Head-up display system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of head-up display, in particular to a head-up display system and a vehicle. The head-up display system comprises an optical machine module, a first waveguide module, a second waveguide module and reflecting glass, and the optical machine module can refresh image information light with different requirements through a time sequence so as to emit first light and second light containing specific image information. The first waveguide module and the second waveguide module can respectively couple the first light and the second light and reflect the coupled light to human eyes through the reflecting glass, and a first image picture and a second image picture are formed at a certain virtual image sight distance along the reverse extension line of the human eyes. According to the head-up display system provided by the embodiment of the invention, the display of multiple virtual images can be realized under the condition that only one set of optical machine is adopted, the size of the head-up display system can be reduced, the image display performance is improved, the occupation of the head-up display system on the space in the vehicle is reduced, and the usability of the head-up display system is enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of head-up display, and particularly to a head-up display system and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A head-up display system (HUD) is also known as a head-up display system. It can present various driving information in the form of a virtual image on the real road conditions in front of the vehicle's windshield, enabling the driver to view key data without having to lower or turn their head, reducing potential safety hazards caused by eye movement.

[0003] The HUD needs to emit light rays containing image information from an optical engine and, through a complete optical path design, reflect the light rays through the windshield to the human eye. The human eye can observe the attention-needed image in front of the line of sight along the reverse extension line. However, the performance of the HUD is positively correlated with its volume. Since the vehicle field is extremely sensitive to the volume of each system, the HUD applied to vehicles must control its volume within a relatively small range, severely restricting the performance of in-vehicle HUDs and limiting the application of HUDs in the field of assisted safe driving. Therefore, how to enhance the image display function without increasing the volume of the HUD is a major problem that needs to be solved when the HUD is put into application. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this application provide a head-up display system and a vehicle to solve the problem that the head-up display system has weak functions due to volume limitations.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a head-up display system, including:

[0006] An optical engine module for emitting light rays of different time sequences, where the light rays of different time sequences include a first light ray and a second light ray;

[0007] A first waveguide module disposed on the optical path of the first light ray, for coupling the first light ray incident on the first waveguide module and emitting the coupled light ray to a first target position on a reflection glass;

[0008] A second waveguide module disposed on the optical path of the second light ray, for coupling the second light ray incident on the second waveguide module and emitting the coupled light ray to a second target position on the reflection glass;

[0009] A reflection glass disposed on the optical path of the light rays emitted by the first waveguide module and the second waveguide module; the reflection glass is used to reflect the light rays emitted by the first waveguide module to the human eye and form a first image on the reverse extension line of the human eye, and / or reflect the light rays emitted by the second waveguide module to the human eye and form a second image on the reverse extension line of the human eye.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the optical engine module includes an image optical engine, a polarization dimming component, a first polarization layer, and a reflection layer;

[0011] The image optical engine is configured to emit a first light ray and a second light ray, the first light ray includes first image information, and the second light ray includes second image information;

[0012] The polarization dimming component is disposed between the image optical engine and the first polarization layer, and the polarization dimming component is configured to adjust the polarization direction of the first light ray to a first polarization direction, and / or adjust the polarization direction of the second light ray to a second polarization direction;

[0013] The first polarization layer is disposed on the light path of the emitted light of the image optical engine and between the image optical engine and the reflection layer, and the first polarization layer is configured to reflect the light ray with the first polarization direction to the coupling region of the first waveguide module, and is further configured to transmit the light ray with the second polarization direction to the reflection layer;

[0014] The reflection layer is disposed on the light path of the emitted light of the image optical engine, and the reflection layer is configured to reflect the light ray with the second polarization direction to the coupling region of the second waveguide module.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first image information is the same as the second image information.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the head-up display system further includes a third waveguide module, and the optical engine module further includes a second polarization layer;

[0017] The third waveguide module is disposed on the light path of the second light ray, and is configured to couple the second light ray incident into the third waveguide module and emit the coupled light ray to a third target position of the reflection glass;

[0018] The second polarization layer is disposed between the first polarization layer and the reflection layer, and the second polarization layer is configured to reflect a part of the light rays in the passing second light ray to the coupling region of the third waveguide module.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the polarization dimming component is a lithium niobate electro-optic modulator or a liquid crystal electro-optic modulator.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the head-up display system further includes a phase element;

