Light path adjusting device, head-up display for vehicle, and vehicle

Abstract

A light path adjusting device, a head-up display for a vehicle, and a vehicle. The light path adjusting device comprises: an image light source (201, 401), the image light source (201, 401) having a first image region and a second image region, wherein an image of the first image region is presented in a first imaging region of vehicle glass (500) by means of a first light path, and an image of the second image region is presented in a second imaging region of the vehicle glass (500) by means of a second light path; a first lens assembly arranged in the first light path; and a second lens assembly arranged in the second light path, wherein the scaling coefficient of the first lens assembly is different from the scaling coefficient of the second lens assembly. A head-up display (200, 400) for a vehicle comprises the light path adjusting device. The vehicle comprises the light path adjusting device or the head-up display (200, 400) for a vehicle.

Description

Light path adjustment device, head-up display for vehicle, and vehicle

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on November 13, 2023, with application number 202311500994.9 and application name “Optical path adjustment device, head-up display for vehicle and vehicle”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of vehicles, and more specifically, to an optical path adjustment device, a head-up display for a vehicle, and a vehicle; wherein the head-up display for a vehicle includes the above-mentioned optical path adjustment device, and the vehicle includes the above-mentioned optical path adjustment device or includes the above-mentioned head-up display for a vehicle. Background Art

[0003] Typically, a head-up display (HUD) is located inside the instrument panel, below the windshield. It projects information such as vehicle speed and navigation onto the windshield, allowing the driver to see driving information without having to look down, improving driving safety.

[0004] Conventional head-up displays (HUDs) display images at a fixed distance from the human eye. However, as cars become more intelligent, HUDs must display both dynamic augmented reality images at longer distances, such as navigation and vehicles ahead, and static images at closer ranges, such as vehicle speed and battery level.

[0005] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an optical path adjustment device according to prior art. As shown in FIG1 , a portion of light from the image light source 101 of the head-up display 100 is reflected by a reflector 102, then by a curved mirror 104, and then by a higher position on the windshield 500. After reflection from the windshield 500, the light enters the eye 300, where the eye 300 sees a virtual image 106. Due to the long reflection path from the light source 101, the resulting virtual image 106 is farther from the eye. Meanwhile, another portion of light from the image light source 101 of the head-up display 100 is reflected by a reflector 103, then by a curved mirror 104, and then by a lower position on the windshield 500. After reflection from the windshield 500, the light enters the eye 300, where the eye 300 sees a virtual image 105. Due to the short reflection path from the image light source 101, the resulting virtual image 105 is closer to the eye.

[0006] Due to the different light paths achieved by the two reflectors 102 and 103, virtual images 105 and 106 have different projection distances. The two reflectors 102 and 103 not only increase the size of the head-up display, but also complicate the light path design, increasing the difficulty of head-up display design.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present application provides an optical path adjustment device, a head-up display for a vehicle, and a vehicle to address the aforementioned problem: existing head-up displays require the use of two reflectors to design the optical path, which is detrimental to the miniaturization of the head-up display. Therefore, the inventors of the present application have innovatively devised a method whereby, rather than requiring the use of two reflectors, the zoom properties of an optical lens can be utilized to simulate the length of the optical path, thereby enabling the presentation of the target object using the zoom properties of the optical lens. This method can reduce the size of the head-up display according to the present application and optimize its display performance.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present application discloses an optical path adjustment device, comprising:

[0010] an image light source having a first image area and a second image area, wherein an image of the first image area is presented to a first imaging area of ​​the vehicle glass via a first optical path, and wherein an image of the second image area is presented to a second imaging area of ​​the vehicle glass via a second optical path;

[0011] a first lens assembly disposed in the first optical path; and

[0012] a second lens assembly disposed in the second optical path;

[0013] Wherein, the zoom factor of the first lens assembly is different from the zoom factor of the second lens assembly.

[0014] In the optical path adjustment device proposed in the present application, the zoom coefficient of the first lens assembly differs from the zoom coefficient of the second lens assembly, thereby making the optical path lengths of the first and second optical paths different, and thus making the zoom coefficients of the images presented by the first imaging area and the second imaging area also different. In this way, the difference in the zoom coefficients of the first and second lens assemblies can be utilized to achieve different zoom requirements for different images in the head-up display, thereby optimizing the display effect of the head-up display according to the present application.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly include curved reflectors, which are configured to reflect light emitted from the first image region to the first imaging region, and to reflect light emitted from the second image region to the second imaging region. The curved reflectors of the present invention can reflect light incident from different directions onto the windshield, thereby optimizing the display effect of the head-up display of the present invention.

[0016] In one embodiment according to the present application, the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly further include a plane reflector, which is used to reflect the light emitted through the first image area and the light emitted through the second image area to the curved reflector.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present application, the first lens assembly includes a first Fresnel prism. Preferably, in one embodiment of the present application, the second lens assembly includes the second Fresnel prism and a third Fresnel prism, wherein the second Fresnel prism and the third Fresnel prism have complementary structures. More preferably, in one embodiment of the present application, the first Fresnel prism and the second Fresnel prism have the same physical structure. Further preferably, in one embodiment of the present application, the first Fresnel prism and the second Fresnel prism are integrally formed.

