Pancake Lens Assembly for Compact Wearables With Better Image Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices face challenges in providing good image quality while being miniaturized and lightweight due to limited lens configurations and increased refraction or scattering of light in pancake lens structures.
Innovation Solution
A lens assembly with a pancake lens structure that includes at least four lenses sequentially arranged along an optical axis, featuring a first polarizing plate and a beam splitter to reflect visual information, and optionally incorporating quarter-wave plates and polarizers to control aberrations and improve image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a pancake lens structure with at least four lenses is used to miniaturize the wearable electronic device, then the device size and weight are reduced, but refraction and scattering of light increase, degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple functional components: at least four lenses arranged sequentially along the optical axis, polarizing plates disposed on specific lens surfaces, and beam splitters integrated into the lens assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function (refraction, polarization, beam direction) while collectively achieving miniaturization without excessive light scattering. The polarizing plates and beam splitters are strategically positioned on specific lens surfaces to control light paths and reduce unwanted refraction effects.
Solution Approach 2:
Polarizing plates and beam splitters are introduced as intermediary elements between the lenses and the user's eye. These intermediaries manage light propagation by polarizing and directing light beams, thereby reducing random scattering and refraction effects that would otherwise degrade image quality in a compact multi-lens configuration. The beam splitters specifically redirect light paths to achieve the desired optical effect while maintaining image clarity.
2Length of stationary object
If multiple lenses are arranged sequentially to achieve pancake lens structure, then the optical path is extended within a compact form factor, but the complexity of the lens assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated lens assembly: at least four lenses, polarizing plates, and beam splitters are combined into one compact unit. This merging allows the extended optical path to be achieved within a small form factor while managing complexity through integration rather than separate components. The polarizing plates are disposed on specific surfaces of the lenses, and beam splitters are incorporated into the lens structure, creating a unified assembly that performs multiple functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path is extended by utilizing multiple dimensions and angles rather than a simple linear arrangement. Beam splitters redirect light at specific angles, and polarizing plates are disposed on different surfaces of lenses at various orientations. This multi-dimensional approach to light manipulation allows the optical path length to be increased within a compact form factor without requiring a proportionally larger physical space, thereby managing the complexity of the lens assembly.
3Manufacturing precision
If polarizing plates and beam splitters are added to control light reflection, then image quality is improved, but the number of components and device weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Polarizing plates are implemented as thin film structures disposed on the surfaces of lenses, and beam splitters are integrated as thin optical elements within the lens assembly. These thin film and thin element implementations provide the necessary light control functions (polarization, reflection, beam direction) while adding minimal weight to the overall device. The thin film nature of polarizing plates allows them to be lightweight yet effective in controlling light reflection and improving image quality.
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 lens assembly achieves good image quality while being miniaturized and lightweight, reducing user fatigue by effectively guiding visual information to the user's eye with controlled aberrations.
Implementation Method 1
a first polarizing plate disposed on an eye side surface of one of the at least four lenses (nth lens)... wherein the first polarizing plate is configured to reflect at least a portion of the visual information output from the display
Implementation Method 2
a beam splitter disposed on a display side surface of the nth lens... wherein the beam splitter is configured to reflect at least a portion of the visual information reflected by the first polarizing plate
Implementation Method 3
a lens assembly configured to focus or guide the visual information output from the display, wherein the lens assembly includes at least four lenses sequentially arranged along an optical axis toward the display
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable electronic device is provided. The wearable electronic device includes a display configured to output visual information, and a lens assembly configured to focus or guide the visual information output from the display, wherein the lens assembly includes at least four lenses sequentially arranged along an optical axis toward the display, a first polarizing plate disposed on an eye side surface of one of the at least four lenses (nth lens), wherein the nth lens is not disposed closest to the display from among the at least four lenses, a beam splitter disposed on a display side surface of the nth lens; and a second polarizing plate disposed on an eye side surface of an (n+1)th lens among the at least four lenses, wherein the (n+1)th lens is disposed adjacent to the nth lens between the nth lens and the display, wherein the first polarizing plate is configured to reflect at least a portion of the visual information output from the display, and wherein the beam splitter is configured to reflect at least a portion of the visual information reflected by the first polarizing plate.