KR102620103B1 - Method for manufacturing optical device for augmented reality and optical device for augmented reality manufactured by using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes a first step of preparing a first plate having a plurality of inclined surfaces on the upper surface; A second step of depositing a reflective film on the entire upper surface of the first plate; A third step of performing patterning of the reflector by attaching a patterning material to the position where the reflector is to be formed on the plurality of inclined surfaces using a dispenser; A fourth step of etching the first plate to remove the reflective film from the portion excluding the portion where the reflector patterning was performed; a fifth step of exposing the reflection portion by removing the patterning material from the portion where the reflection portion patterning was performed; A method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality comprising a sixth step of combining a second plate with the first plate, and an optical device for augmented reality manufactured thereby are provided.

Description

Method for manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality and an optical device for augmented reality manufactured thereby

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality and an optical device for augmented reality manufactured thereby. More specifically, the present invention relates to an optical device for augmented reality while preventing shape errors in the reflection portion due to mask tolerance in the conventional deposition process. It relates to a method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality that can efficiently form a reflection portion on an inclined surface, and an optical device for augmented reality manufactured thereby.

As is well known, Augmented Reality (AR) means providing virtual images or images provided by a computer, etc. by overlapping them with actual images of the real world.

In order to implement such augmented reality, an optical system is required to provide a virtual image generated by a device such as a computer overlaid on an image of the real world. As such an optical system, a technology using optical means such as a prism that reflects or refracts a virtual image applied to a head mounted display (HMD) or glasses-type augmented reality device is known.

However, devices using such conventional optical systems have a complicated structure, have a significant weight and volume, so they are uncomfortable for users to wear, and the manufacturing process is also complicated, so the manufacturing cost is high.

Additionally, conventional devices have a limitation in that if the user changes the focal distance while gazing at the real world, the virtual image becomes out of focus. To solve this problem, technologies such as using a prism-like structure that can adjust the focal length of the virtual image or electrically controlling a variable focus lens according to changes in the focal length have been proposed. However, this technology also has a problem in that it requires separate operation by the user to adjust the focal distance or requires hardware and software such as a separate processor to control the focal distance.

In order to solve these problems of the prior art, the present applicant has developed a device that can implement augmented reality by projecting a virtual image onto the retina through the pupil using a reflector smaller than the human pupil.

Figure 1 shows a side view of an optical device 100 for augmented reality developed by the present applicant.

The optical device 100 for augmented reality in FIG. 1 includes an image emitting unit 10, a reflecting unit 20, and an optical means 30.

The image emitting unit 10 is a means for emitting virtual image image light, for example, a micro display device that displays a virtual image on a screen and emits virtual image image light corresponding to the displayed virtual image, and image light emitted from the micro display device. A collimator may be provided to collimate the beam with parallel light.

The reflector 20 reflects the virtual image light emitted from the image emitter 10 and transmits it toward the user's pupil 50, thereby providing a virtual image to the user. The reflector 20 has an appropriate angle between the image emitter 10 and the pupil 50 so as to reflect the virtual image light emitted from the image emitter 10 into the pupil 50. 30) It is buried and placed inside.

The optical means 30 transmits real object image light, which is image light emitted from objects in the real world, while emitting virtual image image light reflected from the reflector 20 to the pupil 50.

A reflecting portion 20 is embedded inside the optical means 30. This optical means 30 may be formed of a transparent material such as a spectacle lens, for example, and is fixed by the frame portion 40 .

The frame unit 40 is a means for fixing and supporting the image emitting unit 10 and the optical means 30, and may be formed in the shape of, for example, glasses.

The reflection portion 20 in FIG. 1 is formed in a size smaller than the human pupil. It is known that the typical human pupil size is about 4 to 8 mm, so it is preferable that the reflection portion 20 is formed to be 8 mm or less. By forming the reflector 20 to be 8 mm or less, the depth of field for light incident on the pupil 50 through the reflector 20 can be made close to infinity, that is, very deep.

Here, depth of field refers to the range recognized as being in focus. As the depth of field becomes deeper, the focal distance for the virtual image becomes correspondingly longer. Therefore, even if the user changes the focal distance to the real world while gazing at the real world, the virtual image is always recognized as being in focus regardless. This can be seen as a kind of pinhole effect.

Accordingly, the optical device 100 for augmented reality as shown in FIG. 1 allows the user to always observe a clear virtual image even if the user changes the focal distance to the actual object.

