Optical waveguide structure and AR device

Abstract

The utility model discloses an optical waveguide structure and AR equipment, and relates to the technical field of augmented reality. The optical waveguide structure comprises an optical waveguide and a cover plate which are connected with each other, an entrance pupil area and an exit pupil area are arranged on the optical waveguide, light emitted by a light source enters the optical waveguide through the entrance pupil area and then exits through the exit pupil area, the cover plate is used for being connected with a device body of the AR device, and the orthographic projection area of the optical waveguide on the cover plate is smaller than the area of the cover plate. According to the optical waveguide structure and the AR equipment, the invalid area of the optical waveguide can be reduced on the premise of ensuring the optical performance, so that more optical waveguides can be produced on one wafer, and the production cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of augmented reality technology, and more specifically, to an optical waveguide structure and AR device. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of Augmented Reality (AR), optical waveguide technology plays a crucial role as a core component of image display. Optical waveguides guide images into the user's field of vision through optical principles, thereby enhancing the display effect. However, in actual production and application, the effective usable area of ​​optical waveguides is becoming an increasingly prominent issue.

[0003] The effective usable area refers to the region of an optical waveguide that actually undertakes the functions of optical transmission and imaging display; that is, the part that can effectively transmit and display optical images. Typically, this area is a portion of the entire physical area of ​​the optical waveguide, while the remaining area does not participate in optical transmission or optical imaging, but is merely a structural component. However, because the optical waveguide also needs to be integrated with other structural components (such as protective covers) and plays a role in the overall assembly, its overall physical area is often much larger than the actual effective usable area. To meet structural assembly requirements, optical waveguides often have a large amount of physical area that is not necessary from an optical display perspective. Although this area is not used for optical imaging, it significantly increases material and processing costs.

[0004] Because optical waveguides are expensive to manufacture, yet have a relatively small usable area, the utilization rate of a single waveguide is low. In other words, the larger the overall size of an optical waveguide, the less effective waveguide area can be fabricated on a single wafer. This directly impacts production efficiency and cost, and this waste is particularly pronounced in cost-sensitive consumer AR devices.

[0005] Currently, there is no solution to this problem in existing technologies. The gap between the effective usable area and the physical area of ​​the optical waveguide still exists, which limits production efficiency and cost control. Therefore, how to increase the effective usable area of ​​the optical waveguide and reduce unnecessary physical area has become an important issue in current AR optical display technology. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an optical waveguide structure and AR device that can reduce the ineffective area of ​​the optical waveguide while ensuring optical performance, thereby enabling the production of more optical waveguides on a single wafer and reducing production costs.

[0007] The embodiments of this utility model are implemented as follows:

[0008] A first aspect of this utility model provides an optical waveguide structure, including an optical waveguide and a cover plate interconnected thereto. The optical waveguide has an entrance pupil region and an exit pupil region. Light emitted from a light source enters the optical waveguide through the entrance pupil region and exits through the exit pupil region. The cover plate is used to connect to the main body of an AR device. The projected area of ​​the optical waveguide on the cover plate is smaller than the area of ​​the cover plate. This optical waveguide structure can reduce the ineffective area of ​​the optical waveguide while ensuring optical performance, allowing more optical waveguides to be produced on a single wafer, thereby reducing production costs.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the optical waveguide is connected to the cover plate using transparent adhesive.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the transparent adhesive is distributed along the edge of the optical waveguide surface, and / or the transparent adhesive is distributed along the sidewall of the optical waveguide.

[0011] As one possible implementation, the transparent adhesive is a UV-curable adhesive, resin adhesive, or hot melt adhesive.

[0012] As one possible implementation, the number of optical waveguides is at least one, and when the number of optical waveguides is multiple, the multiple optical waveguides are stacked.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the number of cover plates is at least one, and when the number of cover plates is multiple, the multiple cover plates are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the optical waveguide.

[0014] As one possible implementation, it also includes a light-absorbing layer distributed along the side of the optical waveguide.

[0015] As one possible implementation, the light-absorbing layer is made of a transparent light-absorbing material.

[0016] As one possible implementation, the optical waveguide is further provided with a pupil expansion region, and the pupil expansion region is located on the optical path between the entrance pupil region and the exit pupil region.

