Microscope Lens-Barrel Layout for AR Overlay Without Eye Point Rise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AR microscopes with intermediate lens-barrels suffer from ergonomic and optical performance issues due to the rise in eye point and extended distance between the imaging lens and objective, leading to potential image quality degradation and interference with peripheral light.
Innovation Solution
A lens-barrel device with a relay optical system and multiple reflection systems that maintain ergonomic characteristics by minimizing the eye point rise and optical path length, incorporating a projector to superimpose auxiliary information without extending the distance between the objective and imaging lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an intermediate lens-barrel incorporating a projector is mounted between the lens-barrel and microscope body portion, then AR display function is achieved, but the eye point rises by the height of the intermediate lens-barrel causing deterioration in ergonomic characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the projector from the intermediate lens-barrel configuration and integrates it directly into the lens-barrel device. This eliminates the need for a separate intermediate lens-barrel, thereby preventing eye point rise while maintaining the AR display function. The projector is positioned within the lens-barrel assembly, allowing auxiliary information to be superimposed without compromising ergonomic characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the projector, optical systems, and imaging components into a single integrated lens-barrel device. By combining these elements, the design eliminates the need for separate intermediate components that would raise the eye point. The integrated structure maintains both the AR display capability and ergonomic performance through unified optical path management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an intermediate lens-barrel is mounted, then AR display function is achieved, but the distance between the imaging lens and objective is extended causing negative effects on optical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate lens-barrel that extended the optical path distance. By integrating the projector directly into the lens-barrel device, the optical path between the imaging lens and objective remains unchanged, preserving image forming performance and peripheral light characteristics while still enabling AR display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the projector and optical systems into a single integrated unit that does not extend the distance between the imaging lens and objective. This merging approach allows the AR display function to be achieved without compromising optical performance, as the integrated design maintains the original optical path length and characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If multiple reflection optical systems are added to maintain ergonomic characteristics, then eye point rise is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple reflection optical systems arranged in different horizontal planes to fold the optical path in three-dimensional space. This dimensional arrangement allows the optical path to be extended without increasing the vertical height, thereby maintaining ergonomic characteristics while managing the complexity through spatial optimization rather than simple linear extension.
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 lens-barrel device provides high ergonomic characteristics and maintains optical performance by efficiently dissipating heat and avoiding interference with the imaging device, while enabling reliable AR display functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflection optical system that reflects and bends the light flux from the imaging lens in a first horizontal direction
Implementation Method 2
a second reflection optical system that is disposed on a first horizontal plane where the first reflection optical system is disposed, the second reflection optical system reflecting and bending the light flux that has passed through the first reflection optical system, in a vertically upward direction
Implementation Method 3
a third reflection optical system that is disposed on a second horizontal plane that is different from the first horizontal plane, the third reflection optical system reflecting and bending the light flux that has passed through the second reflection optical system, in a second horizontal direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A lens-barrel device includes: a relay optical system that relays a primary image formed by an imaging lens to an object plane of an eyepiece to form a secondary image; a first reflection optical system that reflects and bends the light flux from the imaging lens; a second reflection optical system that reflects and bends the light flux that has passed through the first reflection optical system; a third reflection optical system that reflects and bends the light flux that has passed through the second reflection optical system; an additional optical system that transmits the light flux for forming an image different from the secondary image, on the object plane of the eyepiece; and a compositing optical element that guides the light flux from the additional optical system to a light path to the object plane of the eyepiece.