Optical waveguide and AR glasses
By employing a coupling prism and a multi-directional waveguide structure in AR glasses, the problems of the optical waveguide sheet being too thick at the bridge of the nose and having a small coupling area are solved, resulting in a lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and user-friendly AR glasses design.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HANGZHOU MINGDE OPTICAL TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing AR glasses waveguide models are bulky at the bridge of the nose, affecting aesthetics and comfort, and have a small coupling area, resulting in poor performance.
The structure employs a coupling prism, a transverse waveguide, symmetrically arranged first and second coupling array waveguides, and a vertical waveguide. The beam undergoes total internal reflection within the transverse waveguide and is transmitted into the coupling array waveguide, achieving transverse propagation and vertical coupling of the beam, thus maximizing the coupling area.
The design achieves a slim and lightweight optical waveguide, enhancing the aesthetics and comfort of wearing it, while maximizing the coupling area and improving the performance.
Smart Images
Figure CN224137476U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of AR display technology, and in particular to an optical waveguide and AR glasses. Background Technology
[0002] The optical module of AR is mainly divided into two parts. The first part is the micro-display module, including micro-displays (LCD screen, LCOS / DLP display panel, uLED / uOLED, and other micro-projectors). The second part is the waveguide that enters the eye, including prism waveguides (prism method, mainly by Epson and NEDJ), array waveguides (a beam splitter device made of multiple grating sheets bonded together, mainly by Shanghai Lipace and Longjing Optoelectronics), diffraction waveguides (nanoscale micro-stripes are transferred onto silicon-based glass by nanoimprinting, and light propagates through diffraction), and other waveguide solutions.
[0003] While existing waveguide models and AR glasses can achieve dual-lens display with a single optical engine in the middle, their biggest drawback is that in actual use, the optical engine in the middle makes the glasses very thick at the bridge of the nose (the thickness of the optical engine), which seriously affects the aesthetics of wearing them. At the same time, because the optical engine is on the side of the bridge of the nose, the weight of the optical engine is on the bridge of the nose, which makes the nose bear a lot of weight and affects the comfort of wearing them.
[0004] Furthermore, the existing waveguide sheet model and AR glasses have a small coupling area, resulting in poor performance.
[0005] In summary, there is a lack of readily available optical waveguides and AR glasses that are easy to use and have a large coupling area.
[0006] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only for understanding the background of this application, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content
[0007] This invention provides an optical waveguide and AR glasses, which can solve at least one technical problem in the background art.
[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0009] An optical waveguide includes a coupling prism, a lateral waveguide, a first and a second coupled-out array waveguide symmetrically arranged, and a first and a second vertical waveguide corresponding to the first and second coupled-out array waveguides. An optomechanical system is connected to the coupling prism to provide a projected image to the coupling prism. The coupling prism is disposed at one end of the lateral waveguide to deflect a light beam into the lateral waveguide. The light beam propagates laterally within the lateral waveguide through total internal reflection and then enters the first, second, first, and second coupled-out array waveguides, respectively, through transmission. The light beams entering the first and second vertical waveguides enter the first and second coupled-out array waveguides through total internal reflection, respectively. The first and second coupled-out array waveguides couple the light beams outward through the entire panel area.
[0010] Preferably, when the coupling prism is disposed on the right end of the transverse waveguide, the beams entering the first and second coupling array waveguides from the transverse waveguide are coupled out from the triangular region in the upper left of the panel, respectively; the beams entering the first and second vertical waveguides from the first and second coupling array waveguides through total internal reflection are coupled out from the triangular region in the lower right of the panel, respectively.
[0011] Preferably, the inclined plane angle of the coupling prism is as follows: define the xyz coordinate axis, where the z-axis is the thickness direction of the coupling prism, belonging to the longitudinal direction, and xy is the coordinate of the direction of the plane perpendicular to the z-axis; the angle between the inclined plane of the coupling prism and the y-axis is θ1y; the range of θ1y is 30°~70°; the angle between the inclined plane of the coupling prism and the z-axis is θ1z; the range of θ1z is 30°~70°.
[0012] Preferably, the light beam is transmitted through the bottom surface of the transverse waveguide that contacts the first coupled-out array waveguide, the first vertical waveguide, the second coupled-out array waveguide, and the second vertical waveguide, and enters the first coupled-out array waveguide, the first vertical waveguide, the second coupled-out array waveguide, and the second vertical waveguide; the bottom surface includes a first portion that contacts the first coupled-out array waveguide and the first vertical waveguide respectively; a second portion that contacts the second coupled-out array waveguide and the second vertical waveguide; and a third, a fourth, and a fifth portion that are separated by the first and second portions; the light beam is transmitted through the first portion into the first coupled-out array waveguide and the first vertical waveguide; and through the second portion into the second coupled-out array waveguide and the second vertical waveguide.
