JP6944093B2

JP6944093B2 - Optical element and image display device using it

Info

Publication number: JP6944093B2
Application number: JP2018021364A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 有希前田; 前川　聡; 聡前川
Original assignee: PARITY INNOVATIONS CO., LTD.
Current assignee: PARITY INNOVATIONS CO., LTD.
Priority date: 2018-02-08
Filing date: 2018-02-08
Publication date: 2021-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-08
Also published as: JP2019139023A

Description

本発明は、一方の面側にある被観察物の実像を他方の面側の空間に結像させる光学素子及びそれを用いた映像表示装置に関する。 The present invention relates to an optical element that forms a real image of an object to be observed on one surface side in a space on the other surface side, and an image display device using the same.

ある空間を仕切る平面体の一方の面側に被投影物を配置し、他方の一面側の空間において面対称となる位置に、被投影物の鏡映像を結像させる光学素子が発案されている。この種のものとして、各々が互いに直交する２つの微小な鏡面（反射面）から成る２面コーナーリフレクタを複数、平面的に集合させた構造を有する光学素子が知られている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。 An optical element has been proposed in which an object to be projected is arranged on one surface side of a plane body partitioning a certain space, and a mirror image of the object to be projected is imaged at a position symmetrical in the space on the other surface side. .. As this type of optical element, an optical element having a structure in which a plurality of two-sided corner reflectors each composed of two minute mirror surfaces (reflecting surfaces) orthogonal to each other are assembled in a plane is known (for example, Patent Document). 1).

上記特許文献１は、複数の２面コーナーリフレクタが一平面上に格子状に整列配置されて成る２面コーナーリフレクタアレイを有する光学素子を開示している。この光学素子では、２面コーナーリフレクタを成す各鏡面が、光学素子の素子面に対して垂直に配置されている。そのため、素子面の一方の面側に配置した被観察物から発せられた光は、光学素子を通過する際に２面コーナーリフレクタで２回反射されて屈曲し、被観察物がない他方の一面側の空間に実像として結像する。これにより、被観察物が、光学素子の素子面に対して対称位置に存在するように、その実像が結像される。 The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses an optical element having a two-sided corner reflector array in which a plurality of two-sided corner reflectors are arranged in a grid pattern on one plane. In this optical element, each mirror surface forming the two-sided corner reflector is arranged perpendicular to the element surface of the optical element. Therefore, the light emitted from the object to be observed arranged on one surface side of the element surface is reflected twice by the two-sided corner reflector and bent when passing through the optical element, and the other surface without the object to be observed. An image is formed as a real image in the space on the side. As a result, the real image of the object to be observed is formed so that the object to be observed exists at a symmetrical position with respect to the element surface of the optical element.

特開２０１１−１９１４０４号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-191404

上記特許文献１に記載の光学素子では、基盤の表面から突出した立方体形状の突状部（２面コーナーリフレクタ）が複数、配置されており、基盤に対して垂直な突状部の内壁を鏡面とし、当該内壁での光の全反射を利用して実鏡映像を結像している。このような２面コーナーリフレクタを有する光学素子は、一般的に、スタンパ等の金型を用いて、透光性樹脂から成る媒質を射出成形することにより作製される。しかしながら、作製された光学素子を金型から取り外す際には、立方体形状の突状部では、垂直面が金型の抜き方向に金型と密着しているので、摩擦が大きく、離型が困難となる。 In the optical element described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of cubic-shaped projecting portions (two-sided corner reflectors) protruding from the surface of the substrate are arranged, and the inner wall of the projecting portion perpendicular to the substrate is mirror-surfaced. Then, a real mirror image is formed by utilizing the total reflection of light on the inner wall. An optical element having such a two-sided corner reflector is generally manufactured by injection molding a medium made of a translucent resin using a mold such as a stamper. However, when the manufactured optical element is removed from the mold, in the cubic-shaped projecting portion, the vertical surface is in close contact with the mold in the die extraction direction, so that friction is large and it is difficult to release the mold. It becomes.

図１２に示すように、光学素子１０１の突状部１０３のうち、実鏡映像の結像に寄与しない面を、勾配を設けた傾斜面１３３とすることで、離型が可能となる。しかしながら、基盤１０２に対して垂直な反射面１３１は、依然として金型Ｍと抜き方向で密着しているので、スムーズな離型の妨げとなる。２面コーナーリフレクタは、μｍオーダーの微細構造なので、スムーズに離型できないと、突状部１０３が変形する等により所望の機能を発揮できなくなる虞がある。 As shown in FIG. 12, of the projecting portion 103 of the optical element 101, the surface that does not contribute to the image formation of the real mirror image is designated as the inclined surface 133 having a gradient, so that the mold can be released. However, since the reflective surface 131 perpendicular to the base 102 is still in close contact with the mold M in the punching direction, it hinders smooth mold release. Since the two-sided corner reflector has a fine structure on the order of μm, if the mold cannot be released smoothly, the protruding portion 103 may be deformed and the desired function may not be exhibited.

本発明は、上記課題を解決するものであり、光学素子の２面リフレクタアレイを作製する際にスムーズな離型が可能であり、且つ歪みが少なく鮮明な立体映像を表示することができる光学素子及びそれを用いた映像表示装置を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention solves the above problems, and is an optical element capable of smoothly releasing a mold when manufacturing a two-sided reflector array of optical elements, and displaying a clear stereoscopic image with little distortion. And an object of the present invention is to provide an image display device using the same.

上記課題を解決するため、本発明は、一方の面側にある被観察物の実像を他方の面側の空間に結像させる光学素子であって、透明材料により形成される光学パネル本体を有し、
前記光学パネル本体は、該光学パネル本体の一平面を成す基盤と、前記基盤から突出するように該基盤と一体的に形成された複数の突状部と、を有し、前記突状部は、３つ以上の側面を有し、且つ前記一平面に対して角度を持ち被観察物から発せられる光を反射する反射面を有し、前記反射面は、前記側面のうちの隣り合う２面であり、互いに略直交し、被観察物から発せられる光を反射する２面コーナーリフレクタを成し、前記一平面に垂直な面に対して所定の勾配を有し、該勾配は、０．１〜３°であり、前記一平面又は前記一平面とは反対側の面には、前記光学パネル本体に入射する光の入射角又は前記光学パネル本体から出射する光の屈折角を調整する光学調整部材が設けられ、前記光学調整部材は、前記一平面と平行な底面と、該底面に対して勾配を有する天面と、を有し、前記天面の前記一平面に対する勾配が０．５〜１０°であることを特徴とする。
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is an optical element that forms a real image of an object to be observed on one surface side in a space on the other surface side, and has an optical panel main body formed of a transparent material. death,
The optical panel main body has a base forming a flat surface of the optical panel main body, and a plurality of protruding portions formed integrally with the base so as to project from the base. It has three or more side surfaces, and has a reflecting surface that has an angle with respect to the one plane and reflects light emitted from an object to be observed, and the reflecting surface is two adjacent surfaces of the side surface. It forms a two-sided corner reflector that is substantially orthogonal to each other and reflects light emitted from an object to be observed, and has a predetermined gradient with respect to a plane perpendicular to the one plane, and the gradient is 0.1. Optical adjustment that adjusts the incident angle of the light incident on the optical panel main body or the refraction angle of the light emitted from the optical panel main body on the one plane or the surface opposite to the one plane. A member is provided, and the optical adjusting member has a bottom surface parallel to the one plane and a top surface having a slope with respect to the bottom surface, and the slope of the top surface with respect to the one plane is 0.5 to. It is characterized by being 10 °.