[0017] A second aspect of this invention provides an AR device including the aforementioned optical waveguide structure. This optical waveguide structure can reduce the ineffective area of ​​the optical waveguide while ensuring optical performance, allowing more optical waveguides to be produced on a single wafer, thereby reducing production costs.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model embodiment include:

[0019] This optical waveguide structure includes interconnected optical waveguides and a cover plate. The optical waveguide has an entrance pupil region and an exit pupil region. Light emitted from the light source enters the optical waveguide through the entrance pupil region and exits through the exit pupil region. The cover plate is used to connect to the main body of the AR device. The projected area of ​​the optical waveguide on the cover plate is smaller than the area of ​​the cover plate. Unlike existing technologies, the optical waveguide structure provided in this application employs a special design where the projected area of ​​the optical waveguide on the cover plate is smaller than the area of ​​the cover plate. This optimizes the effective usable area of ​​the optical waveguide, ensuring that only the necessary optical path and imaging area are accommodated on the optical waveguide, without including unnecessary physical area. Precise control of the optical waveguide area reduces material waste and ensures that imaging quality is not affected. Similar to existing technologies, the optical waveguide structure provided in this application maintains the same area of ​​the cover plate as existing designs, ensuring structural integrity and facilitating subsequent assembly and overall device appearance design. Since the cover plate does not participate in optical path transmission, its manufacturing cost is low. By combining it with the optimized optical waveguide, the production cost of the entire optical waveguide structure can be effectively reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the optical waveguide structure provided in the first embodiment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is the second schematic diagram of the optical waveguide structure provided in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is the third schematic diagram of the optical waveguide structure provided in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 Fourth schematic diagram of the optical waveguide structure provided in the first embodiment of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the optical waveguide structure provided in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the optical waveguide structure provided in the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the optical waveguide structure provided in the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the optical waveguide structure provided in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Icons: 100 - Optical waveguide structure; 10 - Optical waveguide; 11 - Entrance pupil area; 12 - Exit pupil area; 13 - Dilated pupil area; 20 - Cover plate; 30 - Transparent glue. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0031] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0033] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this utility model is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0034] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0036] In existing optical waveguide designs, although only a portion of the area (i.e., the effective usable area) undertakes optical transmission and optical imaging functions, the physical area of ​​the entire optical waveguide is much larger than the effective usable area. This is because the optical waveguide not only needs to consider optical display effects but also needs to accommodate the structural assembly of the protective cover and the overall appearance design. As a result, the physical area of ​​the optical waveguide is unnecessarily enlarged, leading to a significant increase in production costs.

[0037] This application aims to address the mismatch between the effective usable area and the physical area in the production of AR optical waveguides. This issue is particularly critical for production efficiency and cost control, because the larger the overall size of the optical waveguide, the less effective waveguide area can be processed on a single wafer. This not only wastes expensive production materials but also increases the difficulty of processing, cutting, and assembly, ultimately leading to higher product costs. For consumer-grade AR devices, how to reduce the ineffective area of ​​the optical waveguide while ensuring optical performance has become an urgent technical problem to be solved.

[0038] Please refer to the reference. Figures 1 to 8 This application provides an optical waveguide structure 100, including an optical waveguide 10 and a cover plate 20 connected to each other. The optical waveguide 10 is provided with an entrance pupil region 11 and an exit pupil region 12. Light emitted from a light source enters the optical waveguide 10 through the entrance pupil region 11 and exits through the exit pupil region 12. The cover plate 20 is used to connect to the main body of an AR device. The orthographic projection area of ​​the optical waveguide 10 on the cover plate 20 is smaller than the area of ​​the cover plate 20. This optical waveguide structure 100 can reduce the ineffective area of ​​the optical waveguide while ensuring optical performance, allowing more optical waveguides to be produced on a single wafer, thereby reducing production costs.

[0039] It should be noted that, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the optical waveguide structure 100 includes an optical waveguide 10 and a cover plate 20, and the optical waveguide 10 and the cover plate 20 are connected to each other. The optical waveguide 10 is provided with an entrance pupil region 11 and an exit pupil region 12. The cover plate 20 is used to connect with the main body of the AR device so that the optical waveguide 10 can be successfully assembled into the AR device. The orthographic projection area of ​​the optical waveguide 10 on the cover plate 20 is smaller than the area of ​​the cover plate 20.