[0013] Preferably, the coating of the third, fourth, and fifth portions is reflective; the transmittance of the portion closest to the coupling prism and the first portion is 5%~50%; the transmittance of the second portion is 5%~100%.
[0014] Preferably, the slope angles of the first and second coupled-out array waveguides are: the angle between the slope and the y-axis is θ3y, and the angle between the slope and the z-axis is θ3z; θ3y = θ1y
[0015] θ3z=θ1z.
[0016] Preferably, the transverse waveguide, the first vertical waveguide, and the second vertical waveguide are multilayer waveguides stacked together, with a coating between each waveguide layer; transmittance: 20%~80%; number of waveguides: 1~5.
[0017] This invention also provides an optical waveguide, including an insertion prism, a transverse waveguide, a third output waveguide array, and a third vertical waveguide corresponding to the third output waveguide array. An optomechanical system is connected to the insertion prism to provide a projected image to the insertion prism. The insertion prism is disposed at the end of the transverse waveguide to deflect a light beam into the transverse waveguide. The light beam propagates laterally within the transverse waveguide through total internal reflection and then enters the third output waveguide array and the third vertical waveguide through transmission. The light beam entering the third vertical waveguide enters the third output waveguide array through total internal reflection. The third output waveguide array couples the light beam outward.
[0018] Preferably, the light beam is transmitted through the bottom surface of the transverse waveguide in contact with the third coupling array waveguide and the third vertical waveguide into the third coupling array waveguide and the third vertical waveguide; the bottom surface coating is a transmissive film with a transmittance of 5% to 100%.
[0019] This invention also provides AR glasses, including any of the optical waveguides described above.
[0020] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0021] In a preferred technical solution, a simple optical waveguide structure is provided, in which the light beam propagates laterally through the transverse waveguide and is simultaneously transmitted into the first coupling array waveguide 131, the first vertical waveguide 123, the second coupling array waveguide 132, and the second vertical waveguide 122; that is, the light beams from both the transverse and vertical waveguides enter the coupling array waveguide, so the entire panel area of the coupling array waveguide is the coupling area, thereby maximizing the coupling area. Attached Figure Description
[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a coupling prism according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another optical waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transverse waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another optical waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another optical waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0028] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. It should be emphasized that the following description is merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope and application of this utility model. In the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.
[0029] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component. Furthermore, a connection can be used for fixing, coupling, or communication.
[0030] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of 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.
[0031] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of embodiments of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0032] See Figure 1One embodiment of the present invention provides an optical waveguide, including a coupling prism 2, a transverse waveguide 11, a first coupling array waveguide 131 and a second coupling array waveguide 132 symmetrically arranged, and a first vertical waveguide 123 and a second vertical waveguide 122 corresponding to the first coupling array waveguide 131 and the second coupling array waveguide 132.
[0033] The optical engine 2 is connected to the coupling prism 11 and is used to provide a projected image to the coupling prism 11;
[0034] The coupling prism 11 is disposed on the end side of the transverse waveguide 121 and is used to deflect the light beam into the transverse waveguide 121. The light beam propagates laterally inside the transverse waveguide 121 through total internal reflection and enters the first coupling array waveguide 123, the second coupling array waveguide 122, the first vertical waveguide 123 and the second vertical waveguide 122 through transmission, respectively.
[0035] The light beams entering the first vertical waveguide 123 and the second vertical waveguide 122 enter the first coupling array waveguide 131 and the second coupling array waveguide 132 respectively through total internal reflection;
[0036] The first coupling array waveguide 123 and the second coupling array waveguide 132 couple the light beam outward through the entire panel area.
[0037] This invention provides a simple optical waveguide structure in which a beam propagates laterally through a transverse waveguide and is simultaneously transmitted into a first coupling array waveguide 131, a first vertical waveguide 123, a second coupling array waveguide 132, and a second vertical waveguide 122. That is, the beams from both the transverse and vertical waveguides enter the coupling array waveguide, so the entire panel area of the coupling array waveguide is the coupling region, thus maximizing the coupling region.
[0038] The following description uses the example of the coupling prism 11 being located on the right side of the transverse waveguide 12. It can be understood that the coupling prism 11 can also be located on the left side of the transverse waveguide 12.
[0039] Continue as Figure 1 As shown, when the coupling prism 11 is disposed on the right end side of the transverse waveguide 121;
[0040] The beams entering the first coupling array waveguide 123 and the second coupling array waveguide 122 through the transverse waveguide 121 are respectively coupled out from the triangular area in the upper left of the panel;
[0041] The first vertical waveguide 123 and the second vertical waveguide 122 enter the first coupling array waveguide 131 and the second coupling array waveguide 132 respectively through total internal reflection and exit from the triangular area at the lower right of the panel respectively.
