Optical Waveguide Grating Layout for Single-Display Binocular Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing near-eye display devices for binocular display require two optical waveguides and displays, leading to increased weight and discomfort for the user.
Innovation Solution
An optical waveguide design with a single display and integrated lenses, utilizing in-coupling and out-coupling gratings to diffract light for binocular display, reducing the number of displays needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two displays are used for binocular display, then binocular imaging function is achieved, but device weight increases and user comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical paths for left and right eyes into a single waveguide substrate. The in-coupling grating receives light from one display and splits it into two separate optical paths that propagate through the waveguide to reach both eyes, thereby achieving binocular display with a single display unit and reducing overall device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide substrate is divided into distinct functional regions: an in-coupling region with a grating structure for light input and splitting, first and second propagation regions for separate optical paths, and out-coupling regions for light extraction to each eye. This segmentation allows one display to effectively serve two optical channels.
2Reliability
If two optical waveguides are used for binocular display, then binocular imaging is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate waveguide systems into a single integrated waveguide substrate. The in-coupling grating simultaneously generates two diffractive light beams that propagate through separately defined regions within the same substrate, reducing the number of discrete optical components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If two displays are used for binocular display, then binocular imaging is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and production yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates all optical elements (in-coupling grating, out-coupling gratings, and waveguide regions) onto a single waveguide substrate, which can be manufactured using unified semiconductor fabrication processes. This eliminates the need for separate assembly of multiple displays and waveguides, thereby simplifying manufacturing and improving production yield.
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
Reduces the weight of the near-eye display device and improves user comfort by allowing binocular display with a single display, while simplifying the manufacturing process and increasing production yield.
Implementation Method 1
an in-coupling grating, located on the connecting portion and configured to couple incident light to the optical waveguide, where after the incident light is diffracted by the in-coupling grating, first diffractive light transmitted in the first lens and second diffractive light transmitted in the second lens are formed
Implementation Method 2
a first out-coupling grating, located on the first lens and configured to couple the first diffractive light out of the first lens
Implementation Method 3
a second out-coupling grating, located on the second lens and configured to couple the second diffractive light out of the second lens
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application relate to the field of display technologies, and provide an optical waveguide and a near-eye display device. The optical waveguide includes a first lens, a second lens, a connecting portion that connects the first lens and the second lens, an in-coupling grating, a first out-coupling grating, and a second out-coupling grating. The in-coupling grating is located on the connecting portion, and is configured to couple incident light to the optical waveguide. After the incident light is diffracted through the in-coupling grating, first diffractive light transmitted in the first lens and second diffractive light transmitted in the second lens are formed. The first out-coupling grating is located on the first lens and is configured to couple the first diffractive light out of the first lens.