Optical apparatus and optical instrument

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of optics, and discloses an optical apparatus and an optical instrument. The optical apparatus comprises: a first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate; a connecting member disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, and connected to the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate to form a sealed housing; the housing comprises a preset optical assembly, the preset optical assembly being configured for changing a deflection angle of a first light ray and a second light ray; a plurality of support structures configured for providing fixed support between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, wherein each support structure has a first support end and a second support end arranged opposite one another, a cross-sectional area of each support structure decreases from the first support end to the second support end, the first support end of each support structure is connected to the first transparent substrate, and the corresponding second support end is connected to the second transparent substrate. The support structure provides stable support and precisely controls a distance between two layers of substrates, thereby achieving the purpose of precise dynamic focusing.

Description

Optical devices and optical instruments Technical Field

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

[0002] The human eye can be viewed as an optical lens, with the retina as the image sensor. A healthy human eye can correctly image objects from near-vision distance to infinity, while presbyopia manifests as a decline in the eye's focusing ability, gradually losing the ability to focus on nearby objects. Providing a dynamically zoomable active area on the lens can improve presbyopia symptoms, for example, by using liquid crystal zoom devices. In the manufacturing process of liquid crystal devices, precisely controlling the distance between the two substrates is crucial, as it directly affects the regulation of the liquid crystal state and the realization of specific optical effects. Traditional support structures, such as cylindrical supports, while able to maintain the substrate spacing to some extent, suffer from deformation and insufficient stability during the stacking of multiple flexible materials and the application of pressure.

[0003] Utility Model Content

[0004] This application proposes an optical device and optical instrument to improve the above-mentioned defects.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides an optical device, comprising: a first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate; a connector disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, forming a sealed housing connected to the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate; the housing includes a preset optical component, the preset optical component being used to change the deflection angle of a first light ray and a second light ray, the first light ray being incident on the first transparent substrate, and the light ray emitted after passing through the preset optical component and the second transparent substrate being the second light ray; a plurality of support structures for fixing and supporting between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, each support structure having a first support end and a second support end disposed opposite to each other, the cross-sectional area of ​​the support structure decreasing from the first support end to the second support end; the first support end of each support structure being connected to the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end being connected to the second transparent substrate, or the first support end of each support structure being connected to the second transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end being connected to the first transparent substrate.

[0006] Optionally, in one possible implementation, the support structure is further divided into a first support structure and a second support structure, wherein a first support end of the first support structure is connected to the first transparent substrate and a corresponding second support end is connected to the second transparent substrate, and a first support end of the second support structure is connected to the second transparent substrate and a corresponding second support end is connected to the first transparent substrate.

[0007] Optionally, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first support end of each support structure is integrally formed with the first transparent substrate, and the corresponding second support end abuts or is fixedly connected to the second transparent substrate; or, the first support end of each support structure is integrally formed with the second transparent substrate, and the corresponding second support end abuts or is fixedly connected to the first transparent substrate. Optionally, in one possible implementation, the projection area of ​​the second support end on the reference surface is included in the projection area of ​​the first support end on the reference surface, where the reference surface is either the plane containing the first transparent substrate or the plane containing the second transparent substrate.

[0008] Optionally, in one possible implementation, the plurality of support structures are uniformly disposed on the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate, or the plurality of support structures are non-uniformly disposed on the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate.

[0009] Optionally, in one possible implementation, at least part of the support structure is shaped like a frustum or a pyramid.

[0010] Optionally, in one possible implementation, the end face shape of the first support end of at least part of the support structure is different from the end face shape of the corresponding second support end.

[0011] Optionally, in one possible implementation, the preset optical component includes: a first transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent substrate; a first alignment layer disposed on the side of the first transparent electrode facing the second transparent substrate; a Fresnel lens disposed on the second transparent substrate; a second alignment layer disposed on the side of the Fresnel lens facing the first transparent substrate; a second transparent electrode disposed on the Fresnel lens, the second alignment layer being located between the first alignment layer and the second transparent electrode, the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode being connected via a driving circuit; and a liquid crystal material located between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer.

