VIRTUAL IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS

• US 20170184853A1
• Filed: 12/05/2016
• Published: 06/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: TAKAGI, Masayuki, TOTANI, Takahiro, MIYAO, Toshiaki, TAKEDA, Takashi, KOMATSU, Akira
• Granted Patent: US 10,394,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/013 comprising a combiner of particular shape, e.g. curvature
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features

Abstract

An apparatus has a see-through configuration that guides picture lights by a light guide device and superimposes lights from the outside world and the picture lights for visual recognition. The light guide device has a light guide prevention structure (light transmission prevention structure) provided in a narrow width shape part having a narrower shape than a surrounding part, and thereby, prevents unintended reflection or the like of lights due to the lights from the outside world and suppresses light guide of the lights toward an observer side.

Claims

1. A virtual image display apparatus comprising:

a picture device that generates picture lights; and

a light guide device that guides the picture lights from the picture device by reflection using a plurality of surfaces and superimposes lights from the outside world and the picture lights for visual recognition,

wherein the light guide device has a light guide prevention structure that prevents light guide of leakage lights due to reflection of the lights from the outside world by a curved surface of the light guide device in a narrow width shape part having a narrower shape than a surrounding part.

2. The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light guide prevention structure is formed on a side of another side surface than a light guide surface that directly contributes to light guide of the picture lights of surfaces of the narrow width shape part.

3. The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light guide device includes non-axisymmetric curved surfaces as the plurality of surfaces that guide the picture lights.

4. The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the narrow width shape part of the light guide device is covered by a light shielding member.

5. The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the narrow width shape part of the light guide device is provided on an incident side of the picture lights of the light guide device and connected to an attachment part of the light shielding member.

6. The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light guide prevention structure is formed by application of a colored adhesive agent to the narrow width shape part.

7. The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the adhesive agent forming the light guide prevention structure is black and one of a IN curing adhesive agent, a thermosetting adhesive agent, a moldable tape adhesive, and a hot-melt adhesive agent.

8. The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface on which the light guide prevention structure is formed of the surfaces of the narrow width shape part of the light guide device is an embossed surface.

9. The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein surfaces of the light guide surfaces of the light guide device are subjected to hard coating treatment or AR treatment, and a surface on which the light guide prevention structure is formed of the surfaces of the narrow width shape part is not subjected to hard coating treatment or AR treatment.

10. The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface on which the light guide prevention structure is formed of the surfaces of the narrow width shape part is subjected to roughening treatment.

11. The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light guide prevention structure is a rubber part in close contact with a surface of the narrow width shape part.

12. The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light guide prevention structure is provided in a lens tube part that houses lenses forming a projection system that allows the picture lights from the picture device to enter the light guide device.

13. The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the light guide prevention structure, another part is bonded to a space portion formed by the narrow width shape part.