Optical fiber with piezoelectric actuation projection display

Abstract

A display system for a vehicle includes a light source configured to emit light and a fiber optic cable coupled with the light source. The fiber optic cable has a first fiber end and a second fiber end opposite the first fiber end. The first fiber end is coupled with the light source. The second optical fiber end is connected with a vehicle body of the vehicle. The display system includes a piezoelectric actuator coupled with the fiber optic cable end near the second fiber end. The piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end of the fiber optic cable to project an image onto the vehicle body adjacent to the second fiber end when the light source is activated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to displays and, more particularly, to projection displays including fiber optic cables and piezoelectric actuators. Background Art

[0002] This introduction generally introduces the background of the present disclosure. The work of the presently named inventors described in this introduction and aspects of the description that may not constitute prior art at the time of filing are not admitted, either expressly or by implication, to be prior art to the present disclosure.

[0003] Some vehicles include displays for displaying information to vehicle occupants. However, due to the size of most displays, it can be challenging to present the image projected by the display in an optimal position relative to the vehicle occupants. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure describes a display system for a vehicle. The display system also includes a light source configured to emit light and a fiber optic cable coupled to the light source. The fiber optic cable has a first fiber end and a second fiber end opposite the first fiber end. The first fiber end is coupled to the light source and the second fiber end is connected to a body of the vehicle. The display system includes a piezoelectric actuator coupled to an end of the fiber optic cable near the second fiber end. The piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end of the fiber optic cable, thereby projecting an image onto the body of the vehicle adjacent to the second fiber end while activating the light source.

[0005] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The light source may be an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs). A BP filter is positioned to filter light emitted by the LED array. A focusing lens is positioned to focus light filtered by the BP filter. The display system may include a fiber combiner that couples the focusing lens to a first fiber end of a fiber optic cable. The vehicle includes a windshield. The vehicle body includes an A-pillar. The A-pillar supports the windshield. A second fiber end of the fiber optic cable is directly connected to the A-pillar so that an image is projected onto the A-pillar when the light source is activated and the piezoelectric actuator is actuated. The vehicle body includes a roof lining. A second fiber end of the fiber optic cable is directly connected to the roof lining so that an image is projected onto the roof lining when the light source is activated and the piezoelectric actuator is actuated. The windshield includes a shading area. The second fiber end of the fiber optic cable is connected to the vehicle body at a location of the shading area adjacent to the windshield so that an image is projected onto the shading area of ​​the windshield when the light source is activated and the piezoelectric actuator is actuated. The vehicle includes a phosphor array on the vehicle body. When light shines on the phosphor array, the phosphor array is excited, thereby producing an image.

[0006] The present disclosure also describes a vehicle, which includes a vehicle body and the above-mentioned display system.

[0007] The present disclosure also describes a method for projecting an image onto a body of a vehicle. The method also includes emitting light using a light source, transmitting the light from a first fiber end of the fiber optic cable to a second fiber end of the fiber optic cable using a fiber optic cable, and activating a piezoelectric actuator to project the image onto the body.

[0008] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0009] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the presently disclosed systems and methods are apparent from the detailed description, including the claims and exemplary embodiments, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicle including a display system according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a display system according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a display system according to another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a display system according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure; and

[0015] Figure 5 A method of using the display system described in the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to several examples of the present disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to represent the same or similar components or steps.

[0017] refer to Figure 1 , the vehicle 10 includes a body 12 and a windshield 14. The body 12 supports the windshield 14 and includes one or more A-pillars 16. The A-pillars are configured to support the windshield 14. The body 12 also includes a roof lining 18. Although the vehicle 10 is shown as a sedan, it is contemplated that the vehicle 10 may be another type of vehicle, such as a pickup truck, a coupe, a sport utility vehicle (SUV), a recreational vehicle (RV), etc. The vehicle 10 also includes a display system 100 supported by the body 12.

[0018] refer to Figure 2, the display system 100 is configured as a vector graphics projector (VGP) and can therefore generate vector graphics. The display system 100 includes one or more fiber optic cables 102 for transmitting light. The fiber optic cable 102 can be flexible and long enough to facilitate very small packaging and placement of the display system 100 in the vehicle 10. As a non-limiting example, the length of at least one of the fiber optic cables 102 can be between ten and twenty feet. The display system 100 also includes one or more light sources 104 in optical communication with the fiber optic cable 102. At least one of the light sources 104 can be configured as a light emitting diode (LED) array to maximize the life of the light source 104. Due to the length of the fiber optic cable 102 (for example, between ten and twenty feet), the light source 104 can be positioned away from the display surface to optimize the car packaging. The display system 100 does not require a projection system directly in front of the windshield, and the entire projection system can be installed under the seat, under the dashboard, or in any hidden space. The display system 100 does not need to occupy the interior space of the vehicle 10.