[0012] Optionally, in one possible implementation, the second transparent electrode is disposed between the Fresnel lens and the second transparent substrate.

[0013] Optionally, in one possible implementation, the second transparent electrode is disposed between the Fresnel lens and the second alignment layer.

[0014] Secondly, this application also provides an optical instrument, including: a bracket and the aforementioned optical device, wherein the bracket is used to fix the optical device.

[0015] The solution provided in this application includes: a first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate; a connector disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, forming a sealed housing connected to the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate; the housing includes a preset optical component, the preset optical component being used to change the deflection angle of a first light ray and a second light ray, the first light ray being incident on the first transparent substrate, and the light ray emitted after passing through the preset optical component and the second transparent substrate being the second light ray; a plurality of support structures for fixing and supporting between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, each support structure having a first support end and a second support end disposed opposite to each other, the cross-sectional area of ​​the support structure decreasing from the first support end to the second support end; the first support end of each support structure being connected to the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end being connected to the second transparent substrate, or the first support end of each support structure being connected to the second transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end being connected to the first transparent substrate.

[0016] The support structure of this application has a first support end and a second support end disposed opposite to each other, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the support structure decreases from the first support end to the second support end. The support structure can provide stable support for the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. When the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate are subjected to external force, they can maintain stability and ensure that the distance between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate remains unchanged, thereby achieving the purpose of precise dynamic focusing.

[0017] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the following description and will be apparent in part from the description or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the written description, claims, and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0018] 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.

[0019] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the optical device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical device provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 3 shows a simplified structural schematic diagram of the optical device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 4 shows a simplified structural schematic diagram of an optical device provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the distribution of the support structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the distribution of the support structure provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the distribution of the support structure provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the support structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of a support structure provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of a support structure provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. First transparent substrate; 2. Second transparent substrate; 3. Connector; 4. Preset optical component; 5. Support structure; 41. First transparent electrode; 42. First alignment layer; 43. Fresnel lens; 44. Second alignment layer; 45. Second transparent electrode; 46. Liquid crystal material; 47. Driving circuit; 51. First support end; 52. Second support end; 53. First support structure; 54. Second support structure. Detailed Implementation

[0030] 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 only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and not all of them. The components of the embodiments of the present application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0031] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. Furthermore, in the description of this application, terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] The human eye can be viewed as an optical lens, with the retina as the image sensor. A healthy human eye can correctly image objects from near-vision distance to infinity, while presbyopia manifests as a decline in the eye's focusing ability, gradually losing the ability to focus on nearby objects. Providing a dynamically zoomable active area on the lens can improve presbyopia symptoms, for example, by using liquid crystal zoom devices. In the manufacturing process of liquid crystal devices, precisely controlling the distance between the two substrates is crucial, as it directly affects the regulation of the liquid crystal state and the realization of specific optical effects. Traditional support structures, such as cylindrical supports, while able to maintain the substrate spacing to some extent, suffer from deformation and insufficient stability during the stacking of multiple flexible materials and the application of pressure.

[0033] Therefore, in this application embodiment, an optical device and optical instrument are provided to solve or partially solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0034] It is important to know that by using liquid crystal materials and electrodes, the refractive index of the liquid crystal material can be adjusted, thereby achieving the purpose of dynamically adjusting the focal length of reading glasses.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 1-4, which show schematic diagrams of the structure of an optical device provided in an embodiment of this application. The device includes:

[0036] First transparent substrate 1.

[0037] Second transparent substrate 2.

[0038] The connector 3 is disposed between the first transparent substrate 1 and the second transparent substrate 2, and is connected to the first transparent substrate 1 and the second transparent substrate 2 to form a sealed housing.

