Optomechanical device and augmented reality apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses an optical-mechanical device and an augmented reality device. The optical-mechanical device comprises an optical-mechanical module, a relay lens module and a pre-pupil-expanding optical waveguide. The optical-mechanical module is used for generating image light. The relay lens module is arranged on an optical path of the image light and is used for adjusting a pupil position of the image light. The pre-pupil-expanding optical waveguide is arranged on an optical path of the image light emitted by the relay lens module and is used for expanding a pupil size of the optical-mechanical device. Since the relay lens module is arranged on the optical path between the optical-mechanical module and the pre-pupil-expanding optical waveguide, the relay lens module can adjust the pupil position of the image light, thereby reducing a distance between the pupil and the pre-pupil-expanding optical waveguide (i.e., a pupil distance), improving a diffraction efficiency of the pre-pupil-expanding optical waveguide, and ensuring display quality of the augmented reality device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of augmented reality technology, and more specifically, to an optomechanical device and an augmented reality device. Background Technology

[0002] Augmented Reality (AR) devices are devices that blend virtual information with the real world. Using hardware components such as cameras, sensors, and displays, they precisely overlay virtual elements such as images, videos, and 3D models generated by processors onto the real scene in the user's field of vision, thereby creating a more immersive augmented reality experience that blends the virtual and the real.

[0003] However, existing AR devices suffer from a small exit pupil size in their optical engines (typically less than 1mm). In this case, after the optical waveguide replicates and expands the exit pupil of the optical engine, there are large gaps between adjacent replicated light spots, making it impossible to achieve uniformity in the expanded image and thus affecting the user's viewing experience.

[0004] To increase the exit pupil size, related optical mechanisms have proposed a scheme, as described in US11536976B2, which involves using a pre-pupil waveguide to "pre-pupil" the image light emitted from the optical mechanism, thereby increasing the exit pupil size. However, because there is a certain distance between the LBS light source and the pre-pupil waveguide in this scheme, the pre-pupil waveguide suffers from low diffraction efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides an optical-mechanical device and an augmented reality device to improve the diffraction efficiency of image light.

[0006] According to a first aspect of this application, an optomechanical device is provided, comprising an optomechanical module, a relay lens module, and a pre-pupil waveguide. The optomechanical module generates a first image ray, the exit pupil of which is a first dimension. The relay lens module is disposed in the optical path of the first image ray and is used to adjust the exit pupil position of the first image ray to form a second image ray; the exit pupil of the second image ray is a second dimension, which is less than or equal to the first dimension. The pre-pupil waveguide is disposed in the optical path of the second image ray and is used to enlarge the exit pupil size of the optomechanical device.

[0007] In some possible embodiments, the pre-pupil waveguide is provided with a coupling region, and the exit pupil position of the second image ray is located in the coupling region.

[0008] In some possible embodiments, the relay lens module includes a first lens assembly and a second lens assembly, which are sequentially arranged in the optical path of the first image ray; wherein the exit pupil of the second image ray is located at the rear focal plane of the second lens assembly.

[0009] In some possible embodiments, the focal length of the first lens assembly is greater than the focal length of the second lens assembly.

[0010] In some possible embodiments, the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly have the same focal length.

[0011] In some possible embodiments, the optomechanical module includes a laser, a collimating lens, and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror; wherein the laser is used to generate laser light. The collimating lens and the MEMS mirror are sequentially arranged in the optical path of the laser, and the MEMS mirror is used to reflect the laser light collimated by the collimating lens to form the first image light.

[0012] In some possible embodiments, the optomechanical module includes an optical modulation chip for forming a first image ray; wherein the optical modulation chip is a silicon-based liquid crystal chip or a digital micromirror chip.

[0013] According to a second aspect of this application, this application also provides an augmented reality device, which includes the aforementioned optomechanical device and display waveguide, wherein the optomechanical device is used to emit pupil-expanding light, which refers to the light formed after expanding the pupil of the second image light; the display waveguide is disposed in the optical path where the pupil-expanding light is located, and the light coupled out through the display waveguide is incident on the user's eye area.

