Near-eye display system with seal

Abstract

A near-eye display system including a housing, an image light guide engaged with the housing, and a seal arranged between the housing and the image light guide. A projector is arranged in a chamber within the housing, which has an opening through which the projector emits light to the image light guide. Additional electronics such as a transceiver and circuit are arranged in the chamber. The additional electronics may be sectioned off from the projector within the chamber, for example, by a partition which forms a first chamber in which the projector is arranged and a second chamber in which the additional electronics are arranged. The seal is engaged with the opening and provides a fluid tight seal between the first chamber and the image light guide. The seal may also be engaged with an additional opening in the housing to fluidly seal the second chamber.

Description

NEAR-EYE DISPLAY SYSTEM WITH SEALCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under Articles 4 and 8 of the Stockholm Act of the Paris Convention for the protection of Industrial Property of U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 518,993, filed on August 11, 2023, which application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to near-eye display systems, and more particularly, to a near-eye display system including a seal that prevents fluid from penetrating chambers thereof.BACKGROUND

[0003] Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) can include an image source and, in some examples, an image light guide for presenting virtual images to a wearer’s eyes. The image light guide can be arranged for conveying the virtual images from an offset position of the image source to a position aligned with the wearer’s eye. For many applications, there is particular value in forming a virtual image that can be visually superimposed over the real-world image that lies in the field of view of the HMD user.

[0004] Most HMDs require that the image source and other electronic components remain protected from the ingress of fluid and other pollutants. However, conventional HMD designs fail to suitably seal the image source and electronic components.SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure is directed to one or more exemplary embodiments of a near-eye display system including a housing, an image light guide engaged with the housing, and a seal arranged between the housing and the image light guide. A projector is arranged in a chamber within the housing, which has an opening through which the projector emits light to the image light guide. Additional electronics such as a transceiver and one or more circuits are arranged in the chamber. The additional electronics may be sectioned off from the projector within the chamber, for example, by a partition which forms a first chamber in which the projector is arranged and a second chamber in which the additional electronics are arranged. The seal is engaged with the opening and provides a fluid tight seal between the first chamber and the image light guide. The seal may also be engaged with an additional opening in the housing to fluidly seal the second chamber. The seal thus provides a fluid tight seal between the housing and the image light guide, and also simultaneously seals off the first and second chamber.

[0006] The present disclosure is directed to one or more exemplary embodiments of a near-eye display system.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the near-eye display system comprises a housing including at least one chamber, an image light guide engaged with the housing, and a seal operatively arranged between the housing and at least a portion of the image light guide, the seal forming a fluid tight seal.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the housing includes an outer wall and wherein at least a portion of the outer wall includes the seal. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer wall comprises a first opening having a first diameter, the first opening forming a pathway between the at least one chamber and the image light guide. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a through-hole aligned with the first opening, wherein the through-hole has a second diameter less than the first diameter. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal further comprises a protrusion that at least partially engages the image light guide. In an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion at least partially circumscribes the through-hole. In an exemplary embodiment, the near-eye display system further comprises a projector arranged in the at least one chamber, the projector operatively arranged to project light through the first opening to the image light guide.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a channel and the image light guide is arranged within the channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the near-eye display system further comprises one or more electronic components arranged in the at least one chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, the image light guide comprises an inner surface, an outer surface, and a radially outward facing surface extending between the inner surface and the outer surface, and the seal abuts against the inner surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal further abuts against the radially outward facing surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a protrusion, the image light guide comprises a radially outward extending projection, and the protrusion engages the projection.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a first wall including a through-hole, a second wall spaced apart from and arranged substantially parallel to the first wall, and a third wall connecting the first wall and the second wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall form a channel and the image light guide is engaged with the channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing comprises an outer wall including a first opening and a second opening, and the seal is arranged at least partially in the first opening and the second opening to seal the at least one chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one chamber comprises a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the firstchamber by a partition, the first chamber comprises the first opening, and the second chamber comprises the second opening. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal simultaneously engages the first opening and the second opening to seal off the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0011] The present disclosure is directed to one or more exemplary embodiments of a near-eye display system.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the near-eye display system comprises a housing including an outer wall, a partition extending inward from the outer wall and forming a first chamber and a second chamber, a first opening in the outer wall and aligned with the first chamber, and a second opening in the outer wall aligned with the second chamber, an image light guide engaged with the housing, and a seal engaged with the first opening and the second opening and operatively arranged to form a fluid tight seal between the housing and the image light guide.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a through-hole aligned with the first opening, the first opening and the through-hole forming a pathway from the first chamber to the image light guide. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a protrusion that at least partially engages a radially outward facing projection of the image light guide.

