Lightguide device with outcoupling structures

• US 10,126,482 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2016
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Richards, Evan M., Gupta, Anurag, Cakmakci, Ozan
• Primary Examiner(s): Sengupta, Sonya M
• Application Number:
  US15/220,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20160334562A1
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 252 1, 216 24, 430321, 349 62, 349 64, 264 134, 264 25, 4353094, 156250, 156277
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/00 Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/14 Printing or colouring
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0081 with means for altering, e.g. enlarging, the entrance or exit pupil
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1073 characterized by manufacturing or alignment methods
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/141 using dichroic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/09 Multifaceted or polygonal mirrors , e.g. polygonal scanning mirrors; Fresnel mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0015 provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0026 Wavelength selective element, sheet or layer, e.g. filter or grating
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0035 provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0045 by shaping at least a portion of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0065 Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49885 with coating before or during assembling

Abstract

A lightguide assembly including structures to provide for outcoupling of light from an internal reflection structure. In an embodiment, a lightguide assembly includes light transmissive bodies forming respective corrugations which are coupled to one another. Optical coatings are variously disposed between the respective corrugations, wherein the optical coatings provide for redirection of light from the lightguide assembly. In another embodiment, optical coatings are each applied to a respective one of alternate facets of a corrugation. Polymer film portions provide mechanical support for the optical coatings during application to the corrugation.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

bonding a first body for a lightguide assembly to a second body for the lightguide assembly, the first body including a first light transmissive material which forms a first corrugation comprising a first plurality of facets, the second body including a second light transmissive material which forms a second corrugation; and

prior to the bonding, applying to each of the first plurality of facets a respective optical coating of a plurality of optical coatings by applying an optical coating material to a side of a component framework that is to provide a plurality of component blocks used in formation of the first body;

after the optical coating material is applied to the side of the component framework, forming the first body, including;

forming the plurality of component blocks each from a respective portion of the component framework, wherein the plurality of component blocks each forms a respective portion of the first corrugation; and

bonding the plurality of component blocks to one another; and

wherein after the bonding, the plurality of optical coatings are disposed between the first corrugation and the second corrugation, wherein for each optical coating of the plurality of optical coatings;

the optical coating extends across a surface of a respective one of the first plurality of facets, wherein, within a cross-section of the lightguide assembly, the optical coating is separated from another of the plurality of optical coatings.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying to each of the first plurality of facets a respective optical coating of the plurality of optical coatings includes:

disposing an optical coating material to a polymer film;

disposing the polymer film on a transfer sheet;

forming laminates each including a respective portion of the optical coating material and a respective portion of the polymer film; and

bonding the laminates each to a respective one of the first plurality of facets.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein forming the laminates includes removing portions of the optical coating material and portions of the polymer film from the transfer sheet.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein forming the laminates includes dicing the transfer sheet.