Light guide unit for an image display

• US 9,933,621 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2015
• Issued: 04/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hirano, Takaaki, Kondo, Shuji, Mada, Yusuke, Fukumoto, Koji
• Primary Examiner(s): Won, Bumsuk
• Assistant Examiner(s): Duong, Henry
• Application Number:
  US14/659,943
• Publication Number:
  US 20150277126A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 359633
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/011 comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0125 Field-of-view increase by wavefront division
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0169 Supporting or connecting means other than the external walls
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0149 characterised by mechanical features G02B27/0176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/008 with means for compensating for changes in temperature or for controlling the temperature; thermal stabilisation

Abstract

An image display device includes an image forming unit and a light guide unit. The light guide unit includes a light guide plate and a housing member. The light guide plate is configured to guide light of an image formed in the image forming unit. The housing member is configured to house the light guide plate. The housing member includes a first cover member, a second cover member, and an attachment member. The second cover member is attached to the first cover member. The attachment member is configured to attach the light guide plate to a housing unit that is surrounded by the first cover member and the second cover member.

Claims

1. An image display device, comprising:

an image forming unit; and

a light guide unit, the light guide unit including

a light guide plate configured to guide light of an image formed in the image forming unit, and

a housing member configured to house the light guide plate, the housing member including

a first transparent cover member,

a second transparent cover member attached to the first transparent cover member using a support unit, and

an attachment member configured to attach the light guide plate to a housing unit that is surrounded by the first transparent cover member and the second transparent cover member,

wherein the second transparent cover member is located on an opposite side of the first transparent cover member with the light guide plate.

2. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment member is made of a thermal insulation material.

3. The image display device according to claim 2, wherein the attachment member has a thermal conductivity smaller than a thermal conductivity of each of the light guide plate, the first cover member, and the second cover member.

4. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment member is made of a buffer material.

5. The image display device according to claim 4, wherein the attachment member has an elastic modulus smaller than an elastic modulus of the light guide plate.

6. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide plate is attached to the first cover member by the attachment member.

7. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein a gap is provided between the light guide plate and the first cover member, and a gap is provided between the light guide plate and the second cover member.

8. The image display device according to claim 7, wherein air is present in the gaps.

9. The image display device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the first cover member and the second cover member has an opening.

10. The image display device according to claim 7, wherein the gaps are each filled with inert gas.

11. The image display device according to claim 7, wherein the gaps are each at a reduced pressure.

12. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein a resin layer is provided between the light guide plate and the first cover member, and a resin layer is provided between the light guide plate and the second cover member.

13. The image display device according to claim 12, wherein the resin layer has a thermal conductivity smaller than a thermal conductivity of each of the light guide plate, the first cover member, and the second cover member.

14. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the first cover member and the second cover member are each made of a material through which light passes.

15. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein an ultraviolet ray protective layer is provided to an outer surface of the cover member on a side to which outside light is input.

16. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein a dimmer unit is attached to the cover member on a side to which outside light is input.

17. A light guide apparatus, comprising:

a light guide plate; and

a housing member configured to house the light guide plate, the housing member including a first transparent cover member,

a second transparent cover member attached to the first transparent cover member using a support unit, and an attachment member configured to attach the light guide plate to a housing unit that is surrounded by the first transparent cover member and the second transparent cover member,

wherein the second transparent cover member is located on an opposite side of the first transparent cover member with the light guide plate.

18. A display apparatus, comprising:

a frame configured to be mounted on a viewer'"'"'s head portion; and

an image display device attached to the frame, the image display device including

an image forming unit, and

a light guide unit, the light guide unit including

a light guide plate configured to guide light of an image formed in the image forming unit, and a housing member configured to house the light guide plate, the housing member including

a first transparent cover member,

a second transparent cover member attached to the first transparent cover member using a support unit, and an attachment member configured to attach the light guide plate to a housing unit that is surrounded by the first transparent cover member and the second transparent cover member,

wherein the second transparent cover member is located on an opposite side of the first transparent cover member with the light guide plate.