A monocular optical waveguide, binocular optical waveguide and AR glasses
By employing a single-eye waveguide design and a dual-eye waveguide stacking scheme in AR glasses, the problem of bulkiness caused by optical waveguide sheets has been solved, improving light efficiency and energy saving, while maintaining wearing comfort and aesthetics.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGZHOU FUTURE FISH OPTICAL TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
The existing waveguide sheet model for AR glasses results in a thick and heavy nose bridge, affecting the aesthetics and comfort of wearing them, while also resulting in poor light efficiency.
The design employs a single-eye waveguide, including an input grating and an output grating. The light beam is transmitted laterally within the transverse waveguide and exits directly through the output grating. Combined with a dual-eye waveguide, the light efficiency is improved by superimposing two single-eye waveguides.
It improves light utilization efficiency and increases energy saving without increasing structural complexity, maintaining wearing comfort and aesthetics.
Smart Images
Figure CN224383484U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of AR display technology, and in particular to a single-eye waveguide, a dual-eye 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 practical use, the optical engine in the middle makes the glasses very thick at the bridge of the nose (due to the thickness of the optical engine), which seriously affects the aesthetics of wearing them. At the same time, the existing design affects the comfort of wearing them. Furthermore, the performance of existing waveguide technology is not good.
[0004] In summary, there is a lack of readily available and highly efficient optical waveguides in the current technology.
[0005] 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
[0006] This invention provides a single-eye waveguide, a dual-eye waveguide, and AR glasses, which can solve at least one of the problems in the background art.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0008] A single-eye waveguide includes an input grating, an output grating, and a transverse waveguide; the input grating and the output grating are respectively disposed at two ends of the transverse waveguide; an optomechanism is connected to the input grating to provide a projected image to the input grating, and the beam of the projected image is transversely transmitted within the transverse waveguide to the output grating; the beam exits directly through the output grating and enters the human eye.
[0009] Preferably, the grating periods of the coupled-in grating and the coupled-out grating are consistent.
[0010] Preferably, the lateral angle of the grating vector angle of the coupled grating is θ; the lateral angle of the grating vector angle of the coupled grating is θ1, and the angle range of θ and θ1 is -60° to -30° or 30° to 60°; and the relationship condition is satisfied: θ = ±θ1.
[0011] Preferably, the transverse waveguide is composed of 1-10 layers of flat plates stacked together, and the transmittance of the coating between each layer of flat plates is 10%-90%.
[0012] Preferably, the width of the output grating is greater than the width of the input grating.
[0013] Preferably, the coupling grating includes two sub-coupling gratings, and the coating transmittance between the sub-coupling gratings is 10%-90%.
[0014] This invention also provides a dual-eye waveguide, which is composed of any of the single-eye waveguides described above.
[0015] Preferably, the single-eye waveguide includes a first single-eye waveguide and a second single-eye waveguide; the first single-eye waveguide and the second single-eye waveguide are stacked one after the other, and the coupling grating is disposed on the same side of the transverse waveguide in the same direction and in corresponding positions; the transverse waveguides of the first single-eye waveguide and the second single-eye waveguide have different lengths, and the coupling grating is used to correspond to each eye respectively; the beam of the optomechanism enters the coupling grating of the first single-eye waveguide, part of the beam passes through the transverse waveguide of the first single-eye waveguide and enters the coupling grating of the second single-eye waveguide, and part of the beam propagates laterally within the transverse waveguide of the first single-eye waveguide; the beam entering the second single-eye waveguide propagates laterally within the transverse waveguide of the second single-eye waveguide; the beam is emitted outward through the coupling gratings of the first single-eye waveguide and the second single-eye waveguide respectively and enters each eye respectively.
[0016] Preferably, the single-eye waveguide includes a third single-eye waveguide and a fourth single-eye waveguide; the third single-eye waveguide and the fourth single-eye waveguide are stacked one after the other, and the coupling gratings are disposed on the ends of the transverse waveguides in different directions and are positioned correspondingly; the transverse waveguides of the third single-eye waveguide and the fourth single-eye waveguide have the same length, and the coupling gratings are used to correspond to the eyes respectively; the beam of the optomechanism enters the coupling grating of the third single-eye waveguide, part of the beam passes through the transverse waveguide of the third single-eye waveguide and enters the coupling grating of the fourth single-eye waveguide, and part of the beam is transversely propagated within the transverse waveguide of the third single-eye waveguide; the beam entering the fourth single-eye waveguide is transversely propagated within the transverse waveguide of the fourth single-eye waveguide; the beam is emitted outward through the coupling gratings of the third single-eye waveguide and the fourth single-eye waveguide respectively and enters the eyes respectively.
[0017] This utility model provides another type of AR glasses, including any of the above-described binocular waveguides.
[0018] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0019] The single-eye waveguide provided by this utility model includes an input grating and an output grating. When two single-eye waveguides are used together, the light utilization efficiency is higher and the energy saving is greater. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a single-eye waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 2 This is a K-space schematic diagram of a single-line waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another single-eye waveguide according to an embodiment of the present utility model.
