Lens and head-up display system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of vehicle-mounted optical equipment, and discloses a lens and a head-up display system, the lens is provided with a first surface and a second surface which are oppositely arranged in the thickness direction, and the first surface is a reflecting surface; the lens comprises a central area and an edge area, the entity thickness of the first surface and the second surface between the central area is larger than that of the first surface and the second surface between the edge area in the thickness direction, and the deformation rate of the edge area is larger than that of the central area. The entity thickness of the central area of the lens is set to be greater than the entity thickness of the edge area of the lens, so that the deformation rate of the edge area is greater than the deformation rate of the central area, and the pulling effect of the deformation of the edge area on the central area can be reduced in the distortion adjustment process of the edge area of the lens; the probability of deformation of the central area is reduced, and the distortion of the edge of the HUD eye box is corrected in a targeted manner without reducing the central imaging quality of the HUD.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive optical equipment technology, and in particular to a lens and head-up display system. Background Technology

[0002] As automotive head-up display (HUD) systems develop towards larger screen sizes, the requirements for the surface accuracy of optical lenses, especially the windshield glass as the largest optical component, are becoming increasingly stringent. However, the manufacturing and testing standards for windshield glass are relatively crude, and its surface error is much higher than that of other lenses in the HUD system. This results in significant distortion of the projected virtual image at the edge of the eye box, severely affecting the visual effect.

[0003] The inventors of this application have discovered that in existing technologies, when adjusting the edge distortion of HUD lenses, the lens edge exerts a pulling force on the lens center, causing distortion even in the central area of ​​the lens where the image is best captured, thus reducing image quality. In other words, existing lenses cannot selectively correct high-risk distortion areas (i.e., the lens edge). Therefore, there is an urgent need for a lens capable of differentiated and controllable deformation to compensate for windshield errors and improve the image quality of large-format HUDs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a lens and head-up display system that can perform targeted deformation adjustment on high-risk areas at the edge of the lens without reducing the imaging quality of the central area of ​​the lens, thereby improving the imaging quality of large-format HUDs.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a lens. The lens has a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other in the thickness direction, wherein the first surface is a reflective surface. The lens includes a central region and an edge region. Along the thickness direction, the solid thickness of the first surface and the second surface between the central region is greater than the solid thickness of the first surface and the second surface between the edge region, and the deformation rate of the edge region is greater than the deformation rate of the central region.

[0006] In some embodiments, the lens is a solid lens, and along the direction from the edge region toward the center region, the second surface protrudes in the thickness direction away from the first surface.

[0007] In some embodiments, the central region and the edge region transition smoothly, or the central region and the edge region transition in a stepped manner.

[0008] In some embodiments, the lens further includes an adjustment component connected to the lens, the adjustment component being used to drive deformation in the edge region of the lens.

[0009] In some embodiments, the adjustment assembly includes a drive member and a connector. The connector has a first end and a second end. The first end of the connector is connected to the drive member, and the second end of the connector is connected to the edge region of the lens. The drive member provides a pulling or pushing force to the edge region of the lens through the connector.

[0010] In some embodiments, the driving component includes a motor, and the connecting component includes multiple steel ropes. The motor is located in the central region of the lens, and the first ends of the multiple steel ropes are connected to the motor, while the second ends of the multiple steel ropes are connected to the edge of the lens. When the motor rotates, it can wind and retract the multiple steel ropes, or when it rotates in the opposite direction, it can release the multiple steel ropes.

[0011] In some embodiments, the drive includes an ejection mechanism, the connector includes a rigid link, the motor is disposed in the central region of the lens, a first end of the rigid link is connected to the ejection mechanism, a second end of the rigid link is connected to the edge region of the lens, the ejection mechanism provides a thrust to the rigid link when ejecting it, and provides a pull force to the rigid link when pulling it back.

[0012] In some embodiments, the lens is a hollow lens. Along the thickness direction of the lens, the lens includes a first part, a second part, and a first cavity located between the first part and the second part. The first cavity is filled with one or more of a gas, liquid, or solid fluid. The lens has an opening that connects the first cavity to the outside. The lens also includes a sealing member disposed at the opening to seal the first cavity.

