Light Guide Mirrors Expand Beam Width for Uniform Image Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display apparatuses using light guide plates struggle to display high-quality images due to significant gaps between deflected beams and limited beam expansion in two-dimensional directions, as well as the absence of polarization beam splitters.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus with a light guide element comprising a first and second light guide part, where mirrors with different reflection regions guide light to expand beam widths in both directions, and a polarization beam splitter is used to enhance image quality and uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plurality of output mirrors is used to guide light, then the light can be deflected to display an image, but the width of each deflected beam reduces and significant gaps appear between adjacent beams, degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional beam expansion (prior art) to two-dimensional beam expansion by introducing a light guide plate with multiple mirrors arranged in both horizontal and vertical directions. This allows light beams to expand in width along both axes, significantly reducing gaps between adjacent beams and improving overall image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning mirrors with specific reflectance characteristics at different locations within the light guide plate. Mirrors are strategically placed to create varying beam expansion patterns in different regions, ensuring uniform light distribution across the entire display area while maintaining high image quality.
2Area of moving object
If mirrors with different reflectances are used to increase beam width, then the beam width in one-dimensional direction is expanded, but no disclosure exists for expanding beam width in two-dimensional directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into multiple discrete mirrors arranged in a grid pattern within the light guide plate. Each mirror segment contributes to beam expansion in specific directions, and the collective arrangement achieves two-dimensional beam expansion without requiring a single complex mirror system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mirrors with varying reflectance parameters to control beam expansion characteristics. By adjusting the reflectance values of different mirrors in the array, the system achieves optimized two-dimensional beam expansion while maintaining manageable device complexity.
3Reliability
If conventional light guide plates are used without polarization beam splitters, then the structure is simpler, but image quality and uniformity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polarization beam splitter as an intermediary component within the light guide plate system. This component mediates the interaction between light sources and mirrors by controlling polarization states, thereby improving image quality and uniformity while integrating seamlessly into the existing optical architecture.
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 display apparatus to achieve higher image quality by expanding beam widths and ensuring uniform light distribution across the viewer's field of view, while also allowing for optical see-through functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The first light guide part has a plurality of mirrors disposed along the first direction and configured to guide the light to the second light guide part by reflecting the light
Implementation Method 2
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-520984 does not describe the use of a polarization beam splitter
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a light guide element, and an incident optical system causing light coming from a display element to enter the light guide element that includes a first light guide part guiding the light coming from the incident optical system in a first direction and a second light guide part guiding the light coming from the first light guide part in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The first light guide part has mirrors disposed along the first direction and guiding the light to the second light guide part by reflecting the light. The mirrors include a first mirror and a second mirror, each having a first reflection region and a second reflection region having a higher reflectance than the first reflection region. Light having transmitted through the first reflection region of the first mirror enters the second reflection region of the second mirror.