[0021] The phase element is disposed between the second waveguide module and the reflection glass, and is configured to converge the light rays emitted from the second waveguide module to a fourth target position of the reflection glass to form a fourth image screen.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the phase element is one or a combination of a Fresnel lens, an optical lens, and a metasurface structure lens.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the first waveguide module or the second waveguide module includes three diffractive waveguide sheets, and each diffractive waveguide sheet is respectively used to modulate one of the lights in the red, green, and blue bands.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the first waveguide module or the second waveguide module includes two diffractive waveguide sheets, one of which is used to modulate one of the lights in the red, green, and blue bands, and the other is used to modulate the other two of the lights in the red, green, and blue bands.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the first waveguide module or the second waveguide module includes one diffractive waveguide sheet, and the diffractive waveguide sheet is used to modulate the lights in the red, green, and blue bands.

[0026] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a vehicle, including the head-up display system described in the first aspect.

[0027] Based on the technical solution provided by the present application, the optical engine module can refresh the image information light with different requirements through timing, so as to emit the first light ray and the second light ray containing specific image information. The first waveguide module and the second waveguide module can respectively couple the first light ray and the second light ray and reflect the coupled light rays to the human eye through the reflective glass, and form the first image screen and the second image screen at a certain virtual image viewing distance along the reverse extension line of the human eye. The head-up display system provided by the embodiments of the present application can realize the display of multiple virtual image screens with only one set of optical engine, can reduce the volume of the head-up display system, improve the picture display performance, reduce the occupancy of the head-up display system on the vehicle interior space, and enhance the usability of the head-up display system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the embodiments. Obviously, for those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0029] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a head-up display system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 2 It is a schematic optical path diagram of a head-up display system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of an optical engine module provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 4 It is a schematic optical path diagram of a head-up display system provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of adjusting the polarization direction of light by a polarization dimming component provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 6 Optical path schematic diagram of a head-up display system provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 7 It is an optical path schematic diagram of a head-up display system provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 8 Optical path schematic diagram of a head-up display system provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Explanation of reference numerals

[0038] 100 - Optical engine module; 110 - Image optical engine; 120 - Polarization dimming component; 130 - First polarization layer; 140 - Reflective layer; 150 - Second polarization layer; 200 - First waveguide module; 210 - First coupling-in area; 220 - First coupling-out area; 300 - Second waveguide module; 310 - Second coupling-in area; 320 - Second coupling-out area; 400 - Reflective glass; 500 - Phase element; 600 - Third waveguide module; 610 - Third coupling-in area; 620 - Third coupling-out area. Detailed implementation manners

[0039] For the convenience of describing the technical solutions of the application, some concepts involved in the present application are first described below.

[0040] It should be noted that the brief description of the terms in the present application is only for the convenience of understanding the following described embodiments, rather than intending to limit the embodiments of the present application. Unless otherwise specified, these terms should be understood in their ordinary and general meanings.

[0041] In the present application, terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. in the specification, claims and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar or homogeneous objects or entities, and do not necessarily mean to limit a specific order or sequence, unless otherwise noted. It should be understood that such terms can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances.

[0042] The terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover but not exclusively include. For example, a product or device comprising a series of components does not necessarily have to be limited to all the components clearly listed, but may include other components not clearly listed or inherent to these products or devices.

[0043] The performance of a Head Up Display (HUD) system is mainly reflected in aspects such as the virtual image viewing distance (the distance between the virtual image and the cockpit line of sight), the virtual image area (i.e., the imaging area of the virtual image), and the multi-virtual image plane function. The HUD based on geometric optics can achieve a virtual image plane with a virtual image viewing distance of up to 7 meters, but the volume of this HUD exceeds 10L, which is already relatively large for the in-vehicle space. If we want to further improve the optical performance of the HUD, the volume of the HUD will become even larger. The HUD based on diffractive waveguide can conduct the light containing image information through a diffractive waveguide sheet with a relatively small volume, having some advantages in controlling the volume of the HUD, but it does not have the function of multi-virtual image plane display.

[0044] This application provides a head up display system based on diffractive waveguide, which can improve the virtual image viewing distance of the head up display system and achieve the multi-virtual image plane function, and can control the volume of the head up display system within a relatively small range, reducing the occupation of the in-vehicle space.

[0045] The following will provide a detailed description of a head up display system according to an embodiment of this application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a head up display system provided by an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 It is a schematic optical path diagram of a head up display system provided by an embodiment of this application.

[0047] As Figure 1 shown, the head up display system provided by an embodiment of this application includes: an optical engine module 100, a first waveguide module 200, a second waveguide module 300, and a reflective glass 400.

