Optical Waveguide Segmented Films for AR Thickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional augmented reality devices with optical waveguides require a large thickness to accommodate free curved surfaces, leading to increased weight and reduced user satisfaction due to bulkiness and aesthetic concerns.
Innovation Solution
An optical waveguide design featuring a medium layer with N semi-transmissive, semi-reflective films arranged in a sequence along a direction perpendicular to the thickness, where each film has a curved surface structure segmented into continuous sub-curved surfaces, reducing the overall thickness while maintaining imaging effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a free curved surface is used to achieve imaging effectiveness in the optical waveguide, then the imaging quality is improved, but the thickness of the waveguide increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the curved surface into multiple semi-transmissive, semi-reflective films arranged in sequence. Each film corresponds to a segment of the curved surface, and together they form the complete imaging function. This segmentation allows the waveguide to achieve the required imaging quality while reducing the overall thickness compared to a single thick curved surface structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single thick curved surface to multiple thinner films arranged in a sequential manner along the thickness direction. By distributing the curved surface functionality across multiple dimensions (multiple films stacked together), the design achieves the same imaging effect with reduced individual film thickness and overall waveguide thickness.
2Weight of moving object
If the thickness of the optical waveguide is reduced, then the weight and aesthetics are improved, but the imaging effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface is segmented into multiple semi-transmissive, semi-reflective films. Each film is thinner than a single monolithic curved surface would require, but collectively they provide the complete imaging functionality. This segmentation enables weight reduction while maintaining imaging effectiveness through the combined action of multiple films.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide uses a composite structure combining multiple semi-transmissive, semi-reflective films with a medium layer. This composite design allows the system to achieve the imaging effectiveness of a thick curved surface while using thinner individual components, thereby reducing overall weight and improving aesthetics.
3Length of stationary object
If multiple semi-transmissive, semi-reflective films are arranged in sequence, then the thickness is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface is divided into multiple semi-transmissive, semi-reflective films arranged in sequence along the thickness direction. Each film is a simpler, thinner structure compared to a single monolithic curved surface. While the number of components increases, each individual film is easier to manufacture and the overall structure achieves reduced thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The design distributes the curved surface functionality across multiple films stacked in the thickness dimension. By organizing the structure sequentially along the thickness direction rather than using a single thick surface, the patent achieves reduced thickness while managing complexity through systematic arrangement and overlap of adjacent films.
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 reduced thickness of the optical waveguide decreases the weight of the device, enhances aesthetics, and maintains imaging quality, making it more comfortable to wear and visually appealing.
Implementation Method 1
N semi-transmissive, semi-reflective films (30) supported by the medium layer (10)
Implementation Method 2
the N semi-transmissive, semi-reflective films (30) arranged in sequence along a first direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the medium layer (10)
Data Source
AI summary
An optical waveguide, which includes a medium layer and N semi-transmissive, semi-reflective films supported by the medium layer. The semi-transmissive, semi-reflective films are arranged in sequence along a first direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the medium layer. The orthographic projections of two adjacent semi-transmissive, semi-reflective films on a plane parallel to the thickness direction of the medium layer have an overlap region. A contour of each semi-transmissive, semi-reflective film is a curved surface structure, curved surface structures of the N semi-transmissive, semi-reflective films are N continuous sub-curved surfaces formed by segmenting a same curved surface respectively, a sum of heights of the N sub-curved surfaces is a height of the curved surface, and a concave side of the curved surface structure of each semi-transmissive, semi-reflective film faces towards a same bottom surface of the medium layer.