In this way, the virtual image light emitted from the image emitter 10 is transmitted to the reflector 20, and the reflector 20 must reflect the virtual image light toward the user's pupil 50, so it is reflected. The unit 20 must be arranged to have an appropriate inclination angle inside the optical means 30 in consideration of the position of the pupil 50.

Various methods can be used to place the reflector 20 at a suitable inclination angle within the optical means 30, and the applicant uses a pair of first optics with inclined counter surfaces, as described in the prior art literature below. A method has been developed to prepare an element and a second optical element, form a reflection portion on the corresponding surface of the first optical element, and then tightly fix the first optical element and the second optical element. According to this, an optical element with a plurality of inclined surfaces can be prepared and the reflector can be deposited using a 3D deposition mask corresponding to the reflector pattern. However, in this method, due to the basic process constraints of inclined surface deposition, the shape of the reflector can be changed from the mask tolerance. There was a fatal problem in which errors occurred.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0063442 (published on June 7, 2019)

The present invention was created to solve the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to efficiently form a reflector on the inclined surface of an augmented reality optical device while preventing shape errors of the reflector due to mask tolerance in the conventional deposition process. To provide a method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality and an optical device for augmented reality manufactured thereby.

To this end, the method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality according to the present invention includes a first step of preparing a first plate having a plurality of inclined surfaces on the upper surface; A second step of depositing a reflective film on the entire upper surface of the first plate; A third step of performing patterning of the reflector by attaching a patterning material to the position where the reflector is to be formed on the plurality of inclined surfaces using a dispenser; A fourth step of etching the first plate to remove the reflective film from the portion excluding the portion where the reflector patterning was performed; a fifth step of exposing the reflection portion by removing the patterning material from the portion where the reflection portion patterning was performed; and a sixth step of coupling a second plate to the first plate.

Here, at least some of the plurality of inclined surfaces of the first plate may have different heights.

Additionally, the upper portions of the plurality of teeth forming the plurality of inclined surfaces on the upper surface of the first plate may have different cross-sectional shapes.

Additionally, in the third step, the dispenser has at least one nozzle with a predetermined amount of patterning material exposed at its end, and the dispenser moves according to a control algorithm so that the nozzle of the dispenser moves along the inclined surface of the first plate. By moving closer to a specific location, the patterning material can be attached to the inclined surface.

Additionally, when there are a plurality of nozzles, the patterning material may be attached to the inclined surface as the plurality of nozzles simultaneously move closer to the inclined surface of the first plate.

In addition, in the third step, the first plate on which the reflective film is deposited is placed with the inclined surface of the first plate facing downward, the dispenser is placed below the first plate, and the nozzle of the dispenser moves from the bottom to the top. Reflector patterning can be performed while moving.

Additionally, in the third step, the dispenser is tilted and moved at a predetermined angle with respect to the upper surface of the first plate, so that the nozzle provided in the dispenser can move vertically close to the inclined surface.

Additionally, in the third step, the nozzle provided in the dispenser is bent in a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface and can be moved perpendicularly close to the inclined surface.

Additionally, in the third step, patterning of the reflector may be performed by attaching a plurality of patterning materials to each inclined surface of the first plate.

Additionally, in the third step, the patterning material may be attached to the inclined surface so that its size is 4 mm or less.

Additionally, the second plate may be formed of the same material as the first plate.

Additionally, the second plate may have a refractive index difference of less than 0.01 from the first plate.

Additionally, in the sixth step, the second sheet may be bonded and laminated to the first sheet using an adhesive.

Additionally, the refractive index of the adhesive may have a deviation of less than 0.01 from the refractive index of the first and second plates.

Additionally, the fifth step may be omitted, and the sixth step may be performed by adhesively laminating the second plate to the first plate using an adhesive made of the same material as the patterning material.

Additionally, in the sixth step, the second plate can be formed on the first plate by casting using the first plate as a mold.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an optical device for augmented reality manufactured by the method for manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality as described above is provided.