[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another single-eye waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another single-eye waveguide according to an embodiment of the present utility model.
[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a dual-eye waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another type of dual-eye waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0027] 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. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] See Figure 1 One embodiment of the present invention provides a single-line waveguide, including an input grating 201, an output grating 202, and a transverse waveguide 21;
[0032] The coupling-in grating 201 and the coupling-out grating 202 are respectively disposed on the two end sides of the transverse waveguide 21;
[0033] Optical engine 1 is connected to the coupling grating 201 and is used to provide a projected image to the coupling grating 201. The beam is laterally transmitted to the output grating 202 in the transverse waveguide 21.
[0034] The light beam exits directly through the coupling grating 202 and enters the human eye.
[0035] The single-eye waveguide provided by this utility model consists of an input grating and an output grating. When two single-eye waveguides are used together, the light utilization efficiency is higher and the energy saving is greater.
[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the grating periods of the coupled-in grating and the coupled-out grating are consistent, namely d201 and d202, with periods ranging from 300nm to 500nm. The lateral angle of the grating vector angle of the coupled-in grating is θ; the lateral angle of the grating vector angle of the coupled-out grating is θ1. The angles θ and θ1 range from -60° to -30° or from 30° to 60°, and satisfy the relationship condition: θ = ±θ1. Here, BND1 and BND2 represent the first boundary used to satisfy the total internal reflection (TIR) standard in the optical waveguide, and BND2 represents the second boundary of the maximum wave vector in the waveguide plate. The maximum wave vector can be determined by the refractive index of the optical waveguide and the incident angle.
[0037] like Figure 3 The diagram shows beam transmission when θ and θ1 are negative. The beam from the optomechanical system 1 is coupled into the coupling grating 201, and then the beam is transmitted laterally to both sides in the transverse waveguide 21 and enters the output grating 202, where it exits downwards.
[0038] In one embodiment of this invention, the transverse waveguide 21 is composed of a cuboid. To ensure the uniformity of the waveguide, multiple layers of flat plates are stacked. The transverse waveguide is composed of 1-10 layers of flat plates, and the transmittance of the coating between each layer of flat plates is 10%-90%.
[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, the transverse waveguide 21 comprises three planar layers, with surfaces S1 and S2 between two layers.
[0040] The coating is as follows: S1: coating transmittance, 10%~90%; S2: coating transmittance, 10%~90%.
[0041] like Figure 5 As shown, for better performance, the size of the output grating is larger, and the width of the output grating can be set to be greater than the width of the input grating. The output grating includes two sub-output gratings 202 and 203, and the transmittance of the coating S3 between the sub-output gratings is 10%-90%.
[0042] This invention also provides a dual-eye waveguide, which is composed of any of the single-eye waveguides described above.
[0043] like Figure 6 As shown, the single-eye waveguide includes a first single-eye waveguide and a second single-eye waveguide.
[0044] The first and second monocular waveguides are stacked one after the other, and the coupling gratings 201 and 301 are disposed on the same side of the transverse waveguide in the same direction and in corresponding positions. The transverse waveguides of the first and second monocular waveguides have different lengths. As can be seen in the figure, the length of transverse waveguide 31 is longer than the length of transverse waveguide 21. The coupling gratings are used to correspond to each eye respectively. Figure 6 In the first single-eye waveguide, coupling gratings 201 and 301 are both located on the right side of the transverse waveguide, and coupling gratings 202 and 302 are both located on the left side of the transverse waveguide. Coupling gratings 201 and 301 are arranged correspondingly. The beam of the optomechanical 1 enters the coupling grating 201 of the first single-eye waveguide, part of the beam passes through the transverse waveguide of the first single-eye waveguide and enters the coupling grating 301 of the second single-eye waveguide, and part of the beam is transversely transmitted in the transverse waveguide 21 of the first single-eye waveguide.
[0045] The beam entering the second monocular waveguide propagates laterally within the transverse waveguide 31 of the second monocular waveguide;
[0046] The light beams are emitted outward through the coupling gratings 202 and 302 of the first monocular waveguide and the second monocular waveguide, respectively, and enter the eyes.
[0047] Understandably, at this time, the optical engine 1 is set on the right side of the coupling grating, and the length of the transverse waveguide is set according to the position of the user's eyes. As long as the two monocular waveguides are superimposed, the emitted light will be directed to the user's left and right eyes respectively.