また、本発明は、一方の面側にある被観察物の実像を他方の面側の空間に結像させる光学素子であって、透明材料により形成される光学パネル本体を有し、前記光学パネル本体は、該光学パネル本体の一平面を成す基盤と、前記基盤から突出するように該基盤と一体的に形成された複数の突条と、を有する第１光学パネル及び第２光学パネルを備え、前記突条は、２つ以上の側面を有し、且つ前記一平面に対して角度を持ち被観察物から発せられる光を反射する反射面を有し、前記反射面は、前記側面のうち帯状に形成される１面であり、複数、定間隔で配列されてスリットミラーアレイを成し、前記一平面に垂直な面に対して所定の勾配を有し、該勾配は、０．１〜３°であり、前記第１光学パネル及び前記第２光学パネルが、夫々の前記スリットミラーアレイの配列方向が直交するように互いに向かい合わせて配置され、前記一平面又は前記一平面とは反対側の面には、前記光学パネル本体に入射する光の入射角又は前記光学パネル本体から出射する光の屈折角を調整する光学調整部材が設けられ、前記光学調整部材は、前記一平面と平行な底面と、該底面に対して勾配を有する天面と、を有し、前記天面の前記一平面に対する勾配が０．５〜１０°であることを特徴とするものであってもよい。Further, the present invention is an optical element that forms an image of an object to be observed on one surface side in a space on the other surface side, and has an optical panel main body formed of a transparent material. The main body includes a first optical panel and a second optical panel having a base forming one plane of the optical panel main body and a plurality of ridges integrally formed with the base so as to project from the base. The ridge has two or more side surfaces and has a reflecting surface that has an angle with respect to the one plane and reflects light emitted from an object to be observed, and the reflecting surface is one of the side surfaces. It is one surface formed in a band shape, and a plurality of surfaces are arranged at regular intervals to form a slit mirror array, which has a predetermined gradient with respect to the plane perpendicular to the one plane, and the gradient is 0.1 to 1. 3 °, the first optical panel and the second optical panel are arranged to face each other so that the arrangement directions of the slit mirror arrays are orthogonal to each other, and the one plane or the side opposite to the one plane. An optical adjusting member for adjusting the incident angle of light incident on the optical panel main body or the refraction angle of light emitted from the optical panel main body is provided on the surface of the optical panel, and the optical adjusting member is parallel to the one plane. It may have a bottom surface and a top surface having a slope with respect to the bottom surface, and the slope of the top surface with respect to the one plane may be 0.5 to 10 °.

また、本発明は、一方の面側にある被観察物の実像を他方の面側の空間に結像させる光学素子であって、透明材料により形成される光学パネル本体を有し、前記光学パネル本体は、該光学パネル本体の一平面を成す基盤と、前記基盤から埋没するように形成された複数の穴部と、を有し、前記穴部は、３つ以上の側面を有し、且つ前記一平面に対して角度を持ち被観察物から発せられる光を反射する反射面を有し、前記反射面は、前記側面のうちの隣り合う２面であり、互いに略直交し、被観察物から発せられる光を反射する２面コーナーリフレクタを成し、前記一平面に垂直な面に対して所定の勾配を有し、該勾配は、０．１〜３°であり、前記一平面又は前記一平面とは反対側の面には、前記光学パネル本体に入射する光の入射角又は前記光学パネル本体から出射する光の屈折角を調整する光学調整部材が設けられ、前記光学調整部材は、前記一平面と平行な底面と、該底面に対して勾配を有する天面と、を有し、前記天面の前記一平面に対する勾配が０．５〜１０°であることを特徴とするものであってもよい。 Further, the present invention is an optical element that forms an image of a real image of an object to be observed on one surface side in a space on the other surface side, and has an optical panel main body formed of a transparent material. The main body has a base forming one plane of the optical panel main body and a plurality of holes formed so as to be buried from the base, and the holes have three or more side surfaces and are formed. It has a reflective surface that has an angle with respect to the one plane and reflects light emitted from the object to be observed. It forms a two-sided corner reflector that reflects light emitted from, and has a predetermined gradient with respect to a plane perpendicular to the one plane, and the gradient is 0.1 to 3 °, and the one plane or the said one. An optical adjusting member for adjusting the incident angle of the light incident on the optical panel main body or the refraction angle of the light emitted from the optical panel main body is provided on the surface opposite to one plane, and the optical adjusting member is provided with the optical adjusting member. It has a bottom surface parallel to the one plane and a top surface having a slope with respect to the bottom surface, and the slope of the top surface with respect to the one plane is 0.5 to 10 °. There may be.

上記光学素子において、前記光学調整部材は、前記突状部に対応したフレネルプリズムであることが好ましい。 In the optical element, the optical adjusting member is preferably a Fresnel prism corresponding to the protruding portion.

上記光学素子は、映像表示装置に用いられることが好ましい。 The optical element is preferably used in an image display device.

本発明の光学素子によれば、反射面が勾配を有するテーパ形状になっているので、光学パネル本体を作製する際にスムーズな離型が可能となる。また、反射面での反射光は、光学パネル本体の平面に対して勾配を有する光学調整部材により、光学素子から出射される更に屈折角が調整されるので、歪みが少なく鮮明な立体映像を表示することができる。 According to the optical element of the present invention, since the reflecting surface has a tapered shape having a gradient, smooth mold release is possible when manufacturing the optical panel main body. Further, the reflected light on the reflecting surface is further adjusted in the refraction angle emitted from the optical element by the optical adjusting member having a gradient with respect to the plane of the optical panel main body, so that a clear stereoscopic image with less distortion is displayed. can do.

本発明の第１の実施形態に係る光学素子の構成例を概念的に示す概略斜視図。The schematic perspective view which conceptually shows the structural example of the optical element which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. （ａ）（ｂ）は上記光学素子による結像様式を模式的に示す図。(A) and (b) are diagrams schematically showing an imaging mode by the above optical elements. 上記光学素子の一部を拡大した斜視図。An enlarged perspective view of a part of the above optical element. 上記光学素子の側面図。A side view of the optical element. （ａ）乃至（ｃ）は上記光学素子の作製方法を説明するための側面図。(A) to (c) are side views for explaining the manufacturing method of the said optical element. （ａ）は光学調整部材を用いない上記光学素子を用いた際の光路のシミュレーション結果を示す側面図、（ｂ）は光学調整部材を用いた場合における光路のシミュレーション結果を示す側面図。(A) is a side view showing the simulation result of the optical path when the above optical element is used without using the optical adjusting member, and (b) is a side view showing the simulation result of the optical path when the optical adjusting member is used. （ａ）は上記光学素子の第１の変形例に係る構成を示す側面図、（ｂ）は上記光学素子の第２の変形例に係る構成を示す側面図、（ｃ）は上記光学素子の第３の変形例に係る構成を示す側面図。(A) is a side view showing a configuration according to a first modification of the optical element, (b) is a side view showing a configuration according to a second modification of the optical element, and (c) is a side view showing the configuration of the optical element. The side view which shows the structure which concerns on the 3rd modification. 上記光学素子の参考例に係る構成を示す側面図。The side view which shows the structure which concerns on the reference example of the said optical element. 本発明の第２の実施形態に係る光学素子の一部を拡大した斜視図。An enlarged perspective view of a part of the optical element according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の第３の実施形態に係る光学素子の一部を拡大した斜視図。An enlarged perspective view of a part of the optical element according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 上記光学素子を備えた映像表示装置の構成例を概念的に示す斜視図。The perspective view which conceptually shows the structural example of the image display device provided with the said optical element. 従来構成の光学素子の側面図。A side view of an optical element having a conventional configuration.

本発明の第１の実施形態に係る光学素子について、図面を参照して説明する。図１に示すように、本実施形態の光学素子１は、一平面を成す基盤２に対して垂直で且つ互いに略直交した鏡面（反射面３１、３２）から成る２面コーナーリフレクタ３０を有する。複数の２面コーナーリフレクタ３０は、基盤２上に格子状に整列配置されて２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓ（光学パネル本体）を成す。 The optical element according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical element 1 of the present embodiment has a two-sided corner reflector 30 formed of mirror surfaces (reflection surfaces 31, 32) that are perpendicular to the base 2 forming a plane and substantially orthogonal to each other. The plurality of two-sided corner reflectors 30 are arranged in a grid pattern on the substrate 2 to form a two-sided corner reflector array 30S (optical panel main body).

光学素子１は、その一方の面側に被観察物Ｏが配置されたとき、被観察物Ｏの実像（実鏡映像Ｐ）を、光学素子１の素子面１Ｓの他方の面側の空間に結像させる。すなわち、光学素子１は、その素子面１Ｓを対称面とする面対称位置に、被観察物Ｏの実鏡映像Ｐを結像させる。ここで、素子面１Ｓとは、２面コーナーリフレクタ３０を構成する２つの反射面３１、３２と概ね直交する（ここでは後述する勾配ｔ１を考慮しない）仮想的な平面を言う。なお、光学素子１の全体の大きさがｃｍ又はｍオーダーであるのに比べて、２面コーナーリフレクタ３０はμｍオーダーと微細であり、図１では、２面コーナーリフレクタ３０の集合体を、Ｖ字形状で概念的に示している。 When the object O to be observed is arranged on one surface side of the optical element 1, the real image (real mirror image P) of the object O to be observed is placed in the space on the other surface side of the element surface 1S of the optical element 1. Make an image. That is, the optical element 1 forms a real mirror image P of the object O to be observed at a plane-symmetrical position with the element surface 1S as the plane of symmetry. Here, the element surface 1S refers to a virtual plane that is substantially orthogonal to the two reflecting surfaces 31 and 32 constituting the two-sided corner reflector 30 (here, the gradient t1 described later is not considered). The two-sided corner reflector 30 is as fine as μm, as compared with the case where the overall size of the optical element 1 is on the order of cm or m. It is conceptually shown in a letter shape.