[0013] In some embodiments, along the thickness direction of the lens, the gap L1 of the first cavity in the central region is less than or equal to the gap L2 of the first cavity in the edge region; and / or, along the thickness direction of the lens, the solid thickness H3 of the first portion in the central region is greater than or equal to the solid thickness H4 of the first portion in the edge region; and / or, along the thickness direction of the lens, the solid thickness H5 of the second portion in the central region is greater than the solid thickness H6 of the second portion in the edge region.

[0014] In some embodiments, the lens further includes a partition located within a first cavity. The partition connects a first portion and a second portion in the thickness direction of the lens, and the first cavity is divided into multiple independent sub-cavities. The number of openings and sealing elements is multiple, with one opening provided in each sub-cavity and one corresponding sealing element provided therein.

[0015] Secondly, this application provides a head-up display system, which includes the aforementioned lens.

[0016] In this embodiment, the solid thickness of the lens is non-uniformly distributed. By setting the solid thickness of the central region of the lens to be greater than that of the edge region, the deformation rate of the edge region is greater than that of the central region. That is, the edge region is more prone to deformation than the central region, while the central region is less prone to deformation. Thus, during the process of applying force to the edge region of the lens for distortion adjustment, the pulling effect of the edge region deformation on the central region can be reduced, thereby reducing the probability of deformation in the central region. This achieves regional differential deformation control of the lens, which is beneficial for targeted correction of distortion at the edge of the HUD eye box without reducing the central imaging quality of the HUD. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a lens according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a lens according to another embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a lens according to another embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the lens in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the lens in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is an exploded view of a lens according to another embodiment of this application; The attached icons are numbered as follows: 100. Lens; 11. First surface; 12. Second surface; 21. Central region; 22. Edge region; 31. First part; 32. Second part; 33. First cavity; 331. Sub-cavity; 34. Separator; 35. Side wall; 201. Adjustment assembly; 2011. Drive unit; 2012. Connector; X, thickness direction. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. When an element is described as "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. The terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "vertical," "horizontal," etc., used in this specification indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0021] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0022] This application provides a lens 100, which is used in a HUD head-up display system. The lens 100 is a reflector that changes the direction of light propagation.

[0023] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, the lens 100 has a first surface 11 and a second surface 12 disposed opposite to each other in the thickness direction X. The first surface 11 is a reflective surface, which can be a plane or a curved surface. The lens 100 includes a central region 21 and an edge region 22, with the edge region 22 located circumferentially outside the central region 21.

[0024] Along the thickness direction X, the solid thickness of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 between the central region 21 is greater than the solid thickness of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 between the edge region 22. That is, the thickness of the central region 21 of the lens 100 is thicker and the thickness of the edge region 22 is thinner, so that the deformation rate of the edge region 22 is greater than the deformation rate of the central region 21.

[0025] It is worth noting that the thickness between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 in this application refers to the solid thickness of the lens 100, rather than the simple distance between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12, because the lens 100 in this application can be a solid lens or a hollow lens.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, when the lens 100 is a solid lens, along the thickness direction X, the solid thickness of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 between the central region 21 is H1, and the solid thickness of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 between the edge region 22 is H2, where H1 > H2, so that the deformation rate of the edge region 22 of the solid lens is greater than the deformation rate of the central region 21.

[0027] like Figure 5 As shown, when the lens 100 is a hollow lens, along the thickness direction X, the solid thickness of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 between the central region 21 is H3+H5, and the solid thickness of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 between the edge region 22 is H4+H6, where H3+H5>H4+H6, so that the deformation rate of the edge region 22 of the hollow lens is greater than the deformation rate of the central region 21.

[0028] exist Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the lens 100 is a hollow lens with a double-layer structure. In other embodiments, the lens 100 may include a three-layer or multi-layer structure in the thickness direction. That is, in the thickness direction, the hollow lens has multiple chambers, which can be interconnected or independent of each other.