[0039] The housing includes a preset optical component 4, which is used to change the deflection angle of the first light and the second light. The first light is incident on the first transparent substrate 1, and the light emitted after passing through the preset optical component 4 and the second transparent substrate 2 is the second light.

[0040] Multiple support structures 5 are provided for fixing and supporting between the first transparent substrate 1 and the second transparent substrate 2. Each support structure 5 has a first support end 51 and a second support end 52 disposed opposite to each other. The cross-sectional area of ​​the support structure 5 decreases from the first support end 51 to the second support end 52.

[0041] The first support end 51 of each support structure 5 is connected to the first transparent substrate 1 and the corresponding second support end 52 is connected to the second transparent substrate 2, or the first support end 51 of each support structure 5 is connected to the second transparent substrate 2 and the corresponding second support end 52 is connected to the first transparent substrate 1.

[0042] It should be noted that the connector is connected to the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate to form a sealed housing. A preset optical component is provided inside the housing. The preset optical component is used to change the direction of light propagation and can be used to adjust the focal length.

[0043] The first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate are flexible substrates, and the materials can be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), or triacetyl cellulose (TAC), etc.

[0044] Preferably, the thicknesses of the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate are between 1-2000 μm. The connector can be a plastic frame, which bonds the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate together to form a sealed housing, also known as a liquid crystal cell.

[0045] There are multiple support structures between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, and the support structures serve to fix and support the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate.

[0046] It should be noted that the existing support structure of the liquid crystal cell is unstable. When the first or second transparent substrate is subjected to external pressure, the support structure is prone to deformation and collapse, which leads to changes in the thickness of the liquid crystal cell. Changes in the thickness of the liquid crystal cell will result in a decrease in product performance and affect product use.

[0047] The support structure of this application has a first support end and a second support end arranged opposite to each other, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the support structure decreases from the first support end to the second support end. The support structure can provide stable support for the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. When the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate are subjected to external force, they can maintain stability and ensure that the thickness of the liquid crystal cell remains unchanged, thereby achieving the purpose of precise dynamic focusing.

[0048] Furthermore, there are various ways to mount the support structure to the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate.

[0049] In one example, the first support end of each support structure is connected to the first transparent substrate, and the corresponding second support end is connected to the second transparent substrate.

[0050] In another example, please refer to FIG3, the first support end 51 of each support structure 5 is connected to the second transparent substrate 2 and the corresponding second support end 52 is connected to the first transparent substrate 1.

[0051] The support structure of this application has a large bottom dimension and a small top dimension, which can provide more stable support when multiple layers of materials are stacked and pressure is applied, preventing deformation and collapse, thereby achieving more uniform and precise control of liquid crystal cell thickness.

[0052] It should be noted that optical devices can be used for cell thickness control of liquid crystal optical devices, for liquid crystal zoom lenses, and also for display fields such as mobile phones, tablets, and televisions. Among them, liquid crystal zoom lenses can be used for human vision correction and also for optical instruments.

[0053] Another example is shown in Figure 4. The plurality of support structures are divided into a first support structure 53 and a second support structure 54. The first support end 51 of the first support structure 53 is connected to the first transparent substrate 1 and the corresponding second support end 52 is connected to the second transparent substrate 2. The first support end 51 of the second support structure 54 is connected to the second transparent substrate 2 and the corresponding second support end 52 is connected to the first transparent substrate 1.

[0054] It should be noted that the existing support structure is formed by first processing a substrate, and then forming the support structure on the substrate through etching, deposition, filling and other processes. The processing technology is complex and the manufacturing cost is high.

[0055] The support structure of this application is manufactured based on a template, and then the support structure is imprinted onto the substrate based on the template. This not only simplifies the manufacturing process but also reduces manufacturing costs.

[0056] Furthermore, the first support end of each support structure is integrally formed with the first transparent substrate, and the corresponding second support end abuts or is fixedly connected to the second transparent substrate; or, the first support end of each support structure is integrally formed with the second transparent substrate, and the corresponding second support end abuts or is fixedly connected to the first transparent substrate.