[0014] These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of the embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawing figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0015] The accompanying drawings are incorporated herein as part of the specification. The drawings described herein illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter and are illustrative of selected principles and teachings of the present disclosure. However, the drawings do not illustrate all possible implementations of the presently disclosed subject matter and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0016] FIG. 1 A is a top front perspective view of a near-eye display system.

[0017] FIG. IB is a top front perspective view of the near-eye display system shown in FIG. 1 A in an inverted state.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded perspective view of the near-eye display system shown in FIG. IB.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a detail view of the front frame section taken generally along DETAIL 3 in FIG. 2.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a partial front perspective view of the near-eye display system shown in FIG.IB in an inverted state.

[0021] FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of the seal shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of the seal shown in FIG. 5A.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the near-eye display system taken generally along line 6-6 in FIG. 1 A.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the near-eye display system taken generally along line 7-7 in FIG. IB.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific assemblies and systems illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined herein. Hence, specific dimensions, directions, or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise. Also, although they may not be, like elements in various embodiments described herein may be commonly referred to with like reference numerals within this section of the application.

[0026] Where used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and so on, do not necessarily denote any ordinal, sequential, or priority relation, but are simply used to more clearly distinguish one element or set of elements from another, unless specified otherwise.

[0027] Where used herein, the terms “viewer,” “operator,” “observer,” “wearer,” and “user” are considered equivalents and refer to the person or machine who wears and / or views images using a head mounted device.

[0028] Where used herein, the term “set” refers to a non-empty set, as the concept of a collection of elements or members of a set is widely understood in elementary mathematics. The term “subset,” unless otherwise explicitly stated, is used herein to refer to a non-empty proper subset, that is, to a subset of the larger set, having one or more members. For a set S, a subset may comprise the complete set S. A “proper subset” of set S, however, is strictly contained in set S and excludes at least one member of set S.

[0029] Where used herein, the term “about” when applied to a value is intended to mean within the tolerance range of the equipment used to produce the value, or, in some examples, is intended to mean plus or minus 10%, or plus or minus 5%, or plus or minus 1%, unless otherwise expressly specified.

[0030] Where used herein, the term “substantially” is intended to mean within the tolerance range of the equipment used to produce the value, or, in some examples, is intended to meanplus or minus 10%, or plus or minus 5%, or plus or minus 1%, unless otherwise expressly specified.

[0031] Where used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean “an example of,” “serving as an example,” or “illustrative,” and does not denote any preference or requirement with respect to a disclosed aspect or embodiment.

[0032] One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the elements and techniques described herein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects of the present disclosure. Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. However, the particular features, structures, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0033] Adverting now to the figures, FIG. 1A is a top front perspective view of near-eye display system 10. FIG. IB is a top front perspective view of the near-eye display system 10 in an inverted state. FIG. 2 is a top front partial exploded perspective view of near-eye display system 10 in an inverted state. As shown in FIGS. 1A-2, near-eye display system 10 generally comprises lower frame section 20, image light guide assembly 40, upper frame section 60, seal 80, and image light source or projector 124. In an exemplary embodiment, near-eye display system 10 further comprises one or more frames, for example frames 30A-30B, at least one temple, for example temples 34A-34B, nose bridge 32, and / or battery 120.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, lower frame section 20 (also referred to as “lower frame 20”) is operatively arranged to connect to upper frame section 60 and engage at least a portion of image light guide assembly 40. For example, lower frame 20 comprises at least one curvilinear rim that engages at least radially outward facing surface 56 of image light guide assembly 40 and / or an outer surface of frame 30A or frame 30B. In an exemplary embodiment, lower frame 20 comprises a first curvilinear frame arranged to engage frame 30A and a second curvilinear frame arranged to engage frame 30B. Lower frame section 20 comprises cover 22 arranged to engage housing 64 to enclose components arranged therein (e.g., electronics 122 and projector 124). In an exemplary embodiment, lower frame section 20 comprises cover 24 arranged to engage housing 62 to enclose components arranged therein (e.g., battery 120).

