Curved waveguide and display equipment
By using flexible waveguide films and dielectric layers, including optical isolation layers and curvature compensation layers, the problem of poor imaging performance when the optical waveguide substrate is attached to a curved surface is solved, and high-quality imaging on curved surfaces is achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- APPOTRONICS CORP LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-08
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, the imaging effect is poor when the optical waveguide substrate is attached to the curved surface of the target object.
A curved waveguide is formed by using a flexible waveguide film and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a first optical isolation layer and a curvature compensation layer to adapt to the curved surface of the target object, ensuring that light is fully reflected and effectively coupled into and out of the waveguide.
It achieves good imaging results on curved surfaces of target objects, adapts to curved surfaces with different curvatures, and improves imaging quality.
Smart Images
Figure CN224216902U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a curved waveguide and display device. Background Technology
[0002] Optical waveguides, as a type of transparent display device, utilize a coupling structure to guide image light into a waveguide substrate. The image light propagates through total internal reflection within the waveguide substrate, and upon reaching the coupling structure, it exits the substrate and enters the air, ultimately reaching the human eye to form an image. To ensure consistent image quality before and after passing through the waveguide, existing optical waveguide substrates are almost always flat. However, in transparent display applications, curved substrates or other similar objects are often used.
[0003] In the prior art, when the optical waveguide substrate is attached to the curved surface of the target object, the imaging effect of the optical waveguide substrate is poor.
[0004] Therefore, existing technologies still need to be improved and developed. Utility Model Content
[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a curved waveguide and display device to address the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, and to solve the problem that the imaging effect of the optical waveguide substrate is poor when the optical waveguide substrate is attached to the curved surface of the target object in the prior art.
[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the technical problem is as follows:
[0007] A curved waveguide, wherein it comprises:
[0008] The dielectric layer has a first surface and a second surface;
[0009] A flexible waveguide film is disposed on the first surface;
[0010] Wherein, the curvature of the flexible waveguide film is less than the preset curvature;
[0011] The first surface is configured to prevent light that is totally reflected within the flexible waveguide film from leaking out.
[0012] The second surface is configured to adhere to the curved surface of the target object.
[0013] The curved waveguide, wherein when the curvature of the curved surface is less than or equal to a preset curvature, the dielectric layer comprises:
[0014] First optical isolation layer;
[0015] The surface of the first optical isolation layer facing the flexible waveguide film is the first surface.
[0016] The curved waveguide, wherein when the curvature of the curved surface is greater than a preset curvature, the dielectric layer comprises:
[0017] A first optical isolation layer and a curvature compensation layer are stacked together;
[0018] Wherein, the surface of the first optical isolation layer facing the flexible waveguide film is the first surface;
[0019] The surface of the curvature compensation layer facing the curved surface is the second surface;
[0020] The curvature of the surface of the curvature compensation layer facing the first optical isolation layer is less than or equal to a preset curvature.
[0021] The curved waveguide wherein the refractive index of the first optical isolation layer is less than the refractive index of the flexible waveguide film.
[0022] The curved waveguide, wherein the first optical isolation layer comprises: a plurality of first support structures, with air medium filling the space between two adjacent first support structures.
[0023] The curved waveguide further includes:
[0024] A protective layer having a third surface;
[0025] The third surface is connected to the side of the flexible waveguide film opposite to the dielectric layer.
[0026] The third surface is configured to prevent light that is totally reflected within the flexible waveguide film from leaking out.
[0027] The curved waveguide, wherein the protective layer comprises:
[0028] A second optical isolation layer and a protective film are stacked together;
[0029] The surface of the second optical isolation layer facing the flexible waveguide film is the third surface;
[0030] The second optical isolation layer is located between the protective film and the flexible waveguide film.
[0031] The curved waveguide, wherein the roughness of the first surface is less than a preset roughness; and / or
[0032] The flexible waveguide film has an insertion structure and an exit structure, wherein the insertion structure and the exit structure are respectively matched to the curvature of corresponding positions on the flexible surface; and / or
[0033] The parameters of the flexible waveguide film include at least one of the following: optical transmittance greater than 75%, haze less than 5%, refractive index greater than 1.45, and surface scattering ratio less than 5%.
[0034] A display device comprising a curved waveguide as described in any of the above.
[0035] The display device further includes an optical engine.
[0036] Beneficial effects: This application uses a flexible waveguide film and utilizes a dielectric layer to adapt to the curved surface of the target object to form a curved waveguide while maintaining good imaging effect. Attached Figure Description
[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the display device and the target object in an embodiment of this utility model.
[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of the curved waveguide in this embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the second structure of the curved waveguide in an embodiment of this utility model.
