Folded Four-Lens Optical Layout for Clearer VR Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catadioptric optical systems for virtual reality devices typically employ two lenses, resulting in blurry images and poor imaging quality due to their design.
Innovation Solution
An optical system comprising four lenses, including a first lens with positive refractive power, a second lens with positive refractive power, a third lens with negative refractive power, and a fourth lens with positive or negative refractive power, along with reflective and quarter-wave plates, to optimize focal lengths and curvatures, reducing physical length and improving imaging quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If two lenses are employed in the catadioptric optical system, then the physical length is shortened by folding the optical path, but the imaging quality becomes blurry and poor
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple lens components (first lens, second lens, third lens, fourth lens) with different refractive powers and surface configurations. Each lens segment performs specific optical functions to collectively improve imaging quality while maintaining a compact folded optical path structure
Solution Approach 2:
Different lens surfaces are designed with specific local properties: the first lens has a convex first side surface and concave second side surface, the second lens has a plane first side surface and convex second side surface, the third lens has a concave first side surface, and the fourth lens has a plane second side surface. These localized surface quality variations optimize light propagation and image formation at different stages
2Manufacturing precision
If four lenses are employed in the optical system, then the imaging quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical functions are merged into an integrated catadioptric system combining refractive elements (lenses) with reflective elements. The four lenses are combined in a specific configuration with defined spacing relationships, reducing the need for separate optical components and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high imaging quality
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 system enhances imaging clarity and accuracy, provides a wider field of view, and reduces distortion and aberration, improving user experience in virtual and augmented reality applications.
Implementation Method 1
the optical system further comprises: a first quarter-wave plate, a reflective polarizing element, a partially reflective element, a second quarter-wave plate, and a polarizer; the first quarter-wave plate is arranged on the first side surface of the second lens; the reflective polarizing element is arranged on the first side surface of the first quarter-wave plate; the partially reflective element is arranged on the second side surface of the third lens; the second quarter-wave plate is arranged on the second side surface of the fourth lens
Implementation Method 2
the reflective polarizing element is arranged on the first side surface of the first quarter-wave plate
Implementation Method 3
a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, and a fourth lens; wherein the first lens has positive refractive power, and its first side surface is a convex surface and its second side surface is a concave surface; the second lens has positive refractive power, and its first side surface is a plane and its second side surface is a convex surface; the third lens has negative refractive power, and its first side surface is a concave surface; the fourth lens has refractive power, and its second side surface is a plane
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system is disclosed, which sequentially comprises along an optical axis from a first side to a second side: a first lens, a reflective polarizing element, a first quarter-wave plate, a second lens, a third lens, a partially reflective element, a fourth lens, a second quarter-wave plate, and a polarizer; wherein the first lens has positive refractive power, and its first side surface is a convex surface and its second side surface is a concave surface; the second lens has positive refractive power, and its first side surface is a plane and its second side surface is a convex surface; the third lens has negative refractive power, and its first side surface is a concave surface; the second side surface of the fourth lens is a plane; wherein the number of lenses with refractive power in the optical system is four, and it is satisfied: 0.4<fz1/|R1+R4|<1.2.