As described above, the present invention can improve the phenomenon of foreign matter generation due to equipment problems and shape errors of the reflector due to mask tolerance that occur in the process of depositing the reflector by covering a mask with a reflector pattern on the inclined surface of a conventional optical element. A method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality that has the following effects can be provided.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of efficiently mass producing optical devices for augmented reality by simplifying the deposition process and improving yield.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing a conventional optical device for augmented reality.
Figures 2 and 3 show an optical device for augmented reality 200 manufactured by the method for manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality according to the present invention, where Figure 2 is a side view and Figure 3 is a perspective view.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of an augmented reality optical device 300 manufactured by the method of manufacturing an augmented reality optical device according to the present invention, where FIG. 4 is a perspective view and FIG. 5 is a front view.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of an augmented reality optical device 400 manufactured by the method of manufacturing an augmented reality optical device according to the present invention, where FIG. 6 is a perspective view and FIG. 7 is a front view.
Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the overall process of the manufacturing method of the optical devices 200 to 400 for augmented reality according to the present invention.
Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the first plate 30a.
Figure 10 is a side view showing the state before and after depositing the reflective film 14 on the first plate 30a.
Figure 11 is a diagram showing the reflector patterning process.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the process of etching the reflective film 14 and removing the patterning material 15.
Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the first plate 30a in a state in which the patterning material 15 removal process has been performed.
Figure 14 is a side view showing a state in which the second plate 30b is coupled to the first plate 30a.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, similar components are given the same reference numbers and duplicate descriptions thereof are omitted.

In describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed descriptions will be omitted.

The attached drawings are intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, but do not limit the technical idea disclosed in this specification by the attached drawings, and all changes and equivalents included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. It should be understood to include substitutes.

Figures 2 and 3 show an embodiment of an optical device for augmented reality 200 manufactured by the method for manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality according to the present invention, where Figure 2 is a side view and Figure 3 is a perspective view. However, it should be noted that the image emitting unit 10 is omitted in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the optical device 200 for augmented reality according to this embodiment includes a reflection means 20 and an optical means 30.

The image emitter 10 is a means for emitting virtual image light, which is image light corresponding to a virtual image, which is an augmented reality image, toward the optical means 30, for example, by displaying the virtual image on the screen. It may be composed of a display device 11 such as a small LCD that emits virtual image light through a screen and a collimator 12 that emits light that collimates the virtual image light emitted from the display device 11. Since the image emitting unit 10 itself is not a direct object of the present invention and is known in the prior art, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

Here, the image for augmented reality is displayed on the screen of the display device 11 of the image emitter 10 and transmitted to the user's pupil 50 through the reflection means 20 and the optical means 30. It refers to a virtual image and can be either a still image or a moving image.

This augmented reality image is emitted as virtual image light from the image emitter 10 and transmitted to the user's pupil 50 through the reflection means 20 and the optical means 30 to provide a virtual image to the user. At the same time, the user is provided with an augmented reality service by receiving real object image light, which is image light emitted from a real object existing in the real world, directly to the eyes through the optical means 30.

Here, the virtual image image light is totally reflected once on the inner surface of the optical means 30 and transmitted to the reflecting means 20, so the image emitting unit 10 is disposed at the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. , this is an example, and when a total reflection structure is not used or two or more total reflections are used, the image emitting unit 10 is at an appropriate position to transmit the virtual image image light to the reflection means 20 through the optical means 30. is placed in That is, the image emitting unit 10 is placed at an appropriate position in consideration of the position and angle of the reflecting means 20 and the position of the pupil 50.

The reflection means 20 is a means for transmitting the virtual image light emitted from the image emitting unit 10 by reflecting it toward the pupil 50 of the user's eye.

The reflecting means 20 may be composed of a plurality of reflecting parts 21 to 29, and the reference numeral 20 refers to all of the plurality of reflecting parts 21 to 29.

This reflective means 20 is embedded and disposed inside the optical means 30, as shown. As will be described later, the optical means 30 includes a first surface 31 through which at least a portion of the virtual image image light and the actual object image light reflected by the reflection means 20 are emitted toward the user's pupil 50; It has a second surface 32 opposite the first surface 31 and onto which actual object image light enters. The reflecting means 20 is connected to the first surface 31 and the second surface of the optical means 30. (32) is placed buried in the internal space between.

The first surface 31 of the optical means 30 is the surface facing the user's pupil 50 when the user places the optical device for augmented reality 200 in front of the pupil 50, and the second surface 31 is the surface facing the user's pupil 50. Side 32 is the opposite side, that is, the side facing the object in the real world.

Meanwhile, in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the virtual image light emitted from the image emitting unit 10 is shown to be totally reflected once on the inner surface of the optical means 30 and then transmitted to the reflecting means 20. , This is an example, and total reflection may not be used, or it may be totally reflected twice or more on the inner surface of the optical means 30 and then transmitted to the reflection means 20.

2 and 3, the reflection means 20 includes a plurality of reflection parts 21 to 29, and each of the reflection parts 21 to 29 reflects the incident virtual image light to reflect the user. It is disposed at an appropriate inclination angle inside the optical means 30 in consideration of the positions of the image emitting unit 10 and the pupil 50 so that the image is transmitted to the pupil 50 of the image.

