Optical Module Beam Splitting for Wider AR/VR Viewing Angles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems in electronic devices face a contradiction between the need for smaller display sizes and larger viewing angles, with conventional lens assemblies providing limited angle of view enhancement, particularly in applications like AR and VR.
Innovation Solution
An optical module comprising a beam splitting assembly, first and second dimming assemblies, and a beam combining assembly, which divides and adjusts light beams to intersect and combine them, increasing the angle of view to 60° to 110° by forming a virtual image of double images on a single screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the size of the display is reduced, then the electronic device becomes thinner and lighter, but the angle of view of the system becomes smaller
Solution Approach 1:
The incident light is divided into multiple light beams (first light beam and second light beam) by the beam splitting assembly. Each light beam is then processed separately by dimming assemblies to adjust their propagation directions, allowing the system to expand the effective viewing angle while maintaining a compact display size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the light propagation from a single direction to multiple directions by adjusting the propagation directions of different light beams through dimming assemblies. This dimensional expansion of light paths enables a larger angle of view without increasing the physical display size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lens assemblies are added to amplify light, then the angle of view increases slightly, but the amplification effect is limited and cannot meet requirements for AR/VR applications
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single lens assembly for amplification, the patent segments the light into multiple beams and processes each beam separately through dedicated dimming assemblies. This segmented approach enables much greater angle of view expansion (from 30° to 60°-110°) compared to conventional single-lens amplification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves superior amplification by changing the propagation directions of multiple light beams in different dimensions through the dimming assemblies, rather than relying on single-direction magnification from conventional lenses. This multi-dimensional light manipulation delivers the required 60°-110° viewing angles for AR/VR.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light beams are generated and combined, then the angle of view is significantly increased, but the optical system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into functional modules: beam splitting assembly, multiple dimming assemblies, and beam combining assembly. This modular segmentation allows for systematic design and adjustment of each component to achieve the desired angle of view while managing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple light beams processed through different dimming assemblies are merged/combined by the beam combining assembly into a unified output. This combining process integrates the effects of multiple light path adjustments to achieve the final expanded angle of view of 60°-110°.
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 optical module effectively doubles the viewing angle from 30° to 60° to 110°, enhancing user experience in AR, VR, and other small electronic devices with a simple and compact structure.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitting assembly configured to divide an incident light into a first light beam and a second light beam that propagate in different directions
Implementation Method 2
the first dimming assembly and the second dimming assembly adjust propagation directions of the first light beam and the second light beam respectively
Implementation Method 3
the first dimming assembly is located on a light path of the first light beam, the second dimming assembly is located on a light path of the second light beam, the first dimming assembly and the second dimming assembly adjust propagation directions of the first light beam and the second light beam respectively
Implementation Method 4
a beam combining assembly located at the intersection position so that the first light beam and the second light beam entering the beam combining assembly exit concurrently along a same direction
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module and an electronic device are disclosed. The optical module comprises a beam splitting assembly, a beam combining assembly, a first dimmer assembly and a second dimmer assembly. The beam splitting assembly is configured to divide the incident light into a first light beam and a second light beam that propagate in different directions. The first dimming assembly is located on the light path of the first light beam, and the second dimming assembly is located on the light path of the second light beam. The beam combining assembly is located at the intersection position, so that the first light beam and the second light beam entering the beam combining assembly exit concurrently along the same direction.