Eyepiece Edge Sealant Application for Optical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical devices, such as eyepieces, face challenges in preventing light leakage and maintaining structural integrity due to inadequate sealing of their multiple layers, leading to optical defects like degraded contrast.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that measures the perimeter of an eyepiece with multiple layers, applies an edge sealant based on the measurement, and cures it using ultraviolet light to control wicking between layers, ensuring consistent and precise application to prevent light leakage and maintain structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If edge sealant is applied to prevent light leakage, then optical performance is improved, but sealant wicking between layers causes manufacturing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies edge sealant to the eyepiece edge before final assembly, allowing controlled wicking to occur during a predetermined time period while the sealant is still pliable. This preliminary action ensures the sealant penetrates sufficient depth to prevent light leakage while stopping before causing manufacturing defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the amount of sealant applied and the wicking depth are monitored and adjusted based on measured results. This closed-loop control ensures consistent sealant penetration depth across production batches, preventing both insufficient sealing and excessive wicking.
2Manufacturing precision
If perimeter measurement is performed on multi-layer eyepiece, then sealant application precision is improved, but measurement and application process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual perimeter measurement and sealant application with an automated apparatus that uses optical or mechanical sensors to measure the eyepiece perimeter and then automatically applies the sealant. This automation maintains high precision while significantly reducing the time required for the measurement and application cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a continuous process where the eyepiece is measured, positioned, and sealed in a single uninterrupted operation. The apparatus transitions seamlessly from perimeter detection to sealant application without removing or repositioning the eyepiece, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productive action.
3Strength
If edge sealant is applied to maintain structural integrity, then mechanical strength is improved, but excessive wicking degrades optical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies edge sealant with spatially varying properties - the sealant composition and application parameters are optimized for different locations on the eyepiece edge. This ensures sufficient penetration depth to maintain structural integrity in critical areas while limiting wicking in regions where optical performance could be degraded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the physical and chemical parameters of the edge sealant, including viscosity, penetration depth, and curing characteristics. By adjusting these parameters, the sealant achieves optimal balance between providing structural strength through adequate penetration and preventing excessive wicking that would compromise 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 effectively reduces light leakage and maintains the optical performance of eyepieces by ensuring precise application and controlled curing of the edge sealant, preventing optical defects and ensuring mechanical strength.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing mechanism comprising a bearing and a spring that allows the bearing to move in a transverse direction while the bearing is rotating, and that causes the bearing to maintain contact with an edge of the eyepiece
Implementation Method 2
a curing component that cures the edge sealant... the curing components includes multiple ultraviolet (UV) light sources that direct UV light toward the edge sealant
Implementation Method 3
a bearing mechanism comprising a bearing and a spring that allows the bearing to move in a transverse direction while the bearing is rotating
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for applying an edge sealant to the edge of a multi-layer optical device. In particular, embodiments provide an apparatus that performs a precision measurement of the perimeter of an eyepiece, applying the edge sealant (e.g., polymer) based on the precision-measured perimeter, and subsequently cures the edge sealant, using ultraviolet (UV) light that is directed at the edge sealant. The curing process may be performed within a short time following the application of the edge sealant, to ensure that any wicking of the edge sealant between the layers of the eyepiece is controlled to be no greater than a particular depth tolerance. In some examples, the edge sealant is applied to the optical device prevent, or at least reduce, the leakage of light from the optical device, and also to ensure and maintain the structure of the multi-layer optical device.