Meanwhile, each of the reflection portions 21 to 29 is preferably formed to be smaller than the size of the human pupil, that is, 8 mm or less, more preferably 4 mm or less, so as to increase the depth of field and obtain a pinhole effect. do. As a result, the depth of field for light incident on the pupil through each of the reflection units 21 to 29 can be close to infinity, that is, the depth of field can be very deep. Therefore, even if the user changes the focal distance to the real world while gazing at the real world, a pinhole effect can occur that causes the virtual image to always be perceived as being in focus regardless.

Here, the size of each of the reflection parts 21 to 29 is defined to mean the maximum length between any two points on the edge border of each reflection part 21 to 29.

In addition, the size of each of the reflectors 21 to 29 is determined by the orthogonal projection of each reflector 21 to 29 on a plane that includes the center of the pupil 50 and is perpendicular to the direction in which the user is looking at the front. This can be the maximum length between any two points on an edge border.

On the other hand, when the size of the reflection parts 21 to 29 is too small, the diffraction phenomenon in the reflection parts 21 to 29 increases, so the size of each reflection part 21 to 29 is larger than, for example, 0.3 mm. It is desirable.

In addition, it is preferable that the shape of each of the reflection parts 21 to 29 appears circular when the reflection parts 21 to 29 are viewed from the pupil 50.

Meanwhile, at least two of the reflectors 21 to 29 (26 to 29, 20A) are closer to the second surface 32 of the optical means 30 as the distance from the image emitting unit 10 increases. It is placed so that it is close to each other. Except for the reflectors 26 to 29, the remaining reflectors 21 to 25 and 20B are arranged to have the same distance from the second surface 32 of the optical means 30 regardless of the distance from the image emitter 10. It is placed.

However, this is an example, and the arrangement structure and direction of the reflectors 21 to 29 may have different shapes as needed.

Meanwhile, the reflectors 21 to 29 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other, preferably at a distance smaller than the size of the reflectors 21 to 29.

Meanwhile, the optical means 30 is a means in which the reflecting portions 21 to 29 are embedded and transmits at least a portion of the actual object image light, which is the image light emitted from the actual object, toward the pupil 50 of the user's eye.

Here, transmitting at least a portion of the actual object image light toward the pupil 50 means that the light transmittance of the actual object image light does not necessarily have to be 100%.

In addition, as described above, the optical means 30 directly transmits the virtual image image light emitted from the image emitting unit 10 to the reflecting units 21 to 29 through the interior of the optical means 30 or the optical means 30. It is totally reflected at least once on the inner surface of (30) and then transmitted to the reflection units (21 to 29).

As described above, the optical means 30 includes a first surface 31 through which at least a portion of the virtual image image light and the actual object image light reflected by the reflection units 21 to 29 are emitted toward the user's pupil, and It has a second surface 32 opposite the first surface 31 and onto which actual object image light enters, and the reflection parts 21 to 29 are located inside the inner surface between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32. It is placed in landfill.

The optical means 30 may be formed of lenses made of glass, plastic, or other synthetic resin materials, and may have various refractive indices and transparency.

The first surface 31 and the second surface 32 of the optical means 30 are shown as being parallel to each other, but this is an example and may be configured not to be parallel to each other.

Additionally, at least one of the first surface 31 and the second surface 32 of the optical means 30 may be formed as a curved surface. That is, either the first surface 31 or the second surface 32 may be curved, and both the first surface 31 and the second surface 32 may be curved.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of an augmented reality optical device 300 manufactured by the method of manufacturing an augmented reality optical device according to the present invention, where FIG. 4 is a perspective view and FIG. 5 is a front view. However, it should be noted that the image emitting unit 10 is omitted in FIGS. 4 and 5 as well.

The optical device 300 for augmented reality in FIGS. 4 and 5 has the same basic configuration as the optical device 200 for augmented reality in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, but includes a plurality of reflection means 20. It is characterized by Here, each reflecting means 201 to 211 also includes a plurality of reflecting parts 21 to 29.

Here, the plurality of reflection means 201 to 211 have the following arrangement structure. That is, as described above, when the optical means 30 is placed in front of the user's pupil 50, the front direction in the pupil 50 is called the x-axis, and the vertical line from the image emitter 10 to the x-axis is One of the line segments parallel to the x-axis and passing between the first and second surfaces 31 and 32 of the optical means 30 is called the y-axis, and the line segment orthogonal to the When referring to the axis, the reflecting means 201 to 211 are arranged in parallel and at intervals along the z-axis direction.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the reflecting means 201 to 211 are arranged in parallel along the z-axis direction at equal intervals, but this is an example and do not necessarily have to be at equal intervals.