[0040] In practical use, the aforementioned optical waveguide structure 100 should be used in conjunction with an optomechanical system. For example, the optomechanical system can be set at a position corresponding to the entrance pupil region 11. Thus, the light emitted by the optomechanical system is coupled into the optical waveguide 10 through the entrance pupil region 11. After propagating through multiple total internal reflections in the optical waveguide 10, it reaches the exit pupil region 12. After being coupled through the exit pupil region 12, it exits from the optical waveguide 10 to form a virtual image that can be observed by the human eye.

[0041] In the aforementioned optical waveguide structure 100, the optical waveguide 10 serves as the core component of the entire optical display system, enabling the transmission of images to the user's eyes via the optical path. The cover plate 20 provides protection for the optical waveguide 10, protecting it from external environmental influences such as dust and scratches.

[0042] Unlike existing technologies, the optical waveguide structure 100 provided in this application adopts a special design in which the orthographic projection area of ​​the optical waveguide 10 on the cover plate 20 is smaller than the area of ​​the cover plate 20. This optimizes the effective usable area of ​​the optical waveguide 10, ensuring that the optical waveguide 10 only needs to accommodate the necessary optical path and imaging area, without including any extra physical area. By precisely controlling the area of ​​the optical waveguide 10, material waste is reduced, and the imaging quality is ensured not to be affected.

[0043] Similar to existing technologies, the cover plate 20 of the optical waveguide structure 100 provided in this application maintains the same area as existing designs, ensuring structural integrity and facilitating subsequent assembly and overall appearance design. Since the cover plate 20 does not participate in optical path transmission, its manufacturing cost is low. By combining it with the optimized optical waveguide 10, the production cost of the entire optical waveguide structure 100 can be effectively reduced.

[0044] Furthermore, the combined design of the optical waveguide 10 and cover plate 20 provided in this application greatly simplifies the overall assembly. The area-optimized optical waveguide 10 and the cover plate 20, which maintains a large area design, form a "large cover plate 20, small waveguide" structure, which reduces the area of ​​the optical waveguide 10 while maintaining structural stability. During assembly, the alignment and encapsulation of the optical waveguide 10 and cover plate 20 become more flexible, improving overall assembly efficiency.

[0045] Furthermore, for the entire imaging system, the optical waveguide structure 100 provided in this application, in conjunction with a light source and an image generation device (such as a microdisplay or laser projector), projects images onto the effective usable area of ​​the optical waveguide 10. Because the area of ​​the optical waveguide 10 is optimized, the image transmission path is more precise, reducing the use of unnecessary optical components and improving the clarity and brightness of the image display.

[0046] Building upon this foundation, the final AR device achieves high-definition augmented reality display through the aforementioned imaging system, while ensuring the device is lightweight, easy to wear, and enhances the user experience. This imaging system is suitable for various consumer-grade AR applications, such as entertainment, education, industrial operations, and remote collaboration.

[0047] The following are some different application scenarios for explanation:

[0048] For example, AR glasses: When a user wears AR glasses, the optical waveguide 10 acts as an imaging component to overlay virtual images onto the real scene. Through the optimized design of the optical waveguide 10, AR glasses can be made lighter and have lower production costs.

[0049] For example, in industrial operation displays: In industrial scenarios, AR devices worn by workers need to provide real-time augmented reality data, such as operation instructions or equipment status. By reducing the area of ​​the optical waveguide 10, the weight and cost of the device are reduced, while ensuring the optical display effect.

[0050] For example, in entertainment and gaming devices: In the consumer market, AR devices are often used for gaming and entertainment. This system architecture can be applied to these devices, and by reducing the size of the optical waveguide 10, more cost-effective products can be manufactured, facilitating mass production.

[0051] For example, in remote collaboration systems: AR devices applied to remote collaboration scenarios can provide high-definition displays and reduce device costs and production complexity through this system architecture design, thereby promoting the popularization of AR technology in business collaboration.

[0052] In summary, the optical waveguide structure 100 provided in this application, by reducing the area of ​​the optical waveguide 10 while retaining a large-area cover plate 20, enables optical display devices to significantly reduce production costs and improve assembly efficiency while ensuring performance, making it suitable for multiple AR application scenarios.

[0053] As one possible implementation method, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the optical waveguide 10 and the cover plate 20 are connected by transparent adhesive 30 (the transparent adhesive 30 is colored in the figure for ease of understanding, but this does not mean that the adhesive has a color). In this way, the transparent adhesive 30 can ensure the reliability of the connection between the optical waveguide 10 and the cover plate 20, and can also avoid affecting the optical path and imaging.