２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓによる結像様式について、図２（ａ）（ｂ）を参照して説明する。なお、図２（ａ）では、被投影物として点光源ｏから発せられた光は、３次元的には紙面奥側から紙面手前側へ進行するものとする。点光源ｏから発せられた光（実線矢印）は、光学素子１（図２（ａ）では省略）を通過する際に、２面コーナーリフレクタ３０を構成する一方の鏡面（反射面３１）で反射して、他方の鏡面（反射面３２）で反射した後、素子面１Ｓ（図２（ｂ）参照）を透過する。このようにして光学素子１から出射された光（一点鎖線矢印）は、素子面１Ｓに対して点光源ｏの面対称位置ｐを通過して広がっていく。その結果、点光源ｏの素子面１Ｓに対する面対称位置ｐに、光学素子１の透過光が集束し、実鏡映像Ｐ（図１参照）として結像する。 The imaging mode by the two-sided corner reflector array 30S will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). In FIG. 2A, it is assumed that the light emitted from the point light source o as a projected object travels three-dimensionally from the back side of the paper surface to the front side of the paper surface. The light (solid arrow) emitted from the point light source o is reflected by one mirror surface (reflection surface 31) constituting the two-sided corner reflector 30 when passing through the optical element 1 (omitted in FIG. 2A). Then, after reflecting on the other mirror surface (reflecting surface 32), the light is transmitted through the element surface 1S (see FIG. 2B). The light (one-dot chain arrow) emitted from the optical element 1 in this way passes through the plane-symmetrical position p of the point light source o with respect to the element surface 1S and spreads. As a result, the transmitted light of the optical element 1 is focused at the plane-symmetrical position p of the point light source o with respect to the element surface 1S, and an image is formed as a real mirror image P (see FIG. 1).

図３及び図４は、本実施形態の光学素子１の具体構成を示す。基盤２は、透明材料により形成されて一平面を成している。光学素子１は、この基盤２から突出するように形成された複数の突状部３を有する。複数の突状部３は、基盤２と同じ透明材料によって基盤２と一体的に形成されている。 3 and 4 show a specific configuration of the optical element 1 of the present embodiment. The base 2 is formed of a transparent material and forms a flat surface. The optical element 1 has a plurality of projecting portions 3 formed so as to project from the base 2. The plurality of protruding portions 3 are integrally formed with the base 2 by the same transparent material as the base 2.

突状部３は、基盤２に対して角度を持つ３つ以上の側面を有する。本実施形態の突状部３は、略角錐台形状であり、２面コーナーリフレクタ３０を構成する反射面３１、３２及び基盤２に対して傾斜した２面（傾斜面３３、３４）から成る４面の側面と、基盤２と平行な面を成す頭頂面３５を有する。上記側面のうち、反射面３１、３２の２面が隣り合い、傾斜面３３、３４の２面が隣り合っている。また、反射面３１、３２は、上面視で互いに略直交するように配置されている。基盤２から突状部３に入射した光Ｒ１は、反射面３１、３２の内壁面で２回全反射され、突状部３の頭頂面３５から出射する。なお、図例では、２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓを模式的に示し、２面ある反射面３１、３２のうち一方の反射面３１側を、２面ある傾斜面３３、３４のうち一方の傾斜面３３側を例示する断面を示している。 The projecting portion 3 has three or more side surfaces having an angle with respect to the base 2. The protruding portion 3 of the present embodiment has a substantially pyramidal trapezoidal shape, and is composed of two reflecting surfaces 31 and 32 constituting the two-sided corner reflector 30 and two inclined surfaces (inclined surfaces 33 and 34) with respect to the base 2. It has a side surface of the surface and a parietal surface 35 forming a surface parallel to the base 2. Of the above side surfaces, the two reflective surfaces 31 and 32 are adjacent to each other, and the two inclined surfaces 33 and 34 are adjacent to each other. Further, the reflecting surfaces 31 and 32 are arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other in a top view. The light R1 incident on the projecting portion 3 from the base 2 is totally reflected twice by the inner wall surfaces of the reflecting surfaces 31 and 32, and is emitted from the parietal surface 35 of the projecting portion 3. In the illustrated example, the two-sided corner reflector array 30S is schematically shown, and the reflecting surface 31 side of one of the two reflecting surfaces 31 and 32 is the inclined surface of one of the two inclined surfaces 33 and 34. A cross section illustrating the 33 side is shown.

頭頂面３５は、反射面３１、３２及び傾斜面３３、３４との各稜線によって画定され、それらの長さは略等しく、上面視において、略正方形である。反射面３１（３２）は、側面視において、基盤２との境界線（図４（ａ）の点線）を下底辺、頭頂面３５との稜線を上底辺、傾斜面３３、３４との稜線を一方の斜辺、隣り合う反射面３２（３１）との稜線を他方の斜辺とする台形である。 The parietal surface 35 is defined by the ridges of the reflecting surfaces 31 and 32 and the inclined surfaces 33 and 34, and their lengths are substantially equal to each other and are substantially square in top view. In the side view, the reflective surface 31 (32) has a boundary line with the base 2 (dotted line in FIG. 4A) as the lower base, a ridge with the crown surface 35 as the upper bottom, and a ridge with the inclined surfaces 33 and 34. It is a trapezoid with one hypotenuse and the ridge line with the adjacent reflecting surface 32 (31) as the other hypotenuse.

光学素子１の表面には、上記形状の突状部３が、複数、格子状に整列配置されている。隣り合う突状部３は、一方の反射面３１と他方の傾斜面３３とが対峙し、一方の反射面３２と他方の傾斜面３４が対峙する。言い換えると、複数の突状部３は、対峙する反射面３１、３２及び傾斜面３３、３４の夫々の間に、格子状の溝２１が形成されている。 On the surface of the optical element 1, a plurality of projecting portions 3 having the above shape are arranged in a grid pattern. In the adjacent protruding portions 3, one reflecting surface 31 and the other inclined surface 33 face each other, and one reflecting surface 32 and the other inclined surface 34 face each other. In other words, in the plurality of projecting portions 3, a grid-like groove 21 is formed between each of the reflecting surfaces 31, 32 and the inclined surfaces 33, 34 facing each other.

また、光学素子１は、複数の突状部３間の溝２１に、突状部３を成す透明材料の屈折率よりも屈折率の低い媒質から成る低屈折率部４が配置されている。低屈折率部４は、少なくとも２面コーナーリフレクタを成す反射面３１（３２）と接している。 Further, in the optical element 1, a low refractive index portion 4 made of a medium having a refractive index lower than that of the transparent material forming the protruding portion 3 is arranged in a groove 21 between the plurality of protruding portions 3. The low refractive index portion 4 is in contact with the reflecting surface 31 (32) forming at least a two-sided corner reflector.

溝２１を含む突状部３の１ピッチの上面視における一辺の幅Ｗは、例えば、１００〜１０００μｍとされる。なお、ピッチ幅Ｗは、実鏡映像Ｐの飛び出し距離（図１参照）に応じて設定される。例えば、飛び出し距離が１０ｃｍである場合には、ピッチ幅Ｗは約３００μｍとされる。このうち、反射面３１（２面コーナリフレクタ）の幅は２００μｍ、溝２１の幅が１００μｍに設定される。基盤２及び突状部３を含む光学素子１の板厚は、一般的には１〜３ｍｍである。基盤２（溝２１の底面２２）から突状部３の高さＨ（溝２１の深さ）は、ピッチ幅Ｗの１〜３倍に設定される。 The width W of one side of the protruding portion 3 including the groove 21 in a one-pitch top view is, for example, 100 to 1000 μm. The pitch width W is set according to the pop-out distance (see FIG. 1) of the real mirror image P. For example, when the pop-out distance is 10 cm, the pitch width W is set to about 300 μm. Of these, the width of the reflecting surface 31 (two-sided corner reflector) is set to 200 μm, and the width of the groove 21 is set to 100 μm. The plate thickness of the optical element 1 including the base 2 and the protruding portion 3 is generally 1 to 3 mm. The height H (depth of the groove 21) of the projecting portion 3 from the base 2 (bottom surface 22 of the groove 21) is set to 1 to 3 times the pitch width W.

