Virtual Image Display Refractive Reflective Optical Member Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual image display apparatus using only eccentric curved mirrors suffer from insufficient aberration correction and limited resolution due to the inability to bring optical surfaces close enough, resulting in a restricted angle of view.
Innovation Solution
A virtual image display apparatus incorporating a refractive reflective optical member with both refractive and mirror surfaces, along with a transmissive type mirror member, to correct aberrations and enhance optical performance by allowing closer alignment of optical surfaces, thereby increasing the angle of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If only eccentric curved mirrors are used to constitute the optical system, then weight reduction is achieved, but optical surfaces cannot be brought close enough together resulting in insufficient aberration correction and limited resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines refractive and reflective functions into a single refractive reflective optical member. This member includes both a refractive surface for aberration correction and a mirror surface for light reflection, allowing optical surfaces to be positioned closer together while maintaining effective aberration correction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive reflective optical member performs multiple functions simultaneously: it refracts light to correct aberrations through its refractive surface and reflects light through its mirror surface. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate elements, enabling closer spacing of optical surfaces.
2Device complexity
If only eccentric curved mirrors are used, then device complexity is reduced, but angle of view is restricted due to insufficient aberration correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges refractive and reflective optical surfaces into a single integrated member, enabling closer spacing of optical elements. This closer spacing allows for improved aberration correction across wider fields, thereby expanding the angle of view while keeping the overall system configuration relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive reflective optical member utilizes the refractive index of its material to provide aberration correction functionality. By changing the optical parameters through refraction in addition to reflection, the system achieves better aberration correction performance that enables a wider angle of view.
3Manufacturing precision
If optical surfaces are kept far apart as in traditional mirror systems, then aberration correction is easier, but the angle of view remains limited and resolution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates refractive and reflective surfaces within the same optical member, allowing multiple optical surfaces to be positioned very close together. The refractive surface of one member can work in conjunction with the mirror surface of the same or adjacent member, enabling effective aberration correction even with minimal spacing between surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the refractive index parameter of the optical material to provide aberration correction. By introducing refraction in addition to reflection, the optical paths can be controlled more precisely, enabling effective aberration correction and improved resolution with closer surface spacing.
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 solution effectively corrects aberrations and enhances resolution over a wide angle of view, facilitating a more comprehensive and undistorted virtual image display.
Implementation Method 1
a refractive member (22b) including a refractive surface (22e), and a mirror surface (22r) formed at a non-refractive surface (22d) of the refractive member (22b)
Implementation Method 2
a mirror surface (22r) formed at a non-refractive surface (22d) of the refractive member (22b)
Implementation Method 3
a third mirror member (23) of a transmissive type configured to reflect the imaging light reflected by the second mirror member (22) toward a position of an exit pupil
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual image display apparatus includes a display device (image forming unit), a first mirror member configured to reflect imaging light from the display device, a second mirror member configured to reflect imaging light reflected by the first mirror member, and a third mirror member of a transmissive type configured to reflect imaging light reflected by the second mirror member toward a position of an exit pupil. One of the first mirror member and the second mirror member is a refractive reflective optical member that includes a refractive member including a refractive surface, and a mirror surface formed at a non-refractive surface of the refractive member.