Bi-Cylindrical Piezoelectric Liquid Lens for Low-Distortion Focus Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid lenses for head-mounted display devices face challenges in maintaining a spherical shape at different settings, requiring complex actuation systems and high power consumption, and are prone to irregularities that affect consistent performance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid lens with flexible transparent piezoelectric layers on both sides of a fluid, deformed cylindrically along different axes, achieving higher optical power with less distortion and lower power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If complex actuation systems are used to maintain spherical shape at different settings, then lens shape stability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is segmented into multiple independent cylindrical zones with different optical powers arranged in a specific pattern. This segmentation allows the lens to maintain shape stability through geometric configuration rather than complex actuation, as each zone independently contributes to the overall spherical equivalent effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cylindrical curvatures arranged in specific patterns to achieve a spherical equivalent optical effect. By combining cylindrical zones oriented at different angles, the system creates a net spherical focusing effect without requiring the lens to actually be spherical, simplifying the actuation requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If complex actuation systems are used to maintain spherical shape, then lens shape stability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens incorporates variable optical power through dynamic adjustment of cylindrical zone configurations. By selectively actuating different cylindrical zones or adjusting their individual powers, the system can change the overall optical prescription without requiring complete reconfiguration, reducing power consumption compared to maintaining a fixed spherical shape through complex continuous actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by adjusting the power and configuration of individual cylindrical zones rather than maintaining a fixed spherical parameter. This allows the lens to adapt to different presbyopic conditions by modifying zone-specific parameters, achieving shape stability through parameter optimization rather than complex global actuation.
3Ease of manufacture
If single-axis cylindrical deformation is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but optical performance and versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into multiple cylindrical segments that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. Each segment can be produced using standard cylindrical deformation techniques, maintaining manufacturing simplicity, while the combination of segments provides versatile optical correction capabilities for different astigmatic and presbyopic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical zone lens serves multiple optical functions simultaneously - it can correct astigmatism through the cylindrical zones while also providing presbyopic correction through the variable power configuration. The same basic cylindrical structure achieves multiple optical goals, increasing versatility without requiring completely different lens types for different conditions.
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 bi-cylindrical piezoelectric actuated lens achieves higher optical power up to 30 diopters with reduced mechanical instability and lower voltage requirements, improving performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Bi-cylindrical piezoelectric actuated lens with flexible transparent piezoelectric layers on both sides of a fluid, where the layers are deformed cylindrically along different axes
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid lens with flexible transparent active layers on both sides of a fluid is transformed along two distinct deformation axes. The flexible transparent active layers include piezoelectric materials that actuate the lens in response to applied voltage(s). The piezoelectric properties and actuation mechanism of the transparent layers are arranged to deform the lens cylindrically along different axes resulting in a net spherical deformation or a combination of spherical and cylindrical deformation with substantially less distortion than spherically deforming layers. The piezoelectric active layers may be polymer or ceramic with isotropic or anisotropic mechanical stiffness. Alternatively, a pair of transparent, internal layers are positioned between the front and rear surfaces. The active layers, front and/or rear, are dual layers affixed together with an adhesive or single layers.