[0019] Continue to refer Figure 2 , the display system 100 also includes one or more bandpass (BP) filters 106 in optical communication with the light source 104. Each BP filter 106 is positioned downstream of each light source 104 to filter light emitted by the light source 104. As a non-limiting example, at least one of the BP filters 106 can be an absorptive BP filter that absorbs unwanted light. The BP filter 106 can include a multi-layer dielectric coating applied to a substrate. In addition, the BP filter 106 can include spectral and absorptive filters produced by a combination of lamination, bonding layers, and thin film coatings.

[0020] The display system 100 also includes one or more focusing lenses 108 to focus light emitted by the light source 10 into one or more fiber optic cables 102. Thus, the focusing lenses 108 are in optical communication with the light source 104 and the BP filters 106. Each fiber optic cable 102 is positioned downstream of one of the BP filters 106 to focus light filtered by the BP filter 106.

[0021] Each fiber optic cable 102 has a first fiber optic end 110 and a second fiber optic end 112 opposite the first fiber optic end 110. The first fiber optic end 110 is optically coupled to the light source 104, while the second fiber optic end 112 is connected to the vehicle body 12. Therefore, the first fiber optic end 110 is closer to the light source 104 than the second fiber optic end 112, so as to transmit light from the light source 104 to a desired location in the vehicle body 12. The second fiber optic end 112 can be directly connected to the vehicle body 12 to facilitate projecting the image 116 on the vehicle body 12.

[0022] The display system 100 also includes one or more fiber combiners 118 that utilize fiber precision fusion technology to maximize the coupling of optical energy from the transmitting optical fiber to the receiving optical fiber while minimizing any effect of its presence in the optical path on the display system 100. As a non-limiting example, the fiber combiner 118 can be a pump combiner configured to send pump light and signal light into the fiber optic cable 104. To this end, the fiber combiner 118 is positioned between the focusing lens 108 and the first fiber end 110 of the optical fiber 104.

[0023] The display system 100 includes a piezoelectric actuator 120 coupled to the fiber optic cable 104 at a location adjacent to the second fiber optic end 112. The piezoelectric actuator 120 is controlled using an algorithm to create / project a desired image. The piezoelectric actuator 120 is actuated to vibrate the second fiber optic end 112 of the fiber optic cable 102, thereby activating the light source 104 and projecting the image 116 onto the vehicle body 12 adjacent to the second fiber optic end 112. For example, Figure 2 As shown, the second fiber end 112 of the fiber optic cable 104 can be directly connected to at least one A-pillar 16 of the vehicle body 12, so that when the light source 104 is activated and the piezoelectric actuator 120 is actuated, an image 116 is projected onto the A-pillar 16. The vehicle body 12 includes a phosphor array 122 disposed on a surface of the vehicle body 12. The phosphor array 122 can be configured as a film, and when light is emitted onto the phosphor array 122, the phosphor array 122 can be excited to produce an image. The display system 100 uses the fiber optic cable 102 with the piezoelectric actuator 120 at the second fiber end 112 to generate vector graphics (e.g., image 116) for a small automotive display.

[0024] refer to Figure 3 In the display system 100 , the second fiber end 112 of the fiber optic cable 102 is directly connected to the headliner 124 of the vehicle body 12 , thereby projecting the image 116 onto the headliner 124 when the light source 104 is activated and the piezoelectric actuator 120 is actuated.

[0025] refer to Figure 4, the display system 100 includes a separator 126 for separating light. The windshield 14 includes a light shielding area 128 that is darker than the rest of the windshield 14. The second optical fiber end 112 of the optical fiber cable 102 is connected to the vehicle body 12 at the location of the light shielding area 128 adjacent to the windshield 14, so that the image 116 is projected onto the light shielding area 128 of the windshield 14 when the light source 104 is activated and the piezoelectric actuator 120 is actuated. Although not shown, the light shielding area 128 of the windshield 14 includes a phosphor array 122. At the light shielding area 128, the display system 100 can be used to project a telltale. In addition to the windshield 14, a backlight phosphor sheet can also be used to produce an image. On the windshield 14, a front light emitting sheet is used. These front light emitting sheets can be phosphor-based sheets or any other sheets, such as holographic grating-based or liquid crystal-based sheets.