[0048] The optical engine module 100 is used to emit light rays at different time sequences, and the light rays at different time sequences include a first light ray and a second light ray.

[0049] Among them, the optical engine module 100 includes at least one optical engine. The optical engine is also known as PGU (Picture Generation Unit, image generation unit or image source), and can be used to generate the image information light required for HUD imaging. Based on the time-division multiplexing principle, the optical engine can control the image source information in time sequence to generate image information light with different time sequences. In some embodiments, the image source information of the optical engine can be interconnected with the vehicle system information to display in real time the information required for driving, such as vehicle information, vehicle condition information, and road condition information.

[0050] In some possible implementation manners, the optical engine module 100 may further include several components for controlling the optical path of the optical engine to output image information light, such as plane mirrors, curved mirrors, etc.

[0051] The first waveguide module 200 is disposed on the optical path of the first light ray and is configured to couple the first light ray incident on the first waveguide module 200 and output the coupled light ray to a first target position on the reflective glass 400.

[0052] Wherein, the first waveguide module 200 is a device with a diffraction pupil expansion and conduction function, which can be composed of a diffraction waveguide sheet and at least includes an input region and an output region. Specifically, the input region of the first waveguide module 200 is disposed on the optical path of the first light ray, the input region is configured to input the light ray from the optical engine, and the output region is configured to output the light ray.

[0053] The second waveguide module 300 is disposed on the optical path of the second light ray and is configured to couple the second light ray incident on the second waveguide module 300 and output the coupled light ray to a second target position on the reflective glass.

[0054] In some possible implementation manners, the second waveguide module 300 may have the same structure as the first waveguide module 200. In some other possible implementation manners, the first waveguide module 200 and the second waveguide module 300 may be placed in parallel. Similarly, the input region of the second waveguide module 300 is disposed on the optical path of the second light ray.

[0055] The reflective glass 400 is disposed on the optical path of the light rays output from the first waveguide module 200 and the second waveguide module 300; the reflective glass 400 is configured to reflect the light ray output from the first waveguide module 200 to the human eye and form a first image screen on the reverse extension line of the human eye, and / or reflect the light ray output from the second waveguide module 300 to the human eye and form a second image screen on the reverse extension line of the human eye. Specifically, when the first waveguide module 200 outputs the coupled light ray from the output region to the reflective glass 400, the reflective glass 400 may reflect the coupled light ray to the human eye position in the cockpit, and the human eye can observe the first image screen formed by the image information in the light ray on the other side of the reflective glass 400 along the reverse extension line of the reflected light ray to the human eye. Similarly, the reflective glass can also reflect the light ray coupled and output by the second waveguide module 300 to the human eye position in the cockpit, and along the reverse extension line of the reflected light ray to the human eye in the cockpit, the second image screen can be observed on the other side of the reflective glass 400. Wherein, the other side of the reflective glass 400 is the side outside the cockpit. In some embodiments, if the rear side of the reflective glass 400 is inside the cockpit, the other side of the reflective glass 400 may be the front side of the reflective glass 400.

[0056] Due to the different heights of the drivers in the cockpit and the relatively fixed settings of the head-up display system, it is difficult for some taller or shorter drivers to observe the virtual image using the head-up display system. They even need to bend their bodies to adapt to the viewing angle of the head-up display system. By setting the optical engine module 100, the first waveguide module 200, the second waveguide module 300, and the reflective glass 400 through the above implementation method, two optical path designs can be realized in a relatively small space, so that the first light ray and the second light ray containing image information can form two image pictures on the other side of the reflective glass 400. In this way, the emission light ray timing of the optical engine module 100 can be flexibly controlled according to the driver's needs, so that an image picture that better conforms to the viewing angle can be selected, improving the flexibility and adjustability of the head-up display system.

[0057] In some possible implementation manners, the reflective glass 400 may be the windshield of the vehicle.

[0058] As Figure 2 shown, the optical engine module 100 may emit a first light ray (solid line with an arrow) containing first image information and inject it into the first waveguide module 200. After being coupled, diffracted, and pupil-expanded by the first waveguide module 200, the first light ray is emitted to the first target position of the reflective glass 400. The optical engine module 100 may emit a second light ray (dashed line with an arrow) containing second image information and inject it into the second waveguide module 300. After being coupled, diffracted, and pupil-expanded by the second waveguide module 300, the second light ray is emitted to the second target position of the reflective glass 400.