[0014] In some possible embodiments, the display waveguide is disposed on the side of the pre-pupil waveguide facing the relay lens module.

[0015] In some possible embodiments, the relay lens module includes a first lens assembly and a second lens assembly, which are sequentially arranged in the optical path where the first image light rays are located; the display light waveguide is arranged on the side of the second lens assembly facing the first lens assembly.

[0016] This application provides an optical-mechanical device and an augmented reality device. The optical-mechanical device may include an optical-mechanical module, a relay lens module, and a pre-pupil waveguide. The optical-mechanical module generates a first image ray. The relay lens module is disposed in the optical path of the first image ray and is used to adjust the exit pupil position of the first image ray to form a second image ray. The pre-pupil waveguide is disposed in the optical path of the second image ray and is used to enlarge the exit pupil size of the optical-mechanical device.

[0017] On the one hand, the pre-pupil waveguide can expand the pupil of the second image light to increase the exit pupil size of the optical engine device, so that the adjacent replicated light spots in the light emitted by the subsequent augmented reality device can be seamlessly stitched together, avoiding uneven brightness distribution in the image seen by the user, and ensuring the user's viewing effect.

[0018] On the other hand, the optomechanical device provided in this application provides a relay lens module in the optical path between the optomechanical module and the pre-pupil waveguide. The relay lens module can adjust the exit pupil position of the first image light. For example, the adjusted exit pupil position can be located between the coupling region of the relay lens module and the pre-pupil waveguide; or the adjusted exit pupil position can be located directly in the coupling region of the pre-pupil waveguide, thereby reducing the distance between the exit pupil and the pre-pupil waveguide (i.e., exit pupil distance) to improve the diffraction efficiency of the pre-pupil waveguide and ensure the display quality of the augmented reality device.

[0019] Therefore, the optomechanical device in this application, by setting up a relay lens module and a pre-pupil waveguide, can solve the problem of discontinuous pupil expansion by increasing the exit pupil size of the optomechanical device through the pre-pupil waveguide. Furthermore, by setting up a relay lens module to move the exit pupil position of the first image light, the problem of low diffraction efficiency of the pre-pupil waveguide caused by a large exit pupil distance can be solved.

[0020] Furthermore, the exit pupil size of the first image ray emitted via the optomechanical module is a first size, and the exit pupil size of the second image ray emitted via the relay lens module is a second size, where the second size is less than or equal to the first size. In other words, the presence of the relay lens module does not increase the exit pupil size; instead, it decreases or maintains it unchanged. Therefore, the field of view of the second image ray does not decrease accordingly; in fact, even with a reduced exit pupil size, the field of view of the second image ray can be increased to ensure the display effect of the augmented reality device. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an optical path structure of an optomechanical device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 2 These are simulation effect diagrams provided in the embodiments of this application for different exit pupil diameters.

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another optical path structure for the optical-mechanical device shown.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the augmented reality device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows a schematic of the optical path structure of an augmented reality device.

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows another optical path structure for the augmented reality device.

[0028] Labeling Explanation: 100, Optomechanical Device; L1, First Image Ray; L2, Second Image Ray; D, Pupil Dilation Ray; 20, Optomechanical Module; 210, Laser; 230, Collimating Lens; 250, Microelectromechanical System Mirror; 30, Relay Lens Module; 320, First Lens Assembly; 340, Second Lens Assembly; 40, Pre-pupil Dilation Waveguide; 410, Coupling Region; 430, Coupling Out Region; 500, Augmented Reality Device; 520, Housing; 60, Display Waveguide. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0030] In related technologies, as described in US11536976B2, a pre-pupil waveguide is used in the optical engine to "pre-pupil" the image light emitted from the optical engine, thereby increasing the exit pupil size of the optical engine. However, because there is a certain distance between the LBS light source and the pre-pupil waveguide in this scheme, the pre-pupil waveguide suffers from low diffraction efficiency.

