HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAY APPARATUS

• US 20200133004A1
• Filed: 10/29/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: TAKEDA, Takashi, KOSHIHARA, Takeshi, YONEKUBO, Masatoshi, IDE, Mitsutaka
• Granted Patent: US 10,852,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/011 comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0112 comprising device for genereting colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0174 holographic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/102 for generating a colour image from monochromatic image signal sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/141 using dichroic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/002 to project the image of a two-dimensional display, such as an array of light emitting or modulating elements or a CRT
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/026 Control of mixing and/or overlay of colours in general G09G5/022 and G09G5/024 take precedence

Abstract

A head-mounted display apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an image generating module, a first deflecting element including a first deflecting portion configured to deflect, along a second optical axis intersecting the first optical axis, imaging light from the image generating module, and a second deflecting portion configured to deflect the imaging light along a third optical axis, a first diffraction element configured to diffract the imaging light from the second deflecting portion, and a second diffraction element configured to diffract the imaging light from the first diffraction element. A distance along the first optical axis between the image generating module and the first deflecting portion is longer than a distance along the third optical axis between the first diffraction element and the second deflecting portion.

Claims

1. A head-mounted display apparatus, comprising:

an image generating module configured to emit imaging light along a first optical axis;

a first deflecting element including a first deflecting portion and a second deflecting portion, the first deflecting portion configured to deflect, along a second optical axis intersecting the first optical axis, the imaging light emitted from the image generating module, the second deflecting portion configured to deflect, along a third optical axis intersecting the second optical axis, the imaging light deflected by the first deflecting portion;

a first diffraction element configured to diffract the imaging light deflected by the second deflecting portion; and

a second diffraction element configured to diffract the imaging light diffracted by the first diffraction element to form an exit pupil, wherein

the image generating module includes a plurality of image generating panels for emitting different colors of emission light and a color synthesizing element configured to synthesize the emission light emitted from the plurality of image generating panels,

the color synthesizing element includes a first synthesis film and a second synthesis film, the first synthesis film and the second synthesis film intersecting each other,

each of the plurality of image generating panels is disposed to face the color synthesizing element, and a longitudinal direction of an image generating region of the image generating panel is parallel to a line of intersection of the first synthesis film and the second synthesis film, and

a distance along the first optical axis between the image generating module and the first deflecting portion is longer than a distance along the third optical axis between the first diffraction element and the second deflecting portion.

2. The head-mounted display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the color synthesizing element is oriented so that the line of intersection intersects the second optical axis when viewed from a direction of the first optical axis.

3. The head-mounted display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a driving circuit board configured to drive the plurality of image generating panels, wherein

the first diffraction element includes a first surface facing the second deflecting portion and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and

the driving circuit board is positioned to face the second surface of the first diffraction element.

4. The head-mounted display apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

a frame configured to accommodate the image generating module, the first deflecting element, the first diffraction element, and the second diffraction element;

a temple coupled to the frame; and

a coupling portion configured to foldably couple the temple to the frame, wherein

the coupling portion is positioned to face the second surface of the first diffraction element.

5. The head-mounted display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second deflecting element configured to reflect, toward the second diffraction element, the imaging light diffracted by the first diffraction element and transmit external light.

6. The head-mounted display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the first diffraction element and the second diffraction element include a reflection-type volume hologram.