Ultrathin Eyepiece Optical System for VR Headsets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing VR head-mounted display devices with larger screens require eyepiece optical systems with long axial distances, which fail to meet the demands for lighter and thinner devices.

Innovation Solution

An ultrathin eyepiece optical system is achieved using a positive lens and a negative lens arranged sequentially and coaxially, where the light incident surface of the positive lens is a planar Fresnel surface and the light emergent surface is a convex surface, and the light incident surface of the negative lens is a concave surface with a convex emergent surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a larger display screen (2-5 inches) is used in VR head-mounted display devices, then the display area and visual field are improved, but the axial distance of the eyepiece optical system increases, making the device thicker and heavier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidaxial distance of eyepiece
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The eyepiece optical system is divided into multiple lens elements (first lens element, second lens element, third lens element) arranged in sequence. Each lens element has specific optical properties that collectively achieve the desired optical effect while reducing the overall axial distance. The segmentation allows complex optical functions to be distributed across multiple simpler components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for each lens element including focal lengths (f1, f2, f3), curvature radii (r1, r2, r3, r4, r5, r6), and thickness values (d1, d2, d3, d4). By optimizing these parameters within defined ranges, the optical system achieves compact design with reduced axial distance while maintaining compatibility with larger display screens and correcting optical aberrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional eyepiece optical systems are used with larger display screens, then the optical performance is maintained, but the device weight and thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical performanceVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines specific parameter ranges for lens elements including focal lengths, curvature radii, and thickness values. By optimizing these parameters, the optical system maintains good imaging performance and aberration correction while significantly reducing the axial distance and overall weight of the eyepiece assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The eyepiece optical system uses multiple lens elements with different optical properties (positive and negative focal lengths) combined in a specific configuration. This composite approach allows the system to achieve superior optical performance through aberration correction while keeping each individual lens element compact and lightweight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Length of stationary object

If the axial distance of the eyepiece is reduced for lighter and thinner devices, then device portability is improved, but it becomes difficult to accommodate larger display screens and maintain optical performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeyepiece thicknessVSAvoiddisplay screen size
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The optical system is segmented into multiple lens elements with specific functions. The first lens element (positive focal length), second lens element (negative focal length), and third lens element (positive focal length) work together to achieve compact design. This segmentation allows the system to reduce axial distance while maintaining compatibility with larger display screens by distributing optical functions across multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies optimized parameter ranges for each lens element including focal lengths, curvature radii, and spacing distances. These parameter changes enable the eyepiece to achieve ultrathin design with reduced axial distance while maintaining the ability to accommodate larger display screens and preserve optical performance through precise optical design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If simpler lens structures are used to reduce thickness, then manufacturing ease and cost are improved, but optical performance and aberration correction may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens manufacturingVSAvoidoptical performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The eyepiece uses a composite optical system with multiple lens elements having different focal lengths and optical properties. The first lens element (positive focal length), second lens element (negative focal length), and third lens element (positive focal length) are combined to achieve aberration correction. This composite structure maintains good optical performance while keeping the design relatively simple and manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent defines specific parameter ranges for each lens element that balance manufacturing feasibility with optical performance. By specifying reasonable ranges for focal lengths, curvature radii, and thickness values, the design achieves good optical performance and aberration correction while remaining practical for manufacturing with standard processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reduces the thickness of the lenses, enabling a miniaturized and lighter head-mounted display device while maintaining good optical performance and correcting aberrations.

Implementation Method 1

a light incident surface of the positive lens is a planar Fresnel surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFresnel lens: Fresnel Lens

Implementation Method 2

the light to be observed is incident on the light incident surface of the negative lens, and is refracted by the negative lens to the light incident surface of the positive lens and emitted by the positive lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

the light incident surface of the negative lens is a concave surface, and the light emergent surface of the negative lens is a convex surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3702824B1Head mounted display device with eyepiece
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 GOERTEK OPTICAL TECH CO LTD
  • EP3702824B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3702824B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~2A
  • EP3702824B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3

AI summary

There are provided in the present disclosure an eyepiece and a head-mounted display device, where the eyepiece includes: a positive lens and a negative lens arranged sequentially and coaxially; where a light incident surface of the positive lens is a planar Fresnel surface, and a light emergent surface of the positive lens is a convex surface; a light incident surface of the negative lens is a concave surface, and a light emergent surface of the negative lens is a convex surface; and the light to be observed is incident on the light incident surface of the negative lens and refracted by the negative lens to the light incident surface of the positive lens, and enters human eyes after being refracted by the positive lens. The eyepiece and head-mounted display device provided by the present disclosure realize an ultrathin eyepiece optical system and facilitate a miniaturized and lighter head-mounted display device.