[0031] Furthermore, related technologies also employ relay systems (e.g., relay lenses) to increase the exit pupil size of the optical engine. However, according to the conservation of light spread, increasing the exit pupil size leads to a decrease in the field of view (FOV) of the image light rays. Taking LBS light sources as an example, when the exit pupil size of the optical engine needs to be doubled, the FOV of the image light rays will shrink by half. If the FOV needs to be kept constant, the scanning angle of the MEMS mirror needs to be increased, which in turn increases the hardware cost of the LBS light source.

[0032] Based on this, this application proposes an architecture for pre-pupil expansion using a relay system combined with a pre-pupil waveguide. Compared to schemes that only use a pre-pupil waveguide for pupil expansion, this application improves the diffraction efficiency of the pre-pupil waveguide by moving the exit pupil position of the optical engine to the position of the pre-pupil waveguide through a relay lens module. Compared to schemes that only use a relay lens for pupil expansion, the relay lens in this application moves the exit pupil position while maintaining or reducing the exit pupil size, and combines this with the pre-pupil waveguide for pupil expansion. Therefore, the FOV of the image light rays can remain constant or even increase, ensuring the display effect of the augmented reality device.

[0033] Please see Figure 1 This application provides an optical engine device 100, which can be applied in electronic devices (e.g., augmented reality devices, projection devices) and is used to generate light rays carrying image information (i.e., image light rays).

[0034] In this embodiment, the optomechanical device 100 may include an optomechanical module 20, a relay lens module 30, and a pre-pupil waveguide 40. The optomechanical module 20 generates a first image ray L1, the exit pupil size of which is a first dimension. The relay lens module 30 is disposed on the optical path of the first image ray L1 and is used to adjust the exit pupil position of the first image ray L1 to form a second image ray L2; the exit pupil size of the second image ray L2 is a second dimension, which is less than or equal to the first dimension. The pre-pupil waveguide 40 is disposed on the optical path of the second image ray L2 and is used to enlarge the exit pupil size of the optomechanical device 100. Specifically, the "exit pupil size" here can be either the exit pupil area or the exit pupil diameter.

[0035] On the one hand, the pre-pupil waveguide 40 can expand the pupil of the second image light L2 to increase the exit pupil size of the optical engine device 100, so that the adjacent replicated light spots in the light emitted by the subsequent augmented reality device can be seamlessly stitched together, avoiding uneven brightness distribution in the image seen by the user, and ensuring the user's viewing effect.

[0036] Please see Figure 2 It shows simulation results for image ray exit pupil diameters of 0.75mm and 1.5mm, respectively. Figure 2Region (a) shows schematic diagrams of the light spots after pupil expansion via optical waveguides in the augmented reality device, with exit pupil diameters of 0.75 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively. It is evident that with an exit pupil diameter of 0.75 mm, there is a large gap between adjacent replicated light spots, resulting in a relatively sparse distribution of light spots received on the pupil surface at this smaller exit pupil diameter. With an exit pupil diameter of 1.5 mm, adjacent replicated light spots can be seamlessly stitched together to ensure uniform brightness of the expanded image.

[0037] exist Figure 2 Region (b) shows schematic diagrams of the light spot distribution on the pupil surface when the exit pupil diameter is 0.75 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively. It is easy to see that when the exit pupil diameter is 0.75 mm, the low saturation of the light spot on the pupil surface results in uneven brightness distribution in the image perceived by the human eye, leading to phenomena such as striped defects and the "screen door" effect, thus affecting the user's viewing experience. When the exit pupil diameter is 1.5 mm, the brightness distribution of the image is more uniform.

[0038] It should be noted that the "optical waveguide in the augmented reality device" mentioned above and the pre-pupil waveguide 40 in this embodiment are not the same optical waveguide. This embodiment adds a pre-pupil waveguide 40 to the existing optical waveguide. This pre-pupil waveguide 40 can "pre-pupil" the image light emitted from the optical engine module 20, for example, increasing the exit pupil diameter from 0.75mm to 1.5mm. In subsequent processes, the pupil-expanded image light is then directed to the user's eye via the optical waveguide in the augmented reality device to improve the uniformity of image brightness and ensure a better viewing experience.

