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KR-20260066651-A - Device and method for transporting optical devices

KR20260066651AKR 20260066651 AKR20260066651 AKR 20260066651AKR-20260066651-A

Abstract

An apparatus (300) for transporting an optical device (310) is provided. The apparatus (300) includes a non-contact suspension system (320) that defines a transport path for the optical device (310). The optical device has two main surfaces. The apparatus (300) includes a first side support (330) arranged to contact a first side portion (316) of the optical device (310) extending between the two main surfaces. The apparatus (300) includes a second side support (340) arranged to contact a second side portion (318) of the optical device (310) extending between the two main surfaces. At least one of the first side support (330) and the second side support (340) is adjustable to adjust a first distance (350) between the first side support (330) and the second side support (340). The first side support (330) and the second side support (340) are movable in a transport direction (390) defined by a transport path.

Inventors

  • 콜라, 다비데

Assignees

  • 어플라이드 머티어리얼스, 인코포레이티드

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20230908

Claims (15)

  1. As a device (300) for transporting an optical device (310), A non-contact suspension system (320) defining a transport path for the optical device — the optical device has two main surfaces (312, 314) —; A first side support (330) arranged to contact a first side portion (316) of the optical device extending between the two main surfaces; and It includes a second side support (340) arranged to contact a second side portion (318) of the optical device extending between the two main surfaces, and The position of at least one of the first side support and the second side support is adjustable to adjust the first distance (350) between the first side support and the second side support, and The first side support and the second side support are devices capable of moving in a transport direction (390) defined by the transport path.
  2. In claim 1, the optical device is a waveguide (10, 10a-c) comprising a substrate (110) and a plurality of optical structures (122) formed thereon.
  3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first distance is adjustable to allow optical devices having different dimensions to be transported by the device.
  4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device is configured to transport the optical device without contacting the two main surfaces of the optical device.
  5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, the non-contact suspension system comprises an ultrasonic vibration generator (412, 414).
  6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first distance is the distance in the transport direction.
  7. A device comprising, in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an actuator system including one or more actuators for changing the position of at least one of the first side support and the second side support to adjust the first distance.
  8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first side support and the second side support are arranged to house the optical device inside an optical device housing area, and the adjustable first distance between the first side support and the second side support defines the adjustable dimensions of the optical device housing area.
  9. In any one of claims 1 to 8, it further comprises a third side support (450) arranged to contact a third side portion (452) of the optical device extending between the two main surfaces, and The above third side support is movable in the transport direction, and A device in which the first side support, the second side support, and the third side support are arranged to contact the first side, the second side, and the third side of the optical device, respectively.
  10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first side support and the second side support are connected to or part of a conveyor system comprising one or more conveyors (530, 540).
  11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the non-contact suspension system is arranged to provide the optical device at an angle of inclination (420) with respect to a horizontal plane.
  12. As a device (300) for transporting an optical device (310), A non-contact suspension system (320) that defines a transport path; and It includes a first side support (330) and a second side support (340) defining an optical device storage area — said first side support and said second side support are spaced apart from each other by an adjustable first distance (350) defining an adjustable dimension of said optical device storage area — and The first side support and the second side support are devices capable of moving in a transport direction (390) defined by the transport path.
  13. As a method for transporting an optical device (310), A step of providing the optical device in a suspended state using a non-contact suspension system (320) — the optical device has two main surfaces (312, 314) —; The step of transporting the optical device along a transport path defined by the above-described non-contact suspension system; and The method includes the step of moving the first side support (330) and the second side support (340) together with the optical device in a transport direction (390) defined by the transport path, The first side support is arranged to contact a first side portion (316) of the optical device extending between the two main surfaces, and the second side support is arranged to contact a second side portion (318) of the optical device extending between the two main surfaces. A method in which at least one of the first side support and the second side support is adjustable to adjust the first distance (350) between the first side support and the second side support.
  14. In Paragraph 13, A method further comprising the step of adjusting the first distance based on the dimensions of the optical device.
  15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the optical device is transported without contacting the two main surfaces of the optical device.

Description

Device and method for transporting optical devices The embodiments described herein relate to devices and methods for transporting optical devices, more specifically, optical devices for augmented reality applications such as waveguide combiners. Virtual reality is generally considered to be a computer-generated simulation environment that appears to be physically present to the user. Virtual reality experiences can be created in 3D and can be viewed using a head-mounted display (HMD), such as glasses or other wearable display devices, which have near-eye display panels as lenses to display a virtual reality environment that replaces the real environment. However, augmented reality enables an experience where users can view their surroundings through the display lenses of glasses or other HMD devices, while also being able to see images of virtual objects generated for the display and appearing as part of the environment. Augmented reality can include any type of input, such as audio and haptic input, as well as virtual images, graphics, and videos that enhance or augment the environment experienced by the user. As an emerging technology, augmented reality entails many challenges and design constraints. Optical combiners may be used to allow computer-generated virtual images to be combined with real-world images of the environment to provide an augmented reality experience. These optical combiners may include waveguides comprising a substrate upon which multiple optical structures are formed. Handling waveguides can be challenging because the optical structures are small (e.g., nanoscale) and brittle, easily damaged or contaminated. For example, high-speed automated processing of waveguides can be difficult and thus impacts overall productivity in the manufacturing of display devices for augmented reality applications. Considering the above, there is a need for improved systems and methods for handling optical devices, such as waveguides, for augmented reality applications. According to an embodiment, a device for transporting an optical device is provided. The device includes a non-contact suspension system that defines a transport path for the optical device. The optical device has two main surfaces. The device includes a first side support arranged to contact a first side portion of the optical device extending between the two main surfaces. The device includes a second side support arranged to contact a second side portion of the optical device extending between the two main surfaces. The position of at least one of the first side support and the second side support is adjustable to adjust a first distance between the first side support and the second side support. The first side support and the second side support are movable in a transport direction defined by the transport path. According to additional embodiments, a device for transporting an optical device is provided. The device includes a non-contact suspension system that defines a transport path. The device includes a first side support and a second side support that define an optical device containment area. The first side support and the second side support are spaced apart from each other by an adjustable first distance that defines an adjustable dimension of the optical device containment area. The first side support and the second side support are movable in a transport direction defined by a transport path. According to additional embodiments, a method for transporting an optical device is provided. The method comprises the step of providing the optical device in a suspended state using a non-contact suspension system — the optical device has two main surfaces —. The method comprises the step of transporting the optical device along a transport path defined by the non-contact suspension system. The method comprises the step of moving a first side support and a second side support together with the optical device in a transport direction defined by the transport path. The first side support is arranged to contact a first side portion of the optical device extending between the two main surfaces, and the second side support is arranged to contact a second side portion of the optical device extending between the two main surfaces. The position of at least one of the first side support and the second side support is adjustable to adjust a first distance between the first side support and the second side support. The embodiments also relate to devices for carrying out the disclosed methods and include parts of the device for carrying out each described method embodiment. These method embodiments may be carried out by hardware components, by a computer programmed with appropriate software, by any combination of both, or in any other way. Furthermore, the embodiments according to the present disclosure also relate to methods for operating the described device. Methods for operating the described device include method embodiments for carrying out