# US 12,222,505 B2 · Optical module and head-mounted display apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,222,505 B2 - Document ID: US12222505B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/680,492 - Filed: 2022-02-25 - Published: 2022-09-01 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2021-02-26 - Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation - Applicants: Seiko Epson Corporation - Inventors: Tokito Yamaguchi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12222505B2 ## CPC - G02B 27/0172: {characterised by optical features} - G02B 5/04: Prisms - G02B 17/0856: {comprising a refractive element with a reflective surface, the reflection taking place inside the element, e.g. Mangin mirrors} - G02B 2027/011: {comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion} - G02B 2027/0132: {comprising binocular systems} - G02B 2027/0178: {Eyeglass type (eyeglass details G02C)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract An optical module includes: an image element; a prism mirror that reflects image light emitted from the image element at an inner reflection portion; a combiner that reflects the image light from the prism mirror toward a pupil position; and a barrel that is disposed between the prism mirror and the combiner and that positions the prism mirror. The barrel includes a first positioning surface brought into contact with the prism mirror in a second direction perpendicular to a first imaginary plane and parallel to a normal line of a second imaginary plane on which the image light emitted from an emission portion of the prism mirror is incident, and a second positioning portions brought into contact with the prism mirror in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optical module comprising: an image element that emits an image light; a first reflection member that includes: an incident portion on which the image light is incident, an emission portion that emits the image light, and a reflection portion that reflects the image light from the incident portion toward the emission portion; a second reflection member that reflects the image light from the first reflection member toward a pupil position; a rear optical member disposed between the first reflection member and the second reflection member in the optical path of the image light; a front optical member disposed between the image element and the first reflection member in the optical path of the image light; and a supporting member that is disposed between the first reflection member and the second reflection member in an optical path of the image light, wherein the supporting member includes: a first limiting portion, a second limiting portion facing the first limiting portion in a first direction, a pair of first positioning portions contacts with the first reflection member in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second positioning portion contacts with the first reflection member in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction, the supporting member supports the rear optical member on an opposite side, in the second direction, from the first reflection member, a distance between the first reflection member and the front optical member is shorter than a distance between the first reflection member and the rear optical member, and the first reflection member includes, on each of one side and the other side in the first direction, a third positioning surface brought into contact with the front optical member, and a fourth positioning surface that is brought into contact with the front optical member and that is different from the third positioning surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the pair of first positioning portions are spaced apart in the first direction have a band-shaped flat surface, respectively, the band-shaped flat surface extending in the first direction and the second direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the second positioning portions includes a band-shaped flat surface extending in the first direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the third positioning surface includes a band-shaped flat surface extending in the first direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the fourth positioning surface includes a flat surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the supporting member opens on an opposite side in the third direction from the second positioning portions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The optical module according to claim 1, comprising: a frame member including a pair of fifth positioning surfaces brought into contact with the second reflection member and a sixth positioning surface that is brought into contact with the second reflection member in the second direction and that is different from the fifth positioning surfaces. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The optical module according to claim 7, wherein the pair of fifth positioning surfaces are spaced apart in the first direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The optical module according to claim 7, wherein the sixth positioning surface includes a flat surface extending in the first direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The optical module according to claim 7, wherein the rear optical member is brought into contact with the frame member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A head-mounted display apparatus comprising: the optical module according to claim 1; and a control device configured to control display operation of the image element. ### Claim 12 An optical module comprising: an image element that emits an image light; a first reflection member that includes: an incident portion on which the image light is incident, an emission portion that emits the image light, and a reflection portion that reflects the image light from the incident portion toward the emission portion; a second reflection member that reflects the image light from the first reflection member toward a pupil position; a supporting member that is disposed between the first reflection member and the second reflection member in an optical path of the image light, the supporting member including: a first limiting portion, a second limiting portion facing the first limiting portion in a first direction, a pair of first positioning portions contacts with the first reflection member in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second positioning portion contacts with the first reflection member in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the second direction; and a frame member including a pair of fifth positioning surfaces brought into contact with the second reflection member and a sixth positioning surface that is brought into contact with the second reflection member in the second direction and that is different from the fifth positioning surfaces. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The optical module according to claim 12, wherein the pair of fifth positioning surfaces are spaced apart in the first direction. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The optical module according to claim 12, wherein the sixth positioning surface includes a flat surface extending in the first direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The optical module according to claim 12, wherein the rear optical member is brought into contact with the frame member.