FIBER OPTICS WITH PIEZOELECTRIC PROJECTION DISPLAY

Abstract

A vehicle display system includes a light source configured to emit light and an optical fiber coupled to the light source. The optical fiber 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. The second fiber end is attached to the vehicle body. The display system includes a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the end of the optical fiber near the second fiber end. The piezoelectric actuator is activated to vibrate the second fiber end of the optical fiber, projecting an image onto the vehicle body near the second fiber end while the light source is active.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to displays and, more particularly, to a projection display having optical fibers and a piezoelectric actuator.

[0002] This introduction generally presents the context of the disclosure. Works by the presently named inventors, to the extent described in this introduction, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise be considered prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against this disclosure.

[0003] Some vehicles have a display for presenting information to the vehicle occupant. However, due to the size of most displays, it can be difficult to position projected images in the most convenient location for the vehicle occupant. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure describes a display system for a vehicle. The display system also includes a light source configured to emit light and an optical fiber coupled to the light source. The optical fiber 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 attached to a vehicle body of a vehicle. The display system includes a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the end of the optical fiber proximate the second fiber end. The piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end of the optical fiber to project an image onto the vehicle body proximate the second fiber end while the light source is activated.

[0005] Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The light source may be a light-emitting diode (LED) array. The BP filter is positioned to filter the light emitted by the LED array. The focusing lens is positioned to focus the light filtered by the BP filter. The display system may include a fiber optic combiner that couples the focusing lens to the first fiber end of the fiber optic cable. The vehicle has a windshield. The vehicle body has an A-pillar. The A-pillar supports the windshield. The second fiber end of the fiber optic cable is attached directly to the A-pillar to project the image onto the A-pillar when the light source is activated and the piezoelectric actuator is actuated. The vehicle body has a headliner.The second fiber end of the optical fiber is attached directly to the headliner to project the image onto the headliner when the light source is activated and the piezoelectric actuator is actuated. The windshield includes a shaded area. The second fiber end of the optical fiber is attached to the vehicle body at a location near the shaded area of ​​the windshield to project the image onto the shaded 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. The phosphor array is excited to create the image when light is emitted onto the phosphor array.

[0006] The present disclosure also describes a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and the display system described above.

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

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

[0009] The above features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the presently disclosed system and method, are readily 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 become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicle having a display system according to one aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a display system according to one aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a display system according to another aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a display system according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure; and Fig. 5 is a method of using the display system described in the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Reference will now be made in detail to several examples of the disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference characters are used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or similar parts or steps.

[0012] With reference to Fig. 1, a vehicle 10 has a vehicle body 12 and a windshield 14. The vehicle 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 vehicle body 12 further includes a headliner 18. Although the vehicle 10 is depicted 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 has a display system 100 supported by the vehicle body 12.

[0013] With reference to Fig. 2, the display system 100 is configured as a vector graphics projector (VGP) and can thus generate vector graphics. The display system 100 includes one or more optical fibers 102 for transmitting light. The optical fibers 102 can be flexible and long enough to allow very tight packaging and placement of the display system 100 within the vehicle 10. As a non-limiting example, at least one of the optical fibers 102 can be between ten and twenty feet long. The display system 100 further includes one or more light sources 104 in optical communication with the optical fibers 102. At least one of the light sources 104 can be configured as a light-emitting diode (LED) array to maximize the lifetime of the light source 104. Due to the length of the optical fibers 102 (e.g., between ten and twenty feet), the light sources 104 can be positioned far from the display surface to optimize packaging within the motor vehicle.The display system 100 eliminates the need for a projection system directly in front of the windshield, and the entire projection system can be mounted under seats, under the dashboard, or in another concealed space. The display system 100 eliminates the required space in the interior of the vehicle 10.

[0014] With further reference to Fig. 2, the display system 100 also includes one or more bandpass filters (BP filters) 106 in optical communication with the light sources 104. Each BP filter 106 is positioned downstream of each light source 104 to filter the light emitted toward the light sources 104. As a non-limiting example, at least one of the BP filters 106 may be an absorbing BP filter that absorbs unwanted light. The BP filters 106 may include multiple layers of dielectric coatings applied to a substrate. Furthermore, the BP filters 106 may include spectral and absorption filters created by a combination of lamination, bonded layers, and thin-film coatings.

[0015] The display system 100 further includes one or more focusing lenses 108 for focusing the light emitted by the light sources 10 into one or more optical fibers 102. The focusing lenses 108 are therefore in optical communication with the light sources 104 and the BP filters 106. Each optical fiber 102 is positioned downstream of one of the BP filters 106 to focus the light filtered by the BP filter 106.

[0016] Each optical fiber 102 has a first fiber end 110 and a second fiber end 112 opposite the first fiber end 110. The first fiber end 110 is optically coupled to the light source 104, while the second fiber end 112 is attached to the vehicle body 12. Accordingly, the first fiber end 110 is closer to the light source 104 than the second fiber end 112 to allow the light from the light source 104 to be transported to the desired location in the vehicle body 12. The second fiber end 112 can be attached directly to the vehicle body 12 to facilitate the projection of an image 116 onto the vehicle body 12.

[0017] The display system 100 also includes one or more optical fiber combiners 118 that utilize optical fiber precision fusion technology to maximize the coupling of optical energy from the transmitting optical fiber to the receiving optical fiber while minimizing any impact on the display system 100 from their presence in the optical path. As a non-limiting example, the optical fiber combiners 118 may be pump combiners configured to send pump and signal light into the optical fiber 104. For this reason, the optical fiber combiner 118 is disposed between the focusing lens 108 and the first fiber end 110 of the optical fiber 104.