[0059] In some possible implementation manners, both the first light ray and the second light ray are reflected by the reflective glass 400 to the driver's eyes. The driver can observe a virtual image plane containing the first image information and the second image information at a pre-set virtual image viewing distance on the other side of the reflective glass 400 along the reverse extension line of the reflected light ray. In some other possible implementation manners, the optical engine module 100 may also only emit the first light ray or only emit the second light ray. Correspondingly, the reflective glass 400 may reflect the first light ray coupled by the first waveguide module 200 or the second light ray coupled by the second waveguide module 300 to the eyes of the driver in the cockpit. The driver in the cockpit can observe a virtual image plane containing the first image information or the second image information at a pre-set viewing distance on the other side of the reflective glass along the reverse extension line of the reflected first light ray or the second light ray.

[0060] In the head-up display system in the above embodiments, the optical engine module 100 can refresh image information light with different requirements through timing, so as to emit a first light ray and a second light ray containing specific image information. The first waveguide module 200 and the second waveguide module 300 can respectively couple the first light ray and the second light ray and reflect the coupled light rays to the human eye through the reflective glass 400. A first image screen and a second image screen are formed at a certain virtual image viewing distance along the reverse extension line of the reflected light rays to the human eye. The head-up display system provided by the embodiments of the present application can realize the display of multiple virtual image screens by only using one set of optical engine, can reduce the volume of the head-up display system, improve the image display performance, reduce the occupancy of the head-up display system on the vehicle interior space, and enhance the usability of the head-up display system.

[0061] Figure 3 The following is a schematic structural diagram of an optical engine module provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 3 shown, the optical engine module 100 may include an image optical engine 110, a polarization dimming component 120, a first polarization layer 130, and a reflective layer 140.

[0062] The image optical engine 110 is used to emit a first light ray and a second light ray. The first light ray contains first image information, and the second light ray contains second image information.

[0063] Among them, the image optical engine 110 can refresh image information light with different requirements according to timing. For example, the first timing can display the image information light required for the far virtual image plane, and the second timing can display the image information light required for the near virtual image plane. The light emitted by the image optical engine 110 can be polarized light with a single polarization direction.

[0064] In some possible implementation manners, the image optical engine 110 can be designed to image based on a projection optical light path. The light emitted by each pixel is parallel light or approximately parallel light after optical design.

[0065] The polarization dimming component 120 is disposed between the image optical engine 110 and the first polarization layer 130.

[0066] In some possible implementation manners, the polarization dimming component 120 can be used to adjust the polarization direction of the first light ray to a first polarization direction and adjust the polarization direction of the second light ray to a second polarization direction.

[0067] In some other possible implementation manners, the polarization dimming component 120 can also adjust the polarization direction of one of the first light and the second light. For example, when the polarization direction of the first light exactly enables the first light to be reflected by the first polarization layer to the first waveguide module 200 before the first light passes through the polarization dimming component 120, the polarization dimming component 120 can not make any change to the polarization direction of the first light, but adjust the polarization direction of the second light emitted in the second timing, so that the second light can be transmitted by the first polarization layer 130 to the reflection layer 140 after the polarization direction is adjusted.

[0068] The polarization dimming component 120 can realize the rotation control of the polarization direction of the incident light. When a modulation signal with a specified peak level is loaded onto the modulator, the polarization direction of the emitted light can be controlled to rotate. The polarization dimming component 120 can be an electro-optic modulation device, such as a lithium niobate electro-optic modulator or a liquid crystal electro-optic modulator, etc.

[0069] The first polarization layer 130 is arranged on the light output path of the image optical machine 110 and between the image optical machine 110 and the reflection layer 140. The first polarization layer 130 is used to reflect the light with the first polarization direction to the coupling region of the first waveguide module 200, and is also used to transmit the light with the second polarization direction to the reflection layer 140.

[0070] In some possible implementation manners, the first polarization layer 130 can be a material such as a reflective polarization film, which is used to realize the reflection of light with one polarization direction and the transmission of light with another polarization direction.

[0071] The reflection layer 140 is arranged on the light output path of the image optical machine 110. The reflection layer 140 is used to reflect the light with the second polarization direction to the coupling region of the second waveguide module 300.

[0072] In some possible implementation manners, the reflection layer 140 can be a reflecting lens with the function of reflecting light.

