Waveguide Combiner Embedded Film Layer Brightness Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Geometric optical waveguides face challenges in improving brightness uniformity due to large structural size, requiring larger projectors and resulting in non-overlapping pupil replication and dark lines in artificial images, especially when field of view is increased.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating at least one film layer within the waveguide combiner's in-coupling area, waveguide body, and out-coupling area to divide these sections into multiple layers, allowing light beams to be reflected or penetrate, thereby increasing reflection paths and enhancing brightness uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If geometric optical waveguide is used, then brightness and color uniformity are good, but brightness uniformity cannot be improved due to large structural size
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide combiner is divided into multiple layers by embedding at least one film layer within the waveguide body, creating a multi-layer structure that segments the light propagation path and increases reflection paths without increasing overall device size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-layer two-dimensional structure to a multi-layer three-dimensional structure by embedding film layers within the waveguide body, adding the depth dimension to increase reflection paths and improve brightness uniformity
2Volume of moving object
If size of light engine is reduced, then device size is smaller, but pupil replication cannot overlap and dark lines are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-layer structure segments the light propagation into multiple reflection paths, allowing pupil replication to overlap properly even with reduced light engine size, preventing dark lines in the artificial image
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the third dimension through embedded film layers, the patent creates multiple reflection paths that enable proper pupil replication overlap despite the reduced size of the light engine in the traditional two-dimensional plane
3Area of stationary object
If field of view of artificial image is increased, then viewing area is larger, but image brightness becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded film layers segment the waveguide body into multiple functional layers that independently control light reflection paths, enabling uniform brightness distribution across an expanded field of view
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer three-dimensional structure provides additional degrees of freedom for controlling light distribution across the expanded field of view, maintaining brightness uniformity despite the increased viewing area
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 increased reflection paths lead to improved brightness uniformity of output light beams, addressing the limitations of geometric optical waveguides by enhancing image quality and reducing dark lines.
Implementation Method 1
the light beam is reflected by said at least one film layer or penetrates said at least one film layer between different layers of the plurality of layers
Implementation Method 2
The total internal reflection (TIR) of the waveguide combiner is used to guide the light beams projected by the light engine
Implementation Method 3
The total internal reflection (TIR) of the waveguide combiner is used to guide the light beams projected by the light engine to the transparent light output area
Data Source
AI summary
A waveguide combiner includes an in-coupling area, a waveguide body, an out-coupling area and at least one film layer. The in-coupling area is configured to introduce a light beam. The waveguide body is configured to guide the light beam introduced by the in-coupling area. The out-coupling area is configured to output the light beam guided by the waveguide body. Said at least one film layer is embedded in at least one portion of the in-coupling area, the waveguide body and the out-coupling area. Said at least one film layer is configured to divide said at least one portion of the in-coupling area, the waveguide body and the out-coupling area into a plurality of layers, and the light beam is reflected by said at least one film layer or penetrates said at least one film layer between different layers of the plurality of layers.