[0018] The display system 100 includes a piezoelectric actuator 120 coupled to the optical fibers 104 at a location near the second fiber end 112. The piezoelectric actuator 120 is controlled by an algorithm to create / project the desired images. The piezoelectric actuator 120 is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end 112 of the optical fibers 102 to project the image 116 onto the vehicle body 12 at a location near the second fiber end 112 while the light source 104 is activated. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the second fiber end 112 of the optical fibers 104 can be attached directly to at least one of the A-pillars 16 of the vehicle body 12 to project the image 116 onto the A-pillar 16 when the light source 104 is activated and the piezoelectric actuator 120 is actuated. 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 can be excited to create the image when the light is emitted onto the phosphor array 122. The display system 100 uses the optical fibers 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.

[0019] With reference to Fig. 3, in the display system 100, the second fiber ends 112 of the fiber optic cable 102 are attached directly to a headliner 124 of the vehicle body 12 to project the image 116 onto the headliner 124 when the light sources 104 are activated and the piezoelectric actuator 120 is actuated.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 4, the display system 100 includes a splitter 126 to split the light. The windshield 14 includes a darkening region 128 that is darker than the rest of the windshield 14. The second fiber ends 112 of the optical fibers 102 are attached to the vehicle body 12 at a location proximate the darkening region 128 of the windshield 14 to project the images 116 onto the darkening region 128 of the windshield 14 when the light sources 104 are activated and the piezoelectric actuators 120 are actuated. Although not shown, the darkening region 128 of the windshield 14 includes the phosphor assembly 122.

[0021] In the blackout area 128, the display system 100 can be used to project warning signals. In addition to the windshield 14, backlit phosphor films can also be used to create an image. Front-lit films are used on the windshield 14. These front-lit films can be phosphor-based films or any other films, such as films based on holographic gratings or liquid crystals.

[0022] Fig.5 is a method 200 for using the display system 100. The method 200 begins in block 202. In block 202, the light sources 102 are activated to emit light. The method 200 then continues with block 204. In block 204, the light is transported by the optical fibers 102 from the first fiber end 110 to the second fiber end 112 of the optical fibers 102. The method 200 then continues with block 206. In block 204, the piezoelectric actuators 120 are activated to project the image onto the vehicle body 12. Blocks 202, 204, and 204 can occur simultaneously or sequentially.

[0023] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments may be combined to form other embodiments of the presently disclosed system and method that may not be expressly described or illustrated.While various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other prior art embodiments or designs with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more features or properties may be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes depending on the specific application and design. These attributes may include, but are not limited to, cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, usability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc.As such, embodiments that are described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for certain applications.

[0024] The drawings are presented in simplified form and are not to scale. For convenience and clarity, and for these reasons only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, upward, above, above, below, below, back, and front may be used with reference to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way.

[0025] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples, and other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be shown larger or smaller to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for showing those skilled in the art how to variously employ the presently disclosed system and method.As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, various features illustrated and described with reference to one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more of the other figures to produce embodiments not explicitly illustrated or described. The illustrated feature combinations provide representative embodiments for typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations.

[0026] This description is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses in any way. The broad teachings of the disclosure may be embodied in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure contains specific examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited, since other modifications will become apparent upon examination of the drawings, the description, and the following claims.

Claims

[1] Display system for a vehicle, comprising: a light source configured to emit light; an optical fiber coupled to the light source, the optical fiber having 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 attached to a vehicle body of a vehicle; and a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the end of the optical fiber proximate the second fiber end, the piezoelectric actuator being actuated to vibrate the second fiber end of the optical fiber to project an image onto the vehicle body proximate the second fiber end while the light source is activated; and The display system minimizes the pack size in the interior. [2] The display system of claim 1, wherein the light source is a light-emitting diode (LED) array. [3] The display system of claim 2, further comprising a bandpass filter (BP) coupled to the LED array, the BP filter positioned to filter the light emitted by the LED array. [4] The display system of claim 3, further comprising a focusing lens coupled to the BP filter, the focusing lens positioned to focus the light filtered by the BP filter. [5] The display system of claim 4, further comprising an optical fiber combiner coupling the focusing lens to the first fiber end of the optical fiber cable. [6] The display system of claim 5, wherein the vehicle has a windshield, the vehicle body has an A-pillar, the A-pillar supports the windshield, and the second fiber end of the optical fiber is attached directly to the A-pillar to project the image onto the A-pillar when the light source is activated and the piezoelectric actuator is actuated. [7] The display system of claim 5, wherein the vehicle body includes a headliner and the second fiber end of the optical fiber is attached directly to the headliner to project the image onto the headliner when the light source is activated and the piezoelectric actuator is actuated. [8] The display system of claim 5, wherein the vehicle has a windshield, the vehicle body supports the windshield, the windshield has a darkening region, the second fiber end of the optical fiber is attached to the vehicle body at a location near the darkening region of the windshield to project the image onto the darkening region of the windshield when the light source is activated and the piezoelectric actuator is actuated. [9] The display system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a phosphor array on the vehicle body, and the phosphor array is excited to form the image when the light is emitted onto the phosphor array. [10] The display system of claim 1, wherein the display system is configured to project warning signals.

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