[0039] On the other hand, in this embodiment of the application, a relay lens module 30 is provided in the optical path between the optomechanical module 20 and the pre-pupil waveguide 40. The relay lens module 30 can adjust the exit pupil position of the first image ray L1. For example, the adjusted exit pupil position can be located between the relay lens module 30 and the coupling region 410 of the pre-pupil waveguide 40; or, the adjusted exit pupil position can be directly located in the coupling region 410 of the pre-pupil waveguide 40, thereby reducing the distance between the exit pupil and the pre-pupil waveguide 40 (i.e., the exit pupil distance), so as to improve the diffraction efficiency of the pre-pupil waveguide 40 and ensure the display quality of the augmented reality device.

[0040] Therefore, the optomechanical device 100 in this embodiment, by setting up a relay lens module 20 and a pre-pupil waveguide 30, can solve the problem of discontinuous pupil expansion by increasing the exit pupil size of the optomechanical device 100. On the other hand, by setting up the relay lens module 20 to move the exit pupil position of the first image ray L1, the problem of low diffraction efficiency of the pre-pupil waveguide 30 due to a large exit pupil distance can be solved.

[0041] Furthermore, the exit pupil size of the first image ray L1 emitted via the optomechanical module 20 is a first size, and the exit pupil size of the second image ray L2 emitted via the relay lens module 30 is a second size, the second size being less than or equal to the first size. In other words, the presence of the relay lens module 30 does not increase the exit pupil size; instead, it decreases or maintains the exit pupil size. Therefore, the field of view of the second image ray L2 does not decrease accordingly; in fact, even with a decreased exit pupil size, the field of view of the second image ray L2 can be increased, ensuring the display effect of the augmented reality device.

[0042] The specific implementation of the optomechanical device 100 is described below.

[0043] In this embodiment, the optical engine module 20 is used to generate a first image ray L1. The first image ray L1 refers to a ray carrying image information. When the first image ray L1 is incident on the user's eye, the user can see a real world superimposed with image information through the augmented reality device, thereby creating an augmented reality experience that blends the virtual and real worlds.

[0044] As an example, the optomechanical module 20 can be a laser beam scanning (LBS) optomechanical system, which has advantages such as small size, high contrast, wide color gamut, and low power consumption. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 3 The optomechanical module 20 may include a laser 210, a collimating lens 230, and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror 250. The laser 210 is used to generate laser light. Specifically, the laser light can be monochromatic light or a mixture of RGB three-color laser light in the time domain. For example, the laser 210 may be an RGB three-color laser, a diode laser, a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), an integrated photonic laser, etc., and this embodiment does not impose specific limitations.

[0045] The collimating lens 230 and the microelectromechanical system (MEMS) reflector 250 are sequentially arranged in the optical path where the laser is located. The MEMS reflector 250 is used to reflect the laser after it has been collimated by the collimating lens 230 to form the first image ray L1.

[0046] The collimating lens 230 is used to collimate the laser emitted from the laser 210 before it is incident on the microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror 250, that is, to adjust the laser emitted from the laser 210 into parallel light. On the one hand, this allows for the formation of a smaller, more uniform spot on the MEMS mirror 250, thereby improving image resolution and display brightness. On the other hand, by adjusting the parallelism of the beam, optical distortion can be reduced, resulting in a clearer and more accurate image.

[0047] Specifically, the collimating lens 230 can be a convex lens, such as a plano-convex lens, a biconvex lens, etc. The number of collimating lenses 230 can be one or more, and this embodiment does not impose a specific limitation.

[0048] The micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) mirror 250 precisely deflects the laser beam by tilting its mirror surface to form the first image ray L1. The deflection control of the MEMS mirror 250 is achieved by an electronic control system calculating and controlling the deflection angle and speed of the MEMS mirror 250 based on the information of the image to be displayed. Specifically, by rapidly switching the deflection angle of the mirror, the electronic control system can form multiple pixels on the imaging plane, and these pixels are synthesized into a complete image within the persistence of vision of the human eye.