[0073] Such as Figure 4As shown in the optical path schematic diagram of the head-up display system using the above-mentioned optical engine module 100, the image optical engine 110 can emit a first light ray and a second light ray containing different image information to the polarization dimming component 120 through a refresh timing. The polarization dimming component 120 can adjust the polarization directions of the first light ray and the second light ray, so that the first light ray after passing through the polarization dimming component 120 is reflected by the first polarization layer 130 to the first coupling region 210 of the first waveguide module 200. The first light ray is coupled, diffracted, and pupil-expanded and then emitted from the first coupling-out region 220 of the first waveguide module 200 to the reflective glass 400. The second light ray after passing through the polarization dimming component 120 can be transmitted by the first polarization layer 130 to the reflective layer 140, and then reflected by the reflective layer 140 to the second coupling region 310 of the second waveguide module 300. The second light ray is coupled, diffracted, and pupil-expanded and then emitted from the first coupling-out region 320 of the second waveguide module 300 to the reflective glass 400.

[0074] In some possible implementation manners, the image information contents of the first light ray and the second light ray can be custom-set, and different timings are selected according to requirements to be reflected to a specified virtual image plane through the above optical path, so as to form a predetermined image screen for the driver to observe.

[0075] The optical module 100 in the above embodiment can only adopt a set of image optical engine 110 to output light rays with different timings. By setting the polarization dimming component 120, the first polarization layer 130, and the reflective layer 140, an optical path space for the second light ray is provided on the basis of the optical path of the first light ray. Thus, the optical path design of two different light rays can be realized in a relatively small space, and it can be combined with the first waveguide module 200 and the second waveguide module 300 to reduce the overall occupied space of the head-up display system.

[0076] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a polarization dimming component adjusting the polarization direction of a light ray provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 5 shown, the polarization dimming component 120 can change the polarization direction of the light ray according to an electrical signal. After detecting an electrical signal with a specified peak level, the light ray (P light) with the first polarization direction passing through can be changed into a light ray (S light) with the second polarization direction. In this way, by changing the polarization direction, the transmission and / or reflection characteristics of the light ray passing through the polarization dimming component 120 can be adjusted, so that the first light ray is transmitted by the first polarization layer 130 and the second light ray is transmitted by the first polarization layer 130 to the reflective layer 140.

[0077] Figure 6 It is an optical path schematic diagram of a head-up display system provided by another embodiment of the present application. As Figure 6 shown, the first waveguide module 200 and the second waveguide module 300 can be arranged in a parallel and staggered manner.

[0078] Since the diffractive waveguide sheets in the first waveguide module 200 and the second waveguide module 300 can be transparent, in the foregoing embodiments, the first waveguide module 200 can be disposed above the second waveguide module 300, and the presence of the first waveguide module 200 does not interfere with the light output from the second waveguide module 300.

[0079] In this embodiment, the first waveguide module 200 and the second waveguide module 300 can be arranged in a parallel and staggered manner, so that there is no completely overlapping light output area between the first waveguide module 200 and the second waveguide module 300 on the same plane. Specifically, since the plane where the first waveguide module 200 is located is parallel to the plane where the second waveguide module 300 is located, when the first waveguide module 200 and the second waveguide module 300 are arranged in a staggered manner, even if the first waveguide module 200 is moved along the vertical direction of its plane to the plane where the second waveguide module 300 is located, there may be a partially overlapping area or no overlapping area at all between the first light output area 220 of the first waveguide module 200 and the second light output area 320 of the second waveguide module 300. This can comprehensively utilize the first waveguide module 200 and the second waveguide module 300, increase the overall light output area to expand the driver's viewing window area. It should be noted that the parallel and staggered arrangement of the first waveguide module 200 and the second waveguide module 300 is to obtain a larger light output area, so that more coupled light can be emitted from the light output area above the reflective glass, as Figure 6 shown, as long as there is part of the light emitted from the second light output area 320 that can directly reach the reflective glass 400 without passing through the first light output area 220, it is within the scope of this embodiment.

[0080] Based on the principle of diffractive optical pupil expansion of the diffractive waveguide, the larger the surface area of the light output area of the diffractive waveguide, the larger the driver's viewing window area, but the increase in the area of the region greatly enhances the difficulty of achieving good uniformity in structural regulation, and the manufacturing of a single large-format light output area also has great process difficulties.

[0081] In some possible implementation manners, the image information contained in the first light and the second light emitted by the image light machine 110, that is, the first image information and the second image information, can be the same. In this way, the first light and the second light can be reflected to the same virtual image plane after passing through the optical path conduction to jointly display a complete image screen.