[0035] Frames 30A-30B are operatively arranged to hold or provide a securement structure for optical structures within near-eye display system and / or secure the image light guide assembly 40 to at least one of the upper frame section 60 and the lower frame section 20. Specifically, image light guide assembly 40 is connected to frame 30 A. In some exemplary embodiments image light guide assembly 40 comprises frame 30A. In some examples, image light guide assembly 40 may be connected to the radially inward facing surface or one or more axial surfaces of frame 30A. A lens or other optical structure may be connected to frame 30B. Lower frame section 20 and upper frame section 60 engage frames 30A-30B.

[0036] Image light guide assembly 40 comprises at least one image light guide 46. Image light guide 46 may utilize image-bearing light from projector 124 to display a virtual image. For example, collimated, relatively angularly encoded, light beams from projector 124 are coupled into image light guide 46 by an input coupling such as an in-coupling optic, which can be engaged with or formed on or within a surface of image light guide 46. Such in-coupling optics can be formed as diffraction gratings, holographic optical elements (HOEs), liquid crystal elements, or in other known ways. For example, the in-coupling optic can be formed as a surface relief diffraction grating. After propagating along image light guide 46, the diffracted light can be directed back out of image light guide 46 by a similar output coupling optic, which can be arranged to provide pupil expansion along one or more dimensions of the virtual image. In addition, a turning optic or intermediate optic can be positioned on / in image light guide 46 to provide pupil expansion in one or more dimensions of the virtual image where the one or more dimensions of expansion provided by the turning optic are / is orthogonal to the one or more dimensions of expansion provided by the out-coupling optic resulting in two dimensional expansion of the pupil or eyebox. The image-bearing light output from image light guide 46 provides an expanded eyebox for the viewer. Image light guide 46 can be made of optical glass or plastic.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, image light guide assembly 40 further comprises at least one outer layer 44 arranged on a surface of image light guide 46. In an exemplary embodiment, layer 44 is an optically transparent, ultraviolet (UV) curable polymer. In an exemplary embodiment, layer 44 comprises a material that optically matches, i.e., matches the index of refraction within 5% of, the material of image light guide 46. In an exemplary embodiment, layer 44 comprises a material that is softer than the material of image light guide 46. In an exemplary embodiment, diffractive optics are formed in layer 44; although as previously described such diffractive optics may be formed in image light guide 46.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, image light guide assembly 40 further comprises lens 48. Lens 48 is a transmissive optical device that can correct for optical defects or aberrations in the vision of a wearer or user, such as myopia and hypermetropia (or hyperopia), and may focus or diverge a light beam by means of refraction to correct those defects of vision. Lens 48 may comprise an eyeglass prescription custom to the user. In an exemplary embodiment, image light guide assembly 40 further comprises cover 42. Cover 42 is operatively arranged to protect the diffractive optics arranged on and / or in image light guide 46 and / or layer 44.

[0039] Cover 42 of image light guide assembly 40 comprises inner surface 52 and lens 48 of image light guide assembly 40 comprises an outer surface 54. As will be described herein, in a collapsed state, these surfaces are the inner surface and outer surface respectively of image light guide assembly 40. Inner surface 52 is the innermost surface of image light guide assembly 40, for example, closest to the user’s eye. Outer surface 54 is the outermost surface of image light guide assembly 40, for example, furthest from the user’s eye. In an exemplary embodiment wherein image light guide assembly 40 only comprise image light guide 46, inner surface 52 is the inner surface of image light guide 46 and outer surface 54 is the outer surface of image light guide 46. In an exemplary embodiment wherein image light guide assembly 40 comprises image light guide 46 and layer 44, inner surface 52 is the inner surface of layer 44 and outer surface 54 is the outer surface of image light guide 46. Image light guide 40 further comprises radially outward facing surface 56 which extends axially (e.g., in direction DI, D2) from inner surface 52 to outer surface 54. In an exemplary embodiment, image light guide 40 further comprises projection 50 which extends radially outward from radially outward facing surface 56. Projection 50 is operatively arranged to engage protrusion 96 to secure image light guide assembly 40 to upper frame section 60, as will be described in greater detail below.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, in an exemplary embodiment, image light guide assembly 40 further comprises housing 62. Battery 120 is arranged in housing 62 and enclosed therein by cover 24. In an exemplary embodiment, temples 34A-34B are hingedly connected to upper frame section 60. In an exemplary embodiment, nose bridge 32 is connected to upper frame section 60 for engagement with the user’s nose.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a detail view of upper frame section 60 taken generally along DETAIL 3 in FIG. 2. Upper frame section 60 comprises housing 64 and at least one curvilinear portion arranged to engage with image light guide assembly 40. Housing 64 comprises at least one chamber arranged to at least partially enclose projector 124 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) and electronics 122 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 4). For example, housing 64 comprises chamber 64 A in which projector 124 is arranged and chamber 64B in which electronics 122 is arranged.