[0040] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the third structure of the curved waveguide in this embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth structure of the curved waveguide in this embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0043] 10. Dielectric layer; 101. First surface; 102. Second surface; 11. First optical isolation layer; 111. First support structure; 12. Curvature compensation layer; 13. Light-transmitting layer;
[0044] 20. Flexible waveguide film; 21. Coupled-in structure; 22. Coupled-out structure;
[0045] 30. Protective layer; 301. Third surface; 31. Second optical isolation layer; 32. Protective film;
[0046] 40. Optical mechanism;
[0047] 50. Target object; 51. Curved surface. Detailed Implementation
[0048] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer and more explicit, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.
[0049] Please also refer to Figures 1-5 This utility model provides some preferred embodiments of a curved waveguide.
[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the curved waveguide includes:
[0051] The dielectric layer 10 has a first surface 101 and a second surface 102;
[0052] A flexible waveguide film 20 is disposed on the first surface 101;
[0053] Wherein, the curvature of the flexible waveguide film 20 is less than a preset curvature; the first surface 101 is configured to prevent light from being leaked out due to total internal reflection within the flexible waveguide film 20; the second surface 102 is configured to attach to the curved surface 51 of the target object 50.
[0054] Specifically, the two surfaces of the dielectric layer 10 are designated as the first surface 101 and the second surface 102, respectively. The dielectric layer 10 contains a dielectric material, which ensures that when the first surface 101 is attached to the flexible waveguide film 20, the light reflected by total internal reflection within the flexible waveguide film 20 will not enter the first surface 101. Similarly, the dielectric material ensures that when the second surface 102 is attached to the curved surface 51 of the target object 50, the second surface 102 can match the curved surface 51. The flexible waveguide film 20 can be bent, and bending within a certain range will not affect its imaging effect. For example, if the curvature of the flexible waveguide film 20 is less than a preset curvature, the light reflected by total internal reflection within the flexible waveguide film 20 will not leak out, maintaining a state of total internal reflection. For example, the flexible waveguide film 20 has an insertion structure 21 and an exit structure 22. When the curvature of the flexible waveguide film 20 is less than the preset curvature, it will not affect the coupling of light into the insertion structure 21 or the coupling of light out of the exit structure 22. Curvature represents the degree of bending, and it is the reciprocal of the radius of curvature. The smaller the curvature, the larger the radius of curvature, and the smaller the degree of bending; the larger the curvature, the smaller the radius of curvature, and the greater the degree of bending. The preset curvature is configured according to the specific application, the insertion structure 21, and the exit structure 22. For example, the curvature of a car windshield is 1 / 10000 mm. -1 ~1 / 2000mm -1 The preset curvature can be 1 / 5000mm -1 ~1 / 3000mm -1Furthermore, both the dielectric layer 10 and the flexible waveguide film 20 are transparent, allowing external light to pass through them. The external light is refracted when it passes through the flexible waveguide film 20.
[0055] This application uses a flexible waveguide film 20 and utilizes a dielectric layer 10 to adapt to the curved surface 51 of the target object 50 to form a curved waveguide while maintaining good imaging effect.
[0056] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, please also refer to... Figures 1-2 When the curvature of the curved surface 51 is less than or equal to a preset curvature, the dielectric layer 10 includes:
[0057] First optical isolation layer 11;
[0058] The surface of the first optical isolation layer 11 facing the flexible waveguide film 20 is the first surface 101.
[0059] Specifically, the optical isolation layer can isolate totally internally reflected light. The dielectric layer 10 may include a first optical isolation layer 11. The surface of the first optical isolation layer 11 facing the flexible waveguide film 20 is the first surface 101. After the first surface 101 is attached to the flexible waveguide film 20, the totally internally reflected light in the flexible waveguide film 20 still maintains a totally internally reflected state at the interface between the flexible waveguide film 20 and the first surface 101. The totally internally reflected light in the flexible waveguide film 20 will not be refracted at this interface and enter the first surface 101, thus preventing light leakage. The surface of the first optical isolation layer 11 facing the target object 50 (or the curved surface 51) is the second surface 102. After the second surface 102 is attached to the curved surface 51 of the target object 50, both the first optical isolation layer 11 and the flexible waveguide film 20 exhibit the curved shape of the curved surface 51.
[0060] When the curvature of the curved surface 51 of the target object 50 is small (the curvature of the curved surface 51 is less than or equal to the preset curvature), the flexible waveguide film 20 can be bent to match the curved surface 51 without affecting the imaging of the flexible waveguide film 20. Then the flexible waveguide film 20 can be attached to the curved surface 51 through the first optical isolation layer 11 and present a bending state consistent with the curved surface 51.