[0054] As one possible implementation method, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the transparent adhesive 30 is distributed along the edge of the surface of the optical waveguide 10. In this case, the adhesive layer formed after the transparent adhesive 30 cures is on a different plane from the optical waveguide 10, and / or, the transparent adhesive 30 is distributed along the sidewall of the optical waveguide 10. In this case, the adhesive layer formed after the transparent adhesive 30 cures is on the same plane as the optical waveguide 10. Regarding the coating method of the transparent adhesive 30, those skilled in the art should be able to make reasonable selections and designs according to the actual situation, and no specific restrictions are made here.

[0055] As one possible implementation method, the transparent adhesive 30 is a UV-curable adhesive, resin adhesive, or hot melt adhesive. Correspondingly, after the transparent adhesive 30 is applied, it can be cured by ultraviolet curing or heat curing to form an adhesive layer.

[0056] As one possible implementation method, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the number of optical waveguides 10 is at least one. When the number of optical waveguides 10 is multiple, the multiple optical waveguides 10 are stacked to reduce color difference and improve the color uniformity of the image.

[0057] As one possible implementation method, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the number of cover plates 20 is at least one. When the number of cover plates 20 is multiple, the multiple cover plates 20 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the optical waveguide 10 so as to better protect the optical waveguide 10 through the multiple cover plates 20.

[0058] As one possible implementation, the optical waveguide 10 further includes a light-absorbing layer distributed along the side of the optical waveguide 10 to absorb stray light that does not participate in imaging in a timely manner. Of course, in other embodiments, the light-absorbing layer may also be distributed along the side of the cover plate 20, or distributed at a position between the side of the optical waveguide 10 and the side of the cover plate 20.

[0059] As one possible implementation, the material of the light-absorbing layer may include a transparent light-absorbing material, such as a transparent adhesive 30 with added trace amounts of light-absorbing dyes or nanoparticles, which can effectively absorb stray light without affecting the transparency of the appearance, thereby improving the aesthetics of the optical waveguide structure 100.

[0060] As one possible implementation, the optical waveguide 10 is further provided with a pupil expansion region 13, which is located on the optical path between the entrance pupil region 11 and the exit pupil region 12. The pupil expansion region 13 can expand the light source in one dimension, making the resulting image larger and thus reducing the size of the optical engine. Moreover, the presence of the pupil expansion region 13 allows the exit pupil region 12 to be a one-dimensional grating, eliminating the need to make a two-dimensional grating for image expansion. The design and fabrication of a one-dimensional grating are simpler than those of a two-dimensional grating.

[0061] like Figure 1 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the shape of the optical waveguide 10 may be similar to or different from the shape of the cover plate 20. Those skilled in the art should be able to make reasonable selections and designs according to the actual situation, and no specific restrictions are imposed here.

[0062] This application also provides an AR device, including the aforementioned optical waveguide structure 100. Since the structure and beneficial effects of the optical waveguide structure 100 have been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments, they will not be repeated here.

[0063] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0064] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable way without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, this utility model will not describe the various possible combinations separately.

Claims

1. An optical waveguide structure, characterized in that, The device includes an interconnected optical waveguide and a cover plate. The optical waveguide has an entrance pupil region and an exit pupil region. Light emitted from the light source enters the optical waveguide through the entrance pupil region and exits through the exit pupil region. The cover plate is used to connect to the main body of the AR device. The orthographic projection area of ​​the optical waveguide on the cover plate is smaller than the area of ​​the cover plate.

2. The optical waveguide structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical waveguide is connected to the cover plate with transparent adhesive.

3. The optical waveguide structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transparent adhesive is distributed along the edge of the surface of the optical waveguide, and / or the transparent adhesive is distributed along the sidewall of the optical waveguide.

4. The optical waveguide structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transparent adhesive is a UV-curable adhesive, resin adhesive, or hot melt adhesive.

5. The optical waveguide structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of optical waveguides is at least one, and when the number of optical waveguides is multiple, the multiple optical waveguides are stacked.

6. The optical waveguide structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of cover plates is at least one. When the number of cover plates is multiple, the multiple cover plates are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the optical waveguide.

7. The optical waveguide structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a light-absorbing layer, which is distributed along the side of the optical waveguide.

8. The optical waveguide structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical waveguide is further provided with a pupil expansion region, and the pupil expansion region is located on the optical path between the entrance pupil region and the exit pupil region.

9. An AR device, characterized in that, Includes the optical waveguide structure described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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