Magnetic MEMS Mirror for Wide FOV Near-Eye Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing near-eye display (NED) devices face challenges in generating a wide field of view (FOV) with realistic images due to limited range of motion and axes of motion, leading to restricted FOV and unrealistic augmented experiences.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a magnetic assembly to secure and position MEMS mirrors in NED devices, allowing for greater biaxial movement and enabling the creation of a wider range of motion without the use of torsion bars, which reduces stress and allows for more spherical or elliptical FOV images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional display system technologies are used in NED devices, then the device structure is simple, but the field of view (FOV) is limited and the image realism is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into multiple independent MEMS mirrors, each capable of biaxial movement. This segmentation allows each mirror to handle specific portions of the light field, collectively achieving a wide FOV without requiring a single complex mirror system. The modular nature of multiple mirrors simplifies the overall system architecture while expanding the field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces biaxial movement capability to the MEMS mirrors, adding a second degree of freedom beyond traditional uniaxial scanning. This dimensional enhancement allows mirrors to deflect light in both horizontal and vertical directions independently, significantly expanding the achievable field of view and improving image realism by enabling more natural light propagation paths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the range of motion of MEMS mirrors is increased to achieve wider FOV, then the field of view expands, but stress on the mirror mounting structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stress-bearing function from the mirror mounting structure by introducing magnetic actuators. The magnetic field provides the actuation force independently of mechanical mounting stress, allowing the mounting structure to focus solely on positional stability. This separation enables increased range of motion without proportionally increasing mechanical stress on the mounting components.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical actuation mechanisms that directly transmit force through mounting structures are replaced with magnetic field-based actuation. The magnetic actuators exert force on the MEMS mirrors through magnetic fields rather than direct mechanical contact, significantly reducing stress on the mounting structure while enabling larger ranges of motion. This substitution eliminates the direct coupling between actuation force and mounting structure stress.
3Device complexity
If uniaxial scanning is used to simplify the scanning system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image realism and FOV are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements biaxial scanning capability within each MEMS mirror, making the scanning system universal by enabling both horizontal and vertical light deflection with a single mirror component. This multi-functionality allows the system to generate realistic three-dimensional light fields and wide FOV images without requiring separate uniaxial scanning systems for different axes, actually simplifying the overall architecture while enhancing image realism.
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 enhances the range of motion and image quality, providing a more realistic and immersive augmented reality experience by allowing for greater movement and higher resolution at the center of vision while reducing data transfer and power usage.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic element can be held in place against a frame through a magnetic force
Implementation Method 2
an actuator can be used to manipulate the magnetic element, and therefore the mirror, to create a light beam steering device that can tilt the mirror to any angle
Implementation Method 3
which can generate a two-dimensional raster scan image pixel by pixel for each image frame
Data Source
AI summary
This document relates to an optical device that uses a mirror scanning system as part of a display engine, where images generated by the mirror scanning system can be propagated through a waveguide or other such optical assembly to a user's eye. The mirror scanning system can utilize a magnetic assembly, where the mirror of the scanning system can be held in place magnetically instead of using support structures such as torsion bars or beams. Actuators can then be actuated to control the tilt of the mirror by way of magnetic fields, providing a greater field of movement for the optical element and enabling a spherical scan area to be produced.