Short-Range Optical Magnification Module for Compact VR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current short-range optical amplification modules are too large and bulky to meet the compact and ultrathin structure requirements for intelligent Virtual Reality (VR) devices, which also need to provide a wide field angle, large eyebox, and high-quality imaging.

Innovation Solution

A short-range optical amplification module is designed with specific focal length conditions for its lenses and optical surfaces, including a reflective polarizing plate, phase delay plates, and lenses, to achieve a compact form while maintaining high amplification and imaging quality, with focal lengths and optical powers optimized to balance aberration and reduce thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple optical devices are used to meet imaging quality requirements, then imaging quality is improved, but module size and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidmodule volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple optical functions into fewer optical elements. Specifically, the optical system integrates magnification, reflection, and polarization functions into a compact arrangement with only 2-3 main optical elements (magnifying lens, reflective polarizing plate, and phase delay plates), eliminating the need for separate components for each function while maintaining high imaging quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested arrangement where the optical path is folded back on itself. The light path enters the magnifying lens, reflects off the reflective polarizing plate, passes through the lens again, and exits through the same or adjacent optical elements. This nested optical path allows multiple optical actions to occur within a compact volume, effectively nesting the optical functions within each other

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple optical devices are used to meet imaging quality requirements, then imaging quality is improved, but device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidmodule thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a linear sequential arrangement of optical elements to a folded optical path that utilizes lateral space more efficiently. By introducing the reflective polarizing plate at an angle, the optical path is bent into a compact configuration that reduces the axial thickness while maintaining the required optical path length for high-quality imaging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If optical elements are added to increase field angle and eyebox, then user experience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield angle and eyeboxVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the parameters of existing optical elements to achieve wider field angle and larger eyebox without adding complexity. The magnifying lens is designed with specific focal length ratios (f2/f1 between 0.5-2.0) and the reflective polarizing plate is positioned at optimized distances (0.5f3-L1 and L2-2f3) to maximize field of view and eyebox size while maintaining system simplicity

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 module achieves a small overall thickness while providing a large optical amplification effect, enabling a wide field angle, large eyebox, and high-quality imaging, suitable for small-size VR devices, enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective polarizing plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a reflective polarizing plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

a first phase delay plate, a second phase delay plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase delay: Birefringence

Implementation Method 4

a magnifying lens comprising a first lens and a second lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 5

the first focal length f3 of the third lens meets the following condition: 1F≤f3≤2F

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentEP3249446B1Short-distance optical magnification module, glasses, helmet and VR system
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 SHENZHEN DLODLO NEW TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3249446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3249446B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3249446B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present invention discloses a short-range optical amplification module, which includes, sequentially from the image side to the object side, a reflective polarizing plate, a first phase delay plate, a third lens and a second phase delay plate, wherein the short-range optical amplification module further includes a first lens and/or a second lens that are/is located on either side of any one of the reflective polarizing plate, the first phase delay plate, the third lens and the second phase delay plate. In the third lens, the optical surface adjacent to the second phase delay plate is a transflective optical surface; the reflection surface-containing focal length f3 of the third lens meets the following condition: 1F≤f3≤2F, wherein F is the focal length of the short-range optical amplification module. By performing parameter refining on the f3 that influences the optical amplification effect, the module can keep a small overall thickness while obtaining a large optical amplification effect and it can be applied in a small-size VR device, so that the VR device can realize a wide field angle, a large eyebox and high-quality imaging effect, and hence a better user experience.