Diffractive Element for AR Waveguide Collimation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projection devices for augmented reality (AR) face challenges in achieving high optical resolution and low power consumption while minimizing the number of optical elements and installation space, particularly in AR goggles where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a light source, a microscanner, a waveguide, and a diffractive element, where the diffractive element is mounted on or within the waveguide to collimate, deflect, and shape the light bundle without the need for additional optical elements, thereby reducing installation space and increasing optical resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional optical elements (collimating elements, cylindrical lenses, light guides) are used to shape and collimate the light bundle, then the optical resolution and beam quality are improved, but the installation space and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (collimation, beam shaping, deflection) into a single diffractive optical element (DOE). The DOE integrates what would traditionally require separate collimating elements, cylindrical lenses, and light guides, thereby reducing the number of components and minimizing installation space while maintaining high optical resolution through diffraction-based beam control
Solution Approach 2:
The diffractive optical element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it collimates the divergent light from the edge emitter, shapes the beam profile, and directs it toward the MEMS scanner. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate optical components, reducing both device complexity and installation space while achieving the required optical quality
2Measurement precision
If multiple optical elements are integrated to achieve high optical resolution, then the image quality is improved, but the number of component parts and adjustment effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete optical elements into a single integrated diffractive optical element. Instead of using separate collimating elements, cylindrical lenses, and light guides, the DOE performs all these functions in one component, thereby reducing the number of parts and simplifying assembly while maintaining high optical resolution through precision diffraction patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The diffractive optical element is designed to perform multiple optical functions simultaneously - collimation, beam shaping, and directional control - that would traditionally require multiple specialized components. This universal approach reduces device complexity and minimizes adjustment effort during assembly while achieving the required optical performance
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 enables high-resolution image generation and display on an observation field with low power consumption, using fewer optical elements and minimizing installation space, thus addressing the limitations of existing AR projection devices.
Implementation Method 1
a diffractive element which is arranged on or in the waveguide in such a way that the at least one light bundle emitted by the at least one light source is transmitted through the diffractive element before it reaches the microscanner
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide which is arranged in a beam path of the at least one light bundle between the at least one light source and the microscanner
Data Source
AI summary
A device for generating and displaying an image on an observation field provided for overlaying information and images, including at least one light source for emitting at least one divergent light bundle, a microscanner for variable deflection of the at least one light bundle in a direction of the observation field, wherein the microscanner has at least one axis of rotation for a rotational oscillating movement for deflecting the light bundle, a waveguide which is arranged in a beam path of the light bundle between the light source and the microscanner, a diffractive element which is arranged on or in the waveguide in such a way that the light bundle emitted by the at least one light source is transmitted through the diffractive element before it reaches the microscanner, and a light bundle deflected by the microscanner is coupled into the waveguide through the diffractive element.