[0029] In this embodiment, the thickness of the lens 100 is non-uniformly distributed. By setting the thickness of the central region 21 of the lens 100 to be greater than that of the edge region 22, the deformation rate of the edge region 22 is greater than that of the central region 21. That is, the edge region 22 is more prone to deformation than the central region 21, while the central region 21 is less prone to deformation. Thus, during the process of applying force to the edge region 22 of the lens 100 for distortion adjustment, the pulling effect of the deformation of the edge region 22 on the central region 21 can be reduced, thereby reducing the probability of deformation of the central region 21. This allows for differentiated deformation control of different regions of the lens 100, which is beneficial for specifically correcting the distortion at the edge of the eye box in the HUD head-up display system without reducing the central imaging quality of the HUD, thereby improving the image display effect.

[0030] In some embodiments, the lens 100 comprises polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane (PU), acrylic resin (PMMA), and polycarbonate (PC), which enables the lens 100 to have an extremely high range of elastic deformation and to withstand repeated stretching and bending without breaking.

[0031] It is worth noting that, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, along the direction from the edge of the lens 100 toward the center of the lens 100, there is a boundary that defines the central region 21 and the edge region 22 of the lens 100. Along the thickness direction X of the lens 100, the ratio of the solid thickness h at this boundary to the solid thickness H2 of the edge region 22 of the lens 100 satisfies: 1.2≤h / H2≤1.5.

[0032] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The lens 100 is a solid lens, and along the direction from the edge region 22 toward the center region 21, the second surface 12 protrudes in the thickness direction X away from the first surface 11, so that the solid thickness of the center region 21 of the lens 100 is greater than the solid thickness of the edge region 22.

[0033] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The central region 21 and the edge region 22 have a stepped transition, which facilitates processing. Alternatively, please refer to... Figure 2 The central region 21 and the edge region 22 have a smooth transition, which reduces stress concentration and improves the durability of the lens 100. In actual production, a smooth transition or a stepped transition between the central region 21 and the edge region 22 can be selected according to design and assembly requirements.

[0034] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 The lens 100 also includes an adjustment component 201 connected to the lens 100. The adjustment component 201 is used to drive the edge region 22 of the lens 100 to deform, thereby adjusting the degree of distortion and improving the imaging quality of the HUD. It is understood that the adjustment component 201 can adjust the solid lens 100 of the above embodiment or the hollow lens 100 of the above embodiment.

[0035] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3The adjustment assembly 201 includes a drive member 2011 and a connector 2012. The connector 2012 has a first end and a second end. The first end of the connector 2012 is connected to the drive member 2011, and the second end of the connector 2012 is connected to the edge region 22 of the lens 100. The drive member 2011 provides a pulling or pushing force to the edge region 22 of the lens 100 through the connector 2012. In this way, the edge of the lens 100 can not only be "pulled" towards the drive member 2011 to produce concave deformation, but also "pushed" out to produce convex deformation. This bidirectional driving capability greatly expands the correction range, can cope with both positive and negative optical aberrations caused by the windshield, provides omnidirectional deformation freedom, and has a more comprehensive correction capability.

[0036] As an example, the drive component 2011 includes a motor, and the connector 2012 includes multiple steel ropes. The motor is located in the central region 21 of the lens 100. The first ends of the multiple steel ropes are connected to the motor, and the second ends of the multiple steel ropes are connected to the edge of the lens 100. When the motor rotates, it can simultaneously wind and retract the multiple steel ropes, or when it rotates in the opposite direction, it can simultaneously release the multiple steel ropes. Furthermore, the motor can independently control the winding and unwinding of the multiple steel ropes.

[0037] Multiple steel cables are radially connected from the central motor to various points along the edge of the lens 100, forming a spoke-like drive network. By precisely controlling the length and tension of each steel cable via a program, complex asymmetric and multi-mode deformations in the edge region 22 can be achieved. For example, the steel cable on only one side can be tightened to correct unidirectional distortion, or all steel cables can be symmetrically tightened to achieve uniform edge bending, making the deformation control strategy extremely flexible and precise.

[0038] As a flexible transmission element, steel ropes offer extremely high flexibility in their arrangement, allowing them to bypass other components inside the HUD, such as the PCB and heat sink, making full use of unused space. Simultaneously, steel ropes possess an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio, achieving strong tensile strength while adding negligible weight to the system, perfectly meeting the requirements of automotive lightweighting.