[0042] Housing 64 comprises outer wall 66 which, together with cover 22, encloses chambers 64A-64B. Outer wall 66 comprises outer wall sections 66A-66E which form the perimeter wall of outer wall 66. Housing 64 comprises an upper wall that encloses chambers 64A-64B and cover 22 encloses chambers 64A-64B on the bottom. Partition 68 extends inward from outer wall section 66B to separate housing 64 into chamber 64A and chamber 64B. Outer wall section 66A, outer wall section 66E, a portion of outer wall section 66B, and partition 68 form chamber 64A. Outer wall section 66C, outer wall section 66D, a portion of outer wall section 66B, and partition 68 form chamber 64B. Outer wall portion 66E comprises a hole or through- hole which forms opening 70 into chamber 64A. Opening 70 is operatively arranged to allow light emitted from projector 124 to enter image light guide assembly 40, for example, through a passage formed by upper frame section 60 and / or seal 80. A space is arranged between partition 68 and outer wall portion 66D to form opening 72 into chamber 64B.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, electronics 122 are arranged in chamber 64B and comprise one or more components for communicating with projector 124 and / or a wireless peripheral device such as a smart phone, tablet, or personal computer. For example, electronics 122 may comprise a transceiver capable of receiving and sending wireless or wired communications from a source or peripheral device external to near-eye display system 10, and communicating with projector 124. In an exemplary embodiment, the transceiver is a UBLOX® BMD-380 module. In an exemplary embodiment, the transceiver is connected to a circuit or circuit board. The circuit is connected to projector 124, for example via a ribbon cable that spans chambers 64A-64B across partition 68. The circuit is also connected to battery 120. As such, projector 124 is powered by battery 120 and receives communications from electronics 122 to emit light from lens 126. In an exemplary embodiment, projector 124 at least partially protrudes through opening 70.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of near-eye display system 10 in an inverted state. FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of seal 80. FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of seal 80. Seal 80 generally comprises wall 82, wall 90, and wall 98. In an exemplary embodiment, seal 80 further comprises wall 104.

[0045] Wall 82 comprises outer surface 84 arranged to engage housing 64, and inner surface 86 arranged to engage image light guide assembly 40. Outer surface 84 engages outer wall 66 to seal off opening 70 of chamber 64A. Inner surface 86 engages inner surface 52 of image light guide assembly 40. Wall 82 further comprises through-hole 88 aligned with opening 70. Through-hole 88 and opening 70 form passageway P (shown in FIG. 6), extending generally in direction DI, D2, which allows projector 124 to emit light therethrough to image light guideassembly 40. Opening 70 comprises diameter LI and through-hole 88 comprises diameter L2. In an exemplary embodiment, diameter L2 of through-hole 80 is less than diameter LI of opening 70. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6-7, outer surface 84 abuts against outer wall section 66E such that lens 126 of projector 124 is aligned with through-hole 88 and inner surface 86 engages inner surface 52 of the image light guide assembly 40. As such, seal 80 seals off outer wall section 66E to prevent the ingress of fluid and other debris into chamber 64A, and also creates a fluid tight seal around passage, which extends from lens 126 within chamber 64 A to image light guide assembly 40. In an exemplary embodiment, when assembled, wall 82 forms a portion of outer wall 66.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, and as best shown in FIG. 5B, seal 80 may further comprise protrusion 110 and / or curvilinear surface 112. Protrusion 110 extends from outer surface 84, generally in direction D2, and engages opening 70. In an exemplary embodiment, protrusion 110 is arranged proximate to and / or at least partially surrounds or encircles through- hole 88 (see FIG. 5B). In an exemplary embodiment, protrusion 110 at least partially circumscribes (i.e., surround by or as if by a boundary) through-hole 88 (see FIG. 5B). Curvilinear surface 112 is arranged on outer surface 84 and is arranged to sealingly engage partition 68 (see FIGS. 5B-6).