[0049] Specifically, the microelectromechanical system reflector 250 can be an electrostatically driven MEMS reflector, a piezoelectrically driven MEMS reflector, an electromagnetically driven MEMS reflector, etc., and this embodiment does not make any specific limitations.

[0050] As another example, the optical engine module 20 may be an optical engine including an optical modulation chip (not shown in the figure) for forming a first image ray L1.

[0051] In some possible embodiments, the light modulation chip can be a passively emitting light modulation chip, meaning that the light modulation chip needs to provide an additional light source for illumination. Exemplarily, the light modulation chip can be a Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) chip or a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) chip. In other possible embodiments, the light modulation chip can be an actively emitting light modulation chip, such as a micro LED chip; this embodiment is not specifically limited to this.

[0052] In some possible embodiments, the optomechanical module 20 may further include an imaging lens (not shown in the figure). The imaging lens is disposed in the optical path of the first image light ray L1 emitted from the optical modulation chip, and is used to adjust the focal length and field of view of the first image light ray L1, and optimize optical performance (e.g., reduce distortion, improve contrast and brightness, control dispersion, etc.). Specifically, the imaging lens may include one or more lenses, wherein the lenses may be convex lenses or concave lenses; the lenses may be spherical lenses or aspherical lenses, and this embodiment does not specifically limit them.

[0053] In this embodiment, the relay lens module 30 is disposed in the optical path of the first image ray L1, and is used to adjust the exit pupil position of the first image ray L1 to form the second image ray L2. Specifically, the relay lens module 30 in this embodiment can reduce the distance between the exit pupil and the pre-pupil waveguide 40 (i.e., the exit pupil distance) to improve the diffraction efficiency of the pre-pupil waveguide 40.

[0054] It should be noted that when the optomechanical module 20 can be a laser beam scanning (LBS) optomechanical system, the exit pupil position of the optomechanical module 20 (i.e., the exit pupil position of the first image ray L1) is on the microelectromechanical system mirror 250. However, the microelectromechanical system mirror 250 itself has a certain size, preventing it from being tightly attached to the pre-pupil waveguide 40. In other words, without the relay lens module 30, there is a certain distance (i.e., exit pupil distance) between the exit pupil position of the first image ray L1 and the pre-pupil waveguide 40; for example, the exit pupil distance is greater than or equal to 2 mm. A larger exit pupil distance will reduce the diffraction efficiency of the pre-pupil waveguide 40.

[0055] Therefore, the relay lens module 30 in this embodiment can play the role of adjusting the exit pupil position. For example, the adjusted exit pupil position can be located between the relay lens module 30 and the coupling region 410 of the pre-dilated pupil waveguide 40; or, the adjusted exit pupil position can be directly located in the coupling region 410 of the pre-dilated pupil waveguide 40, thereby reducing the exit pupil distance and improving the diffraction efficiency of the pre-dilated pupil waveguide 40.

[0056] Please refer to it again. Figure 1 and Figure 3The relay lens module 30 may include a first lens assembly 320 and a second lens assembly 340. The first lens assembly 320 and the second lens assembly 340 are sequentially disposed in the optical path of the first image ray L1, so that the first image ray L1, after being transmitted sequentially through the first lens assembly 320 and the second lens assembly 340, forms a second image ray L2 incident on the pre-pupil waveguide 40. The exit pupil of the second image ray L2 is located at the rear focal plane of the second lens assembly 340. Exemplarily, the first lens assembly 320 may include one or more lenses, which may be convex lenses, such as plano-convex lenses, biconvex lenses, etc. The second lens assembly 340 may include one or more lenses, which may be convex lenses, such as plano-convex lenses, biconvex lenses, etc., and this embodiment does not specifically limit the scope. Figure 3 In the first lens assembly 320 and the second lens assembly 340, each includes a lens.