In addition, the spacing along the z-axis direction of the reflecting means 201 to 211 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is shown as an example for convenience of explanation, and may actually be arranged closer or further apart than this. For example, the spacing between the reflecting means 201 to 211 may be arranged to be less than or equal to the size of the reflecting units 21 to 29.

Additionally, the number of reflection units 21 to 29 constituting the reflection means 201 to 211 need not all be the same.

In addition, each of the reflection means 201 to 211 is such that each of the reflection parts 21 to 29 constituting each reflection means 201 to 211 is a reflection part ( 21 to 29) and can be arranged to be located along an imaginary straight line parallel to the z-axis. At this time, when the plurality of reflection means 201 to 211 are viewed from the outside toward a plane perpendicular to the z-axis, they appear the same as shown in FIG. 2.

According to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, as described above, the depth of field of the virtual image is deepened to generate a pinhole effect, which has the effect of always providing a clear virtual image regardless of the change in focal length and the viewing angle. There is an advantage in that the eye box in the z-axis direction can be expanded.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of an augmented reality optical device 400 manufactured by the method of manufacturing an augmented reality optical device according to the present invention, where FIG. 6 is a perspective view and FIG. 7 is a front view. However, it should be noted that the image emitting unit 10 is omitted in FIGS. 6 and 7 as well.

The optical device 400 for augmented reality of FIGS. 6 and 7 is basically the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, but each of the reflection units 21 to 28 constituting the reflection means 201 to 211 or The difference is that the 21 to 29) are arranged so as not to be located along an imaginary straight line parallel to the z-axis with all the reflecting parts 21 to 28 or 21 to 29 constituting the adjacent reflecting means 201 to 211. There is.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the reflection parts 21 to 28 of the first reflection means 201 and the reflection parts 21 to 29 of the second reflection means 202, which are adjacent to each other from the left direction of the z-axis, are aligned along the y-axis. Comparing in order from the upper direction (towards the image emitting unit 10), each of the reflecting units 21 to 28 of the first reflecting means 201 is compared to all the reflecting parts 21 to 29 of the second reflecting means 202. It can be seen that it is arranged so that it is not located along an imaginary straight line parallel to the z-axis.

That is, the reflecting parts 21 to 28 of the first reflecting means 201 and the reflecting parts 21 to 29 of the second reflecting means 202 are not aligned parallel to the z-axis but are arranged to be staggered.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 , the reflecting means 201 to 211 are arranged in parallel along the z-axis direction at equal intervals, but this is an example and do not necessarily have to be at equal intervals. In addition, the spacing along the z-axis direction of the reflecting means 201 to 211 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown as an example for convenience of explanation, and may actually be arranged closer or further apart than this.

Next, a method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and below.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the overall process of manufacturing the optical devices 200 to 400 for augmented reality according to the present invention, and Figures 9 to 14 illustrate the process of manufacturing the optical devices 200 to 400 for augmented reality. This is a drawing for this purpose.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first plate 30a, and FIG. 10 is a side view showing the state before and after depositing the reflective film 14 on the first plate 30a.

First, as shown in (a) of FIGS. 9 and 10, the first plate 30a constituting the optical means 30 is prepared (S10).

The first plate 30a is the lower base substrate of the optical means 30. The first plate 30a may be made of a resin material and may be molded by injection or casting as known in the art.

A plurality of inclined surfaces 13a are formed on the upper surface of the first plate 30a. A plurality of inclined surfaces 13a are formed along the y-axis direction (see FIG. 9), and on these inclined surfaces 13a are reflections of the optical devices 200 to 400 for augmented reality as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. Reflecting parts 16 (see FIGS. 12 to 14) corresponding to the parts 21 to 29 are formed.

Meanwhile, the number (5) of reflection units 21 to 29 in the y-axis direction described below in FIG. 9 is the reflection in the y-axis direction of the optical devices 200 to 400 for augmented reality in FIGS. 2 to 7. Although it is smaller than the number of parts (21-29) (9), it should be noted that this is for convenience of explanation.

In (a) of FIG. 10, the height of each inclined surface 13a formed on the upper surface of the first plate 30a is sequentially increased toward the right, but this is an example, and the height of the inclined surface 13a may be sequentially lowered. Of course, they can all be the same. Additionally, the height of the inclined surface 13a may have various other profiles depending on the arrangement of the reflectors 21 to 29.

