Folded Optical Path for Thin VR Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VR and AR display technologies face challenges in achieving ultra-thin, lightweight, and high-image-quality displays with reduced eye fatigue and convergence conflicts.
Innovation Solution
The optical display system incorporates a display screen, first and second light splitting units, a phase modulation unit, and imaging units to convert and modulate polarized light, enabling multiple focal lengths and a folded optical path for thinness and short focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a traditional optical path is used in VR/AR displays, then the display can achieve basic imaging function, but the device thickness and weight increase, and eye fatigue and convergence conflicts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a folded optical path design where light reflects multiple times between the first and second imaging units at different angles, transitioning from a linear optical path to a multi-dimensional folded path. This enables the light to traverse a longer effective path length within a compact physical space, achieving both thinness and extended focus range without increasing device thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The phase modulation unit dynamically adjusts the phase of light to convert between first-type and second-type polarized light, enabling the system to switch between different focal lengths. This dynamic control allows the display to present images at multiple focal planes, reducing convergence conflicts and eye fatigue while maintaining a compact structure
2Reliability
If multiple focal lengths are implemented to reduce eye fatigue, then convergence conflicts are minimized, but the optical system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phase modulation unit serves multiple functions: it converts between different polarized light types, controls the focal length of the display, and manages the optical path folding. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent achieves multiple focal lengths without proportionally increasing the number of separate optical components, thus controlling overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of the first and second imaging units into a single integrated optical path that serves dual purposes: the first imaging unit captures light from the display screen while the second imaging unit redirects it through the folded path. This merging of imaging functions into a unified optical flow reduces the need for separate, independent optical systems, thereby reducing overall complexity while enabling multi-focal length operation
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 solution achieves ultra-thin and lightweight displays with improved image quality, reduced eye fatigue, and minimized convergence conflicts, enhancing user experience in VR and AR applications.
Implementation Method 1
the first light splitting unit is configured to a transmit first-type polarized light and block a second-type polarized light, and light emitted from the display screen is converted into the first-type polarized light after passing through the first light splitting unit
Implementation Method 2
the first imaging unit comprises a light splitting film disposed at a light-incident surface of the first imaging unit, and the light splitting film is capable of transmitting and reflecting light
Implementation Method 3
the phase modulation unit is configured to modulate a phase of light, to realize mutual conversion between the first-type polarized light and the second-type polarized light
Implementation Method 4
the second light splitting unit is configured to transmit the first-type polarized light and reflect the second-type polarized light
Implementation Method 5
the first imaging unit further comprises a first lens, the light splitting film is disposed at a light-incident surface of the first lens; and the second imaging unit comprises a second lens
Data Source
AI summary
An optical display system, a control method, and a display device, relates to the field of display technology. The optical display system comprises a display screen a first light splitting unit disposed at a display side of the display screen; a first imaging unit comprising a light splitting film disposed at a light-incident surface of the first imaging unit; a second light splitting unit disposed at a light emission side of the first imaging unit; a phase modulation unit disposed at least in a light path from the first imaging unit to the second light splitting unit; wherein, the first-type polarized light transmitted from the first light splitting unit is transmitted from a light emission side of the second light splitting unit, after being turned back multiple times between the first imaging unit and the second light splitting unit.