Asymmetric Prism Optical System with Internal Reflection Medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prism optical systems for image display devices face limitations in flexibility and compactness, leading to discomfort and reduced visibility due to size and weight constraints, while also requiring special coatings for reflection, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A prism optical system with rotationally asymmetric surfaces and a medium of refractive index greater than 1, allowing for five internal reflections and forming an intermediate image inside and outside the prism, enabling compact construction, reduced weight, and high reflectivity without the need for special coatings, while allowing for flexible control of optical path length and angle of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional prism optical systems use special coatings for reflection, then reflectivity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/optical coating system with a photonic crystal structure. Instead of applying reflective coatings to prism surfaces, the invention uses a photonic crystal coupled to the prism that provides the necessary reflection through its periodic structure, eliminating the need for special reflective coatings and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the prism material with a photonic crystal structure to create a composite optical system. The photonic crystal, with its periodic dielectric structure, works in conjunction with the prism to achieve the desired optical functionality without requiring additional coatings on the prism surfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional prism optical systems use multiple reflecting surfaces, then optical path control is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the photonic crystal structure directly onto or within the prism, creating a nested configuration where the photonic crystal is coupled to the prism surface. This nesting allows the system to achieve complex optical path control in a compact form factor, reducing the overall size and weight compared to conventional multi-surface prism designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimension to optical path control by introducing the photonic crystal's periodic structure in the transverse direction. This periodic structure provides additional degrees of freedom for controlling light propagation without requiring additional prism surfaces or increasing the prism's physical dimensions.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional prism optical systems increase prism size for better visibility, then image quality is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by introducing the photonic crystal structure, which has a periodic refractive index profile. This parameter change enables the system to achieve high image visibility and brightness in a compact prism, improving user comfort by reducing size and weight while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical approach of increasing prism size with a photonic structure that provides enhanced optical control in a compact form. The photonic crystal's periodic structure manipulates light at the nanoscale, allowing high visibility without increasing the macroscopic prism dimensions that would burden the user.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional prism optical systems use decentered optical surfaces, then optical path flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric decentered optical surfaces in the prism design, which provide flexible optical path control. The asymmetric configuration allows for tailored light propagation paths while the photonic crystal structure compensates for alignment sensitivities, maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the need for extremely precise mechanical alignment of decentered surfaces with a photonic crystal structure that provides robust optical control. The photonic crystal's periodic structure is less sensitive to minor misalignments, reducing the manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining optical path flexibility.
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 provides a compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient prism optical system that can project enlarged virtual images with high visibility and flexibility in shape, reducing discomfort and costs by eliminating the need for special coatings and allowing for see-through viewing without blind spots.
Implementation Method 1
at least one internal reflection off at least one surface of said entrance or exit surface is total reflection
Implementation Method 2
a space formed by at least two optical surfaces mutually decentered with respect to an axial chief ray of an incident light beam is filled up with a medium having a refractive index of greater than 1
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a prism optical system includes a prism in which a space formed by at least two optical surfaces mutually decentered with respect to an axial chief ray of an incident light beam is filled up with a medium having a refractive index of greater than 1. At least two optical surfaces are rotationally asymmetric surfaces, five internal reflections take place inside the prism, and there is an intermediate image formed inside the prism, which image is in turn formed outside the prism.