Optical Module Positioning via Adhesive Joints and Embedded Features

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional virtual image display devices face challenges in reducing size and weight due to the need for supporting members with positioning portions, and they struggle with correcting distortion caused by variations in optical member positioning during manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

The optical module includes a display element and three optical members: a first optical member, a second optical member, and a third optical member that forms an exit pupil. These optical members are positioned using adhesive joints and positioning portions on each member, allowing them to be aligned and joined without external supporting members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a supporting member with positioning portions is used to position optical members, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the positioning function into the optical members themselves by providing positioning portions (convex and concave features) directly on the lens barrel and optical elements. This eliminates the need for a separate supporting member structure, thereby reducing device weight while maintaining positioning accuracy through direct integration of positioning features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the positioning function from a separate supporting member and integrates it directly into the optical members and lens barrel structure. By taking out the dependency on a separate support structure, the design achieves weight reduction while preserving positioning capability through embedded positioning portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If a supporting member with positioning portions is used to position optical members, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the positioning function into the optical members themselves by providing positioning portions (convex and concave features) directly on the lens barrel and optical elements. This eliminates the need for a separate supporting member structure, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining positioning accuracy through direct integration of positioning features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If distortion correction is performed by forcibly imparting distortion, then image quality is improved, but positioning accuracy becomes sensitive to assembly errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidpositioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming positioning portions (convex and concave features) on the optical members and lens barrel during manufacturing. These positioning portions are designed to automatically align optical elements during assembly, compensating for potential assembly errors and ensuring consistent positioning accuracy without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments or sensitive distortion correction algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enables the reduction of the virtual image display device's size and weight, while also improving the accuracy of optical member positioning, which enhances the correction of image distortion and maintains high display quality.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive joint the first optical member and the second optical member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS12292574B2Optical module, virtual image display device, and light-guiding device

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An optical module according to the present disclosure includes a display element, a first optical member, a second optical member, a third optical member, and an adhesive joints the first optical member and the second optical member. A first optical member includes a first positioning portion that performs a positioning with respect to a second optical member and the second optical member includes a second positioning portion that performs a positioning with respect to the first optical member.