[0082] In the above embodiments, two sets of waveguide modules can be conducted through one light machine, and the light output area of each waveguide module only needs to bear a part of the corresponding viewing area, and its area is smaller than that of undertaking all the corresponding viewing window areas. Therefore, the difficulty of optimizing the light output area structure to improve uniformity is also greatly reduced, so as to achieve the purpose of reducing the process difficulty.

[0083] Figure 7 is a schematic optical path diagram of a head-up display system provided by another embodiment of the present application. In one embodiment, as Figure 7 shown, the head-up display system may further include a third waveguide module 600, and the optical engine module 100 may further include a second polarization layer 150.

[0084] Among them, the third waveguide module 600 may be disposed between the first waveguide module 200 and the second waveguide module 300 and be parallel to the first waveguide module 200. The third waveguide module 600 includes at least a third coupling-in region 610 and a third coupling-out region 620. The third coupling-in region 610 is disposed on the optical path of the second light ray and can be used to couple in the optical engine light ray. The third coupling-out region 620 is used to output the coupled light ray. The second polarization layer 150 may be disposed between the first polarization layer 130 and the reflection layer 140 and may be made of materials such as a polarization film or a refractive crystal. The second polarization layer 150 can be used to make part of the incident light transmit and part of it reflect.

[0085] See Figure 7 , in some possible implementation manners, when the graphics optical engine 110 emits the first light ray (at this time, the polarization direction of the first light ray is the first polarization direction), the polarization dimming component 120 may not act on the first light ray, so that the first light ray is exactly completely reflected by the first polarization layer 130 to the first coupling-in region 210; when the graphics optical engine 110 emits the second light ray (at this time, the polarization direction of the second light ray is the first polarization direction), the polarization dimming component 120 may change the second light ray passing through it to the second polarization direction. After passing through the polarization dimming component 120, the second light ray in the second polarization direction is completely transmitted by the first polarization layer 130 and thus can enter the second polarization layer 150. By pre-adjusting the placement position and placement angle of the second polarization layer 150, the second polarization layer 150 can reflect a part of the incident second light ray to the third coupling-in region 610, and at the same time, the second polarization layer 150 transmits the part of the second light ray that is not reflected to the reflection layer 140. The reflection layer 140 can reflect the passing light ray to the second coupling-in region 310.

[0086] It should be understood that the placement positions and placement angles of the first polarization layer 130, the second polarization layer 150, and the reflection layer 140 and the working mode of the polarization dimming component 120 can all be set arbitrarily. In other possible implementation manners, the polarization dimming component 120 may also change the polarization direction of the first light ray and not change the polarization direction of the second light ray, as long as the first light ray can be reflected to the first coupling-in region 210, part of the second light ray can be reflected to the third coupling-in region 610, and the other part of the second light ray is transmitted to the reflection layer 140, and the reflection layer 140 reflects the passing light ray to the second coupling-in region 210, all fall within the scope covered by this embodiment.

[0087] SeeFigure 7 , in some possible implementation manners, the graphic information included in the first light ray and the second light ray may be the same. In this way, virtual image planes with three different heights can be realized according to the waveguide modules at three different heights, providing more optional solutions for drivers of different heights. In some other possible implementation manners, the image information included in the first light ray and the second light ray may also be different. For example, the image information included in the first light ray and the image information included in the second light ray may be different parts of the same picture respectively. At this time, the first waveguide module 200, the second waveguide module 300, and the third waveguide module 600 may be arranged in a parallel and staggered manner, so as to provide a larger available area for the output region and expand the driver's viewing window.

[0088] In some possible implementation manners, such as Figure 8 shown, the head-up display system further includes a phase element 500.

[0089] The phase element 500 is disposed between the second waveguide module 300 and the reflective glass 400, and is used to converge the light ray emitted from the second waveguide module 300 to the fourth target position of the reflective glass 400 to form a fourth image screen.

[0090] The phase element 500 can be used to cooperate with the light ray emitted from the second waveguide module 300 to realize a near virtual image plane. The phase element 500 can be a device with a converging or diverging function, such as a Fresnel lens, an optical lens, a metasurface lens, etc., or a combination of multiple lenses.

[0091] The Fresnel lens, also known as a thread lens, some are thin sheets injection-molded from polyolefin materials, and some are made of glass. One side of the lens surface is a smooth surface, and the other side is engraved with concentric circles from small to large. Its texture is designed according to the interference and diffraction of light and the requirements of relative sensitivity and receiving angle.