[0061] The dielectric layer 10 can be a single-layer structure, connecting the flexible waveguide film 20 and the flexible surface 51 via the first optical insulating layer 11. For example... Figure 3As shown, the dielectric layer 10 can adopt a multi-layer structure. The dielectric layer 10 can also include a light-transmitting layer 13, which is located between the first optical isolation layer 11 and the curved surface 51. The first surface 101 is still the surface of the first optical isolation layer 11 facing the flexible waveguide film 20, and the second surface 102 is the surface of the light-transmitting layer 13 facing the target object 50 (or the curved surface 51).
[0062] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, such as Figure 5 As shown, when the curvature of the curved surface 51 is greater than a preset curvature, the dielectric layer 10 includes:
[0063] A first optical isolation layer 11 and a curvature compensation layer 12 are stacked together;
[0064] Wherein, the surface of the first optical isolation layer 11 facing the flexible waveguide film 20 is the first surface 101; the surface of the curvature compensation layer 12 facing the target object 50 is the second surface 102; the curvature of the surface of the curvature compensation layer 12 facing the first optical isolation layer 11 is less than or equal to a preset curvature.
[0065] Specifically, the curvature compensation layer 12 can compensate for the large curvature of the curved surface 51. Since the curvature of the curved surface 51 is large and the flexible waveguide film 20 cannot match it, the curvature compensation layer 12 can be configured to compensate for the curvature of the curved surface 51. The curvature of the surface of the curvature compensation layer 12 facing the target object 50 (i.e., the second surface 102) is large, which can adapt to the large curvature of the curved surface 51. The curvature of the surface of the curvature compensation layer 12 facing the first optical isolation layer 11 (or the flexible waveguide film 20) is small, resulting in a smaller curvature of the flexible waveguide film 20 and better imaging effect. The dielectric layer 10 may also include a light-transmitting layer 13, which is located between the first optical isolation layer 11 and the curvature compensation layer 12.
[0066] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the refractive index of the first optical isolation layer 11 is less than the refractive index of the flexible waveguide film 20.
[0067] Specifically, the first optical isolation layer 11 is made of a material with a low refractive index. Since the refractive index of the first optical isolation layer 11 is lower than that of the flexible waveguide film 20, the light that is totally internally reflected within the flexible waveguide film 20 will not be refracted to the first optical isolation layer 11, which has a lower refractive index. The first optical isolation layer 11 can cover the entire flexible waveguide film 20. For example, an adhesive with a low refractive index can be used to bond the flexible waveguide film 20 to the curved surface 51.
[0068] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, please also refer to... Figures 2-3 The first optical isolation layer 11 includes:
[0069] Multiple first support structures 111, with air medium filling the space between two adjacent first support structures 111.
[0070] Specifically, the first optical isolation layer 11 may not cover the entire flexible waveguide film 20. Only the first support structure 111 contacts and forms the flexible waveguide film 20. The space between the first support structure 111 and the first support structure 111 is air. Since the refractive index of air is 1.0, which is less than the refractive index of the flexible waveguide film 20, the light that is totally reflected inside the flexible waveguide film 20 will not be refracted into the air medium with a smaller refractive index.
[0071] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, please also refer to... Figures 3-5 The curved waveguide further includes:
[0072] Protective layer 30, the protective layer 30 having a third surface 301;
[0073] The third surface 301 is connected to the side of the flexible waveguide film 20 away from the dielectric layer 10; the third surface 301 is configured to prevent total internal reflection light from leaking out of the flexible waveguide film 20.
[0074] Specifically, to protect the flexible waveguide membrane 20, a protective layer 30 can be configured to protect it. The protective layer 30 is located on the side of the flexible waveguide membrane 20 facing away from the dielectric layer 10, thus the flexible waveguide membrane 20 is situated between the dielectric layer 10 and the protective layer 30 and is protected by the protective layer 30. The protective layer 30 has a third surface 301, which is in close contact with the flexible waveguide membrane 20, preventing totally internally reflected light from entering the third surface 301.
[0075] The protective layer 30 can be a single-layer structure. The protective layer 30 can be made of a material with a refractive index lower than that of the flexible waveguide film 20 and can be fully covered by the flexible waveguide film 20.
[0076] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, please also refer to... Figures 3-5 The protective layer 30 includes:
[0077] A second optical isolation layer 31 and a protective film 32 are stacked together;
[0078] The surface of the second optical isolation layer 31 facing the flexible waveguide film 20 is the third surface 301; the second optical isolation layer 31 is located between the protective film 32 and the flexible waveguide film 20.
[0079] Specifically, the protective layer 30 can adopt a multi-layer structure, and the protective film 32 and the flexible waveguide film 20 are connected by the second optical isolation layer 31. The second optical isolation layer 31 can be fully covered with the flexible waveguide film 20, or the protective film 32 can be made by adopting a second support structure.
[0080] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the roughness of the first surface 101 is less than a preset roughness.