[0026] Figure 5 The method 200 of using the display system 100 is shown. The method 200 begins at block 202. At block 202, the light source 102 is activated to emit light. Then, the method 200 continues to block 204. At block 204, light is transmitted from the first fiber end 110 of the fiber optic cable 102 to the second fiber end 112 of the fiber optic cable 102. Then, the method 200 continues to block 206. At block 206, the piezoelectric actuator 120 is activated to project an image on the vehicle body 12. Blocks 202, 204, and 204 may occur simultaneously or sequentially.

[0027] Although exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms included in the claims. The words used in the specification are descriptive rather than restrictive, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As previously mentioned, the features of the various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the currently disclosed systems and methods that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. Although various embodiments may be described as having advantages or advantages over other embodiments or prior art embodiments relative to one or more desired features, a person of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve the desired overall system properties, depending on the specific application and implementation. These properties may include, but are not limited to, cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, applicability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. Therefore, embodiments described as less than ideal in one or more characteristics compared to other embodiments or prior art embodiments do not exceed the scope of the present disclosure and may be ideal for a particular application.

[0028] The drawings are in simplified form and not drawn to exact scale. Directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, up, above, above, below, below, rear, and front may be used with respect to the drawings for the purpose of convenience and clarity only. These directional terms and similar directional terms should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples, and other embodiments in various alternative forms may be employed. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; certain features may be magnified or minimized to show the details of a particular component. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the systems and methods of the present disclosure in different ways. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the various features shown and described with reference to any of the figures may be combined with the features shown in one or more of the other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly shown or described. The combination of features shown provides representative embodiments of typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be required for specific applications or implementations.

[0030] This description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or use. The broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in many forms. Therefore, although the present disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the present disclosure should not be so limited, because other modifications will become apparent after studying the drawings, description and appended claims.

Claims

1. A display system for a vehicle, comprising: a light source configured to emit light; a fiber optic cable coupled to the light source, wherein the fiber optic cable has a first fiber end and a second fiber end opposite the first fiber end, the first fiber end being coupled to the light source and the second fiber end being connected to a body of a vehicle; and a piezoelectric actuator coupled to an end of a fiber optic cable proximate the second fiber end, wherein the piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end of the fiber optic cable to project an image onto a vehicle body adjacent to the second fiber end when the light source is activated; and Wherein, the display system minimizes in-cabin packaging.

2. The display system according to claim 1, wherein: The light source is a light emitting diode (LED) array.

3. The display system according to claim 2, further comprising a bandpass BP filter coupled to the LED array, wherein: The BP filter is positioned to filter light emitted by the LED array.

4. The display system according to claim 3, further comprising a focusing lens coupled to the BP filter, wherein: The focusing lens is used to focus the light filtered by the BP filter.

5. The display system of claim 4, further comprising a fiber optic combiner coupling the focusing lens to the first fiber end of the fiber optic cable.

6. The display system according to claim 5, wherein: The vehicle includes a windshield, the body includes an A-pillar, the A-pillar supports the windshield, and the second optical fiber end of the optical fiber cable is directly connected to the A-pillar, so that the image is projected onto the A-pillar when the light source is activated and the piezoelectric actuator is actuated.

7. The display system according to claim 5, wherein: The vehicle body includes a headliner, and the second optical fiber end of the optical fiber cable is directly connected to the headliner, thereby projecting the image onto the headliner when the light source is activated and the piezoelectric actuator is actuated.

8. The display system according to claim 5, wherein: The vehicle includes a windshield, the body supports the windshield, the windshield includes a shading area, and the second optical fiber end of the optical fiber cable is connected to the body at a position adjacent to the shading area of ​​the windshield, so that the image is projected onto the shading area of ​​the windshield when the light source is activated and the piezoelectric actuator is actuated.

9. The display system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle includes a phosphor array on the vehicle body, and when light impinges upon the phosphor array, the phosphor array is excited, thereby producing the image.

10. The display system according to claim 1, wherein: The display system is configured as a projection signal device.

Images