# US 2019/0377200 A1 · Edge sealant application for optical devices

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- Number: US 2019/0377200 A1
- Document ID: US20190377200A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/438,663
- Filed: 2019-06-12
- Published: 2019-12-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-06-12
- Assignees: Magic Leap, Inc.
- Applicants: Magic Leap, Inc.
- Inventors: Wendong Xing; Neal Paul Ricks; Thomas Mercier; William Hudson Welch
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190377200A1

## CPC

- G02C 13/001: {Assembling; Repairing}
- B29C 35/0288: {Controlling heating or curing of polymers during moulding, e.g. by measuring temperatures or properties of the polymer and regulating the process (controlling or regulating chemical, physical or physico- chemical processes in general B01J19/0006)}
- B29D 11/00009: {Production of simple or compound lenses}
- B29D 11/00432: {Auxiliary operations, e.g. machines for filling the moulds (B29D11/00125 takes precedence)}
- B29D 11/00865: {Applying coatings; tinting; colouring (printing, marking or copying processes B41M; identification in general G09F3/00; producing decorative effects in general B44C; positioning or marking of lenses B24B13/0055)}
- G02B 25/001: {Eyepieces}
- G02B 27/0172: {characterised by optical features}
- G02C 13/005: {Measuring geometric parameters required to locate ophtalmic lenses in spectacles frames (apparatus for testing or instruments for examining the eyes per se A61B3/00; machines or devices and accessories for grinding the edges of lenses using spectacles as a template B24B9/144)}
- B29C 2035/0827: {using UV radiation}
- B29D 11/00413: {made by moulding between two mould parts which are not in direct contact with one another, e.g. comprising a seal between or on the edges (B29D11/00019 - B29D11/00355, B29D11/00423, B29D11/00432 take precedence)}
- G02C: SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES (trial frames for testing the eyes A61B3/04; goggles or eyeshields not having the same features as spectacles A61F9/00)
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

Techniques are described for applying an edge sealant to the edge of a multi-layer optical device. In particular, embodiments provide an apparatus that performs a precision measurement of the perimeter of an eyepiece, applying the edge sealant (e.g., polymer) based on the precision-measured perimeter, and subsequently cures the edge sealant, using ultraviolet (UV) light that is directed at the edge sealant. The curing process may be performed within a short time following the application of the edge sealant, to ensure that any wicking of the edge sealant between the layers of the eyepiece is controlled to be no greater than a particular depth tolerance. In some examples, the edge sealant is applied to the optical device prevent, or at least reduce, the leakage of light from the optical device, and also to ensure and maintain the structure of the multi-layer optical device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for applying an edge sealant to an eyepiece, the apparatus comprising:
a chuck that secures the eyepiece to rotate with the chuck while the chuck rotates, the eyepiece comprising multiple optics layers;
a perimeter measurement component including:
a bearing mechanism comprising a bearing and a spring that allows the bearing to move in a transverse direction while the bearing is rotating, and that causes the bearing to maintain contact with an edge of the eyepiece while the eyepiece is rotating during a first operational phase to generate a perimeter measurement of a perimeter of the eyepiece; and
a recording component that generates and stores the perimeter measurement of the perimeter of the eyepiece during the first operational phase, the perimeter measurement being based on detected movement of the bearing in the transverse direction while the bearing is rotating and in contact with the edge of the eyepiece while the eyepiece is rotating;
a sealant applicator that applies the edge sealant to the edge of the eyepiece according to the perimeter measurement while the eyepiece is rotating, during a second operational phase, wherein the sealant applicator applies the edge sealant to the multiple optics layers of the eyepiece during a single sealant application operation; and
a curing component that cures the edge sealant during a third operational phase.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotating chuck applies at least a partial vacuum to one side of the eyepiece to secure the eyepiece against the rotating chuck.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the bearing, which is in contact with the edge of the eyepiece during generation of the perimeter measurement, is composed of a plastic.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the curing component includes multiple ultraviolet (UV) light sources that direct UV light toward the edge sealant during the third operational phase.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the multiple UV light sources include at least one UV light source directed along a plane defined by the edge of the eyepiece and at least one UV light source directed perpendicularly to the plane defined by the edge of the eyepiece.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third operational phase is performed within a maximum threshold period of time following completion of the second operational phase, to prevent the edge sealant from wicking, between the multiple optics layers of the eyepiece, farther than a maximum tolerance depth.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the curing component cures the edge sealant during the third operational phase according to the perimeter measurement while the rotating chuck is rotating with the secured eyepiece.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a quality control (QC) component that performs in-line QC of the eyepiece, the QC component including a laser micrometer to measure thickness of the eyepiece and a vision camera to measure edge band thickness and wicking length of the edge sealant.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the eyepiece is a left eyepiece, the left eyepiece has a common area with a right eyepiece, and the chuck is configured to secure the left eyepiece and the right eyepiece within the common area.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealant applicator is configured to apply the edge sealant to the edge of the eyepiece such that a thickness of the applied edge sealant in the plane of the eyepiece is in a range between about 80 microns and about 250 microns.

### Claim 11

A method of applying an edge sealant to an eyepiece, the method comprising:
securing the eyepiece comprising multiple optics layers to a chuck such that a surface of the eyepiece is in contact with the chuck;
rotating the chuck, wherein the eyepiece rotates with the chuck while the chuck rotates;
measuring a perimeter around an edge of the eyepiece to yield a perimeter measurement;
applying, while the eyepiece is rotating and according to the perimeter measurement, a sealant to the edge of the eyepiece; and
curing the sealant.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein measuring the perimeter around the edge of the eyepiece comprises contacting the edge of the eyepiece with a bearing while the eyepiece is rotating, thereby rotating the bearing.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the bearing is coupled to a spring that allows movement of the bearing, while the bearing is contacting the edge of the eyepiece, in a direction substantially parallel to a plane defined by the surface of the eyepiece in contact with the chuck.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the perimeter measurement is based at least in part on detected movement of the bearing in the direction substantially parallel to the plane defined by the surface of the eyepiece in contact with the chuck.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising storing the perimeter measurement.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein securing the eyepiece to the chuck comprises applying at least a partial vacuum to the surface of the eyepiece.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein applying the sealant to the edge of the eyepiece comprises applying the sealant to the multiple optics layers.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein applying the sealant to the edge of the eyepiece comprises applying a single layer of the sealant to the entire perimeter.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein curing the sealant comprises irradiating the sealant with UV radiation.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein irradiating the sealant with UV radiation comprises irradiating the sealant with UV radiation directed along or substantially parallel to a plane defined by the edge of the eyepiece, along or substantially parallel to a plane defined by the surface of the eyepiece, or both.