[0039] As another example, the drive member 2011 includes an ejection mechanism, the connector 2012 includes a rigid link, the motor is located in the central region 21 of the lens 100, the first end of the rigid link is connected to the ejection mechanism, and the second end of the rigid link is connected to the edge region 22 of the lens 100. When the ejection mechanism ejects the rigid link, it provides a thrust to the rigid link, and when the ejection mechanism pulls the rigid link back, it provides a pull force to the rigid link.

[0040] The ejection mechanism and rigid linkage possess extremely high response speed and precise positioning capability without overshoot. Once the ejection mechanism stops moving, the 100-facet shape of the lens is immediately locked, preventing movement due to external vibrations or internal stress relaxation. This makes it suitable for applications requiring long-term maintenance of a specific corrective posture. Furthermore, the ejection mechanism (such as a precision lead screw or piezoelectric actuator) and rigid linkage are more wear-resistant and fatigue-resistant, better maintaining their initial accuracy throughout their entire lifespan in automotive environments, resulting in excellent reliability.

[0041] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The lens 100 is a hollow lens. Along the thickness direction X of the lens 100, the lens 100 includes a first part 31, a second part 32, and a first cavity 33 located between the first part 31 and the second part 32. The first cavity 33 is filled with one or more of a gas, liquid, or solid fluid. By injecting one or more of a gas, liquid, or solid fluid into the first cavity 33, the pressure inside the first cavity 33 is made greater than the external air pressure, so as to exert an expansion force on the first part 31 and the second part 32. Since the deformation rate of the edge region 22 is greater than that of the central region 21, the edge region of the hollow lens 100 preferentially deforms. This allows for targeted adjustment of edge distortion without affecting the imaging quality of the central region 21.

[0042] In this embodiment, the lens 100 is configured as a hollow structure. On the one hand, the directional deformation of the edge region 22 is controlled by the fluid expansion pressure, which has the characteristics of fast response, low noise and no mechanical wear. On the other hand, it can reduce the weight of the lens 100 and meet the requirements of lightweighting.

[0043] In some embodiments, the lens 100 has an opening (not shown) connecting the first cavity 33 to the outside. The lens 100 also includes a sealing member (not shown) disposed at the opening to seal the first cavity 33. After an external injection mechanism injects one or more of gas, liquid, or solid fluid into the first cavity 33 through the opening, the opening is sealed by the sealing member, and then the lens 100 is further assembled into the head-up display system.

[0044] In some embodiments, during the manufacturing process of the lens 100, an external injection mechanism injects one or more of a gas, liquid, or solid fluid into the first cavity 33 through an opening. Alternatively, when the lens 100 is in use, such as in a head-up display system, the external injection mechanism dynamically injects one or more of a gas, liquid, or solid fluid into the first cavity 33 through an opening according to instructions.

[0045] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5Along the thickness direction X of the lens 100, the gap L1 of the first cavity 33 in the central region 21 is less than or equal to the gap L2 of the first cavity 33 in the edge region 22; and / or, along the thickness direction X of the lens 100, the solid thickness H3 of the first part 31 in the central region 21 is greater than or equal to the solid thickness H4 of the first part 31 in the edge region 22; and / or, along the thickness direction X of the lens 100, the solid thickness H5 of the second part 32 in the central region 21 is greater than the solid thickness H6 of the second part 32 in the edge region 22.

[0046] By designing the first part 31 and the second part 32 of the lens 100 into a structure that is thick in the middle and thin at the edges, the distance between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 of the lens 100 is kept consistent while ensuring that the lens 100 can achieve regional deformation control. This makes it easier for the lens 100 to be assembled into the head-up display system.

[0047] It is worth noting that, such as Figure 5 As shown, since a sidewall 35 connecting the first part 31 and the second part 32 must exist in the hollow lens 100, the thickness of the sidewall 35 is not measured when measuring the solid thickness of the edge region 22. Instead, the solid thickness corresponding to the outermost edge of the first cavity 33 is taken as the solid thickness of the edge region 22 of the lens 100. For example, in Figure 5 As shown, the solid thickness H2 of the edge region 22 of the lens 100 is the sum of the solid thickness H4 and the solid thickness H6, and the solid thickness H1 of the center region 21 of the lens 100 is the sum of the solid thickness H3 and the solid thickness H5.