[0048] like Figure 7 As shown, this utility model also provides a case where the optical engine is located in the middle, wherein the single-eye waveguide includes a third single-eye waveguide and a fourth single-eye waveguide;
[0049] The third and fourth monocular waveguides are stacked one after the other, and the coupling gratings 501 and 401 are disposed on the ends of the transverse waveguides in different directions and are positioned correspondingly; the transverse waveguides 41 of the third and fourth monocular waveguides are of the same length, and the coupling gratings are used to correspond to the eyes respectively; Figure 7 In the process, coupling gratings 501 and 401 are respectively disposed on the right end side and the left end side of the transverse waveguide, and coupling gratings 502 and 402 are respectively disposed on the left end side and the right end side of the transverse waveguide. Coupling gratings 501 and 301 are arranged in a corresponding manner. The beam of the optomechanical 1 enters the coupling grating 501 of the third single-eye waveguide, part of the beam passes through the transverse waveguide 21 of the third single-eye waveguide and enters the coupling grating 401 of the fourth single-eye waveguide, and part of the beam is transversely transmitted in the transverse waveguide 51 of the third single-eye waveguide.
[0050] The light beam entering the fourth monocular waveguide is transmitted laterally within the transverse waveguide 41 of the fourth monocular waveguide.
[0051] The light beams are emitted outward through the coupling gratings 501 and 401 of the third and fourth monocular waveguides, respectively, and enter the eyes.
[0052] The above provides two schemes for combining single-eye waveguides into dual-eye waveguides. By superimposing two single-eye waveguides, the light from the optical engine 1 first enters the coupling grating of the front waveguide, and then continues to propagate before entering the coupling grating of the rear waveguide, thereby improving the optical efficiency.
[0053] Furthermore, the thickness of the transverse waveguide is about 1-2mm. Stacking two single-eye waveguides does not bring about structural complexity. Moreover, the two optical waveguides do not contact each other optically and are fixed by structural components, which is simple, convenient and easy to manufacture.
[0054] This utility model also provides an AR glasses, including any of the above-described binocular waveguides.
[0055] 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. A single-eye waveguide, characterized in that, Includes input gratings, output gratings, and lateral waveguides; The coupling-in grating and the coupling-out grating are respectively disposed on the two end sides of the transverse waveguide; The optomechanism is connected to the coupled-in grating and is used to provide a projected image to the coupled-in grating. The beam of the projected image is laterally transmitted to the coupled-out grating within the transverse waveguide. The light beam exits directly through the coupling grating and enters the human eye.
2. The single-eye waveguide as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The grating periods of the coupled-in grating and the coupled-out grating are consistent.
3. The single-eye waveguide as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The lateral angle of the grating vector angle of the coupled grating is θ; the lateral angle of the grating vector angle of the coupled grating is θ1, and the angle range of θ and θ1 is -60° to -30° or 30° to 60°; and the relationship condition is satisfied: θ = ±θ1.
4. The single-eye waveguide as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transverse waveguide is composed of 1-10 layers of flat plates, and the transmittance of the coating between each layer of flat plates is 10%-90%.
5. The single-eye waveguide as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the output grating is greater than the width of the input grating.
6. The single-eye waveguide as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The coupled-out grating includes two sub-coupled-out gratings, and the coating transmittance between the sub-coupled-out gratings is 10%-90%.
7. A dual-optical waveguide, characterized in that, It is composed of a single-eye waveguide as described in any one of claims 1-6.
8. The binocular waveguide as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The single-view waveguide includes a first single-view waveguide and a second single-view waveguide. The first monocular waveguide and the second monocular waveguide are stacked one after the other, and the coupling grating is disposed on the end side of the transverse waveguide in the same direction and in corresponding position; the transverse waveguide lengths of the first monocular waveguide and the second monocular waveguide are different, and the coupling grating is used to correspond to each eye respectively; The beam of the optical engine enters the coupling grating of the first single-eye waveguide, part of the beam passes through the transverse waveguide of the first single-eye waveguide and enters the coupling grating of the second single-eye waveguide, and part of the beam propagates laterally within the transverse waveguide of the first single-eye waveguide. The beam entering the second monocular waveguide propagates laterally within the transverse waveguide of the second monocular waveguide; The light beams are emitted outward through the coupling gratings of the first monocular waveguide and the second monocular waveguide, respectively, and then enter the eyes.
9. The binocular waveguide as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The single-eye waveguide includes a third single-eye waveguide and a fourth single-eye waveguide; The third and fourth monocular waveguides are stacked one after the other, and the coupling gratings are disposed on the ends of the transverse waveguides in different directions and in corresponding positions; the transverse waveguides of the third and fourth monocular waveguides have the same length, and the coupling gratings are used to correspond to the eyes respectively; The beam of the optical engine enters the coupling grating of the third single-eye waveguide, part of the beam passes through the transverse waveguide of the third single-eye waveguide and enters the coupling grating of the fourth single-eye waveguide, and part of the beam is transversely transmitted in the transverse waveguide of the third single-eye waveguide. The light beam entering the fourth monocular waveguide propagates laterally within the transverse waveguide of the fourth monocular waveguide. The light beams are emitted outward through the coupling gratings of the third and fourth monocular waveguides and then enter the eyes respectively.
10. An AR glasses, characterized in that, Including the binocular waveguide as described in any one of claims 7-9.