Virtual Image Display Apparatus with Reflection-Refracting Lens
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head mount displays (HMDs) are bulky, uncomfortable, and difficult to adjust for different users, with limited viewing angles and intuitive interaction due to large optical components and fixed focal lengths, which hinder compactness and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A virtual image display apparatus comprising an image display unit, a beam splitting unit, and a reflection-refraction unit with a lens and reflecting portion, which allows for a wide viewing angle and adjustable focal lengths, enabling compact design and intuitive user interaction by overlapping image and object beams for real-time environmental information display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If large optical components are employed to eliminate image aberration at wide viewing angles, then image quality is improved, but device volume and weight increase causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple functional components: a first optical system for image beam transmission, a second optical system for object beam transmission, and a beam combining system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system compactness and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional single-plane optical arrangements to a three-dimensional stacked configuration where image beams and object beams are transmitted through different spatial layers and combined at the eye. This dimensional approach enables wide viewing angles and excellent image quality without requiring large optical components in a single plane.
2Manufacturing precision
If large optical components are employed to eliminate image aberration at wide viewing angles, then image quality is improved, but device weight increases causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple functional components: a first optical system for image beam transmission, a second optical system for object beam transmission, and a beam combining system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system compactness and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional single-plane optical arrangements to a three-dimensional stacked configuration where image beams and object beams are transmitted through different spatial layers and combined at the eye. This dimensional approach enables wide viewing angles and excellent image quality without requiring large optical components in a single plane.
3Device complexity
If fixed focal length optical components are used, then device structure is simplified, but adaptability to different users is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable focal length mechanisms in both the first and second optical systems, allowing the focal lengths to be dynamically changed according to different users' needs. This dynamic adjustability is achieved through movable optical elements that can reconfigure the optical path length, enabling the system to adapt to various users without increasing overall structural complexity.
4Device complexity
If limited focal lengths and shapes of optical components are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different users is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable focal length mechanisms in both the first and second optical systems, allowing the focal lengths to be dynamically changed according to different users' needs. This dynamic adjustability is achieved through movable optical elements that can reconfigure the optical path length, enabling the system to adapt to various users without increasing overall structural complexity.
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 apparatus provides a compact, comfortable, and intuitive virtual image display with improved image quality and adjustable focal lengths, allowing users to interact with virtual images without discomfort, while maintaining a wide viewing angle and reducing image aberrations.
Implementation Method 1
a first beam splitting unit disposed on a transmission path of the image beam and a transmission path of an object beam from a foreign object, and configured to cause at least one portion of the object beam to propagate to the eye and cause at least one portion of the image beam to propagate to the reflection-refraction unit
Implementation Method 2
the lens portion comprises a first curved surface... at least one portion of the image beam travels through the lens portion, is reflected by the reflecting portion, travels trough the lens portion again
Implementation Method 3
is reflected by the reflecting portion, travels trough the lens portion again, and is propagated to the eye by the first beam splitting unit in sequence
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual image display apparatus configured to be in front of at least one eye of a user includes an image display unit, a first beam splitting unit, and a reflection-refraction unit. The image display unit provides an image beam. The first beam splitting unit disposed on transmission paths of the image beam and an object beam causes at least one portion of the object beam to propagate to the eye and causes at least one portion of the image beam to propagate to the reflection-refraction unit. The reflection-refraction unit includes a lens portion and a reflecting portion on a first curved surface of the lens portion. At least part of the image beam travels through the lens portion, is reflected by the reflecting portion, travels trough the lens portion again, and is propagated to the eye by the first beam splitting unit in sequence.