Optical Engine Prism Assembly for Head-Mounted Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-mounted display devices face challenges such as bulkiness, discomfort, poor see-through visibility, and lack of adaptability to different mounting arrangements, which hinder their use in various applications like military and industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus featuring a prism assembly with a curved reflective surface and a beam splitter, housed in a frame with a shim for sealed air gap, allowing for adaptable mounting on various head-worn articles and providing improved visibility and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional display optics are used in head-mounted devices, then image content can be displayed, but the devices become bulky and uncomfortable for long-term wear
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into separate functional modules: a display module, a beam splitter module, and a curved reflective surface module. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for weight and performance, reducing overall device bulk while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter is positioned within the optical path between the display and the curved reflective surface, effectively nesting multiple optical functions within a compact volume. This nested arrangement reduces the overall device size and weight while preserving optical performance
2Reliability
If display optics are customized for specific head-mounted devices, then optimal performance is achieved for that device, but adaptability to different mounting arrangements is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical engine is designed as a universal module that can be adapted to various head-mounted device configurations. The separated optical components and standardized mounting interfaces enable the same optical engine to be used across different device types and mounting arrangements while maintaining optimal optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system incorporates adjustable elements that allow dynamic adaptation to different mounting geometries and user configurations, enabling the same optical engine to optimize performance across multiple device types rather than being fixed for a single configuration
3Reliability
If the optical path is extended to improve image quality, then better focus is achieved, but the device becomes more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
A curved reflective surface is used to focus light from the display to the user's eye. The curvature enables effective light focusing and image formation in a compact optical path, achieving good image quality without requiring a long device volume
Solution Approach 2:
The optical design utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of optical components, folding the optical path through strategic positioning of the beam splitter and curved reflective surface. This dimensional optimization allows sufficient optical path length for image quality while maintaining a compact device footprint
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 a lightweight, compact, and adaptable head-mounted display that minimizes obstruction of the real-world field of view while providing high-quality generated image content, suitable for augmented and mixed reality applications.
Implementation Method 1
the prism assembly has a curved reflective surface for light focusing
Implementation Method 2
a beam splitter disposed at an oblique angle to the defined optical path within the prism assembly
Implementation Method 3
the shim defines a sealed air gap for conveying the image-bearing light between the display surface and the incident surface
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus has a display to emit image-bearing light to a prism assembly that defines an optical path between an incident surface of the prism assembly and an output surface that is orthogonal to within +/â30 degrees relative to the incident surface, wherein the prism assembly has a curved reflective surface opposite the incident surface. The prism assembly encases a beam splitter at an oblique angle to the defined optical path and to both the incident and the output surface of the prism assembly. A shim, in contact against the display surface and against the incident surface of the prism assembly, defines a sealed air gap for light between the display surface and the incident surface. A frame houses the display, the shim, and the incident surface of the prism assembly, wherein the frame further provides connection features for coupling the apparatus to a head-worn article.