[0057] In this way, the first support end of the support structure is integrally formed with the first transparent substrate, or the first support end of the support structure is integrally formed with the second transparent substrate, which can reduce the process steps and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0058] Furthermore, please refer to Figures 5-7. The projection area of ​​the second support end on the reference surface is included in the projection area of ​​the first support end on the reference surface. The reference surface is either the plane where the first transparent substrate is located or the plane where the second transparent substrate is located.

[0059] It should be noted that the support structure of this application is a structure with a large bottom size and a small top size. The support structure can stably support the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. When subjected to external pressure, it will not deform or collapse, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the liquid crystal cell thickness and thus achieving accurate adjustment of the focal length.

[0060] Furthermore, please refer to Figures 5-6, where the plurality of support structures 5 are uniformly disposed on the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate; or, please refer to Figure 7, where the plurality of support structures 5 are not uniformly disposed on the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate.

[0061] Furthermore, at least part of the support structure is shaped like a frustum or a pyramid. See Figure 8, which shows the support structure 5 as a frustum, and Figure 9, which shows the support structure 5 as a pyramid.

[0062] Furthermore, referring to Figure 10, the end face shape of at least part of the first support end of the support structure 5 is different from the end face shape of the corresponding second support end.

[0063] Furthermore, the preset optical component 4 includes a first transparent electrode 41 disposed on the first transparent substrate 1.

[0064] The first alignment layer 42 is disposed on the side of the first transparent electrode 41 facing the second transparent substrate 2.

[0065] A Fresnel lens 43 is disposed on the second transparent substrate 2.

[0066] The second alignment layer 44 is disposed on the side of the Fresnel lens 43 facing the first transparent substrate 1.

[0067] The second transparent electrode 45 is disposed on the Fresnel lens 43, the second alignment layer 44 is located between the first alignment layer 42 and the second transparent electrode 45, and the first transparent electrode 41 and the second transparent electrode 45 are connected through the driving circuit 47.

[0068] Liquid crystal material 46 is located between the first alignment layer 42 and the second alignment layer 44.

[0069] It should be noted that liquid crystal materials exhibit optical anisotropy, and their refractive index varies with the alignment of liquid crystal molecules. Applying an electric field to a liquid crystal material can alter the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules, thereby changing the refractive index. The focal length of a liquid crystal lens can be changed by placing the liquid crystal material between two electrode plates and adjusting the voltage between the plates, thus modifying the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules and the refractive index gradient.

[0070] Furthermore, the focal length of the liquid crystal lens can be adjusted in real time, and the focal length of the liquid crystal material can be adjusted in sections, thus achieving the purpose of dynamic focusing.

[0071] It should be noted that Fresnel lenses can reduce thickness and weight, improve aesthetics and comfort, and provide a wide field of view. The liquid crystal material is positioned between the first and second transparent electrodes. These electrodes need to work in conjunction with an alignment layer to adjust the alignment of the liquid crystal material. The alignment layer is used for the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules. The alignment of the liquid crystal molecules can be set to perpendicular alignment, parallel alignment, antiparallel alignment, 90° twisted parallel alignment, or 270° twisted parallel alignment, etc.

[0072] When it is necessary to adjust the focal length, the voltage between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode can be changed by adjusting the driving circuit, thereby adjusting the focal length of the liquid crystal material.

[0073] It should be noted that liquid crystal material can be filled into the liquid crystal cell using either a drop-in filling method or a vacuum filling method. This process is widely used in the display panel industry.

[0074] In one exemplary embodiment, a first transparent electrode is disposed on a first transparent substrate, and a first alignment layer is disposed on the side of the first transparent electrode facing the second transparent substrate. A second transparent electrode is disposed on the second transparent substrate, a Fresnel lens is disposed on the side of the second transparent electrode facing the first transparent substrate, a second alignment layer is disposed on the side of the Fresnel lens facing the first transparent substrate, and liquid crystal material is located between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer.