[0092] A metasurface is an artificial layered material with a thickness less than the wavelength. The metasurface can flexibly and effectively control the characteristics of electromagnetic waves such as polarization, amplitude, phase, polarization mode, and propagation mode.

[0093] According to the in-plane structural form, the metasurface can be divided into two types: one has a lateral sub-wavelength microstructure, and the other is a uniform film layer.

[0094] According to the type of wave to be controlled, the metasurface can be divided into optical metasurfaces, acoustic metasurfaces, mechanical metasurfaces, etc. The optical metasurface is a relatively common type. It can control the characteristics of electromagnetic waves such as polarization, phase, amplitude, and frequency through sub-wavelength microstructures, and is an emerging technology that combines optics and nanotechnology.

[0095] Such as Figure 8As shown in the figure, the polarization direction of the first light ray emitted by the image optical engine 110 is rotated by the polarization light modulation component 120 to ensure that the polarized light in the polarization direction can be reflected by the first polarization layer 130, and then reflected by the first polarization layer 130 to the first coupling region 210 of the first waveguide module 200. After being coupled, diffracted, and pupil-expanded by the first waveguide module 200, the light ray emitted from the first coupling-out region 220 is reflected by the reflective glass 400 to the human eye, and the human eye can observe the first virtual image plane (far virtual image plane) along the reverse extension line ( Figure 8 the dotted line from the reflective glass 400 to the first virtual image plane in Figure 8 ). The polarization direction of the second light ray emitted by the image optical engine 110 is rotated by the polarization light modulation component 120 to ensure that the polarized light in the polarization direction of the second light ray can be transmitted through the first polarization layer 130 to the reflective layer 140, and then reflected by the reflective layer 140 to the second coupling region 310 of the second waveguide module 300. After being coupled, diffracted, and pupil-expanded by the second waveguide module 300, the light ray emitted from the second coupling-out region 320 changes the light focusing position through the phase element 500, is reflected by the reflective glass 400 to the human eye, and the human eye can observe the fourth virtual image plane (near virtual image plane) at the set virtual image viewing distance along the reverse extension line ( Figure 8 the dotted line from the reflective glass 400 to the fourth virtual image plane in Figure 8 ).

[0096] In some other possible implementation manners, the phase element 500 can be disposed in the direction of the light ray emitted from any one of the coupling-out regions. For example, in some head-up display systems having a third waveguide module 600 (such as Figure 7 ), the phase element 500 can also be disposed above the third coupling-out region 620 to converge the light ray emitted from the third coupling-out region 620 to a specific position on the reflective glass 400, so that after the light ray is reflected to the human eye, the near virtual image plane can be observed along the reverse extension line of the human eye.

[0097] In the above embodiments, the virtual imaging screen provided by the head-up display system can be used to display different information contents, and the corresponding information contents can be displayed on the virtual image planes at different viewing distances according to the driver's needs, reasonably utilizing the driver's line-of-sight range. For example, image information such as navigation and alarms that needs to be integrated with the road scene and driving scene can be displayed on the virtual image plane with a relatively far virtual image viewing distance, while basic image information such as speed, fuel consumption, and mileage can be displayed on the virtual image plane with a relatively near virtual image viewing distance.

[0098] In some possible implementation manners, the first waveguide module 200 or the second waveguide module 300 can include three diffractive waveguide sheets, and each diffractive waveguide sheet can be respectively used to modulate one of the red, green, and blue light bands.

[0099] In some other possible implementations, the first waveguide module 200 or the second waveguide module 300 may include two diffractive waveguide sheets, where one diffractive waveguide sheet may be used to modulate one of the red, green, and blue light bands, and the other diffractive waveguide sheet may be used to modulate the other two of the red, green, and blue light bands. For example, the first waveguide module 200 may include diffractive waveguide sheet A and diffractive waveguide sheet B. Diffractive waveguide sheet A may be used to modulate the red and green light bands, and diffractive waveguide sheet B may be used to modulate the green and blue light bands.

[0100] In some other possible implementations, the first waveguide module 200 or the second waveguide module 300 may include one diffractive waveguide sheet, and this diffractive waveguide sheet may be used to modulate the red, green, and blue light bands.

[0101] Corresponding to the foregoing embodiments of the head-up display system, an embodiment of the present application further provides a vehicle, which may include the head-up display system in the above embodiments. In this way, the light emitted by the head-up display system is projected onto the windshield of the vehicle, and after being reflected by the windshield, it enters the human eye, and the human eye can observe a virtual image formed in front of the windshield.