[0057] Specifically, the coupling region 410 of the pre-pupil waveguide 40 can be set on the back focal plane of the second lens assembly 340 so that the exit pupil position of the second image ray L2 can be located exactly in the coupling region 410. In this case, the exit pupil distance is 0, so that the pre-pupil waveguide 40 can maximize the diffraction efficiency.

[0058] Of course, there can be a certain gap between the coupling region 410 of the pre-pupil waveguide 40 and the back focal plane of the second lens assembly 340. This gap can be less than or equal to 0.3 mm, for example, a gap of 0.1 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, etc. In this case, some error margin can be reserved for the actual assembly of the optomechanical device 100 to reduce the actual assembly difficulty of the optomechanical device 100.

[0059] In some possible embodiments, the focal length of the first lens assembly 320 can be greater than the focal length of the second lens assembly 340. In this case, the relay lens module 30 can reduce the exit pupil diameter and increase the field of view (FOV) of the image rays. That is, the second dimension is smaller than the first dimension. For example, when the augmented reality device needs to achieve an image display requirement of a 50-degree field of view, the field of view of the first image ray L1 emitted by the optomechanical module 20 can be less than 50 degrees. On the one hand, this can reduce the design complexity of the optomechanical module 20; on the other hand, since it only needs to accommodate a smaller incident FOV, the volume of the relay lens module 30 will also be significantly reduced, which is beneficial to reducing the overall volume and design complexity of the first lens assembly 320 and the second lens assembly 340, so as to achieve the miniaturization design of the augmented reality device.

[0060] In some other possible embodiments, the first lens assembly 320 and the second lens assembly 340 have the same focal length. In this case, the exit pupil diameter and the field of view (FOV) of the image ray do not change, and the relay lens module 30 is used to adjust the exit pupil position of the first image ray L1. That is, the second dimension is equal to the first dimension. Since the first lens assembly 320 and the second lens assembly 340 have the same focal length, researchers only need to design and mold one lens to realize the relay lens module 30, reducing the design difficulty and mass production cost of the relay lens module 30.

[0061] In this embodiment, the pre-pupil waveguide 40 is disposed in the optical path of the second image ray L2 emitted from the relay lens module 30, and is used to expand the exit pupil size of the optomechanical device 100. Exemplarily, the exit pupil size (exit pupil diameter) of the optomechanical module 20 can be greater than or equal to 0.3 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm; for example, the exit pupil size of the optomechanical module 20 can be 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1 mm, etc. Here, "the exit pupil size of the optomechanical module 20" can be understood as the exit pupil size of the second image ray L2 incident on the pre-pupil waveguide 40.

[0062] The exit pupil size (exit pupil diameter) of the optomechanical device 100 can be greater than or equal to 1.5 mm and less than or equal to 4 mm; for example, the exit pupil size of the optomechanical device 100 can be 1.5 mm, 1.8 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, etc. Here, "the exit pupil size of the optomechanical device 100" can be understood as the exit pupil size of the expanded light emitted from the pre-expanded optical waveguide 40, that is, Figure 1 The exit pupil size of the dilated pupil ray D.

[0063] Specifically, the pre-pupil waveguide 40 is provided with a coupling region 410, and the exit pupil position of the second image ray L2 is located in the coupling region 410. In this case, the exit pupil distance is 0, so that the pre-pupil waveguide 40 can maximize the diffraction efficiency. Exemplarily, the pre-pupil waveguide 40 can be a diffraction waveguide, such as a surface relief grating waveguide, a holographic volume grating waveguide, etc., and this embodiment does not specifically limit it.

[0064] Please see Figure 4 This application also provides an augmented reality device 500 equipped with an optical-mechanical device 100. The augmented reality device 500 is a device capable of combining virtual information with the real world. It uses computer technology, sensors, display devices, and other means to overlay virtual images, text, audio, and other information onto the real scene seen by the user in real time, thereby enhancing the user's perception and interaction with the real world. Specifically, the augmented reality device 500 can be AR glasses, AR headsets, AR helmets, etc.

