Optical device and optical instrument
By designing the support structure to provide stable support, the problem of unstable substrate spacing in liquid crystal zoom devices is solved, accurate dynamic focus effect is achieved, and the focus adjustment ability of presbyopia is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422567966.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-22
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-10-23
AI Technical Summary
The traditional support structure has problems of insufficient deformation and stability in liquid crystal zoom devices, which affects the precise control of substrate spacing and leads to attenuation of the focus ability of presbyopia.
The support structure design has a relatively arranged first support end and second support end. The cross-sectional area from the first support end to the second support end is reduced, providing stable support, ensuring that the substrate spacing remains unchanged, and achieving accurate dynamic focus.
It improves the stability of the liquid crystal box and the precise control of substrate spacing, ensures accurate adjustment of the liquid crystal zoom lens, and improves the focus adjustment ability of presbyopia.
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Figure CN223139996U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of optical technologies, and more specifically, to an optical device and an optical instrument. Background Art
[0002] The human eye can be regarded as an optical lens, with the retina serving as the imaging sensor. A healthy human eye can correctly image from the near vision distance to infinity, while the problem of presbyopia is manifested as the attenuation of the eye's focusing function, gradually losing the ability to focus on nearby objects. Providing a dynamically variable focal length active area on the lens can improve presbyopia symptoms, such as using a liquid crystal variable focal length device. During the processing of the liquid crystal device, precisely controlling the distance between the two substrates is crucial, which directly affects the regulation of the liquid crystal state and the realization of specific optical effects. Traditional support structures, such as cylindrical supports, although able to maintain the substrate spacing to a certain extent, have problems of deformation and insufficient stability during the lamination of multiple flexible materials and the application of pressure. Summary of the Utility Model
[0003] This application proposes an optical device and an optical instrument to improve the above-mentioned defects.
[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides an optical device, including: a first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate; a connecting member disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, and connected to the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate to form a sealed housing; a preset optical component included in the housing, the preset optical component being configured to change the deflection angles of a first light ray and a second light ray, the first light ray being incident on the first transparent substrate, and the light ray emitted after passing through the preset optical component and the second transparent substrate being the second light ray; a plurality of support structures for fixedly supporting between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, each support structure having a first support end and a second support end disposed opposite to each other, and the cross-sectional area of the support structure decreasing from the first support end to the second support end; the first support end of each support structure being connected to the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end being connected to the second transparent substrate, or the first support end of each support structure being connected to the second transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end being connected to the first transparent substrate.
[0005] Optionally, for a possible implementation manner, it further includes: the plurality of support structures are divided into a first support structure and a second support structure, the first support end of the first support structure is connected to the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the second transparent substrate, and the first support end of the second support structure is connected to the second transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the first transparent substrate.
[0006] Optionally, for a possible implementation, it further includes: the first support end of each support structure is integrally formed with the first transparent substrate, and the corresponding second support end is in contact with or fixedly connected to the second transparent substrate, or the first support end of each support structure is integrally formed with the second transparent substrate, and the corresponding second support end is in contact with or fixedly connected to the first transparent substrate. Optionally, for a possible implementation, the projection area of the second support end on the reference plane is included in the projection area of the first support end on the reference plane, and the reference plane is the plane where the first transparent substrate is located or the plane where the second transparent substrate is located.
[0007] Optionally, for a possible implementation, the plurality of support structures are uniformly arranged on the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate, or the plurality of support structures are non-uniformly arranged on the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate.
[0008] Optionally, for a possible implementation, at least part of the support structures are frustum-shaped or prismatic.
[0009] Optionally, for a possible implementation, the end face shape of the first support end of at least part of the support structures is different from the end face shape of the corresponding second support end.
[0010] Optionally, for a possible implementation, the preset optical component includes: a first transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent substrate; a first alignment layer disposed on the side of the first transparent electrode facing the second transparent substrate; a Fresnel lens disposed on the second transparent substrate; a second alignment layer disposed on the side of the Fresnel lens facing the first transparent substrate; a second transparent electrode disposed on the Fresnel lens, the second alignment layer is located between the first alignment layer and the second transparent electrode, the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode are connected through a driving circuit; and a liquid crystal material located between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer.
