Virtual-Image Display Apparatus with Intersecting Axis Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtual-image display apparatuses, such as head-mounted displays, face challenges in achieving a wide angle and appropriate eye ring diameter while maintaining a small and thin size, as existing solutions like multiple slit structures often compromise on image quality and brightness.
Innovation Solution
The use of a synthesis optical system with intersecting axes corresponding to the lateral direction of the virtual image, combining light from multiple image elements to form high-efficiency and high-definition images, and a compact display optical system that guides image light to align with the observer's eye alignment, reducing virtual image loss and enabling compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple slit structures are provided to achieve wide angle and eye ring diameter, then the apparatus size increases, but image quality and brightness deteriorate due to transmission and reflection losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the color synthesis function from complex slit structures and implements it through a dedicated synthesis optical system with specific optical elements (prisms, mirrors, or diffractive optical elements) that combine red, green, and blue light without the transmission and reflection losses associated with slit-based approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a synthesis optical system as an intermediary component between the image elements and the observer's eye. This system uses optical elements to mediate the combination of different wavelength lights, achieving color synthesis while maintaining high brightness through controlled optical paths that minimize energy loss
2Productivity
If multiple slit structures are used to form images, then the apparatus can display images, but usage efficiency of light decreases and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical slit structure with an optical synthesis system that uses prisms, mirrors, or diffractive optical elements to combine light of different wavelengths. This substitution eliminates the light blocking and scattering effects of mechanical slits, significantly improving light usage efficiency while maintaining image quality
3Volume of moving object
If the apparatus is made small and thin, then compactness is achieved, but securing wide angle and appropriate eye ring diameter becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the angular dimension of light propagation to achieve color synthesis. By arranging optical elements that combine light at specific angles and orientations, the system achieves wide angle coverage and appropriate eye ring diameter without increasing the physical volume of the apparatus, maintaining compactness while expanding functional capability
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 approach allows for the formation of high-efficiency and high-definition images with an appropriate eye ring diameter, reducing virtual image loss and achieving compactness in the apparatus, while maintaining high image quality and brightness.
Implementation Method 1
a synthesis optical system configured to synthesize light from the image elements to form image light
Implementation Method 2
a display optical system configured to allow visual recognition of a virtual image formed by the image light passing through the synthesis optical system
Data Source
AI summary
Image formation is performed by using a synthesis optical system, and in a first dichroic film and a second dichroic film that are the synthesis surfaces in the synthesis optical system, a direction in which the cross axis that is the intersecting axis extends corresponds to a direction of alignment of eyes of an observer.