In addition, each inclined surface 13a of the first plate 30a is formed by a plurality of toothed upper parts 13 of a sawtooth structure, and the plurality of toothed upper parts 13 may have different cross-sectional shapes. Different shapes of the cross sections of the upper part of the sawtooth (13) mean that the height, length, or angle of the inclined surface are different.

Next, as shown in (b) of FIG. 10, the reflective film 14 is deposited on the entire upper surface of the first plate 30a (S20).

A metal material such as aluminum or silver that reflects light may be used as a material for the reflective film 14, and a conventional technique may be used to deposit the reflective film 14. It is preferable that the reflectance of the reflective film 14 is 100% or a material having a high reflectance close to it, and more preferably, a reflectance of 90 to 100%.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the process of patterning the reflector. When the reflective film deposition process as described above is completed, an automatic dispenser 70 (hereinafter referred to as dispenser) is used as shown in (c) of FIG. Patterning of the reflection part is performed in (13a) (S30).

The dispenser 70 proceeds to pattern the reflector by attaching the patterning material 15 to the position where the reflector 16 is to be formed on the inclined surface 13a where the reflector 14 is deposited. The material of the patterning material 15 must be a material that does not react in the reflective film etching process described later.

The dispenser 70 may be composed of one or more nozzles 72, and a certain amount of patterning material 15 is exposed at the end of the nozzle 72 of the dispenser 70.

The dispenser 70 repeatedly performs an operation of attaching the patterning material 15 to the position where the reflection portion 16 is to be formed on the inclined surface 13a at preset intervals using a control algorithm.

For example, when using one nozzle 72, as the dispenser 70 moves according to the control algorithm, the nozzle 72 moves closer to a specific position on the inclined surface 13a, thereby producing a certain amount of patterning material 15. ) is attached to the inclined surface 13a and patterning is performed. At this time, the nozzle 72 moves very close to the inclined surface 13a, and the patterning material 15 exposed at the end of the nozzle 72 comes into contact with the inclined surface 13a. As a result, the patterning material 15 is moved to the inclined surface 13a. ) can be attached to.

After patterning, when the nozzle 72 is spaced apart, a certain amount of patterning material 15 is filled again at the tip of the nozzle 72, and then moves to the next inclined surface 13a to perform patterning. In this case, the dispenser 70 may perform reflector patterning while moving to different depths for each inclined surface 13a on which the plurality of reflectors 16 are formed.

When using a plurality of nozzles 72, patterning can be performed while the plurality of nozzles 72 simultaneously move close to the inclined surface 13a according to a control algorithm.

Meanwhile, when the dispenser 70 moves in the direction of gravity, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the first plate 30a, the nozzle 72 also moves in the direction of gravity and moves closer to the inclined surface 13a, so that the end of the nozzle 72 and The inclined surface 13a may not be vertical.

In this case, when the main body of the dispenser 70 is tilted at a certain angle with respect to the inclined surface 13a, the nozzle 72 can also be moved at a certain angle, so that the nozzle 72 can move closer to the inclined surface 13a in the vertical direction. there is.

In addition, if the nozzle 72 is manufactured in a curved shape rather than a straight shape, even if the dispenser 70 moves in the vertical direction with respect to the first plate 30a, the nozzle 72 has an inclined surface 13a due to its bent shape. It can move close to the vertical direction.

In (c-1) of FIG. 11, the dispenser 70 is performing patterning of the reflector while moving on the upper surface of the first plate 30a, but considering the viscosity or surface tension of the patterning material, (c-2) of FIG. 11 ), the first plate 30a is placed so that the inclined surface 13a of the first plate 30a faces downward, and the dispenser 70 is placed below the first plate 30a, and then the nozzle 72 By moving from the bottom to the top, the patterning of the reflector can be performed in the opposite direction of gravity.

When manufacturing the augmented reality optical device 200 of FIGS. 2 and 3, patterning of the reflector can be performed by attaching one patterning material 15 to each inclined surface 13a along the y-axis direction.

When manufacturing the optical device 300 for augmented reality in FIGS. 4 and 5, the dispenser 70 attaches a plurality of patterning materials 15 along the z-axis direction on each inclined surface 13a to pattern the reflector. can be performed.

For example, the dispenser 70 may be provided with a plurality of nozzles 72 arranged along the z-axis direction to attach a plurality of patterning materials 15 to each inclined surface 13a.