[0081] Specifically, the roughness of the first surface 101 is relatively small, meaning the first surface 101 is relatively smooth and will not affect imaging. The preset roughness can be configured according to specific application requirements.
[0082] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, please also refer to... Figures 1-2 The flexible waveguide film 20 has an insertion structure 21 and an exit structure 22, the insertion structure 21 and the exit structure 22 respectively matching the curvature of the corresponding position of the curved surface 51.
[0083] Specifically, a coupling-in structure 21 and a coupling-out structure 22 are formed on the flexible waveguide film 20. The coupling-in structure 21 allows light to be coupled into the flexible waveguide film 20 and propagate through total internal reflection until it is coupled out through the coupling-out structure 22. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the light emitted by the optomechanical system 40 is self-coupled into the flexible waveguide film 20 via the optical-mechanical self-coupled structure 21.
[0084] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coupling structure 21 adopts at least one of a sawtooth structure, a polarization structure, and a diffraction structure; the coupling structure 22 adopts at least one of a sawtooth structure, a polarization structure, and a diffraction structure.
[0085] Specifically, the curved waveguide can be a geometric waveguide or a diffractive waveguide. The geometric waveguide can be a sawtooth waveguide or a polarization array waveguide. The coupling structure 21 or coupling structure 22 of the sawtooth waveguide adopts a sawtooth structure, and the coupling structure 21 or coupling structure 22 of the polarization array waveguide adopts a polarization structure, which can be a polarization liquid crystal grating. The coupling structure 21 or coupling structure 22 of the diffractive waveguide adopts a diffraction structure, which can be a surface relief structure, a holographic structure, etc.
[0086] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the parameters of the flexible waveguide film 20 include at least one of the following: optical transmittance greater than 75%, haze less than 5%, refractive index greater than 1.45, and surface scattering ratio less than 5%.
[0087] Specifically, the flexible waveguide film 20 is made of a material with high optical transmittance, low haze, high refractive index, and low surface scattering ratio.
[0088] Based on the curved waveguide of any of the above embodiments, the present invention also provides a display device, including the curved waveguide described in any of the above embodiments, as specifically as described above.
[0089] The display device provided by this utility model has all the above-mentioned beneficial effects because it is provided with the curved waveguide described in any of the above technical solutions, which will not be repeated here.
[0090] The display device provided by this utility model also includes an optical engine. The optical engine emits light rays and directs them toward the coupling structure.
[0091] It should be understood that the application of this utility model is not limited to the examples above. Those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A curved waveguide, characterized in that, It includes: The dielectric layer has a first surface and a second surface; A flexible waveguide film is disposed on the first surface; Wherein, the curvature of the flexible waveguide film is less than the preset curvature; The first surface is configured to prevent light that is totally reflected within the flexible waveguide film from leaking out. The second surface is configured to adhere to the curved surface of the target object.
2. The curved waveguide according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the curvature of the curved surface is less than or equal to a preset curvature, the dielectric layer includes: First optical isolation layer; The surface of the first optical isolation layer facing the flexible waveguide film is the first surface.
3. The curved waveguide according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the curvature of the curved surface is greater than a preset curvature, the dielectric layer includes: A first optical isolation layer and a curvature compensation layer are stacked together; Wherein, the surface of the first optical isolation layer facing the flexible waveguide film is the first surface; The surface of the curvature compensation layer facing the curved surface is the second surface; The curvature of the surface of the curvature compensation layer facing the first optical isolation layer is less than or equal to a preset curvature.
4. The curved waveguide according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The refractive index of the first optical isolation layer is less than that of the flexible waveguide film.
5. The curved waveguide according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first optical isolation layer includes: a plurality of first support structures, with air medium filling the space between two adjacent first support structures.
6. The curved waveguide according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The curved waveguide also includes: A protective layer having a third surface; The third surface is connected to the side of the flexible waveguide film opposite to the dielectric layer. The third surface is configured to prevent light that is totally reflected within the flexible waveguide film from leaking out.
7. The curved waveguide according to claim 6, characterized in that, The protective layer includes: A second optical isolation layer and a protective film are stacked together; The surface of the second optical isolation layer facing the flexible waveguide film is the third surface; The second optical isolation layer is located between the protective film and the flexible waveguide film.
8. The curved waveguide according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The roughness of the first surface is less than a preset roughness; and / or The flexible waveguide film has an insertion structure and an exit structure, wherein the insertion structure and the exit structure are respectively matched to the curvature of corresponding positions on the flexible surface; and / or The parameters of the flexible waveguide film include at least one of the following: optical transmittance greater than 75%, haze less than 5%, refractive index greater than 1.45, and surface scattering ratio less than 5%.
9. A display device, characterized in that, It includes the curved waveguide as described in any one of claims 1-8.
10. The display device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The display device also includes an optical engine.