Free-Form Beam Splitter Layout for Compact AR Virtual Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual image display systems suffer from optical aberrations such as wavelength dispersion and increased size and mass due to the use of refractive materials, which hinder the development of compact and lightweight wearable AR devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of free-form curved surfaces separated by free space in beam-splitting elements, along with a field corrector lens, to redirect light and reduce optical aberrations, allowing for a more compact and lightweight design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional optical elements are used in AR displays, then the system can generate and redirect AR images, but optical aberrations and wavelength dispersion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs free-form curved surfaces on beam splitters instead of traditional flat or simple spherical surfaces. These complex curved surfaces are specifically designed to correct optical aberrations and minimize wavelength dispersion, directly addressing the harmful optical effects while maintaining image redirection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the optical system by using multiple beam splitters with different curvature radii and surface profiles. By adjusting these geometric parameters and the spacing between elements, the system optimizes aberration correction while achieving compact form factor
2Reliability
If multiple optical elements are used to correct aberrations, then optical performance improves, but device size and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the beam splitter elements themselves. The beam splitters simultaneously perform light redirection, aberration correction, and wavelength dispersion minimization through their integrated free-form curved surfaces, eliminating the need for separate correction lenses and reducing overall device mass
Solution Approach 2:
The optical elements are arranged in a compact nested configuration where beam splitters are positioned close to each other with optimized spacing. This nesting approach allows multiple optical functions to be achieved within a minimal volume, reducing device size while maintaining performance
3Volume of moving object
If optical elements are placed close together to reduce size, then device compactness improves, but optical aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The free-form curved surfaces are specifically designed with optimized curvature radii that allow the beam splitters to be positioned close together while still effectively correcting optical aberrations. The complex surface profiles compensate for the reduced spacing, maintaining optical performance in a compact configuration
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the beam splitter surfaces have locally optimized properties with varying curvature radii and surface profiles. This local quality variation allows aberration correction tailored to specific ray paths, enabling compact design without sacrificing 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
This approach reduces optical aberrations and system size, enabling more attractive and cost-effective wearable AR devices with improved design form factor.
Implementation Method 1
the first beamsplitter and the second beamsplitter are arranged to redirect light emitted from the light source toward a user to form a virtual image
Implementation Method 2
the first free-form curved surface is separated from the second free-form curved surface of the second beamsplitter by free space
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual image display system includes: a light source for projecting an image; a first beamsplitter including a first free-form curved surface; and a second beamsplitter including a second free-form curved surface facing the first free-form surface of the first beamsplitter, in which the first free-form curved surface is separated from the second-free form curved surface of the second beamsplitter by free space, and in which the first beamsplitter and the second beamsplitter are arranged to redirect light emitted from the light source toward a user to form a virtual image.