[0102] Among them, for the head-up display system used in the vehicle, reference may be made to the description of the head-up display system in the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0103] It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the installation position of the head-up display system in the vehicle. For example, it can be set according to the space conditions inside the vehicle.

[0104] The same or similar parts among the various embodiments in this specification can be referred to each other. In particular, the embodiment corresponding to the vehicle can refer to the corresponding part in the embodiment of the head-up display system. The above has described the present application in detail in combination with specific implementation manners and exemplary examples, but these descriptions should not be construed as limiting the present application. Those skilled in the art understand that without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, various equivalent replacements, modifications, or improvements can be made to the technical solutions and their implementation manners of the present application, and these all fall within the scope of the present application. The protection scope of the present application is subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A head-up display system, characterized in that, comprising: An optical engine module for emitting light rays at different time sequences, the light rays at different time sequences including a first light ray and a second light ray; A first waveguide module disposed on the optical path of the first light ray, for coupling and injecting the first light ray into the first waveguide module and emitting the coupled light ray to a first target position on the reflective glass; A second waveguide module disposed on the optical path of the second light ray, for coupling and injecting the second light ray into the second waveguide module and emitting the coupled light ray to a second target position on the reflective glass; A reflective glass disposed on the optical path of the light rays emitted by the first waveguide module and the second waveguide module; the reflective glass is used for reflecting the light ray emitted by the first waveguide module to the human eye and forming a first image screen on the reverse extension line of the human eye, and / or, reflecting the light ray emitted by the second waveguide module to the human eye and forming a second image screen on the reverse extension line of the human eye.

2. The head-up display system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical engine module includes an image optical engine, a polarization dimming component, a first polarization layer, and a reflective layer; The image optical engine is used for emitting a first light ray and a second light ray, the first light ray contains first image information, and the second light ray contains second image information; The polarization dimming component is disposed between the image optical engine and the first polarization layer, and the polarization dimming component is used for adjusting the polarization direction of the first light ray to a first polarization direction, and / or, adjusting the polarization direction of the second light ray to a second polarization direction; The first polarization layer is disposed on the optical path of the light ray emitted by the image optical engine and between the image optical engine and the reflective layer, and the first polarization layer is used for reflecting the light ray with the first polarization direction to the coupling region of the first waveguide module, and is also used for transmitting the light ray with the second polarization direction to the reflective layer; The reflective layer is disposed on the optical path of the light ray emitted by the image optical engine, and the reflective layer is used for reflecting the light ray with the second polarization direction to the coupling region of the second waveguide module.

3. The head-up display system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The head-up display system further includes a third waveguide module, and the optical engine module further includes a second polarization layer; The third waveguide module is disposed on the optical path of the second light ray, for coupling and injecting the second light ray into the third waveguide module and emitting the coupled light ray to a third target position on the reflective glass; The second polarization layer is disposed between the first polarization layer and the reflective layer, and the second polarization layer is used for reflecting a part of the light rays in the second light ray passing through it to the coupling region of the third waveguide module.

4. The head-up display system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The polarization dimming component is a lithium niobate electro-optic modulator or a liquid crystal electro-optic modulator.

5. The head-up display system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The head-up display system further includes a phase element; the phase element is disposed between the second waveguide module and the reflective glass, and is used for converging the light ray emitted by the second waveguide module to a fourth target position on the reflective glass to form a fourth image screen.

6. The head-up display system according to claim 5, wherein, the phase element is one or a combination of a Fresnel lens, an optical lens, and a metasurface structure lens.

7. The head-up display system according to claim 1, wherein, the first waveguide module or the second waveguide module includes three diffractive waveguide sheets, and each diffractive waveguide sheet is respectively used to modulate one of the red, green, and blue light bands.

8. The head-up display system according to claim 1, wherein, the first waveguide module or the second waveguide module includes two diffractive waveguide sheets, one of the diffractive waveguide sheets is used to modulate one of the red, green, and blue light bands, and the other diffractive waveguide sheet is used to modulate the other two of the red, green, and blue light bands.

9. The head-up display system according to claim 1, wherein, the first waveguide module or the second waveguide module includes one diffractive waveguide sheet, and the diffractive waveguide sheet is used to modulate the red, green, and blue light bands.

10. A vehicle, wherein, it includes the head-up display system according to any one of claims 1-9.

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