傾斜面３３の基盤２の法線に対する傾斜角θは、少なくとも１°以上であり、５°以上であることが好ましい。また、２面コーナーリフレクタ３０を成す反射面３１（３２）は、基盤２に垂直な面に対して所定の勾配ｔ１を有する。勾配ｔ１は、例えば、０．１〜３°であり、好ましくは０．８〜１．２°である。傾斜面３３に傾斜角θ、及び反射面３１に勾配ｔ１を夫々設けることで、後述するように、必要な抜きテーパを確保し、２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓの作製時に金型からの取り外しを容易にすることができる。ただし、ここで示す数値は、本実施形態の一例として示す代表値であり、本発明は、これらの数値に限定されない。 The inclination angle θ of the inclined surface 33 with respect to the normal of the base 2 is at least 1 ° or more, and preferably 5 ° or more. Further, the reflecting surface 31 (32) forming the two-sided corner reflector 30 has a predetermined gradient t1 with respect to the surface perpendicular to the base 2. The gradient t1 is, for example, 0.1 to 3 °, preferably 0.8 to 1.2 °. By providing the inclined surface 33 with the inclined angle θ and the reflecting surface 31 with the inclined t1 respectively, the necessary punching taper is secured as described later, and it is easy to remove from the mold when manufacturing the two-sided corner reflector array 30S. Can be. However, the numerical values shown here are representative values shown as an example of the present embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to these numerical values.

また、光学素子１は、突状部３の頭頂面３５には、この頭頂面３５出射する光の出射角を調整する光学調整部材５が設けられている。なお、図３では、光学素子１の構造を説明するために、光学調整部材５を頭頂面３５から離した状態で示しており、図４では、光学調整部材５が頂頭面３５と接している。なお、これらは必ずしも接している必要はなく、頂頭面からの出射角や光学調整部材５への入射角を考慮した上で光学調整部材５の勾配ｔ２を画定させれば、それらを離間して配置することもできる。 Further, the optical element 1 is provided with an optical adjusting member 5 on the parietal surface 35 of the projecting portion 3 for adjusting the emission angle of the light emitted from the parietal surface 35. In addition, in FIG. 3, in order to explain the structure of the optical element 1, the optical adjusting member 5 is shown in a state of being separated from the crown surface 35, and in FIG. 4, the optical adjusting member 5 is in contact with the crown surface 35. .. It should be noted that these do not necessarily have to be in contact with each other, and if the gradient t2 of the optical adjusting member 5 is defined in consideration of the exit angle from the crown surface and the incident angle to the optical adjusting member 5, they are separated from each other. It can also be placed.

光学調整部材５は、基盤２と平行な底面５１と、底面５１に対して勾配ｔ２を有する天面５２と、４つの側面５３〜５６と、を有する６面体である（図３参照）。光学調整部材５は、基盤２及び突状部３と略同一かそれらよりも高い屈折率を有する媒質により形成されていることが望ましい。光学調整部材５を構成する媒質は、屈折率が高い方が、光学調整部材５の厚みを抑制する上では有利であり、例えば、屈折率１．３〜１．７とされる。底面５１及び天面５２は矩形面であり、互いの一角が近接している。この近接する一角を挟む側面５３、５４は、底面５１に対して垂直な三角形面であり、他の２側面５５、５６は、底面に対して垂直な台形面である。光学調整部材５の勾配ｔ２は、天面５２の表面位置が、突状部３の傾斜面３３（３４）側から反射面３１（３２）側へ向かうほど高くなるように、設けられている。そのため、光学調整部材５の厚みは、傾斜面３３、３４の成す角辺側で最も薄く、反射面３１、３２の成す角辺側で最も厚くなる。 The optical adjusting member 5 is a hexahedron having a bottom surface 51 parallel to the base 2, a top surface 52 having a gradient t2 with respect to the bottom surface 51, and four side surfaces 53 to 56 (see FIG. 3). It is desirable that the optical adjusting member 5 is formed of a medium having a refractive index substantially equal to or higher than that of the base 2 and the protruding portion 3. It is advantageous for the medium constituting the optical adjusting member 5 to have a high refractive index in suppressing the thickness of the optical adjusting member 5, and the refractive index is, for example, 1.3 to 1.7. The bottom surface 51 and the top surface 52 are rectangular surfaces, and one corner of each other is close to each other. The side surfaces 53 and 54 sandwiching the adjacent corner are triangular surfaces perpendicular to the bottom surface 51, and the other two side surfaces 55 and 56 are trapezoidal surfaces perpendicular to the bottom surface. The gradient t2 of the optical adjusting member 5 is provided so that the surface position of the top surface 52 becomes higher from the inclined surface 33 (34) side to the reflecting surface 31 (32) side of the protruding portion 3. Therefore, the thickness of the optical adjusting member 5 is the thinnest on the corner side formed by the inclined surfaces 33 and 34, and the thickest on the corner side formed by the reflecting surfaces 31 and 32.

光学調整部材５は、頭頂面３５に対する勾配ｔ２は、反射面３１に勾配ｔ１に応じて画定され、勾配ｔ１が０．１〜３°であれば、勾配ｔ２は０．５〜１０°となる。例えば、反射面３１の勾配ｔ１が１°であれば、光学調整部材５の勾配ｔ２は２．４°となる。これらの数値は、突状部３及び光学調整部材５を構成する媒質の屈折率に基づいて反射角及び屈折角を考慮して画定される。 In the optical adjusting member 5, the gradient t2 with respect to the crown surface 35 is defined on the reflecting surface 31 according to the gradient t1, and if the gradient t1 is 0.1 to 3 °, the gradient t2 is 0.5 to 10 °. .. For example, if the gradient t1 of the reflecting surface 31 is 1 °, the gradient t2 of the optical adjusting member 5 is 2.4 °. These numerical values are defined in consideration of the reflection angle and the refraction angle based on the refractive index of the medium constituting the projecting portion 3 and the optical adjusting member 5.

光学素子１を構成する基盤２、突状部３及び光学調整部材５の媒質には、光透過率８０％以上、屈折率１．３以上で、熱や湿度による変質の少ない透明材料が用いられる。このような透明材料としては、例えば、アクリル樹脂やガラスが挙げられる。本実施形態の光学素子１では、特に、低吸水性・非晶質で脂環構造を持つ炭化水素系ポリマーであるシクロオレフィンポリマー（ＣＯＰ）を用いることが好ましい。シクロオレフィンポリマーとしては、例えば、日本ゼオン社製の商品名：ＺＥＯＮＯＲ（登録商標）（グレード：１０２０Ｒ、光透過率９２％、屈折率１．５３）が挙げられる。また、低屈折率部４は、反射面３１、３２における臨界角を小さくして全反射を生じやすくするために、その媒質の屈折率は１．４以下であることが望ましい。媒質としては、樹脂材料に限らず、空気層であってもよい。樹脂材料としては、例えば、フッ素コート剤等が挙げられ、その他、中空シリカ粒子、又はメソポーラスシリカ粒子等が適宜に適用されてもよい。 A transparent material having a light transmittance of 80% or more, a refractive index of 1.3 or more and little deterioration due to heat or humidity is used as the medium of the base 2, the projecting portion 3 and the optical adjusting member 5 constituting the optical element 1. .. Examples of such a transparent material include acrylic resin and glass. In the optical element 1 of the present embodiment, it is particularly preferable to use a cycloolefin polymer (COP), which is a hydrocarbon-based polymer having a low water absorption, an amorphous substance, and an alicyclic structure. Examples of the cycloolefin polymer include trade name: ZEONOR (registered trademark) (grade: 1020R, light transmittance 92%, refractive index 1.53) manufactured by Zeon Corporation. Further, in order to reduce the critical angle of the reflecting surfaces 31 and 32 and facilitate total reflection, it is desirable that the low refractive index portion 4 has a refractive index of 1.4 or less. The medium is not limited to the resin material, and may be an air layer. Examples of the resin material include a fluorine coating agent and the like, and hollow silica particles, mesoporous silica particles and the like may be appropriately applied.