[0075] In another exemplary embodiment, referring to Figures 2-3, a first transparent electrode 41 is disposed on the first transparent substrate 1, and a first alignment layer 42 is disposed on the side of the first transparent electrode 41 facing the second transparent substrate 2. A Fresnel lens 43 is disposed on the second transparent substrate 2. A second transparent electrode 45 is disposed on the side of the Fresnel lens 43 facing the first transparent substrate 1, and a second alignment layer 44 is disposed on the side of the second transparent electrode 45 facing the first transparent substrate 1. Liquid crystal material 46 is located between the first alignment layer 42 and the second alignment layer 44.

[0076] The optical device of this application provides better stability, reduces the risk of deformation and collapse, and keeps the thickness of the liquid crystal cell uniform.

[0077] This application also proposes an optical instrument, comprising: a bracket and the aforementioned optical device, wherein the bracket is used to fix the optical device.

[0078] It should be noted that different optical devices can be selected according to actual needs, and the optical devices can be set in the lens. The focal length of the optical device is adjusted by the drive circuit.

[0079] One example is that the optical device can be directly used as eyeglass lenses, the support as an eyeglass frame, and the optical instrument as reading glasses. It should be noted that the optical instrument can also be other optical devices with dynamic focusing requirements.

[0080] 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 optical device, characterized in that, include: First transparent substrate; Second transparent substrate; A connector is disposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, and is connected to the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate to form a sealed housing; The housing includes a preset optical component, which is used to change the deflection angle of the first light ray and the second light ray. The first light ray is incident on the first transparent substrate, and the light ray emitted after passing through the preset optical component and the second transparent substrate is the second light ray. Multiple support structures are provided for fixing and supporting between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. Each support structure has a first support end and a second support end disposed opposite to each other. The cross-sectional area of ​​the support structure decreases from the first support end to the second support end. The first support end of each support structure is connected to the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the second transparent substrate, or the first support end of each support structure is connected to the second transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the first transparent substrate.

2. The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The plurality of support structures are divided into a first support structure and a second support structure. The first support end of the first support structure is connected to the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the second transparent substrate. The first support end of the second support structure is connected to the second transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is connected to the first transparent substrate.

3. The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The first support end of each support structure is integrally formed with the first transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is abutted or fixedly connected to the second transparent substrate, or the first support end of each support structure is integrally formed with the second transparent substrate and the corresponding second support end is abutted or fixedly connected to the first transparent substrate.

4. The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The projection area of ​​the second support end on the reference surface is included in the projection area of ​​the first support end on the reference surface, wherein the reference surface is the plane where the first transparent substrate is located or the plane where the second transparent substrate is located.

5. The optical device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The plurality of support structures are uniformly disposed on the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate, or the plurality of support structures are non-uniformly disposed on the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate.

6. The optical device according to claim 4, characterized in that, At least a portion of the supporting structure is shaped like a frustum or a pyramid.

7. The optical device according to claim 4, characterized in that, At least part of the support structure has a different end face shape for the first support end than for the corresponding second support end.

8. The optical device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The preset optical components include: A first transparent electrode is disposed on the first transparent substrate; A first alignment layer is disposed on the side of the first transparent electrode facing the second transparent substrate; A Fresnel lens is disposed on the second transparent substrate; The second alignment layer is disposed on the side of the Fresnel lens facing the first transparent substrate; A second transparent electrode is disposed on the Fresnel lens, and a second alignment layer is located between the first alignment layer and the second transparent electrode. The first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode are connected through a driving circuit. Liquid crystal material is located between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer.

9. The optical device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second transparent electrode is disposed between the Fresnel lens and the second transparent substrate.

10. The optical device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second transparent electrode is disposed between the Fresnel lens and the second alignment layer.

11. An optical instrument, characterized in that, include: The bracket and the optical device according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the bracket is used to fix the optical device.

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