Polarized Reflection Layer Layout for Compact Display Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display and imaging apparatuses face inefficiencies in light utilization due to the use of half mirrors, which cause unnecessary reflection and transmission, leading to reduced light reaching the user's eyes or imaging sensor, especially when trying to minimize the distance between the display/imaging element and the lens.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a display/imaging apparatus with a lens and a pixel array that includes light emission/reception regions, along with a specific arrangement of polarization plates, wave plates, and a reflection layer between the display/imaging element and the lens, which optimizes light transmission and reflection to improve light use efficiency without the need for half mirrors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a half mirror is used to reflect light between the display element and lens, then the actual distance between display element and lens can be reduced, but light use efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary reflection and transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into multiple reflection regions, with each region reflecting light a specific number of times (e.g., odd or even times) to reach the lens. This segmentation allows different portions of light to take different paths, ensuring all light contributes usefully to the final image rather than creating ghost light
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the reflection layer are assigned different reflection characteristics (odd-time reflection vs. even-time reflection) based on their local position. This local differentiation ensures that light from different areas of the display element is reflected the appropriate number of times to reach the lens efficiently, maximizing overall light use efficiency
2Volume of moving object
If a half mirror is used to reduce apparatus thickness, then the imaging apparatus thickness can be reduced, but light use efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary reflection and transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The reflection layer is divided into multiple reflection regions that segment the light path into distinct optical routes. Each region handles specific light reflections systematically, ensuring that light reaches the imaging element through controlled paths rather than random transmission through a half mirror, thereby improving light use efficiency while maintaining compact thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The reflection layer acts as an intermediary structure between the lens and imaging element, providing controlled light reflection through multiple regions. This intermediary mechanism replaces the half mirror's partial transmission function with systematic reflection, eliminating unnecessary light loss while achieving the same space-saving effect
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 enhances light use efficiency by ensuring that light is effectively transmitted to the user's eyes or imaging sensor, reducing the actual distance between the display/imaging element and the lens while maintaining the necessary optical path length, thus improving the overall performance and reducing ghost light issues.
Implementation Method 1
a first polarization plate, a first wave plate, a reflection layer, a second wave plate, and a second polarization plate are arranged between the display element and the lens
Implementation Method 2
the reflection layer includes a reflection region that corresponds to a position of the non-light emission region and that reflects light
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus body includes a first polarization plate, a first wave plate, a reflection layer, a second wave plate, and a second polarization plate. The reflection layer includes reflection regions that correspond to positions of non-light emission regions of the display element and that reflect light and includes light transmission regions that correspond to positions of a plurality of light emission regions and that transmit light. This can obtain a display apparatus that can improve the use efficiency of light emitted from a display element.