次に、本実施形態の光学素子１の作製方法について説明する。図５（ａ）に示すように、まず、上記低屈折率部４及び光学調整部材５を除く部分、すなわち基盤２及び複数の突状部３から成る２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓが作製される。なお、図例では、２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓを、反射面３１及び傾斜面３３と直交する断面において、模式的に示している。２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓの作製方法としては、例えば、スタンパ等の金型Ｍを用いて、透光性樹脂を射出成形する方法、ナノインプリント又は熱プレス成形方法が挙げられる。金型Ｍは、例えば、ナノ加工により金属製マスター板に上述した突状部３及び溝２１の形状に対応した形状を作製した後、電珠反転する方法により作製される。また、例えば、Ｘ線リソグラフィ法を用いることにより、透明材料から成る基盤２に直接的に４つの側面を有する突状部３及び溝２１を作製することができる。 Next, a method of manufacturing the optical element 1 of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5A, first, a portion excluding the low refractive index portion 4 and the optical adjusting member 5, that is, a two-sided corner reflector array 30S composed of a base 2 and a plurality of projecting portions 3 is manufactured. In the illustrated example, the two-sided corner reflector array 30S is schematically shown in a cross section orthogonal to the reflecting surface 31 and the inclined surface 33. Examples of the method for manufacturing the two-sided corner reflector array 30S include a method of injection molding a translucent resin using a mold M such as a stamper, and a nanoimprint or heat press molding method. The mold M is manufactured by, for example, a method of forming a shape corresponding to the shape of the protrusion 3 and the groove 21 described above on a metal master plate by nano-processing and then inversion of an electric bead. Further, for example, by using an X-ray lithography method, it is possible to produce a protruding portion 3 and a groove 21 having four side surfaces directly on a substrate 2 made of a transparent material.

上述したように、本実施形態の光学素子１は、突状部３を成す４面のうちの２面が傾斜面３３、３４（図３も参照）であり、反射面３１、３２も基盤２に垂直な面に対して勾配を有している。すなわち、突状部３は、４側面がテーパ状の角錐台形状とされている。このように、μｍオーダーの微細な構造体である突状部３に、いわゆる「抜きテーパ」を付けることで、金型成形で２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓを作成した際に、２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓをスタンパ等の金型Ｍからの取り外しを容易にすることができる。 As described above, in the optical element 1 of the present embodiment, two of the four surfaces forming the projecting portion 3 are inclined surfaces 33 and 34 (see also FIG. 3), and the reflecting surfaces 31 and 32 are also the bases 2. It has a slope with respect to the plane perpendicular to. That is, the protruding portion 3 has a pyramidal trapezoidal shape with four tapered sides. In this way, by attaching a so-called "punch taper" to the protruding portion 3 which is a fine structure on the order of μm, when the two-sided corner reflector array 30S is produced by mold molding, the two-sided corner reflector array is formed. The 30S can be easily removed from the mold M such as a stamper.

上記にようにして突状部３が作製された２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓに、図５（ｂ）（ｃ）に示すように、光学調整部材５が載置されることで、光学素子１が作製される。なお、光学調整部材５及び２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓは、透光性接着剤により接着されていてもよい。突状部３間の溝２１に、何も充填しない状態で光学調整部材５を載置させれば、溝２１と光学調整部材５間で囲まれた空間が、空気層となり、低屈折率部４として機能する。また、この溝に２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓよりも屈折率が低い透光性樹脂材料を充填し、この透光性樹脂材料により、２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓと光学調整部材５とを接着してもよい。このようにして、光学調整部材５を有する光学素子１を作製することができる。 As shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c), the optical adjusting member 5 is placed on the two-sided corner reflector array 30S in which the projecting portion 3 is formed as described above, so that the optical element 1 is formed. It is made. The optical adjusting member 5 and the two-sided corner reflector array 30S may be adhered with a translucent adhesive. If the optical adjusting member 5 is placed in the groove 21 between the projecting portions 3 without filling anything, the space surrounded by the groove 21 and the optical adjusting member 5 becomes an air layer, and the low refractive index portion Functions as 4. Further, the groove is filled with a translucent resin material having a refractive index lower than that of the two-sided corner reflector array 30S, and the two-sided corner reflector array 30S and the optical adjusting member 5 are adhered to each other by the translucent resin material. May be good. In this way, the optical element 1 having the optical adjusting member 5 can be manufactured.

本実施形態の光学素子１では、被観察物から基盤２の底面から光学素子１の媒質内に入射した光は、低屈折率部４と隣接する反射面３１の内面で全反射される（図５（ｃ）参照）。反射面３１で全反射した光は、反射面が基盤２に対して垂直である場合（例えば、図９の反射面１３１参照）に比べて、反射面３１に対する入射角が小さくなるので、反射角も小さくなる。なお、反射面３１で全反射された光は、実際には反射面３２で再び全反射されてから頭頂面３５へ向かう３次元的な反射をするが、図例では省略する。 In the optical element 1 of the present embodiment, the light incident on the medium of the optical element 1 from the bottom surface of the substrate 2 from the object to be observed is totally reflected by the inner surface of the reflecting surface 31 adjacent to the low refractive index portion 4 (FIG. 5 (c)). The light totally reflected by the reflection surface 31 has a smaller angle of incidence on the reflection surface 31 than when the reflection surface is perpendicular to the base 2 (see, for example, the reflection surface 131 in FIG. 9). Also becomes smaller. The light totally reflected by the reflecting surface 31 is actually totally reflected again by the reflecting surface 32 and then three-dimensionally reflected toward the crown surface 35, but this is omitted in the illustration.

反射面３１で全反射された光は、基盤２と平行な頭頂面３５に対して斜め方向から入射する。すなわち、反射面３１が垂直である場合に比べて、頭頂面３５に対する入射角が大きくなる。ここで、仮に、光学調整部材５が設けられていない場合を想定する。この場合、頭頂面３５への入射角が大きくなると、頭頂面３５から出射されるときの屈折角も大きくなる。結果として、被観察物から光学素子１に入射した光の入射角よりも、大きな屈折角で出射する。光学調整部材５が無い場合の出射光Ｒ２を点線矢印で示す。特に、被観察物から遠く、反射面３１に対する入射角が小さい光ほど、頭頂面３５から出射される光の屈折角が大きくなる。そのため、図６（ａ）で示したように、光学調整部材５を用いない光学素子１０１ａでは、点光源ｏの素子面１Ｓに対する面対称位置ｐに、光学素子１０１ａの透過光が集束せず、実鏡映像Ｐ（図１参照）が歪み、不鮮明となる。 The light totally reflected by the reflecting surface 31 is incident on the parietal surface 35 parallel to the substrate 2 from an oblique direction. That is, the angle of incidence on the crown surface 35 is larger than that when the reflection surface 31 is vertical. Here, it is assumed that the optical adjusting member 5 is not provided. In this case, as the angle of incidence on the parietal surface 35 increases, the angle of refraction when emitted from the parietal surface 35 also increases. As a result, the light emitted from the object to be observed is emitted at a refraction angle larger than the incident angle of the light incident on the optical element 1. The emitted light R2 when the optical adjusting member 5 is not provided is indicated by a dotted arrow. In particular, the farther the light is from the object to be observed and the smaller the angle of incidence on the reflecting surface 31, the larger the refraction angle of the light emitted from the crown surface 35. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the optical element 101a that does not use the optical adjusting member 5, the transmitted light of the optical element 101a is not focused at the plane-symmetrical position p of the point light source o with respect to the element surface 1S. The real mirror image P (see FIG. 1) is distorted and becomes unclear.

これに対して、本実施形態の光学素子１では、勾配ｔ２を有する反射面３１で全反射されて頭頂面３５から出射した光Ｒ１は、光学調整部材５の底面５１に入射する。光学調整部材５は、突状部３と略同一の屈折率を有する媒質により形成されている場合、光学調整部材５に入射した光Ｒ１は、反射面３１で全反射された方向に直進し、光学調整部材５の天面５２に入射する。光学調整部材５の天面５２は、底面５１に対して勾配ｔ２を有しているので、天面５２への入射角が小さくなり、天面５２から出射する光の屈折角も小さく抑制される。このようにして、反射面３１が勾配ｔ１を有していても、光学調整部材５の勾配ｔ２により、光学素子１から出射される光の屈折角が調整される。そのため、図６（ｂ）で示したように、点光源ｏの素子面１Ｓに対する面対称位置ｐに、光学素子１の透過光が集束して、鮮明な実鏡映像Ｐ（図１参照）を結像させることができる。 On the other hand, in the optical element 1 of the present embodiment, the light R1 that is totally reflected by the reflecting surface 31 having the gradient t2 and emitted from the crown surface 35 is incident on the bottom surface 51 of the optical adjusting member 5. When the optical adjusting member 5 is formed of a medium having substantially the same refractive index as the protruding portion 3, the light R1 incident on the optical adjusting member 5 travels straight in the direction totally reflected by the reflecting surface 31. It is incident on the top surface 52 of the optical adjusting member 5. Since the top surface 52 of the optical adjusting member 5 has a gradient t2 with respect to the bottom surface 51, the angle of incidence on the top surface 52 is small, and the refraction angle of the light emitted from the top surface 52 is also suppressed to be small. .. In this way, even if the reflecting surface 31 has a gradient t1, the refraction angle of the light emitted from the optical element 1 is adjusted by the gradient t2 of the optical adjusting member 5. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, the transmitted light of the optical element 1 is focused at the plane-symmetrical position p of the point light source o with respect to the element surface 1S, and a clear real mirror image P (see FIG. 1) is obtained. It can be imaged.

