on two side surfaces of the polarizer grating.

12. The waveguide display system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The image source image (111) of the optical machine (11) is divided into a plurality of image source areas, the plurality of image source areas are arranged at intervals, and the light beams of different image source areas have different emission angles, and different outcoupling gratings are used to receive light at different angles.

13. The waveguide display system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light introduction portion and the coupling-out portion (40) are respectively located on two opposite surfaces of the carrier, and the projections of the light introduction portion and the coupling-out portion (40) on the carrier do not overlap.

14. The waveguide display system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The carrier is an optical waveguide sheet (21) or a glass sheet (22).

Images