[0047] Wall 90 extends from wall 82 and comprises outer surface 92 arranged to engage housing 64, and inner surface 94 is arranged to engage image light guide assembly 40. In an exemplary embodiment, wall 90 extends from wall 82 generally in direction DI and is arranged substantially perpendicular to wall 82. Outer surface 92 engages outer wall 66 to seal off opening 72 of chamber 64B. Specifically, wall 90 extends between partition 68 and outer wall section 66D to seal off chamber 64B and prevent the ingress of fluid and other debris therein. In an exemplary embodiment, when assembled, wall 90 forms a portion of outer wall 66. Thus, when assembled, seal 80 fluidly seals off opening 70 and opening 72 in outer wall 66 of housing 64. Inner surface 94 engages radially outward facing surface 56 of image light guide assembly 40. In an exemplary embodiment, wall 90 further comprises protrusion 96 (shown in FIG. 5A) extending radially inward from inner surface 94. Protrusion 96 is operatively arranged to engage projection 50 of image light guide assembly 40 to secure or help secure image light guide assembly 40 to upper frame section 60.

[0048] Wall 98 extends from wall 82 and wall 90. Wall 98 comprises outer surface 100 and inner surface 102. In an exemplary embodiment, wall 98 extends from wall 92 generally in direction DI and extends from wall 90 generally in direction D3. In an exemplary embodiment, wall 98 is arranged substantially perpendicular to wall 82 and / or wall 90. Outer surface 100engages upper frame section 60, for example channel 74 (shown in FIG. 3), and inner surface 102 engages radially outward facing surface 56 of image light guide assembly 40.

[0049] Wall 104 is arranged at least partially between wall 90 and wall 98, and spaced apart from wall 82 in direction DI. Walls 82, 98, and 104 form channel 114 in which image light guide assembly 40 is arranged. Wall 104 comprises outer surface 106 arranged to engage upper frame section 60 and inner surface 108 (shown in FIG. 6) arranged to engage outer surface 54 of image light guide assembly 40. In an exemplary embodiment, since seal 80 comprises an elastomer (e.g., rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, SANTOPRENE® thermoplastic vulcanizates polymer alloy, urethane rubber, silicone rubber) and at least partially surrounds image light guide assembly 40, for example, wall 82 on inner surface 52, wall 104 on outer surface 54, and walls 90 and 98 on radially outward facing surface 56, seal 80 acts as a vibrational damper between image light guide assembly 40 and upper frame section 60.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of near-eye display system 10 taken generally along line 6-6 in FIG. 1A. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of near-eye display 10 system taken generally along line 7-7 in FIG. IB. To assemble near-eye display system 10, projector 124 is arranged in chamber 64A with lens 126 aligned with opening 70 and facing substantially in direction DI. Electronics 122 are arranged in chamber 64B and are connected to projector 124 and a power source (e.g., battery 120) accordingly. In an exemplary embodiment, battery 120 is arranged in housing 62). Seal 80 is connected to upper frame section 60, thereby effectively enclosing chamber 64B by sealing off opening 72. Simultaneously, seal 80 further encloses chamber 64 by sealing off opening 70, except for the opening created by through-bore 88.

[0051] Image light guide assembly 40 is then assembled by engaging radially outward facing surface 56 with channel 74 of upper frame section 60, inner surface 102, and inner surface 94. Image light guide assembly also engages inner surface 52 with inner surface 86, and outer surface 56 with inner surface 108. The engagement of inner surface 52 with inner surface 86 closes off through-bore 88, at which point chamber 64A, namely opening 70 of outer wall 66E, is fluidly sealed (outer surface 84 sealingly engages outer wall 66E to fluidly seal opening 70 and image light guide assembly 40 sealingly engages inner surface 86 to fluidly seal through- bore 88). In an exemplary embodiment, protrusion 96 engages projection 50. In an exemplary embodiment, image light guide assembly 40 may be arranged in or on frame 30 A.

[0052] Lower frame section 20 is assembled and engages image light guide assembly 40. Cover 22 is connected to housing 64 thereby enclosing chambers 64A-64B and fluidly sealing electronics 122 and projector 124 therein. Cover 24 is connected to housing 62 enclosing battery 120 therein. Temples 34A-34B are hingedly connected to upper frame section 60.

