Virtual image display device

• US 9,279,985 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2014
• Issued: 03/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Hiraide, Noriaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Faragalla, Michael
• Application Number:
  US14/174,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20140232619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/045 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/013 comprising a combiner of particular shape, e.g. curvature
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/015 involving arrangement aiming to get less bulky devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0161 characterised by the relative positioning of the constitutive elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0169 Supporting or connecting means other than the external walls
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0198 System for aligning or maintaining alignment of an image in a predetermined direction
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features

Abstract

A limiting part limits displacement of an optical member partially fixed to a frame unit, and excessive stress applied on the optical member and deformation of the optical member may be prevented. That is, support strength of the optical member may be improved by supplementarily using the limiting part. Note that the optical member is partially fixed to the frame unit, and fastening parts and the number of parts are reduced and downsizing becomes easier and reduction in weight of the virtual image display device is easier. Further, the optical member is partially fixed to the frame unit, and thus, even when there is a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the optical member and the frame unit, the expansion or the like of the optical member with respect to the frame unit is allowed and distortion, deformation, breakage of the optical member may be prevented more reliably.

Claims

1. A virtual image display device comprising:

an image element;

an optical member that directs a light from the image element toward an eye of an observer for visual recognition of an image,

the optical member having a prism-like light guide part that guides an image light from an image display element as the image element to the eye of the observer while reflecting the light inside, and

the light guide part having a prism that enables see-through observation of an outside world light while guiding the image light and a light-transmissive member that is connected to the prism and assists a see-through function of the outside world light; and

a frame unit that supports the image element and the optical member so that the optical member may be placed in front of the eye of the observer,

the frame unit having a limiting part that mechanically limits displacement of the optical member partially fixed to the frame unit.

2. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein the limiting part is placed adjacent to the optical member in a position to which the optical member is displaced and blocks the displacement of the optical member.

3. The virtual image display device according to claim 2, wherein the optical member has an oval outline, and the limiting part has a protrusion part that limits the displacement in a direction perpendicular to a surface in which the optical member extends while allowing the displacement in a longitudinal direction of the optical member.

4. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein the frame unit is formed using a metal material and the optical member is formed using a resin material.

5. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein the limiting part is in elastic contact with the optical member.

6. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein the optical member has a lock part locked by the limiting part.

7. The virtual image display device according to claim 6, wherein the lock part is locked by the limiting part using engagement of a concave portion and a convex portion.

8. The virtual image display device according to claim 7, wherein the lock part has a rib linearly extending along a peripheral part of the optical member, and the limiting part has a groove that is provided to be sandwiched by a pair of the protrusion parts and receives the rib.

9. The virtual image display device according to claim 8, wherein the limiting part further has an elastic member provided in a gap between the rib and the concave portion.

10. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein the frame unit has a fixing part that is connected to a part of the optical member to fix the optical member to the frame unit.

11. The virtual image display device according to claim 10, wherein the fixing part and the limiting part are provided apart from each other.

12. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein the frame unit has a frame with the fixing part and a protector that is fixed to the frame and protects at least a part of the peripheral part of the optical member.

13. The virtual image display device according to claim 12, wherein the limiting part is provided at a center side along the frame and the fixing part that fixes the optical member to the frame unit is provided at a side of the frame.

14. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image element outputs a signal light for two-dimensional scanning and the optical member reflects the light from the image display element and guides the light to the eye of the observer.