[0065] In this embodiment, the augmented reality device 500 may include the aforementioned optomechanical device 100 and housing 520. The optomechanical device 100 is disposed within the housing 520, which serves to fix and protect the optomechanical device 100. The optomechanical device 100 can emit a pupil-expanding ray D, which refers to the ray formed after expanding the pupil of the second image ray L2. When a user wears the augmented reality device 500, the aforementioned pupil-expanding ray D can enter the user's eyes, enabling the user to see the image information generated by the augmented reality device 500. Furthermore, the user can also see a real-world scene corresponding to the real world through the augmented reality device 500, achieving a display effect where real-world scenes and virtual image information are superimposed.

[0066] Please see Figure 5 The augmented reality device 500 may further include a display light waveguide 60, which is disposed in the optical path of the pupil-expanding light ray D. Light rays coupled out through the display light waveguide 60 are incident on the user's eye region. When the user wears the augmented reality device 500, the display light waveguide 60 is used to guide the pupil-expanding light ray D to the user's eye position. Exemplarily, the display light waveguide 60 may be a diffraction light waveguide, such as a surface relief grating waveguide, a holographic grating waveguide, etc., and this embodiment is not specifically limited to that.

[0067] Please see Figure 6 The display shows that the optical waveguide 60 is positioned on the side of the pre-pupil optical waveguide 40 facing the relay lens module 30. In this case, the coupling-in region 410 and the coupling-out region 430 of the pre-pupil optical waveguide 40 are both located on the same side of the pre-pupil optical waveguide 40. Therefore, compared to Figure 5 The technical solution in China that "display waveguide 60 is positioned on the side of pre-pupil waveguide 40 away from relay lens module 30" Figure 6 The display system, consisting of the display waveguide 60 and the optomechanical device 100, has a smaller lateral dimension L, which is beneficial for miniaturizing the augmented reality device 500. Here, "lateral dimension L" can be understood as the dimension in the direction corresponding to the optical axis of the relay lens module 30.

[0068] In some possible embodiments, specifically as follows Figure 6 As shown, the relay lens module 30 may include a first lens assembly 320 and a second lens assembly 340, with the display light waveguide 60 disposed on the side of the second lens assembly 340 facing the first lens assembly 320. In this case, the distance H between the optomechanical module 20 and the display light waveguide 60 can be reduced. Here, "distance H" can be understood as the distance in the direction corresponding to the optical axis of the relay lens module 30. Therefore, when the display system composed of the display light waveguide 60 and the optomechanical device 100 is applied to the augmented reality device 500, it is beneficial to reduce the volume of the folding structure corresponding to the temple, thereby achieving a lightweight design for the augmented reality device 500.

[0069] This application provides an optical engine device 100 and an augmented reality device 500 equipped with the optical engine device 100. The optical engine device 100 may include an optical engine module 20, a relay lens module 30, and a pre-pupil waveguide 40. The optical engine module 20 is used to generate a first image ray L1, and the exit pupil size of the first image ray L1 is a first size. The relay lens module 30 is disposed in the optical path of the first image ray L1 and is used to adjust the exit pupil position of the first image ray L1 to form a second image ray L2. The exit pupil size of the second image ray L2 is a second size, which is less than or equal to the first size. The pre-pupil waveguide 40 is disposed in the optical path of the second image ray L2 and is used to enlarge the exit pupil size of the optical engine device 100.

[0070] On the one hand, the pre-pupil waveguide 40 can expand the pupil of the second image light L2 to increase the exit pupil size of the optical engine device 100, so that the adjacent replicated light spots in the light emitted by the subsequent augmented reality device can be seamlessly stitched together, avoiding uneven brightness distribution in the image seen by the user, and ensuring the user's viewing effect.

[0071] On the other hand, in this embodiment of the application, a relay lens module 30 is provided in the optical path between the optomechanical module 20 and the pre-pupil waveguide 40. The relay lens module 30 can adjust the exit pupil position of the first image ray L1. For example, the adjusted exit pupil position can be located between the relay lens module 30 and the coupling region 410 of the pre-pupil waveguide 40; or, the adjusted exit pupil position can be directly located in the coupling region 410 of the pre-pupil waveguide 40, thereby reducing the distance between the exit pupil and the pre-pupil waveguide 40 (i.e., the exit pupil distance), so as to improve the diffraction efficiency of the pre-pupil waveguide 40 and ensure the display quality of the augmented reality device.