[0053] It should be appreciated that in exemplary embodiments, near-eye display system 10 may comprise a second seal 80 or a seal similar to seal 80 arranged in housing 62. For example, such seal may be substantially similar to seal 80 but comprise a single chamber for fluidly sealing battery 120 therein. In exemplary embodiments, a second seal 80 is arranged in housing 62 and battery 120 is arranged in one of chamber 64A and chamber 64B.

[0054] One or more features of the embodiments described herein may be combined to create additional embodiments which are not depicted. While various embodiments have been described in detail above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that the disclosed subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms, variations, and modifications without departing from the scope, spirit, or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments described above are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A near-eye display system (10), comprising: a housing (64) including at least one chamber (64A-64B); an image light guide (46) engaged with the housing (64); and a seal (80) operatively arranged between the housing (64) and at least a portion of the image light guide (46), the seal (80) forming a fluid tight seal.

2. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing (64) includes an outer wall (66A-66E) and wherein at least a portion of the outer wall (66A-66E) includes the seal (80).

3. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 2, wherein the outer wall (66A- 66E) comprises a first opening (70) having a first diameter (LI), the first opening (70) forming a pathway (P) between the at least one chamber (64A-64B) and the image light guide (46).

4. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 3, wherein the seal (80) comprises a through-hole (88) aligned with the first opening (70), wherein the through-hole (88) has a second diameter (L2) less than the first diameter (LI).

5. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 3, wherein the seal (80) further comprises a protrusion (96) that at least partially engages the image light guide (46).

6. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 4, wherein the protrusion (96) at least partially circumscribes the through-hole (88).

7. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 3, further comprising a projector (124) arranged in the at least one chamber (64A-64B), the projector (124) operatively arranged to project light through the first opening (70) to the image light guide (46).

8. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 1, wherein the seal (80) comprises a channel (114) and the image light guide (46) is arranged within the channel (114).

9. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 1, further comprising one or more electronic components (122) arranged in the at least one chamber (64A-64B).

10. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 1, wherein: the image light guide (46) comprises an inner surface (52), an outer surface (54), and a radially outward facing surface (56) extending between the inner surface (52) and the outer surface (54); and the seal (80) abuts against the inner surface (52).

11. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 10, wherein the seal (80) further abuts against the radially outward facing surface (56).

12. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 1, wherein: the seal (80) comprises a protrusion (96); the image light guide (46) comprises a radially outward extending projection (50); and the protrusion (96) engages the projection (50).

13. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 1, wherein the seal (80) comprises: a first wall (82) including a through-hole (88); a second wall (104) spaced apart from and arranged substantially parallel to the first wall (82); and a third wall (90 or 98) connecting the first wall (82) and the second wall (104).

14. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 13, wherein the first wall (82), the second wall (104), and the third wall (90 or 98) form a channel (114) and the image light guide (46) is engaged with the channel (114).

15. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 1, wherein: the housing (64) comprises an outer wall (66A-66E) including a first opening (70) and a second opening (72); and the seal (80) is arranged at least partially in the first opening (70) and the second opening (72) to seal the at least one chamber (64A-64B).

16. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 15, wherein:the at least one chamber (64A-64B) comprises a first chamber (64A) and a second chamber (64B) separated from the first chamber (64A) by a partition (68); the first chamber (64A) comprises the first opening (70); and the second chamber (64B) comprises the second opening (72).

17. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 16, wherein the seal (80) simultaneously engages the first opening (70) and the second opening (72) to seal off the first chamber (64A) and the second chamber (64B).

18. A near-eye display system (10), comprising: a housing (64) including: an outer wall (66 A-66E); a partition (68) extending inward from the outer wall (66A-66E) and forming a first chamber (64A) and a second chamber (64B); a first opening (70) in the outer wall (66A-66E) and aligned with the first chamber (64A); and a second opening (72) in the outer wall (66A-66E) aligned with the second chamber (64B); an image light guide (46) engaged with the housing (64); and a seal (80) engaged with the first opening (70) and the second opening (72) and operatively arranged to form a fluid tight seal between the housing (64) and the image light guide (46).

19. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 18, wherein the seal (80) comprises a through-hole (88) aligned with the first opening (70), the first opening (70) and the through- hole (88) forming a pathway (P) from the first chamber (64A) to the image light guide (46).

20. The near-eye display system (10) as recited in claim 18, wherein the seal (80) comprises a protrusion (96) that at least partially engages a radially outward facing projection (56) of the image light guide (46).

Images