That is, the dispenser 70 having a plurality of nozzles 72 arranged along the z-axis direction simultaneously performs reflector patterning at a position corresponding to the first reflector 21 of each reflection means 201 to 211. Then, the process of moving to the next inclined surface 13a and simultaneously performing reflector patterning at a position corresponding to the second reflector 22 can be performed up to a position corresponding to the last reflector 29. At this time, the dispenser 70 moves in the y-axis direction by the interval between the inclined surfaces 13a, the length of the plurality of nozzles 72 is the same, and the x-axis moving distance of the nozzles 72 on each inclined surface 13a is different. .

In addition, in the case of the optical device 400 for augmented reality in FIGS. 6 and 7, patterning of the reflector is performed in the same manner as the optical device 300 for augmented reality as described above, but the dispenser 70 moves in the y-axis direction. Patterning of the reflector can be performed by moving to the next inclined surface 13a and then moving at a predetermined interval in the z-axis direction.

Additionally, when using a plurality of nozzles 72 in a two-dimensional array structure, the patterning material 15 can be attached in a two-dimensional array structure at once without the need to move the dispenser 70.

Meanwhile, in the above-described reflector patterning process, the nozzle 72 moves close to the inclined surface 13a and attaches the patterning material 15 to the inclined surface 13a. However, this is an example, and the nozzle 72 Of course, the patterning material 15 may be attached to the inclined surface 13a by contacting the inclined surface 13a.

The reflector patterning method described above is exemplary, and of course, various other methods can be used using other appropriate control algorithms.

FIG. 11 (c-3) shows a top view of the first plate 30a in a state in which the patterning of the reflector has been completed, and illustrates a top view corresponding to the optical device 400 for augmented reality of FIGS. 6 and 7 described above. It is shown as an enemy.

As shown, a reflective film 14 is formed on the upper surface of the first plate 30a, and the patterning material 15 is attached to the reflective film 14.

Meanwhile, in the reflecting part patterning process, the patterning material 15 formed on the inclined surface 13a forms the reflecting part 16 through a process described later, so the size of the patterning material 15 is 4 mm or less as described above. It is preferably attached to the inclined surface 13a as much as possible.

When the patterning of the reflector is completed in this way, an etching process for the reflective film 14 and removal of the patterning material 15 are performed (S40, S50).

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the process of etching the reflective film 14 and removing the patterning material 15. First, as shown in (d) of FIG. 12, the first plate 30a on which the patterning of the reflective part has been completed is shown. ), etching is performed on the reflective film 14 (S40).

Etching of the reflective film 14 is a process for removing the remaining portion of the reflective film 14 except for the location where the patterning material 15 is attached. The etching method itself is known in the prior art, and is not a direct object of the present invention, so detailed description is omitted.

When etching is performed on the reflective film 14, as shown in (d) of FIG. 12, all of the reflective film 14 except the location where the patterning material 15 is attached is removed, and the upper surface of the first plate 30a Only the patterning material 15 and the reflective film 14 formed under the patterning material 15 remain.

Next, when the patterning material 15 is removed (S50), the reflective film 14 of the patterned portion is exposed, as shown in (e) of FIG. 12, and the exposed reflective film 14 is the reflective portion 16. forms. Here, the reflector 16 corresponds to the reflectors 21 to 29 of the optical devices 200 to 400 for augmented reality described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7 .

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the first plate 30a in a state in which the patterning material 15 removal process has been performed, and the first plate (corresponding to the optical device 400 for augmented reality in FIGS. 6 and 7 described above) The perspective view of 30a) is shown as an example.

As shown in FIG. 13, it can be seen that a plurality of reflection portions 16 are formed on the inclined surface 13a of the first plate 30a.

Next, the optical means 30 is formed by combining the second plate 30b with the first plate 30a on which the reflection portion 16 is formed (S60).

The second plate 30b is an upper base substrate of the optical means 30 and has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the first plate 30a. The second plate 30b is made of the same material as the first plate 30a. In addition, the second plate 30b preferably has a refractive index that is the same as that of the first plate 30a, but may have a refractive index deviation within 0.01.

Figure 14 is a side view showing a state in which the second plate 30b is coupled to the first plate 30a. As shown, the inclined surface 13a is formed by tightly coupling the second plate 30b to the first plate 30a. ) It can be seen that the optical means 30 formed with the reflection portion 16 can be manufactured.

Here, the second plate 30b may be tightly coupled to the first plate 30a using an adhesive 17. At this time, if the adhesive 17 used is the same material as the patterning material 15, the process of removing the patterning material 15 may be omitted.

The adhesive 17 preferably has the same refractive index as the first plate 30a and the second plate 30b, but may have a deviation of less than 0.01 from the refractive index of the first plate 30a and the second plate 30b. You can.