すなわち、本実施形態の光学素子１では、突状部３の側面がいずれも傾斜、勾配を有するテーパ形状になっているので、２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓ（光学パネル本体）を作製する際にスムーズな離型が可能であり、しかも、勾配ｔ１を有する反射面３１（３２）で反射した光を、勾配ｔ２を有する光学調整部材５で、出射光の屈折角を調整するので、歪みが少なく鮮明な立体映像を表示することができる。 That is, in the optical element 1 of the present embodiment, since the side surfaces of the projecting portion 3 have a tapered shape having an inclination and a gradient, it is smooth when the two-sided corner reflector array 30S (optical panel main body) is manufactured. The light reflected by the reflecting surface 31 (32) having the gradient t1 is adjusted by the optical adjusting member 5 having the gradient t2, so that the refraction angle of the emitted light is adjusted, so that there is little distortion and the light is clear. It is possible to display various stereoscopic images.

光学素子１における光学調整部材５の構成や配置は、上記で説明したものに限られない。以下、光学素子１の変形例について説明する。第１の変形例は、図７（ａ）に示すように、光学調整部材５を、２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓの突状部３に対応したフレネルプリズム５Ａとしたものである。このフレネルプリズム５Ａも、個々の光出射面が突状部３の頭頂面３５に対して勾配ｔ２を有している。従って、上記実施形態の光学素子１と同様に、歪みが少なく鮮明な立体映像を表示することができる。なお、図例では、１つの突状部３に対して１つのプリズムが対応するように構成されたフレネルプリズムを示しているが、１つのプリズムが複数の突状部３に対応していてもよい。 The configuration and arrangement of the optical adjusting member 5 in the optical element 1 are not limited to those described above. Hereinafter, a modified example of the optical element 1 will be described. In the first modification, as shown in FIG. 7A, the optical adjusting member 5 is a Fresnel prism 5A corresponding to the protruding portion 3 of the two-sided corner reflector array 30S. Also in this Fresnel prism 5A, each light emitting surface has a gradient t2 with respect to the parietal surface 35 of the projecting portion 3. Therefore, similarly to the optical element 1 of the above embodiment, it is possible to display a clear stereoscopic image with less distortion. In the illustrated example, a Fresnel prism configured so that one prism corresponds to one protruding portion 3 is shown, but even if one prism corresponds to a plurality of protruding portions 3. good.

上記実施形態のように、複数の突状部３を一括するように覆う光学調整部材５では、勾配ｔ２によっては、反射面３１、３２の成す角辺側の光学調整部材５の厚みが、端部側に向かうほど厚くなる。一方、本変形例のように、突状部３に対応したフレネルプリズム５Ａを用いた場合、上記実施形態の光学調整部材５に出射光の屈折角を調整しつつ、光学調整部材５の厚みを抑制することができる。従って、この光学素子１を、後述するような映像表示装置に組み込んだ際にも、光の出射面が平坦となり、装置の外観に影響し難くすることができる。 In the optical adjusting member 5 that covers the plurality of projecting portions 3 so as to collectively cover the plurality of projecting portions 3 as in the above embodiment, the thickness of the optical adjusting member 5 on the corner side formed by the reflecting surfaces 31 and 32 may be different depending on the gradient t2. It gets thicker toward the part. On the other hand, when the Fresnel prism 5A corresponding to the projecting portion 3 is used as in this modification, the thickness of the optical adjusting member 5 is adjusted while adjusting the refraction angle of the emitted light to the optical adjusting member 5 of the above embodiment. It can be suppressed. Therefore, even when the optical element 1 is incorporated into a video display device as described later, the light emitting surface becomes flat and the appearance of the device can be less affected.

図７（ｂ）に示すように、第２の変形例は、光学調整部材５が、基盤２の底面に設けられ、被観察物から基盤２の底面に入射する光の入射角を調整するものである。図例では、光学調整部材５として、突状部３毎に対応したフレネルプリズム５Ｂを用いた構成を示すが、基盤２の底面を一括して覆う構成であってもよい。 As shown in FIG. 7B, in the second modification, the optical adjusting member 5 is provided on the bottom surface of the base 2 and adjusts the incident angle of the light incident on the bottom surface of the base 2 from the object to be observed. Is. In the illustrated example, the optical adjusting member 5 uses a Fresnel prism 5B corresponding to each of the projecting portions 3, but the bottom surface of the base 2 may be collectively covered.

上記実施形態や第１変形例では、いずれも突状部３の頭頂面３５から出射する光の屈折角を調整したが、本変形例では、光学素子１（基盤２の底面）に入射する光の入射角を調整する。フレネルプリズム５Ｂの入射面は、入射角が大きくなるように勾配ｔ３が設けられている。この場合、フレネルプリズム５Ｂに入射した光は、入射面の界面で屈折し、基盤２を直進して導波され、反射面３１に対する入射角が大きくなるので、反射面３１での反射角も大きくなる。反射面３１で全反射された光は、基盤２に垂直な反射面１３１（図１０参照）で全反射した光と同様の方向に向かう。その結果、上記実施形態や第１の変形例の光学素子１と同様に、歪みが少なく鮮明な立体映像を表示することができる。 In both the above embodiment and the first modification, the refraction angle of the light emitted from the parietal surface 35 of the projecting portion 3 is adjusted, but in this modification, the light incident on the optical element 1 (bottom surface of the base 2) is adjusted. Adjust the angle of incidence of. The incident surface of the Fresnel prism 5B is provided with a gradient t3 so that the incident angle is large. In this case, the light incident on the Fresnel prism 5B is refracted at the interface of the incident surface, travels straight through the substrate 2, and is waved, so that the incident angle with respect to the reflecting surface 31 is large, so that the reflection angle on the reflecting surface 31 is also large. Become. The light totally reflected by the reflecting surface 31 goes in the same direction as the light totally reflected by the reflecting surface 131 (see FIG. 10) perpendicular to the substrate 2. As a result, it is possible to display a clear stereoscopic image with less distortion, as in the case of the optical element 1 of the above embodiment and the first modification.

図７（ｃ）に示すように、第３の変形例は、基盤２に対して勾配ｔ４を有する光学調整部材５Ｃが、基盤２の底面に設けられ、基盤２に対して勾配ｔ５を有する光学調整部材５Ｄが、突状部３の頭頂面３５に設けられているものである。本変形例では、被観察物から光学素子１に入射する光の入射角を調整し、且つ出射光の屈折角を調整するので、上記実施形態の光学調整部材５に比べて、各光学調整部材５Ｃ、５Ｄの厚みを抑制することができる。特に、外部に露出する光出射面側の光学調整部材５Ｃの厚みを抑制するので、本変形例の光学素子１を、後述するような映像表示装置に組み込んだ際にも、装置の外観に影響し難くすることができる。 As shown in FIG. 7C, in the third modification, the optical adjusting member 5C having a gradient t4 with respect to the substrate 2 is provided on the bottom surface of the substrate 2, and the optical having a gradient t5 with respect to the substrate 2 is provided. The adjusting member 5D is provided on the crown surface 35 of the protruding portion 3. In this modification, since the incident angle of the light incident on the optical element 1 from the object to be observed is adjusted and the refraction angle of the emitted light is adjusted, each optical adjusting member is compared with the optical adjusting member 5 of the above embodiment. The thickness of 5C and 5D can be suppressed. In particular, since the thickness of the optical adjusting member 5C on the light emitting surface side exposed to the outside is suppressed, the appearance of the device is affected even when the optical element 1 of this modified example is incorporated into an image display device as described later. It can be difficult to do.