[0011] Optionally, for a possible implementation, the second transparent electrode is disposed between the Fresnel lens and the second transparent substrate.
[0012] Optionally, for a possible implementation, the second transparent electrode is disposed between the Fresnel lens and the second alignment layer.
[0013] In a second aspect, the present application further provides an optical instrument, including: a bracket and the aforementioned optical device, and the bracket is used to fix the optical device.
[0014] The solution provided by this application includes: a first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate; a connecting member disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, and connected to the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate to form a sealed housing; a preset optical component is included in the housing, and the preset optical component is used to change the deflection angles of a first light ray and a second light ray. The first light ray is incident on the first transparent substrate, and the light ray that passes through the preset optical component and the second transparent substrate and exits is the second light ray; a plurality of support structures for fixedly supporting between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, each support structure having a relatively arranged first support end and second support end, and the cross-sectional area of the support structure decreases from the first support end to the second support end; the first support end of each support structure is connected to the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the second transparent substrate, or the first support end of each support structure is connected to the second transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the first transparent substrate.
[0015] The support structure of this application has a relatively arranged first support end and second support end, and the cross-sectional area of the support structure decreases from the first support end to the second support end. The support structure can provide stable support for the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. When the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate are subjected to external extrusion, stability can be maintained, ensuring that the distance between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate remains unchanged, so as to achieve the purpose of precise dynamic focusing.
[0016] Other features and advantages of this application will be described in the subsequent specification, and, in part, will become apparent from the specification or will be understood by implementing this application. The objectives and other advantages of this application can be realized and obtained by the structures specifically pointed out in the written specification, claims, and drawings. Description of the Drawings
[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.
[0018] Figure 1 Shows a schematic structural diagram of an optical device provided by an embodiment of this application;
[0019] Figure 2 Shows a schematic structural diagram of an optical device provided by another embodiment of this application;
[0020] Figure 3Shows a simplified structural schematic diagram of the optical device provided by an embodiment of the present application;
[0021] Figure 4 Shows a simplified structural schematic diagram of the optical device provided by another embodiment of the present application;
[0022] Figure 5 Shows a distribution schematic diagram of the support structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;
[0023] Figure 6 Shows a distribution schematic diagram of the support structure provided by still another embodiment of the present application;
[0024] Figure 7 Shows a distribution schematic diagram of the support structure provided by still another embodiment of the present application;
[0025] Figure 8 Shows a schematic diagram of the support structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;
[0026] Figure 9 Shows a schematic diagram of the support structure provided by another embodiment of the present application;
[0027] Figure 10 Shows a schematic diagram of the support structure provided by another embodiment of the present application.
[0028] Explanation of reference numerals:
[0029] 1. First transparent substrate; 2. Second transparent substrate; 3. Connector; 4. Preset optical component; 5. Support structure; 41. First transparent electrode; 42. First alignment layer; 43. Fresnel lens; 44. Second alignment layer; 45. Second transparent electrode; 46. Liquid crystal material; 47. Driving circuit; 51. First support end; 52. Second support end; 53. First support structure; 54. Second support structure. Detailed implementation manners
[0030] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Usually, the components of the embodiments of the present application described and shown in the accompanying drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the present application to be protected, but only represents the selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.
[0031] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following figures. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. At the same time, in the description of the present application, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are only used for distinguishing descriptions and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0032] The human eye can be regarded as an optical lens, with the retina as the imaging sensor. A healthy human eye can correctly image from the near vision distance to infinity, while the problem of presbyopia is manifested as the attenuation of the focusing function of the human eye, gradually losing the ability to focus on nearby objects. Providing a dynamically variable focal length active area on the lens can improve presbyopia symptoms, such as using a liquid crystal zoom device. During the processing of the liquid crystal device, precisely controlling the distance between the two substrates is crucial, which directly affects the regulation of the liquid crystal state and the realization of specific optical effects. Traditional support structures, such as cylindrical supports, although can maintain the substrate spacing to a certain extent, have problems of deformation and insufficient stability during the lamination of multiple flexible materials and the application of pressure.
[0033] Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, an optical device and an optical instrument are provided to solve or partially solve the above problems.