Meanwhile, in the joining process (S60) of the second plate 30b, a first plate 30a is formed on the first plate 30a by casting the material of the second plate 30b using the first plate 30a itself as a mold. 2 The optical means 30 can also be formed by molding the plate 30b.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but this should not be construed as limiting and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

For example, in FIGS. 8 to 14, the augmented reality optical device 400 of FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to the augmented reality optical devices 200 and 300 of FIGS. 2 to 5. Of course.

In addition, of course, the present invention can be applied to various other types of augmented reality optical devices in addition to the augmented reality optical devices 200 to 400 of FIGS. 2 to 7.

100...conventional optical device for augmented reality
200,300,400...optics for augmented reality
10...Image projection unit
20...Means of reflection
30...Optical means
31...first side of the optical means 30
32...Second side of optical means 30
13a...slope
13...Tooth top
14...Semi-desert
15...Patterning material
16...reflection part
17...Adhesive
30a...First plate (lower base board)
30b...second plate (upper base board)
201~211... Multiple means of reflection
21~29...Reflection section
40...frame part
50...pupil
70...Automatic dispenser
72...nozzle

Claims (17)

A method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, comprising:
A first step of preparing a first plate having a plurality of inclined surfaces on the upper surface;
A second step of depositing a reflective film on the entire upper surface of the first plate;
A third step of performing patterning of the reflector by attaching a patterning material to the position where the reflector is to be formed on the plurality of inclined surfaces using a dispenser;
The first plate is etched to remove the reflective film in the remaining portion except for the location where the patterning material is attached by the third step of patterning the reflector, thereby forming a patterning material on the upper surface of the first plate and under the patterning material. The fourth step leaves only the semi-desert;
A fifth step of forming reflection parts on the plurality of inclined surfaces of the first plate by removing the patterning material remaining in the area where the reflection patterning was performed to expose the reflection parts; and
Sixth step of joining the second plate to the first plate
Including,
In the sixth step, the second sheet is adhered and laminated to the first sheet using an adhesive,
The fifth step is omitted, and the sixth step is a method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, characterized in that the second plate is adhesively laminated to the first plate using an adhesive made of the same material as the patterning material. According to paragraph 1,
A method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, wherein at least some of the plurality of inclined surfaces of the first plate have different heights. According to paragraph 1,
A method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, wherein the upper portions of the plurality of teeth forming the plurality of inclined surfaces on the upper surface of the first plate have different cross-sectional shapes. According to paragraph 1,
In the third step, the dispenser is provided with at least one nozzle at the end of which a predetermined amount of patterning material is exposed,
The method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, wherein the dispenser moves according to a control algorithm and the nozzle of the dispenser moves closer to a specific position on the inclined surface of the first plate, thereby attaching the patterning material to the inclined surface. According to paragraph 4,
When there are a plurality of nozzles, a method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, wherein the plurality of nozzles simultaneously move closer to the inclined surface of the first plate and the patterning material is attached to the inclined surface. According to paragraph 1,
In the third step, the first plate on which the reflective film is deposited is placed with the inclined surface of the first plate facing downward, the dispenser is placed at the bottom of the first plate, and the nozzle of the dispenser moves from the bottom to the top. A method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, characterized in that performing patterning of the reflection part while doing so. According to paragraph 1,
In the third step, the method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, wherein the dispenser is tilted and moved at a certain angle with respect to the upper surface of the first plate so that the nozzle provided in the dispenser moves perpendicularly close to the inclined surface. . According to paragraph 1,
In the third step, a method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, wherein the nozzle provided in the dispenser is bent in a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface and moves perpendicularly close to the inclined surface. According to paragraph 1,
In the third step, a method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, characterized in that patterning of the reflector is performed by attaching a plurality of patterning materials to each inclined surface of the first plate. According to paragraph 1,
In the third step, the patterning material is attached to the inclined surface so that its size is 4 mm or less. According to paragraph 1,
A method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, wherein the second plate is formed of the same material as the first plate. According to paragraph 1,
A method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, characterized in that the second plate has a refractive index difference of less than 0.01 from the first plate. delete According to paragraph 1,
A method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, characterized in that the refractive index of the adhesive has a difference of less than 0.01 from the refractive index of the first plate and the second plate. delete According to paragraph 1,
The sixth step is a method of manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality, characterized in that the second plate is formed on the first plate by casting using the first plate as a mold. An optical device for augmented reality manufactured by the method for manufacturing an optical device for augmented reality according to any one of claims 1 to 12, 14, and 16.

Images