AR Display Beam Splitting Module Using Polymer Films
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Solution Overview
Problem
Augmented reality (AR) display devices with birdbath optical designs face issues of poor luminous flux efficiency and secondary reflection imaging (ghost images) due to the use of fragile and costly glass materials, while also having a limited field of view and high manufacturing difficulties.
Innovation Solution
An AR display device incorporating a relay lens set and a beam splitting module composed of a polarizer, brightness enhancement film, and phase retardation film, which together improve luminous flux efficiency and reduce ghost images, while allowing for a larger field of view and lower production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If glass materials (band-pass polarization beam splitters and achromatic wave plates) are used to improve image quality, then image quality is improved, but production cost increases and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from glass to polymer, specifically using a polymer phase retardation film instead of glass achromatic wave plates. This parameter change maintains the optical function while improving ease of manufacture and reducing cost, as polymer materials are more flexible and easier to process than glass materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures in the beam splitting module, combining polarizer, brightness enhancement film, and phase retardation film layers. This composite approach allows optimization of each layer's properties and achieves the desired optical performance with improved manufacturability compared to single glass components.
2Manufacturing precision
If glass materials (band-pass polarization beam splitters and achromatic wave plates) are used to improve image quality, then image quality is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from glass to polymer, specifically using a polymer phase retardation film instead of glass achromatic wave plates. This parameter change maintains the optical function while improving ease of manufacture and reducing cost, as polymer materials are more flexible and easier to process than glass materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive glass materials with cheaper polymer materials that can be more easily manufactured and disposed of if needed. The polymer phase retardation film and other polymer components reduce production cost while maintaining the necessary optical performance for the application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a larger display is used to increase field of view, then field of view increases, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a curved mirror instead of a flat mirror in the optical path. The curved surface allows the light to be reflected and redirected more efficiently, enabling a larger field of view to be achieved with a compact display size. The curvature optimizes the light path geometry to maximize viewing angle while minimizing the physical footprint of the display device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a three-dimensional optical path design with the curved mirror and multiple reflection points, transforming the two-dimensional display surface into a three-dimensional light distribution pattern. This allows the field of view to extend in multiple directions without proportionally increasing the display area, effectively utilizing spatial dimensions to expand viewing coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the field of view and resolution of the optical system, improves luminous flux efficiency, and reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, maintaining image quality and eliminating ghost images.
Implementation Method 1
The beam splitting module includes a polarizer, a brightness enhancement film, and a phase retardation film stacked together
Implementation Method 2
a phase retardation film stacked together in sequence from a side adjacent to the pupil to a side adjacent to the curved mirror
Implementation Method 3
The curved mirror is configured to reflect the image beam from the beam splitting module back to the beam splitting module
Implementation Method 4
The relay lens set is disposed on a path of the image beam
Data Source
AI summary
An augmented reality display device configured to be disposed on a head of a user includes a display, a relay lens set, a beam splitting module, and a curved mirror. The display is configured to emit an image beam. The relay lens set is disposed on a path of the image beam. The beam splitting module is disposed on a path of the image beam from the relay lens set. The curved mirror is configured to reflect the image beam from the beam splitting module back to the beam splitting module. The image beam reflected by the curved mirror penetrates through the beam splitting module and is then transmitted to a pupil of the user. The beam splitting module includes a polarizer, a brightness enhancement film, and a phase retardation film stacked together in sequence from a side adjacent to the pupil to a side adjacent to the curved mirror.