なお、図８の参考例に示すように、２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓを作製する際に、金型の設計により、突状部３の頭頂面３５に勾配を設けることも可能である。しかしながら、突状部３の頭頂面３５は、屈折角を安定化させて、鮮明な実鏡映像を得るため、一般的に研磨による鏡面加工が成される。ところが、突状部３の頭頂面３５に勾配を設けると、鏡面加工が困難になるので、本参考例よりも、上記実施形態及び変形例で示した構成が現実的である。 As shown in the reference example of FIG. 8, when the two-sided corner reflector array 30S is manufactured, it is possible to provide a gradient on the crown surface 35 of the protruding portion 3 by designing the mold. However, the parietal surface 35 of the projecting portion 3 is generally mirror-finished by polishing in order to stabilize the refraction angle and obtain a clear real mirror image. However, if the top surface 35 of the projecting portion 3 is provided with a gradient, mirror surface processing becomes difficult. Therefore, the configurations shown in the above-described embodiment and modification are more realistic than in this reference example.

本発明の第２の実施形態に係る光学素子について、図９を参照して説明する。本実施形態の光学素子１は、透明材料により形成された第１光学パネル１Ａ及び第２光学パネル１Ｂを備える。第１光学パネル１Ａ及び第２光学パネル１Ｂは、一平面を成す基盤２Ａ、２Ｂに対して垂直な帯状の反射面３１、３２を複数、定間隔で配列させたスリットミラーアレイ３０Ａ、３０Ｂを夫々有する。本実施形態では、第１光学パネル１Ａ及び第２光学パネル１Ｂを合せて光学パネル本体とする。本実施形態では、光学パネル本体の出射面となる第２光学パネル１Ｂの底面２２に、光学調整部材５が設けられている。 The optical element according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The optical element 1 of the present embodiment includes a first optical panel 1A and a second optical panel 1B formed of a transparent material. The first optical panel 1A and the second optical panel 1B are slit mirror arrays 30A and 30B in which a plurality of strip-shaped reflecting surfaces 31 and 32 perpendicular to the bases 2A and 2B forming a plane are arranged at regular intervals, respectively. Have. In the present embodiment, the first optical panel 1A and the second optical panel 1B are combined to form an optical panel main body. In the present embodiment, the optical adjusting member 5 is provided on the bottom surface 22 of the second optical panel 1B, which is the exit surface of the optical panel main body.

第１光学パネル１Ａ及び第２光学パネル１Ｂは、基盤２Ａ、２Ｂから突出するように形成された複数の突条３Ａ、３Ｂを有する。複数の突条３Ａ、３Ｂは、基盤２Ａ、２Ｂと同じ透明材料によって基盤２Ａ、２Ｂと一体的に形成されている。なお、図９では、光学素子１の構造を説明するために、第１光学パネル１Ａ、第２光学パネル１Ｂ及び光学調整部材５が夫々離れた状態で示している。なお、これらは接していることが好ましいが、光学調整部材５の勾配を適宜に設定すれば、それらを離間して配置することもできる。 The first optical panel 1A and the second optical panel 1B have a plurality of ridges 3A and 3B formed so as to project from the bases 2A and 2B. The plurality of ridges 3A and 3B are integrally formed with the bases 2A and 2B by the same transparent material as the bases 2A and 2B. In FIG. 9, in order to explain the structure of the optical element 1, the first optical panel 1A, the second optical panel 1B, and the optical adjusting member 5 are shown in a state of being separated from each other. It is preferable that these are in contact with each other, but if the gradient of the optical adjusting member 5 is appropriately set, they can be arranged apart from each other.

第１光学パネル１Ａの突条３Ａは、基盤２Ａに対して角度を持つ２面を有する。本実施形態の突条３Ａは、断面が台形形状であり、基盤２Ａ（平面）に垂直な面に対して勾配を有する反射面３１と、基盤２Ａに対して傾斜した傾斜面３３と、基盤２Ａと平行な面を成す頭頂面３５と、を有する。同様に、第２光学パネル１Ｂの突条３Ｂも、基盤２Ｂに垂直な面に対して勾配を有する反射面３２と、基盤２Ｂに対して傾斜した傾斜面３４と、基盤２Ｂと平行な面を成す頭頂面３６と、を有する。また、反射面３２には、低屈折率部４が設けられている。第１光学パネル１Ａ及び第２光学パネル１Ｂは、夫々のスリットミラーアレイ３０Ａ、３０Ｂの配列方向が直交するように互いに向かい合わせて配置されている。第１光学パネル１Ａの基盤２Ａから突条３Ａに入射した光は、反射面３１の内壁面で全反射され、突条３Ａの頭頂面３５から出射する。第１光学パネル１Ａを出射した光は、第２光学パネル１Ｂの反射面３２の内壁面で再び全反射され、基盤２Ｂの底面２２から出射し、光学調整部材５に入射する。 The ridge 3A of the first optical panel 1A has two surfaces angled with respect to the substrate 2A. The ridge 3A of the present embodiment has a trapezoidal cross section, a reflective surface 31 having a slope with respect to a surface perpendicular to the base 2A (plane), an inclined surface 33 inclined with respect to the base 2A, and a base 2A. It has a parietal surface 35, which forms a surface parallel to the surface. Similarly, the ridge 3B of the second optical panel 1B also has a reflecting surface 32 having a gradient with respect to a surface perpendicular to the substrate 2B, an inclined surface 34 inclined with respect to the substrate 2B, and a surface parallel to the substrate 2B. It has a parietal surface 36, which is formed. Further, the reflective surface 32 is provided with a low refractive index portion 4. The first optical panel 1A and the second optical panel 1B are arranged so as to face each other so that the arrangement directions of the slit mirror arrays 30A and 30B are orthogonal to each other. The light incident on the ridge 3A from the base 2A of the first optical panel 1A is totally reflected by the inner wall surface of the reflection surface 31 and emitted from the crown surface 35 of the ridge 3A. The light emitted from the first optical panel 1A is totally reflected again by the inner wall surface of the reflecting surface 32 of the second optical panel 1B, emitted from the bottom surface 22 of the base 2B, and incident on the optical adjusting member 5.

本実施形態においても、突条３Ａ、３Ｂの側面がいずれも傾斜、勾配を有するテーパ形状になっているので、スリットミラーアレイ３０Ａ、３０Ｂ（第１光学パネル１Ａ、第２光学パネル１Ｂ）を作製する際にスムーズな離型が可能であり、しかも、勾配を有する反射面３１（３２）で反射した光を、勾配を有する光学調整部材５で、出射光の屈折角を調整するので、歪みが少なく鮮明な立体映像を表示することができる。 Also in this embodiment, since the side surfaces of the ridges 3A and 3B all have a tapered shape having an inclination and a gradient, the slit mirror arrays 30A and 30B (first optical panel 1A and second optical panel 1B) are manufactured. Smooth release is possible, and the light reflected by the gradient reflecting surface 31 (32) is adjusted by the gradient optical adjusting member 5 to adjust the refraction angle of the emitted light, resulting in distortion. It is possible to display a few clear stereoscopic images.

なお、光学調整部材５は、第２光学パネル１Ａの基盤２Ｂと一体形成されていてもよい。また、上記実施形態の変形例と同様、光学調整部材５が、第１光学パネル１Ａの基盤２Ａ側に設けられてもよく、フレネルプリズムが用いられてもよい。後述する実施形態でも同様である。 The optical adjusting member 5 may be integrally formed with the base 2B of the second optical panel 1A. Further, as in the modification of the above embodiment, the optical adjusting member 5 may be provided on the base 2A side of the first optical panel 1A, or a Fresnel prism may be used. The same applies to the embodiments described later.

本発明の第３の実施形態に係る光学素子について、図１０を参照して説明する。本実施形態の光学素子１は、光学パネル本体として、一平面を成す基盤２Ｃと、基盤２Ｃから埋没するように形成された複数の穴部３Ｃと、を有する。穴部３Ｃは、３つ以上の側面（本例では４面の内壁面）、ここでは、基盤２Ｃに垂直な面に対して勾配を有する反射面３１、３２と、基盤２Ｃに対して傾斜した傾斜面３３、３４と、から構成される。反射面３１、３２は、互いに隣り合う２面であり、互いに略直交し、被観察物から発せられる光を反射する２面コーナーリフレクタ３０を成す。２面コーナーリフレクタ３０を有する穴部３Ｃが複数、格子状に配置されることで、２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓが構成される。 The optical element according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The optical element 1 of the present embodiment has a base 2C forming a flat surface and a plurality of holes 3C formed so as to be buried from the base 2C as the main body of the optical panel. The hole 3C has three or more side surfaces (in this example, four inner wall surfaces), here, reflective surfaces 31 and 32 having a gradient with respect to a surface perpendicular to the base 2C, and inclined with respect to the base 2C. It is composed of inclined surfaces 33 and 34. The reflecting surfaces 31 and 32 are two surfaces adjacent to each other, and form a two-sided corner reflector 30 that is substantially orthogonal to each other and reflects the light emitted from the object to be observed. The two-sided corner reflector array 30S is configured by arranging a plurality of hole portions 3C having the two-sided corner reflector 30 in a grid pattern.

