Ocular Optical System With Cemented Diffractive Lens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ocular optical systems for head-mounted displays face challenges in achieving a wide viewing angle while maintaining a low-profile design and effectively correcting various aberrations such as chromatic and astigmatism without increasing manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

The ocular optical system incorporates a first lens group with a positive refractive power and a second lens group, including a cemented lens with a diffraction optical surface and a Fresnel surface, where the cemented surface acts as a diffraction grating, and at least one lens surface is formed as a Fresnel surface, optimizing the focal lengths and aspect ratios to correct aberrations and extend the viewing angle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional ocular optical system is used, then the structure is simple, but the viewing angle is narrow and aberrations cannot be corrected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing angleVSAvoidoptical system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple optical functions into a single integrated optical system. The Fresnel lens, diffractive optical element, and aspherical lens surfaces are merged into one ocular optical system, allowing wide viewing angle, aberration correction, and low profile to be achieved simultaneously without requiring separate optical components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical system employs multi-functional elements: the Fresnel lens provides both focusing and wide-angle viewing capabilities, the diffractive optical element simultaneously corrects chromatic aberration and extends viewing angle, and aspherical surfaces address multiple aberration types. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving diverse optical performance without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Weight of moving object

If the optical system is made low-profile, then weight is reduced, but aberration correction becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveocular system weightVSAvoidaberration correction
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the optical elements, specifically using Fresnel lens geometry and aspherical surfaces, to achieve aberration correction in a compact form. These parameter changes allow the optical system to maintain low profile and weight while still providing effective aberration correction through the modified optical paths and surface geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The optical system uses composite optical design combining refractive elements (Fresnel lens, aspherical lenses) and diffractive elements in a single integrated structure. This composite approach enables aberration correction functionality to be achieved within a low-profile form factor, as the different optical mechanisms work together to correct various aberration types without requiring additional space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple lens groups are added to correct aberrations, then aberration correction improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaberration correctionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple aberration correction mechanisms into a single integrated optical element. Instead of using separate lens groups for spherical aberration, chromatic aberration, and astigmatism correction, the invention combines these functions into one ocular optical system with Fresnel lens, diffractive element, and aspherical surfaces, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining correction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The diffractive optical element and aspherical surfaces serve multiple correction functions simultaneously. The diffractive element corrects both chromatic and spherical aberrations, while the aspherical surfaces address astigmatism and other off-axis aberrations. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while achieving comprehensive aberration correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration allows for a low-profile ocular optical system with a wide viewing angle and successful correction of aberrations like chromatic and astigmatism, while ensuring high diffraction efficiency and ease of manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

A cemented surface of the cemented lens is a diffraction optical surface configuring a diffraction grating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

At least any one of lens surfaces of lenses constituting the first lens group and the second lens group is formed in a Fresnel surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

One of the first lens group and the second lens group includes a cemented lens having at least two optical members cemented together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCementing: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10921583B2Ocular optical system including a lens group having cemented lens and head-mounted display using the same
Publication Date: 2021.02.16 NIKON CORP
  • US10921583B2 patent drawing
  • US10921583B2 patent drawing
  • US10921583B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An ocular optical system (EL) comprises, in order from an eye point (EP), a first lens group (G1) having a positive refractive power and a second lens group (G2) having a positive refractive power. The second lens group (G2) includes a cemented lens having two optical members cemented together. A cemented surface of the cemented lens is a diffraction optical surface configuring a diffraction grating. A lens surface on one side in a lens constituting the first lens group (G1) is a first Fresnel surface (FSa), and a lens surface on one side in the cemented lens of the second lens group (G2) is a second Fresnel surface (FSb).