Head-Mounted Display Optical Component Using Micro Lens Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-mounted displays face challenges in achieving a wide field of view without being expensive and heavy, and often suffer from image distortion, small exit pupil, and optical aberrations, particularly with curved Fresnel lenses which are difficult to manufacture accurately.
Innovation Solution
A head-mounted display featuring an optical component comprising a central lens and multiple micro lenses arranged along a plane, where the central lens is larger than the micro lenses, forming a unitary lens structure, which enhances the field of view while being cost-effective and lightweight, and reduces issues like image distortion and optical aberrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple display units (tiling) are used to achieve wide field of view, then field of view is improved, but device weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical component is segmented into multiple micro lenses arranged in an array, each micro lens corresponding to a specific angular range. This segmentation allows the system to achieve a wide field of view by combining the optical functions of multiple small lenses rather than using a single large lens or multiple display units, thereby reducing overall device weight and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-lens or multi-display-unit approach to a two-dimensional array of micro lenses. This dimensional change enables the system to capture and process light from different angular directions simultaneously, achieving wide field of view without proportionally increasing device weight.
2Area of stationary object
If curved Fresnel lens is used to achieve wide field of view, then field of view is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates and optical aberration increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing a single complex curved Fresnel lens with high precision requirements, the patent segments the optical function into multiple simpler micro lenses. Each micro lens has simpler curvature requirements that are easier to manufacture with standard precision, thereby improving manufacturing feasibility while maintaining wide field of view capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each micro lens in the array is designed with optimized local optical properties suitable for its specific angular range. This local optimization allows each lens element to be manufactured with standard precision techniques while the collective array achieves the desired wide field of view with reduced overall optical aberration.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple curved mirrors are used to achieve wide field of view, then field of view is improved, but image distortion increases and exit pupil size decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror reflection system with an optical lens refraction system. The array of micro lenses uses refraction to achieve wide field of view without the image distortion and exit pupil limitations inherent in curved mirror systems, providing a cleaner optical path and better image 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 solution provides a wide field of view, enhances immersion with depth effects, and effectively addresses the limitations of previous technologies by being affordable, lightweight, and minimizing image distortion and aberrations, while maintaining high resolution in the central field of view and lower resolution where needed.
Implementation Method 1
The optical component includes a plurality of micro lenses and a central lens. The micro lenses are connected to each other. The central lens is connected among and surrounded by the micro lenses.
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted display includes an optical component. The optical component includes a plurality of micro lenses and a central lens. The micro lenses are connected to each other. The central lens is connected among and surrounded by the micro lenses. The central lens and the micro lenses are substantially arranged along a plane.