[0034] It should be known that by using liquid crystal materials and electrodes, the refractive index of the liquid crystal material can be adjusted, so as to achieve the purpose of dynamically adjusting the focal length of presbyopic glasses.
[0035] Please refer to Figures 1-4 , which shows a schematic structural diagram of an optical device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The device includes:
[0036] A first transparent substrate 1.
[0037] A second transparent substrate 2.
[0038] A connecting member 3, disposed between the first transparent substrate 1 and the second transparent substrate 2, and connected to the first transparent substrate 1 and the second transparent substrate 2 to form a sealed housing.
[0039] The housing includes a preset optical component 4, which is used to change the deflection angle between a first light ray and a second light ray. The first light ray is incident on the first transparent substrate 1, and the light ray that passes through the preset optical component 4 and the second transparent substrate 2 is the second light ray.
[0040] A plurality of support structures 5 for fixedly supporting between the first transparent substrate 1 and the second transparent substrate 2, each support structure 5 having a first support end 51 and a second support end 52 disposed opposite to each other, and the cross-sectional area of the support structure 5 decreasing from the first support end 51 to the second support end 52.
[0041] The first support end 51 of each support structure 5 is connected to the first transparent substrate 1 and the corresponding second support end 52 is connected to the second transparent substrate 2, or the first support end 51 of each support structure 5 is connected to the second transparent substrate 2 and the corresponding second support end 52 is connected to the first transparent substrate 1.
[0042] It should be noted that a connecting member is connected to the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate to form a sealed housing, and a preset optical component is disposed in the housing. The preset optical component is used to change the propagation direction of light, and the purpose of adjusting the focal length can be achieved through the preset optical component.
[0043] Wherein, the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate are flexible substrates, and the material can be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), or the like.
[0044] Preferably, the thickness of the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate is between 1 - 2000 um. The connecting member can be a glue frame, and the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate are bonded by the glue frame to form a sealed housing, which is also called a liquid crystal cell.
[0045] There are a plurality of support structures between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, and the support structures serve to fixedly support the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate.
[0046] It should be noted that the support structure of the existing liquid crystal cell is unstable. When the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate is externally squeezed, the support structure is prone to deformation and collapse, resulting in a change in the thickness of the liquid crystal cell. The change in the thickness of the liquid crystal cell will cause a decline in product performance and affect the use of the product.
[0047] The support structure of the present application has a first support end and a second support end disposed opposite to each other, and the cross-sectional area of the support structure decreases from the first support end to the second support end. The support structure can provide stable support for the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. When the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate are externally squeezed, stability can be maintained, ensuring that the thickness of the liquid crystal cell remains unchanged, so as to achieve the purpose of precise dynamic focusing.
[0048] Furthermore, there can be various ways to mount the support structure to the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate.
[0049] Exemplarily, the first support end of each support structure is connected to the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the second transparent substrate.
[0050] Another exemplary way, please refer to Figure 3 , the first support end 51 of each support structure 5 is connected to the second transparent substrate 2 and the corresponding second support end 52 is connected to the first transparent substrate 1.
[0051] The bottom size of the support structure of the present application is large and the top size is small, which can provide more stable support when multiple layers of materials are stacked and pressure is applied, prevent deformation and collapse, thereby achieving more uniform and precise control of the liquid crystal cell thickness.
[0052] It should be noted that the optical device can be used for the cell thickness control of liquid crystal optical devices, can be used for liquid crystal zoom lenses, and can also be applied to display fields such as mobile phones, tablets, and TVs. Among them, the liquid crystal zoom lens can be applied to both human eye vision correction and the field of optical instruments.
[0053] Another exemplary way, please refer to Figure 4 , a plurality of the support structures are divided into a first support structure 53 and a second support structure 54. The first support end 51 of the first support structure 53 is connected to the first transparent substrate 1 and the corresponding second support end 52 is connected to the second transparent substrate 2. The first support end 51 of the second support structure 54 is connected to the second transparent substrate 2 and the corresponding second support end 52 is connected to the first transparent substrate 1.
[0054] It should be noted that for the support structure of the existing method, the substrate is first processed, and then the support structure is formed on the substrate through processes such as etching, deposition, and filling. The processing process is complex and the manufacturing cost is relatively high.
