AR Optical Engine Component With Nested Polarized Light Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Augmented reality devices face challenges in achieving a large angle of view while maintaining a compact size due to the limitations imposed by the size of conventional lens systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of a polarization splitting subsystem combined with a single lens group and a reflection surface allows for a round trip of polarized light through the lens group, effectively doubling the number of lenses traversed, thereby enhancing the angle of view while reducing the overall size of the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the size of AR glasses is increased, then the angle of view is improved, but the device size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested optical path where light passes through the lens group multiple times in sequence. The first lens group is positioned such that light from the first image source passes through it, reflects off the first reflection surface, passes through the lens group again, and then reaches the polarization splitting subsystem. This nesting of optical paths allows the system to achieve a large angle of view (50-80 degrees) while maintaining a compact device size by effectively utilizing the available space through repeated light path traversal.
2Ease of operation
If multiple lens groups are used to increase angle of view, then the angle of view is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single lens group that serves multiple functions: it acts as the primary focusing element for the first image source, serves as the secondary focusing element for the second image source, and provides optical path nesting to enable large angle of view. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate lens groups needed while achieving the desired optical performance, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path is designed so that light passes through the lens group periodically - first time for the first image source, then again after reflection from the first reflection surface for the second image source. This periodic traversal of the same lens group multiple times allows the system to achieve the optical equivalent of having multiple lens groups without actually incorporating multiple separate lens groups, thus reducing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If light passes through more lenses, then the angle of view is improved, but light loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a nested optical configuration where the lens group is positioned to receive light from the first image source, reflect it off the first reflection surface, and then have it pass through the lens group again for the second image source. This nesting allows the light path to be reused, reducing the total number of times light must pass through separate lens groups compared to traditional multi-lens designs, thereby reducing cumulative light loss while achieving large angle of view.
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
This configuration ensures a larger angle of view while minimizing the device's size, improving image quality by reducing distortion and light loss, and allowing for binocular imaging with shared components.
Implementation Method 1
The polarization splitting subsystem is configured to reflect first polarized light in the incident natural light
Implementation Method 2
The first image source is configured to convert (for example, through reflection) the incident first polarized light into second polarized light
Implementation Method 3
The polarization splitting subsystem is further configured to transport (for example, through reflection, transmission, or refraction) the second polarized light to the first optical subsystem
Implementation Method 4
The second polarized light is transmitted through the first lens group and enters the first quarter-wave plate
Implementation Method 5
The second polarized light is transmitted through the first lens group and enters the first quarter-wave plate, and then is transported through the first quarter-wave plate to the first reflection surface
Implementation Method 6
after being reflected by the first reflection surface, the reflected polarized light enters the first quarter-wave plate
Implementation Method 7
The first combination subsystem is configured to combine the incident first polarized light and incident first external ambient light, and combined light is imaged into an eye
Data Source
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AI summary
An augmented reality apparatus and method, and an optical engine component are provided. The apparatus includes a light-emitting light source, a polarization splitting subsystem, a first image source, a first optical subsystem, and a first combination subsystem. The first optical subsystem includes a first lens group, a first quarter-wave plate, and a first reflection surface. An optical path of the first optical subsystem includes: Second polarized light is transmitted through the first lens group and enters the first quarter-wave plate, and then is transported through the first quarter-wave plate to the first reflection surface; after being reflected by the first reflection surface, the reflected polarized light enters the first quarter-wave plate, and is transported through the first quarter-wave plate to the first lens group; and first polarized light transported through the first quarter-wave plate is transmitted by the first lens group to the polarization splitting subsystem. The first combination subsystem is configured to combine the received first polarized light and received external ambient light, and combined light is imaged into an eye. The technical solutions of this application can not only effectively expand a field of view, but also reduce a size of the entire augmented reality apparatus.