[0042] Similarly, when the coupling prism 11 is set on the left side of the transverse waveguide 121, the light beams entering the first coupling array waveguide 123 and the second coupling array waveguide 122 of the transverse waveguide 121 are coupled out from the triangular area on the upper right of the panel, respectively.
[0043] The first vertical waveguide 123 and the second vertical waveguide 122 enter the first coupling array waveguide 131 and the second coupling array waveguide 132 respectively through total internal reflection and exit from the triangular area in the lower left of the panel respectively.
[0044] Regardless of the form, the coupling regions of the first coupling array waveguide 131 and the second coupling array waveguide 132 are the entire panel, thus maximizing the coupling region.
[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the inclined plane angle of the coupling prism 11 is as follows:
[0046] Define the xyz coordinate axis, where the z-axis is the thickness direction of the coupling prism, which is longitudinal, and xy is the coordinate of the plane perpendicular to the z-axis.
[0047] The angle between the inclined surface of the coupling prism 11 and the y-axis is θ1y; the range of θ1y is 30°~70°.
[0048] The angle between the inclined surface of the coupling prism 11 and the z-axis is θ1z; the range of θ1z is 30°~70°.
[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, the slope angles of the first coupling prism waveguide 131 and the second coupling prism waveguide 132 are:
[0050] The angle between the inclined plane and the y-axis is θ3y, and the angle between the inclined plane and the z-axis is θ3z; θ3y = θ1y
[0051] θ3z=θ1z, that is, the angle direction of the output prism waveguide and the input prism is constant. With this setting of the present invention, the light beam can be directly coupled outward through the output prism without using a turning waveguide.
[0052] like Figure 4As shown, the transverse waveguide 12 of this invention is a cuboid structure, including a front surface S25, a rear surface S26, a left surface S23, a right surface S21, a top surface S22, and a bottom surface. In a specific embodiment, the light beam is transmitted through the bottom surface of the transverse waveguide 121, which contacts the first coupling array waveguide 131, the first vertical waveguide 123, the second coupling array waveguide 132, and the second vertical waveguide 122, and enters the first coupling array waveguide 131, the first vertical waveguide 123, the second coupling array waveguide 132, and the second vertical waveguide 122.
[0053] The bottom surface includes a first portion that contacts the first coupled-out array waveguide 131 and the first vertical waveguide 123 respectively; a second portion that contacts the second coupled-out array waveguide 132 and the second vertical waveguide 122; and a third, fourth, and fifth portion that are separated by the first and second portions.
[0054] The light beam is transmitted through the first portion into the first coupling array waveguide 131 and the first vertical waveguide 123; and through the second portion into the second coupling array waveguide 132 and the second vertical waveguide 122.
[0055] In a more specific embodiment, the coating of the third part S243, the fourth part S244 and the fifth part S245 is reflective; the first part S241 is the part close to the coupling prism, with a transmittance of 5%~50%; the transmittance of the second part S242 is 5%~100%.
[0056] like Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the lateral waveguide 121, the first vertical waveguide 123, and the second vertical waveguide 122 are multi-layered waveguides, with each waveguide layer having a coating transmittance of 20% to 80%; the number of waveguides is 1 to 5. Using a multi-layered waveguide scheme can make the beam more uniform.
[0057] like Figure 6 As shown, in another embodiment of the present invention, an optical waveguide includes a coupling prism 11, a transverse waveguide 121, a third coupling array waveguide 13, and a third vertical waveguide 124 corresponding to the third coupling array waveguide.
[0058] The optical engine 2 is connected to the coupling prism 11 and is used to provide a projected image to the coupling prism 11;
[0059] The coupling prism 11 is disposed on the end side of the transverse waveguide 121 and is used to deflect the light beam into the transverse waveguide 121. The light beam propagates laterally inside the transverse waveguide 121 through total internal reflection and enters the third coupling array waveguide 13 and the third vertical waveguide 124 through transmission, respectively.
[0060] The light beam entering the third vertical waveguide 124 enters the third coupling array waveguide 13 through total internal reflection;
[0061] The third coupling array waveguide 13 couples the beam outward.
[0062] This invention provides a single-line optical waveguide. As mentioned above, the third coupling array waveguide receives the beam from the transverse waveguide and the beam from the third vertical waveguide, and then couples them outwards, which can maximize the coupling area to achieve coupling of the entire plate.
[0063] In one specific embodiment, the light beam is transmitted from the bottom surface of the transverse waveguide 121, which contacts the third coupling array waveguide 13 and the third vertical waveguide 124, into the third coupling array waveguide 13 and the third vertical waveguide 124.
[0064] The bottom coating is a transmissive film with a transmittance of 5% to 100%.
[0065] This invention also improves an AR glasses, including an optical waveguide as described above.