本実施形態においても、穴部３Ｃの側面がいずれも傾斜、勾配を有するテーパ形状になっているので、２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ３０Ｓ（光学パネル本体）を作製する際にスムーズな離型が可能であり、しかも、勾配を有する反射面３１（３２）で反射した光を、勾配を有する光学調整部材５で、出射光の屈折角を調整するので、歪みが少なく鮮明な立体映像を表示することができる。 Also in this embodiment, since the side surfaces of the hole 3C are both inclined and tapered, it is possible to smoothly release the mold when manufacturing the two-sided corner reflector array 30S (optical panel main body). Moreover, since the refraction angle of the emitted light is adjusted by the optical adjusting member 5 having a gradient from the light reflected by the reflecting surface 31 (32) having a gradient, it is possible to display a clear stereoscopic image with less distortion. can.

次に、本発明の一実施形態に係る映像表示装置について、図１１を参照して説明する。映像表示装置１０は、上述した光学素子１を具体的に適用したものであり、上面に開口部１１を有する箱体１２と、箱体１２の内側面に設けられた映像表示部１３と、を備える。光学素子１は、箱体１２の開口部１１に取り付けられている。図例では、映像表示部１３は、例えば、液晶ディスプレイ装置が用いられ、図例では、文字「Ａ」を上下反転させた倒立姿勢で表示している。映像表示部１３から出射された光は、光学素子１により屈曲反射され、文字「Ａ」の実鏡映像を結像させる。観察者は、映像表示装置１０の斜め上方位置に視点Ｅｐを置いて光学素子１を覗き込んだ際に、文字「Ａ」の実鏡映像を空中映像として視認することができる。 Next, the image display device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The image display device 10 is a specific application of the above-mentioned optical element 1, and includes a box body 12 having an opening 11 on the upper surface and an image display unit 13 provided on the inner side surface of the box body 12. Be prepared. The optical element 1 is attached to the opening 11 of the box body 12. In the illustrated example, for example, a liquid crystal display device is used for the image display unit 13, and in the illustrated example, the character "A" is displayed in an inverted posture. The light emitted from the image display unit 13 is flexed and reflected by the optical element 1 to form a real mirror image of the character "A". When the observer places the viewpoint Ep at an obliquely upper position of the image display device 10 and looks into the optical element 1, the observer can visually recognize the real mirror image of the character "A" as an aerial image.

本発明は、上記実施形態及び各種変形例に限られず、種々変形が可能である。上記実施形態及び変形例では、いずれも突状部３が、４面の側面を有する角錐台形状又は立方体形状のものを挙げたが、２面の反射面と光を出射する頭頂面を有していればよく、例えば、三角錐台形状、又は五角以上の角錐台形状形であってもよい。また、光学調整部材５は、反射面３１の勾配ｔ２に対応して、光学素子１からの出射光の屈折角、又は光学素子１への入射光の入射角を調整するように構成されたものであれば、必ずしも上述した構成例に限られない。 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications, and various modifications are possible. In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the projecting portion 3 has a pyramidal trapezoidal shape or a cube shape having four side surfaces, but has two reflecting surfaces and a parietal surface that emits light. For example, it may be in the shape of a triangular frustum or in the shape of a pyramid of pentagons or more. Further, the optical adjusting member 5 is configured to adjust the refraction angle of the light emitted from the optical element 1 or the incident angle of the incident light on the optical element 1 in accordance with the gradient t2 of the reflecting surface 31. If so, it is not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned configuration example.

１光学素子
１０映像表示装置
２、２Ａ、２Ｂ、２Ｃ基盤（平面）
２２底面（平面）
３突状部
３Ａ、３Ｂ突条
３Ｃ穴部
３０２面コーナーリフレクタ
３０Ａ、３０Ｂスリットミラーアレイ（光学パネル本体）
３０Ｓ２面コーナーリフレクタアレイ（光学パネル本体）
３１、３２反射面（側面）
３３、３４傾斜面（側面）
３５頭頂面
５、５Ｃ、５Ｄ光学調整部材
５Ａ、５Ｂフレネルプリズム 1 Optical element 10 Video display device 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Board (flat surface)
22 Bottom (flat surface)
3 Protruding part 3A, 3B Protruding part 3C Hole part 30 Two-sided corner reflector 30A, 30B Slit mirror array (optical panel body)
30S 2-sided corner reflector array (optical panel body)
31, 32 Reflective surface (side surface)
33, 34 Inclined surface (side surface)
35 Top surface 5, 5C, 5D Optical adjustment member 5A, 5B Fresnel prism

Claims

An optical element that forms a real image of an object to be observed on one surface side in the space on the other surface side.
Has an optical panel body formed of transparent material,
The optical panel main body has a base forming one plane of the optical panel main body, and a plurality of projecting portions integrally formed with the base so as to project from the base.
The protruding portion has three or more side surfaces, and has a reflecting surface that has an angle with respect to the one plane and reflects light emitted from an object to be observed.
The reflecting surfaces are two adjacent surfaces of the side surfaces, which form a two-sided corner reflector that is substantially orthogonal to each other and reflects light emitted from an object to be observed, with respect to a surface perpendicular to the one plane. It has a predetermined gradient, the gradient being 0.1 to 3 °.
An optical adjusting member for adjusting the incident angle of the light incident on the optical panel main body or the refraction angle of the light emitted from the optical panel main body is provided on the one plane or the surface opposite to the one plane.
The optical adjusting member has a bottom surface parallel to the one plane and a top surface having a slope with respect to the bottom surface, and the slope of the top surface with respect to the one plane is 0.5 to 10 °. An optical element characterized by.

An optical element that forms a real image of an object to be observed on one surface side in the space on the other surface side.
Has an optical panel body formed of transparent material,
The optical panel main body has a first optical panel and a second optical having a base forming one plane of the optical panel main body and a plurality of ridges integrally formed with the base so as to project from the base. Equipped with a panel
The ridge has two or more side surfaces and a reflective surface that is angled with respect to the plane and reflects light emitted from the object to be observed.
The reflecting surface is one of the side surfaces formed in a band shape, and a plurality of the reflecting surfaces are arranged at regular intervals to form a slit mirror array, and have a predetermined gradient with respect to the surface perpendicular to the one plane. , The gradient is 0.1 to 3 °
The first optical panel and the second optical panel are arranged so as to face each other so that the arrangement directions of the slit mirror arrays are orthogonal to each other.
An optical adjusting member for adjusting the incident angle of the light incident on the optical panel main body or the refraction angle of the light emitted from the optical panel main body is provided on the one plane or the surface opposite to the one plane.
The optical adjusting member has a bottom surface parallel to the one plane and a top surface having a slope with respect to the bottom surface, and the slope of the top surface with respect to the one plane is 0.5 to 10 °. An optical element characterized by.

An optical element that forms a real image of an object to be observed on one surface side in the space on the other surface side.
Has an optical panel body formed of transparent material,
The optical panel main body has a base forming one plane of the optical panel main body and a plurality of holes formed so as to be buried from the base.
The hole portion has three or more side surfaces, and has a reflecting surface that has an angle with respect to the one plane and reflects light emitted from an object to be observed.
The reflecting surfaces are two adjacent surfaces of the side surfaces, which form a two-sided corner reflector that is substantially orthogonal to each other and reflects light emitted from an object to be observed, with respect to a surface perpendicular to the one plane. It has a predetermined gradient, the gradient being 0.1 to 3 °.
An optical adjusting member for adjusting the incident angle of the light incident on the optical panel main body or the refraction angle of the light emitted from the optical panel main body is provided on the one plane or the surface opposite to the one plane.
The optical adjusting member has a bottom surface parallel to the one plane and a top surface having a slope with respect to the bottom surface, and the slope of the top surface with respect to the one plane is 0.5 to 10 °. An optical element characterized by.

The optical adjusting member is a Fresnel prism corresponding to the protruding portion.
The optical element according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

An image display device using the optical element according to any one of claims 1 to 4.