[0055] However, the support structure of the present application is manufactured based on a template, and then the support structure is imprinted on the substrate based on the template. Not only is the manufacturing process simple, but also the manufacturing cost is reduced.
[0056] Furthermore, the first support end of each support structure is integrally formed with the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end abuts or is fixedly connected to the second transparent substrate, or the first support end of each support structure is integrally formed with the second transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end abuts or is fixedly connected to the first transparent substrate.
[0057] Wherein, integrally forming the first support end of the support structure with the first transparent substrate or integrally forming the first support end of the support structure with the second transparent substrate can reduce the process flow and lower the manufacturing cost.
[0058] Further, please refer to Figures 5-7 , the projection area of the second support end on the reference plane is included in the projection area of the first support end on the reference plane, and the reference plane is the plane where the first transparent substrate is located or the plane where the second transparent substrate is located.
[0059] It should be noted that the support structure of the present application has a structure with a large bottom size and a small top size. The support structure can stably support the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, and will not deform or collapse when subjected to external force extrusion, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the liquid crystal cell thickness and further realizing accurate focal length adjustment.
[0060] Further, please refer to Figures 5-6 , the plurality of support structures 5 are uniformly arranged on the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate, or, please refer to Figure 7 , the plurality of support structures 5 are non-uniformly arranged on the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate.
[0061] Further, at least part of the support structure is in the shape of a frustum of a cone or a frustum of a pyramid. Please refer to Figure 8 , which shows that the support structure 5 is in the shape of a frustum of a cone, please refer to Figure 9 , which shows that the support structure 5 is in the shape of a frustum of a pyramid.
[0062] Further, please refer to Figure 10 , the end face shape of the first support end of at least part of the support structures 5 is different from the end face shape of the corresponding second support end.
[0063] Further, the preset optical component 4 includes: a first transparent electrode 41, which is disposed on the first transparent substrate 1.
[0064] A first alignment layer 42, which is disposed on the side of the first transparent electrode 41 facing the second transparent substrate 2.
[0065] A Fresnel lens 43, which is disposed on the second transparent substrate 2.
[0066] A second alignment layer 44, which is disposed on the side of the Fresnel lens 43 facing the first transparent substrate 1.
[0067] The second transparent electrode 45 is disposed on the Fresnel lens 43. The second alignment layer 44 is located between the first alignment layer 42 and the second transparent electrode 45. The first transparent electrode 41 and the second transparent electrode 45 are connected through a driving circuit 47.
[0068] The liquid crystal material 46 is located between the first alignment layer 42 and the second alignment layer 44.
[0069] It should be noted that the liquid crystal material has optical anisotropy, and its refractive index changes with the arrangement direction of liquid crystal molecules. Applying an electric field to the liquid crystal material can change the arrangement direction of liquid crystal molecules, thereby changing the refractive index of the liquid crystal material. By arranging the liquid crystal material between two electrode plates and changing the voltage between the two electrode plates, the arrangement state and refractive index gradient of liquid crystal molecules can be adjusted, thereby changing the focal length of the liquid crystal lens.
[0070] Furthermore, the focal length of the liquid crystal lens can be adjusted in real time, and the focal length of the liquid crystal material can also be adjusted in sub-regions, so as to achieve the purpose of dynamic focusing.
[0071] It should be noted that the Fresnel lens can reduce thickness and weight, improve aesthetics and comfort, and provide a large field of view design. Among them, the liquid crystal material is disposed between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode, and the electrodes need to cooperate with the alignment layer to adjust the arrangement of the liquid crystal material. The alignment layer is used for the alignment of liquid crystal molecules. The alignment of liquid crystal molecules can be set to vertical alignment, parallel alignment, anti-parallel alignment, or 90° twisted parallel alignment or 270° twisted parallel alignment, etc.
[0072] When the focal length needs to be adjusted, the voltage between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode can be changed by adjusting the driving circuit to achieve the adjustment of the focal length of the liquid crystal material.
[0073] It should be noted that the liquid crystal material can fill the liquid crystal cell by the one-drop filling method or the vacuum liquid crystal injection method, and this process is widely used in the display panel industry.