[0066] The above description, in conjunction with specific / preferred embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the specific implementation of the present invention to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, various substitutions or modifications can be made to these described embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, and all such substitutions or modifications should be considered within the protection scope of the present invention. In the description of this specification, the reference to terms such as "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "preferred embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicates that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the described specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples. Although embodiments of the present invention and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the scope of protection of the patent application.
Claims
1. An optical waveguide, characterized by: It includes a coupling prism, a lateral waveguide, a first and a second coupling array waveguide arranged symmetrically, and a first and a second vertical waveguide arranged corresponding to the first and second coupling array waveguides. The optical engine is connected to the coupling prism and is used to provide a projected image to the coupling prism; The coupling prism is disposed on the end side of the transverse waveguide and is used to deflect the light beam into the transverse waveguide. The light beam propagates laterally inside the transverse waveguide through total internal reflection and enters the first coupling array waveguide, the second coupling array waveguide, the first vertical waveguide, and the second vertical waveguide through transmission, respectively. The light beams entering the first vertical waveguide and the second vertical waveguide enter the first coupling array waveguide and the second coupling array waveguide respectively through total internal reflection; The first and second coupled array waveguides couple the beam outward through the entire panel area.
2. The optical waveguide of claim 1, wherein: When the coupling prism is disposed on the right end side of the transverse waveguide; The beams that enter the first and second coupled-out array waveguides from the transverse waveguides are respectively coupled out from the triangular area in the upper left of the panel. The first vertical waveguide and the second vertical waveguide enter the first and second coupled array waveguides respectively through total internal reflection, and the beams exit from the triangular area at the lower right of the panel respectively.
3. The optical waveguide of claim 1, wherein: The inclined plane angle of the coupling prism is as follows: Define the xyz coordinate axis, where the z-axis is the thickness direction of the coupling prism, which is longitudinal, and xy is the coordinate of the plane perpendicular to the z-axis. The angle between the inclined plane of the coupling prism and the y-axis is θ1y; the range of θ1y is 30°~70°. The angle between the inclined plane of the coupling prism and the z-axis is θ1z; the range of θ1z is 30°~70°.
4. The optical waveguide of claim 3, wherein: The light beam is transmitted through the bottom surface of the transverse waveguide in contact with the first coupled-out array waveguide, the first vertical waveguide, the second coupled-out array waveguide, and the second vertical waveguide, and enters the first coupled-out array waveguide, the first vertical waveguide, the second coupled-out array waveguide, and the second vertical waveguide; The bottom surface includes a first portion that contacts the first coupled-out array waveguide and the first vertical waveguide respectively; a second portion that contacts the second coupled-out array waveguide and the second vertical waveguide; and a third, fourth, and fifth portion that are separated by the first and second portions. The light beam is transmitted through the first portion into the first coupled-out array waveguide and the first vertical waveguide; and through the second portion into the second coupled-out array waveguide and the second vertical waveguide.
5. The optical waveguide of claim 4, wherein: The coatings on the third, fourth, and fifth parts are reflective; the first part, which is close to the coupling prism, has a transmittance of 5% to 50%; the second part has a transmittance of 5% to 100%.
6. The optical waveguide of claim 3, wherein: The slope angles of the first and second coupled-out array waveguides are: The angle between the inclined plane and the y-axis is θ3y, and the angle between the inclined plane and the z-axis is θ3z; θ3y = θ1y θ3z=θ1z.
7. The optical waveguide of claim 1, wherein: The lateral waveguide, the first vertical waveguide, and the second vertical waveguide are constructed using a multi-layer waveguide stack, with a coating between each waveguide layer: Transmittance: 20%~80%; Number of waveguides: 1~5.
8. An optical waveguide, characterized by: It includes a coupling prism, a transverse waveguide, a third coupling array waveguide, and a third vertical waveguide corresponding to the third coupling array waveguide; The optical engine is connected to the coupling prism and is used to provide a projected image to the coupling prism; The coupling prism is disposed on the end side of the transverse waveguide and is used to deflect the light beam into the transverse waveguide. The light beam propagates laterally inside the transverse waveguide through total internal reflection and enters the third output array waveguide and the third vertical waveguide through transmission, respectively. The light beam entering the third vertical waveguide enters the third output array waveguide through total internal reflection; The third coupling array waveguide couples the beam outward.
9. The optical waveguide of claim 8, wherein: The light beam is transmitted from the bottom surface of the transverse waveguide, which is in contact with the third coupling array waveguide and the third vertical waveguide, into the third coupling array waveguide and the third vertical waveguide; The bottom coating is a transmissive film with a transmittance of 5% to 100%.
10. An AR eyeglass, characterized by: It includes the optical waveguide as described in any one of claims 1-7, or the optical waveguide as described in any one of claims 8-9.