VR Optical Path Folding With Polarization for Compact Headsets
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Solution Overview
Problem
The large volume of existing virtual reality devices due to multiple lenses results in decreased portability and wearing comfort for users.
Innovation Solution
An optical system with a first lens having a planar second surface, an optical splitter between the lens and display unit, and a phase retarder and polarization reflector on the lens's opposite side, increasing optical path length and reducing device volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple lenses are combined to enlarge the image, then the imaging function is improved, but the volume of the virtual reality device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (imaging, polarization control, phase retardation, light splitting) into a single integrated optical system centered around one lens. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate lens components from multiple to one, directly reducing device volume while maintaining the required imaging capability through careful design of the unified optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the polarization dimension to differentiate and control light paths without requiring additional physical space for separate optical components. By employing polarization reflectors and phase retarders that manipulate the polarization state of light, the system achieves complex optical functionality in a compact arrangement, effectively using the polarization domain to reduce spatial requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple lenses are combined to enlarge the image, then the imaging function is improved, but the portability of the virtual reality device decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical components into a single lens assembly with integrated polarization control elements. This consolidation reduces the overall device volume and mass, making the virtual reality device more portable and easier to wear, while the unified optical design maintains the necessary imaging performance through optimized light path management within the compact structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple lenses are combined to enlarge the image, then the imaging function is improved, but the wearing comfort for users decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple optical functions into a single compact lens assembly, significantly reducing the overall size and weight of the virtual reality device. This reduction in bulk and mass directly improves wearing comfort on the user's face, while the sophisticated internal optical design with polarization control and phase retardation maintains high imaging quality and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs polarization manipulation to achieve complex optical effects without increasing physical device size. By controlling the polarization state of light through reflectors and phase retarders, the system accomplishes multiple optical functions within a compact form factor, reducing the burden on the user's face and improving wearing comfort while preserving imaging performance.
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 optical system reduces the device's volume and weight, enhancing portability and user comfort while maintaining clear imaging quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first phase retarder and a polarization reflector are provided at a side of the first lens away from the display unit, and the first phase retarder is provided between the first lens and the polarization reflector
Implementation Method 2
a first phase retarder and a polarization reflector are provided at a side of the first lens away from the display unit
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are an optical system and a virtual reality device. The optical system comprises a display unit (10) and a first lens (20), the first lens (20) comprises a first surface (21) and a second surface (22), and the second surface (22) has a planar structure; an optical splitter is provided between the first surface (21) and the display unit (10); a first phase retarder (30) and a polarization reflector (40) are provided at a side of the first lens (20) away from the display unit (10), and the first phase retarder (30) is provided between the first lens (20) and the polarization reflector (40); and light emitted from the display unit (10) enters into the first lens (20) from the first surface (21), and is sequentially reflected by the second surface (22) and the first surface (21), and then exits the optical system from the second surface (22). Therefore, the problems that the volume of the virtual reality device is large, the virtual reality device is not convenient to carry around, and the wearing comfort for users is low cause by the large volume of the optical system in the prior art are solved.