Augmented Reality Optical Combiner With Polarizing Plate for Focus Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional augmented reality optical combiners face issues with low transmittance, manufacturing complexity, high costs, and image quality degradation due to manufacturing errors, as well as challenges in maintaining focus when changing focal lengths.
Innovation Solution
An optical device for augmented reality that incorporates a polarizing plate to transmit only polarized light in a specific direction, using a reflective unit with inclined surfaces and reflective modules to enhance image quality and maintain focus regardless of focal length changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If half mirror-type combiners are used to achieve wide field of view, then the field of view is improved, but the volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reflective surface into multiple discrete reflective units (e.g., reflective elements or mirrors) arranged in an array. This segmentation allows the system to achieve a wide field of view through the collective coverage of multiple small reflective elements while maintaining a compact overall volume, resolving the contradiction between field of view and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective units are embedded within or integrated with the waveguide structure, creating a nested configuration where the optical elements are housed within the guiding structure. This nesting approach enables the system to achieve extended field of view capabilities while maintaining a compact form factor, as the reflective elements are contained within the waveguide volume rather than adding external bulk.
2Area of moving object
If half mirror-type combiners are used to provide wide field of view, then the field of view is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the reflective function into multiple small reflective units rather than using a single large mirror, the system achieves wide field of view coverage while minimizing the total material volume and weight. The distributed architecture allows for reduced individual element sizes that collectively provide the required optical coverage with lower weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin-film reflective structures or flexible reflective elements that can be integrated within the waveguide. These thin-film approaches replace bulky traditional mirror structures, enabling wide field of view functionality while significantly reducing the weight of the optical combiner system.
3Volume of moving object
If LOE with half-mirrors is used to reduce volume and weight, then the volume and weight are reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the waveguide structure with the reflective unit integration, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component. The reflective elements are incorporated during the waveguide manufacturing process rather than requiring separate assembly steps, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining compact volume and weight advantages.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure serves multiple functions: it guides the light, provides mechanical support, and integrates the reflective elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and assembly processes, thereby simplifying manufacturing while achieving the desired compact form factor.
4Manufacturing precision
If HOE/DOE-type combiners are used to achieve precise optical control, then the optical control precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple reflective elements or mirrors that can be manufactured using conventional, cost-effective processes rather than requiring complex and expensive HOE/DOE fabrication. These simpler reflective components achieve sufficient optical control precision for the application while significantly reducing manufacturing cost and enabling mass production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential reflective function from the complex HOE/DOE structures and implements it using simple planar reflective elements. By taking out only the necessary reflective capability and eliminating the complex diffractive or holographic structures, the system maintains adequate optical control precision while dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
5Manufacturing precision
If HOE/DOE-type combiners are used to provide optical control, then the optical control capability is improved, but the yield for mass production decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple reflective elements that are easier to manufacture and less prone to fabrication defects compared to HOE/DOE structures. These simpler components can be produced using conventional manufacturing techniques that scale better for mass production, resulting in higher yield and improved productivity while maintaining the necessary optical control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the optical control function into multiple simple reflective units rather than relying on a single complex HOE/DOE element, the system improves manufacturing yield. The modular reflective units can be manufactured independently using straightforward processes, reducing the impact of any single defect and enabling better mass production scalability.
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 device improves real object image quality by filtering polarized light and maintains focus through a pinhole effect, enhancing the depth of field and reducing manufacturing complexities and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a polarizing plate configured to transmit therethrough only a polarization component in a first direction out of the real object image light
Implementation Method 2
a reflective unit embedded and disposed inside the optical means, and formed of a plurality of reflective modules that provide a virtual image to the user by transferring virtual image light, transferred from an image output unit, to the pupil of the eye of the user
Implementation Method 3
an optical means for transferring real object image light, output from a real object, to the pupil of an eye of a user by transmitting it therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an optical device for augmented reality, the optical device including: an optical means for transferring real object image light, output from a real object, to the pupil of an eye of a user by transmitting it therethrough; a reflective unit embedded and disposed inside the optical means, and formed of a plurality of reflective modules that provide a virtual image to the user by transferring virtual image light, transferred from an image output unit, to the pupil of the eye of the user; and a polarizing plate configured to transmit therethrough only a polarization component in a first direction out of the real object image light; wherein the optical means has a first substrate having a plurality of unit inclined portions, and a second substrate having a plurality of unit inclined portions formed to engage with the unit inclined portions of the first substrate.