[0074] Exemplarily, the first transparent electrode is disposed on the first transparent substrate, and the first alignment layer is disposed on the side of the first transparent electrode facing the second transparent substrate. The second transparent electrode is disposed on the second transparent substrate, the Fresnel lens is disposed on the side of the second transparent electrode facing the first transparent substrate, the second alignment layer is disposed on the side of the Fresnel lens facing the first transparent substrate, and the liquid crystal material is located between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer.
[0075] Another exemplarily, please refer to Figures 2-3, a first transparent electrode 41 is disposed on the first transparent substrate 1, and a first alignment layer 42 is disposed on a side of the first transparent electrode 41 facing the second transparent substrate 2. A Fresnel lens 43 is disposed on the second transparent substrate 2. A second transparent electrode 45 is disposed on a side of the Fresnel lens 43 facing the first transparent substrate 1, and a second alignment layer 44 is disposed on a side of the second transparent electrode 45 facing the first transparent substrate 1. A liquid crystal material 46 is located between the first alignment layer 42 and the second alignment layer 44.
[0076] The optical device of the present application provides better stability, reduces the risks of deformation and collapse, and keeps the thickness of the liquid crystal cell uniform.
[0077] The present application also proposes an optical instrument, including: a bracket and the foregoing optical device, and the bracket is used to fix the optical device.
[0078] It should be noted that different optical devices can be selected according to actual needs, and the optical device can be disposed in a lens. The focal length of the optical device is adjusted by a driving circuit.
[0079] Exemplarily, the optical device can be directly used as a spectacle lens, the bracket is a spectacle frame, and the optical instrument is a presbyopic glasses. It should be noted that the optical instrument can also be other optical devices with dynamic focusing requirements.
[0080] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.
Claims
1. An optical device, characterized in that, Comprising: A first transparent substrate; A second transparent substrate; A connecting member disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, and connected to the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate to form a sealed housing; The housing includes a preset optical component for changing the deflection angles of a first light ray and a second light ray. The first light ray is incident on the first transparent substrate, and the light ray passing through the preset optical component and the second transparent substrate is the second light ray; A plurality of support structures for fixedly supporting between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. Each support structure has a first support end and a second support end disposed opposite to each other. From the first support end to the second support end, the cross-sectional area of the support structure decreases; The first support end of each support structure is connected to the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the second transparent substrate, or the first support end of each support structure is connected to the second transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the first transparent substrate.
2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein Further comprising: The plurality of support structures are divided into a first support structure and a second support structure. The first support end of the first support structure is connected to the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the second transparent substrate. The first support end of the second support structure is connected to the second transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the first transparent substrate.
3. The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further comprising: The first support end of each support structure is integrally formed with the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end abuts or is fixedly connected to the second transparent substrate, or the first support end of each support structure is integrally formed with the second transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end abuts or is fixedly connected to the first transparent substrate.
4. The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The projection area of the second support end on the reference plane is included in the projection area of the first support end on the reference plane. The reference plane is the plane where the first transparent substrate is located or the plane where the second transparent substrate is located.
5. The optical device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The plurality of support structures are uniformly arranged on the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate, or the plurality of support structures are non-uniformly arranged on the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate.
6. The optical device according to claim 4, characterized in that, At least part of the support structures are frustum-shaped or prism-shaped.
7. The optical device according to claim 4, characterized in that The end face shape of the first support end of at least part of the support structures is different from the end face shape of the corresponding second support end.
8. The optical device according to claim 4, wherein The preset optical component includes: A first transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent substrate; A first alignment layer disposed on the side of the first transparent electrode facing the second transparent substrate; A Fresnel lens disposed on the second transparent substrate; A second alignment layer disposed on the side of the Fresnel lens facing the first transparent substrate; A second transparent electrode disposed on the Fresnel lens. The second alignment layer is located between the first alignment layer and the second transparent electrode. The first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode are connected through a driving circuit; The liquid crystal material is located between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer.
9. The optical device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second transparent electrode is disposed between the Fresnel lens and the second transparent substrate.
10. The optical device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second transparent electrode is disposed between the Fresnel lens and the second alignment layer.
11. An optical instrument, characterized in that, Comprising: A bracket and the optical device according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the bracket is used to fix the optical device.
Citation Information
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