IP Library Granted Patent US 8,792,175
Granted Patent B2
US 8,792,175 · App. 13/344,868 · Granted Jul 29, 2014

Virtual image display system

Inventor: Takeshi Fujishiro (Shiojiri, JP)
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
G02B27/0172G02B2027/0178G02B27/0101G02B27/144G02B27/106G02B27/0103G02B2027/0109
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,792,175
App. No.
13/344,868
Granted
Jul 29, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A virtual image display system includes a display device that outputs image light, a projection lens that projects the image light from the display device, a first holding member that holds the projection lens, a light guide plate that takes in the image light from the projection lens, and then, guides the light to an external predetermined position, and a second holding member that holds the light guide plate. A positioning structure for positioning the light guide plate with respect to the projection lens is provided in the first holding member and the second holding member.

Claims (28)

1. A virtual image display system comprising:

a display device that outputs image light;

a projection lens that projects the image light from the display device;

a first holding member that holds the projection lens;

a light guide plate that takes in the image light from the projection lens, and then, guides the light to an external predetermined position; and

a second holding member that holds the light guide plate,

wherein a positioning structure for positioning of the light guide plate with respect to the projection lens is provided within the first holding member and within the second holding member,

wherein the light guide plate includes:

an image lead-in part that is provided to face the projection lens and leads the image light from the projection lens into the light guide plate;

a total reflection part that has a pair of total reflection surfaces formed in flat shapes orthogonal to an optical axis of the projection lens in parallel to each other, and guides the image light that has been led into the light guide plate in a direction away from the image lead-in part by total reflection on the pair of total reflection surfaces; and

an image lead-out part that leads the image light that has been guided by the total reflection surface to the external predetermined position.

2. The virtual image display system according to claim 1 , wherein the display devices, the projection lenses, the first holding members, and the light guide plates are respectively provided in pairs, and

the second holding member integrates the respective light guide plates.

3. The virtual image display system according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning structure includes:

an engaging part that projects from one of the first holding member and the second holding member along an optical axis of the projection lens toward the other; and

an engagement receiving part that is provided in the other and engages with the engaging part, and

the engaging part and the engagement receiving part engage with each other and position the light guide plate with respect to the projection lens within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis.

4. The virtual image display system according to claim 3 , wherein the engaging part includes a first engaging part and a second engaging part respectively provided on a first hypothetical line,

the engagement receiving part includes a first engagement receiving part and a second engagement receiving part respectively provided on a second hypothetical line in parallel to the first hypothetical line and respectively fitting with the first engaging part and the second engaging part, and

the second engagement receiving part is formed in an elongated hole extending along the second hypothetical line.

5. The virtual image display system according to claim 4 , wherein the first hypothetical line is orthogonal to a traveling direction of the image light within the light guide plate as seen from a direction along the optical axis of the projection lens, and

the first engaging part and the second engaging part are respectively provided in positions opposed to each other with the light guide plate in between.

6. The virtual image display system according to claim 1 , wherein the light guide plate includes:

an image lead-in part that is provided to face the projection lens and leads the image light from the projection lens into the light guide plate;

a total reflection part that has a pair of total reflection surfaces formed in flat shapes orthogonal to an optical axis of the projection lens in parallel to each other, and guides the image light that has been led into the light guide plate in a direction away from the image lead-in part by total reflection on the pair of total reflection surfaces; and

an image lead-out part that guides the image light that has been guided by the total reflection surface to the external predetermined position, and

the positioning structure includes a positioning surface provided in the first holding member in a flat shape orthogonal to the optical axis, and

the positioning surface performs positioning of the light guide plate with respect to the projection lens in a direction along the optical axis by being in contact with the total reflection surface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2012
From: FUJISHIRO, TAKESHI
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027533/0048 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2011-022228 · Feb 4, 2011 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20120200787A1 · Aug 9, 2012