Flat Combiner for Miniaturized AR Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The demand for miniaturization of light projectors in augmented reality (AR) devices is increasing, but existing optical structures, such as lens modules, pose challenges in manufacturing and assembly, particularly due to the difficulty in achieving exact size and alignment of optical lenses.
Innovation Solution
An augmented reality device is designed with a flat combiner featuring a plurality of optical combining units with phase modulators, including nanostructures that modulate light beams by different wavelengths and incident angles, and an optical system with beam expanding units to expand the irradiation area of light, allowing for miniaturization while maintaining effective image combination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a lens module is used in the combiner, then the optical image combining function is achieved, but the device size increases and manufacturing precision becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lens module from the combiner structure, extracting the problematic optical component that caused size and manufacturing issues. The combiner is redesigned as a flat plate with reflective and transmissive regions, eliminating the need for complex lens assembly while maintaining the AR display function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical lens system with an optical surface-based solution. Instead of using a lens module with complex curvature and alignment requirements, the invention uses a flat combiner with specifically designed reflective and transmissive regions to achieve the same optical function through surface geometry rather than volumetric lens design.
2Reliability
If a lens module is used to combine virtual and actual images, then image combining function is achieved, but assembly and alignment become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lens module is completely removed from the system, eliminating the assembly and alignment difficulties associated with optical lens installation. The flat combiner structure requires no complex alignment procedures since it is a simple planar component with defined reflective and transmissive zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The combiner is divided into distinct functional regions: a first region for reflecting virtual images and a second region for transmitting actual images. This segmentation allows each region to be independently optimized and manufactured, simplifying the overall assembly process compared to a monolithic lens module.
3Volume of moving object
If a flat combiner without lens module is used, then device size is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but optical beam expansion and collimation become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses beam expansion and collimation by utilizing the angular dimension of light propagation rather than requiring additional optical components. The reflective and transmissive regions are positioned and oriented at specific angles to naturally expand and collimate beams through geometric optics, eliminating the need for separate beam shaping components.
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 the miniaturization of AR devices by efficiently collimating and expanding light beams, facilitating the combination of virtual and actual images, thereby enhancing the user experience with improved image recognition and alignment.
Implementation Method 1
the first area reflects a plurality of beams constituting the first image at different reflection angles according to wavelengths and incident angles and transfers the reflected plurality of beams to a predetermined viewer position
Implementation Method 2
the second area transmits a beam of a second image received from outside and transfers the beam of the second image to the predetermined viewer position
Implementation Method 3
an optical system positioned between the light source and the display device, and configured to expand an irradiation area of the light incident from the light source and transfer the light to the display device
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of phase modulators configured to reflect different wavelengths of the plurality of beams
Data Source
AI summary
An augmented reality device may include: a light source; a display device comprising a plurality of pixels and configured to generate a first image based on light incident from the light source; and an optical combiner comprising a plurality of optical combining units each including a first area and a second area, wherein the first area reflects a plurality of beams constituting the first image at different reflection angles according to wavelengths and incident angles and transfers the reflected plurality of beams to a predetermined viewer position, and the second area transmits a beam of a second image received from outside and transfers the beam of the second image to the predetermined viewer position.