[0072] Therefore, the optomechanical device 100 in this embodiment, by setting up a relay lens module 20 and a pre-pupil waveguide 30, can solve the problem of discontinuous pupil expansion by increasing the exit pupil size of the optomechanical device 100. On the other hand, by setting up the relay lens module 20 to move the exit pupil position of the first image ray L1, the problem of low diffraction efficiency of the pre-pupil waveguide 30 due to a large exit pupil distance can be solved.

[0073] Furthermore, the exit pupil size of the first image ray L1 emitted via the optomechanical module 20 is a first size, and the exit pupil size of the second image ray L2 emitted via the relay lens module 30 is a second size, the second size being less than or equal to the first size. In other words, the presence of the relay lens module 30 does not increase the exit pupil size; instead, it decreases or maintains the exit pupil size. Therefore, the field of view of the second image ray L2 does not decrease accordingly; in fact, even with a decreased exit pupil size, the field of view of the second image ray L2 can be increased, ensuring the display effect of the augmented reality device.

[0074] In this application specification, certain terms are used to refer to specific components. Those skilled in the art will understand that hardware manufacturers may use different names to refer to the same component. The specification and claims do not distinguish components based on differences in name, but rather on differences in function. The term "comprising" throughout the specification and claims is an open-ended term and should be interpreted as "including but not limited to"; "generally" means that those skilled in the art can solve the technical problem within a certain margin of error and basically achieve the technical effect.

[0075] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "inside", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the purpose of simplifying the description of this application 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 application.

[0076] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., 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; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or merely surface contact. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0077] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0078] 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 at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0079] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An optomechanical device, characterized in that, include: An optomechanical module is used to generate a first image ray; the exit pupil size of the first image ray is a first size; A relay lens module is disposed in the optical path of the first image ray and is used to adjust the exit pupil position of the first image ray to form a second image ray; the exit pupil size of the second image ray is a second size, which is less than or equal to the first size; as well as A pre-pupil waveguide is disposed in the optical path where the second image light rays are located, and is used to expand the exit pupil size of the optomechanical device.

2. The optomechanical device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pre-pupil waveguide is provided with a coupling region, and the exit pupil position of the second image light is located in the coupling region.

3. The optomechanical device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The relay lens module includes a first lens assembly and a second lens assembly, which are sequentially arranged in the optical path where the first image light rays are located. The exit pupil of the second image ray is located at the rear focal plane of the second lens assembly.

4. The optomechanical device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The focal length of the first lens assembly is greater than the focal length of the second lens assembly.

5. The optomechanical device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first lens assembly and the second lens assembly have the same focal length.

6. The optomechanical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The optomechanical module includes a laser, a collimating lens, and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror; wherein, the laser is used to generate laser light; The collimating lens and the microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror are sequentially arranged in the optical path of the laser. The MEMS mirror is used to reflect the laser light collimated by the collimating lens to form the first image light.

7. The optomechanical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The optomechanical module includes an optical modulation chip, which is used to form the first image light rays; The optical modulation chip is either a silicon-based liquid crystal chip or a digital micromirror chip.

8. An augmented reality device, characterized in that, include: The optomechanical apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the optomechanical apparatus is used to emit pupil-expanding light rays, the pupil-expanding light rays referring to the light rays formed after pupil expansion of the second image light rays; and A display light waveguide is disposed on the optical path of the pupil-expanding light, and the light rays coupled out through the display light waveguide are incident on the user's eye area.

9. The augmented reality device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The display waveguide is disposed on the side of the pre-pupil waveguide facing the relay lens module.

10. The augmented reality device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The relay lens module includes a first lens assembly and a second lens assembly, which are sequentially arranged in the optical path where the first image light rays are located. The display optical waveguide is disposed on the side of the second lens assembly facing the first lens assembly.

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