Piezoelectric Optical Element for Dynamic VR Focus Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical systems in virtual reality (VR) environments often cause vergence-accommodation conflicts, leading to visual fatigue and eyestrain due to fixed focusing distances that mismatch the viewer's accommodation and vergence cues.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of piezoelectric optical elements with deformable layers, such as fluorinated polymer films, that adjust geometry in response to applied voltage, allowing dynamic focusing and reducing conflicts by aligning vergence and accommodation cues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If fixed focusing distance optical elements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but visual fatigue and eyestrain increase due to vergence-accommodation conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical system complexityVSAvoidvisual fatigue and eyestrain

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed focusing distance optical elements to dynamically adjustable optical elements. The optical element's geometry can be changed in real-time through mechanical actuation, allowing the focusing distance to adapt dynamically to match the viewer's accommodation and vergence cues, thereby eliminating visual fatigue while maintaining manageable system complexity through controlled adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the geometry parameters of the optical element (such as curvature radius and thickness) to alter its optical characteristics. By changing these geometric parameters, the focusing distance can be adjusted to resolve vergence-accommodation conflicts, reducing visual fatigue without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If piezoelectric materials are used to provide mechanical actuation, then geometry adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeometry adjustment capabilityVSAvoidactuation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing complex mechanical actuation systems with piezoelectric materials. The piezoelectric effect directly converts electrical signals to mechanical deformation, enabling precise geometry adjustment of the optical element without requiring complex mechanical linkages, motors, or actuators, thus improving adaptability while controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If deformable optical elements are used, then optical characteristic adjustability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical characteristic adjustabilityVSAvoidgeometry control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by designing the optical element with specific geometric parameters (curvature radius R1, R2, and thickness t) that can be adjusted within defined ranges. This allows the optical characteristics to be tuned by modifying geometric parameters during manufacturing and operation, achieving adaptability while maintaining feasible manufacturing precision through controlled parameter variations rather than requiring extreme precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 piezoelectric optical elements dynamically adjust focusing distances, reducing vergence-accommodation conflicts and enhancing user comfort in VR systems by aligning visual cues, thereby minimizing visual fatigue.

Implementation Method 1

a first piezoelectric layer of fluorinated polymer with a piezoelectric coefficient, d31, of at least 25 pC/N; an electrode layer disposed on the first piezoelectric layer, wherein an optical characteristic of the optical element changes when the first piezoelectric layer is deformed upon application of a voltage at the electrode layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250362558A1Piezoelectric optical element and system

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 KUREHA AMERICA INC

AI summary

An optical element includes a first piezoelectric layer of fluorinated polymer with a piezoelectric coefficient, d31, of at least 25 pC/N and an electrode layer disposed on the first piezoelectric layer. An optical characteristic of the optical element changes when the first piezoelectric layer is deformed upon application of a voltage at the electrode layer.