# US 10,502,961 B2 · Virtual image display apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,961 B2 - Document ID: US10502961B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/059,743 - Filed: 2018-08-09 - Published: 2018-12-06 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-28 - Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation - Applicants: Seiko Epson Corporation - Inventors: Toshiaki Miyao; Takahiro Totani; Masayuki Takagi; Takashi Takeda; Akira Komatsu; Kazuya Kamakura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502961B2 ## CPC - G02B 27/0176: {characterised by mechanical features} - G02B 6/0001: {specially adapted for lighting devices or systems (lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00)} - G02B 27/0172: {characterised by optical features} - G02B 2027/011: {comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion} - G02B 2027/0132: {comprising binocular systems} - G02B 2027/015: {involving arrangement aiming to get less bulky devices} - G02B 2027/0152: {involving arrangement aiming to get lighter or better balanced devices} - G02B 2027/0169: {Supporting or connecting means other than the external walls} - G02B 2027/0178: {Eyeglass type (eyeglass details G02C)} - G02B 2027/0198: {System for aligning or maintaining alignment of an image in a predetermined direction} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract In a frame part, a center portion having a thick structure is provided between a first optical member as a first light guide unit and a second optical member as a second light guide unit to connect to both and fixes relative positions of the first optical member and the second optical member by the center portion, and thereby, reduction in weight and size of the frame part is realized. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A virtual image display apparatus comprising: a first light guide and a second light guide provided in a pair corresponding to left and right eyes and respectively guiding picture lights to be visually recognized, the first light guide having a first protruding portion extending toward the second light guide, and the second light guide having a second protruding portion extending toward the first light guide; and a frame part including a center portion, the center portion sandwiching the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion, the center portion fixing a relative position of the first light guide to the second light guide. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the frame part includes a support extending from the center portion along the first light guide and the second light guide, the support forms a first periphery portion and a second periphery portion corresponding to base sides of the first light guide and the second light guide, respectively, and the first light guide and the second light guide are fixed to the first periphery portion and the second periphery portion of the support, respectively. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first light guide and the second light guide are respectively connected to a first lens tube part and a second lens tube part, the first lens tube part and the second lens tube part respectively housing a first projection lens and a second projection lens configured to allow picture lights from a picture device to enter the first light guide and the second light guide on base sides, respectively, and the first projection lens and the second projection lens are fixed to the frame part by the first lens tube part and the second lens tube part, respectively. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first light guide and the second light guide are configured to: form a plurality of surfaces having thicknesses in a direction perpendicular to a light guide direction, and guide picture lights by total reflection using the plurality of surfaces. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the center portion includes a screwing and fixing portion fixing the first light guide and the second light guide to the center portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the screwing and fixing portion includes a plate-like retaining fitting forming fixing surfaces configured to sandwich and fix the first and second light guides. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the retaining fitting has a shape uniformly spreading from the center portion based on a position of the first light guide and the second light guide. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the retaining fitting contacts surfaces of the first and second protruding portions formed on respective end sides of the first and second light guides and extending toward the center portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: the screwing and fixing portion includes a plurality of screwing holes, and the first light guide and the second light guide each have screwing portions having U-shaped structures corresponding to the plurality of screwing holes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the screwing and fixing portion has three or more screwing holes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the screwing and fixing portion has three screwing holes for a three-point fixation, each one of the three screwing holes fixing one of either the first light guide, the second light guide, or the center portion of the frame part. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first light guide and the second light guide are configured to superimpose picture lights and lights from the outside world such that the first light guide and the second light guide are visually recognized in relation to each other. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame part includes a magnesium frame as a support extending from the center portion along the first light guide and the second light guide. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a wiring member disposed between the frame part and the first light guide and the second light guide. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the wiring member is configured to transmit at least one of (i) signals and (ii) power to the first light guide and the second light guide. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a plate-like member disposed between the wiring member and the first light guide and the second light guide. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the plate-like member is configured to suppress light from leaking through gaps in the frame part. ### Claim 18 A virtual image display apparatus comprising: a first light guide and a second light guide corresponding to left and right eyes and guiding picture lights to be visually recognized, the first light guide and the second light guide including corresponding protruding portions extending toward a center portion; and an elongated frame part formed in a U-shape, the frame part including the center portion and sandwiching the protruding portions of the first light guide unit and the second light guide. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the frame part is a metal integrated component composed of at least a magnesium alloy. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The virtual image display apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a wiring member disposed between the frame part and the first light guide and the second light guide.