[0048] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 6 The lens 100 also includes a partition 34 located within the first cavity 33. Along the thickness direction X of the lens 100, the partition 34 connects the first portion 31 and the second portion 32, dividing the first cavity 33 into multiple independent sub-cavities 331. Multiple openings and sealing elements are present; each sub-cavity 331 has one opening and a corresponding sealing element. By dividing the first cavity 33 into multiple independent sub-cavities 331, independent control of multiple regions within the edge region 22 of the lens 100 can be achieved. This allows for different degrees of distortion adjustment for different distortion regions, improving adjustment accuracy.

[0049] This application also provides a head-up display system, which includes the solid lens and / or hollow lens described above. The head-up display system is used to project an image onto the windshield of a vehicle. For the specific structure and function of the solid lens and / or hollow lens, please refer to the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0050] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A lens, characterized in that, The lens has a first surface and a second surface that are disposed opposite to each other in the thickness direction, wherein the first surface is a reflective surface; The lens includes a central region and an edge region. Along the thickness direction, the solid thickness of the first surface and the second surface between the central region is greater than the solid thickness of the first surface and the second surface between the edge region, and the deformation rate of the edge region is greater than the deformation rate of the central region.

2. The lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lens is a solid lens, and along the edge region toward the center region, the second surface protrudes in the thickness direction away from the first surface.

3. The lens according to claim 2, characterized in that, The central region and the edge region transition smoothly, or the central region and the edge region transition in a stepped manner.

4. The lens according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lens also includes an adjustment assembly connected to the lens, the adjustment assembly being used to drive deformation in the edge region of the lens.

5. The lens according to claim 4, characterized in that, The adjustment assembly includes a drive member and a connector. The connector has a first end and a second end. The first end of the connector is connected to the drive member, and the second end of the connector is connected to the edge region of the lens. The drive member provides a pulling force or a pushing force to the edge region of the lens through the connector.

6. The lens according to claim 5, characterized in that, The driving component includes a motor, and the connecting component includes multiple steel ropes. The motor is located in the central area of ​​the lens. The first ends of the multiple steel ropes are connected to the motor, and the second ends of the multiple steel ropes are connected to the edge of the lens. When the motor rotates, it can wind and retract the multiple steel ropes, or when it rotates in the opposite direction, it can release the multiple steel ropes. or, The driving component includes an ejection mechanism, the connecting component includes a rigid link, the motor is located in the central region of the lens, the first end of the rigid link is connected to the ejection mechanism, the second end of the rigid link is connected to the edge region of the lens, the ejection mechanism provides a thrust to the rigid link when ejecting it, and provides a pull force to the rigid link when pulling it back.

7. The lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lens is a hollow lens. Along the thickness direction of the lens, the lens includes a first part, a second part, and a first cavity located between the first part and the second part. The first cavity is filled with one or more of gas, liquid, semi-solid fluid, or solid fluid. The lens has an opening that connects the first cavity to the outside, and the lens also includes a sealing member disposed in the opening to seal the first cavity.

8. The lens according to claim 7, characterized in that, Along the thickness direction of the lens, the gap of the first cavity in the central region is less than or equal to the gap of the first cavity in the edge region; And / or, Along the thickness direction of the lens, the solid thickness of the first part in the central region is greater than or equal to the solid thickness of the first part in the edge region; And / or, Along the thickness direction of the lens, the solid thickness of the second part in the central region is greater than the solid thickness of the second part in the edge region.

9. The lens according to claim 7, characterized in that, The lens further includes a partition located within the first cavity. In the thickness direction of the lens, the partition connects the first part and the second part respectively, and the first cavity is divided into multiple independent sub-cavities. The number of openings and sealing elements is multiple, with one opening provided for each sub-cavity and one corresponding sealing element provided.

10. A head-up display system, characterized in that, Includes lenses as described in any one of claims 1-6, and / or includes lenses as described in any one of claims 7-9.

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