[0018] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the zoom factor of the first Fresnel prism is greater than one, and the zoom factor of the combined prism formed by the second Fresnel prism and the third Fresnel prism is one, or the zoom factor of the first Fresnel prism is greater than the zoom factor of the combined prism. Alternatively, in one embodiment of the present application, the zoom factor of the first lens assembly and the zoom factor of the second lens assembly are both greater than one. Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly include a common holographic optical element, and a first zoom factor of a first portion of the holographic optical element on the first optical path is different from a second zoom factor of a second portion of the holographic optical element on the second optical path. Preferably, in one embodiment of the present application, one of the first zoom factor and the second zoom factor is equal to one.

[0019] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the first imaging area is used to display dynamic images. Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the second imaging area is used to display static images. Preferably, in one embodiment of the present application, the first imaging area and the second imaging area are independent of each other in position.

[0020] In addition, a second aspect of the present application provides a head-up display for a vehicle, wherein the head-up display includes the optical path adjustment device provided according to the first aspect of the present application.

[0021] Furthermore, a third aspect of the present application provides a vehicle, which includes the optical path adjustment device provided in the first aspect of the present application or the head-up display for the vehicle provided in the second aspect of the present application.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present application, the vehicle-mounted glass included in the vehicle includes a front windshield of the vehicle.

[0023] In summary, the optical path adjustment device, head-up display for a vehicle, and vehicle provided by the present application, by configuring the optical path adjustment device so that the zoom coefficient of the first lens assembly differs from the zoom coefficient of the second lens assembly, thereby making the optical path lengths of the first and second optical paths different, and thus making the zoom coefficients of the images presented by the first imaging area and the second imaging area different. In this way, the difference in the zoom coefficients of the first and second lens assemblies can be utilized to achieve different zoom requirements for different images of the head-up display, thereby optimizing the display effect of the head-up display according to the contents of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The features, advantages and other aspects of the various embodiments of the present application will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings herein, which illustrate several embodiments of the present application in an exemplary and non-limiting manner.

[0025] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an optical path adjustment device according to the prior art;

[0026] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an optical path adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a lens assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an optical path adjustment device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a lens assembly according to another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following describes in detail various exemplary embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the exemplary methods and devices described below include software and / or firmware executed on hardware among other components, it should be noted that these examples are merely illustrative and should not be regarded as restrictive. For example, it is contemplated that any or all hardware, software, and firmware components may be implemented exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, or in any combination of hardware and software. Therefore, although exemplary methods and devices have been described below, it should be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the examples provided are not intended to limit the manner in which these methods and devices are implemented.

[0031] In addition, the flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the possible architectures, functions and operations of the methods and systems according to the various embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that the functions marked in the boxes may also occur in an order different from that marked in the accompanying drawings. For example, two boxes represented in succession may actually be executed substantially in parallel, or they may sometimes be executed in the opposite order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, and the combination of boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, may be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified functions or operations, or may be implemented using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0032] As used herein, the terms "including," "comprising," and similar terms are open-ended terms, meaning "including but not limited to," indicating that other contents may also be included. The term "based on" means "based, at least in part, on." The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment," and the term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment," etc.

[0033] As previously described, existing heads-up displays require the use of two reflectors to design the optical path, which is detrimental to their miniaturization. To address this issue, the inventors of this application have innovatively devised a method that eliminates the need for two reflectors and instead utilizes the zoom properties of optical lenses to simulate the length of the optical path, thereby leveraging these properties to achieve the desired object presentation. This approach not only reduces the size of the heads-up display according to this application but also optimizes its display quality.

[0034] In summary, the present application proposes an optical path adjustment device, comprising: an image light source having a first image area and a second image area, wherein the image of the first image area is presented in a first imaging area of ​​the vehicle glass via a first optical path, and wherein the image of the second image area is presented in a second imaging area of ​​the vehicle glass via a second optical path; a first lens assembly disposed in the first optical path; and a second lens assembly disposed in the second optical path, wherein the zoom factor of the first lens assembly is different from the zoom factor of the second lens assembly. In the optical path adjustment device proposed in the present application, the zoom factor of the first lens assembly is different from the zoom factor of the second lens assembly, thereby causing the optical path lengths of the first optical path and the second optical path to be different, and thus causing the zoom factors of the images presented in the first imaging area and the second imaging area to be different. In this way, the difference in the zoom factor of the first lens assembly and the zoom factor of the second lens assembly can be utilized to achieve different zoom requirements for different images of the head-up display, thereby optimizing the display effect of the head-up display according to the present application.

[0035] The following describes an optical path adjustment device and a corresponding head-up display according to the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an optical path adjustment device according to one embodiment of the present application, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a lens assembly according to one embodiment of the present application, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an optical path adjustment device according to another embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a lens assembly according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Specifically, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an optical path adjustment device according to one embodiment of the present application. As can be seen from Figure 2, the head-up display 200 according to the present application comprises a reflector 202, a curved mirror 204, a Fresnel prism 203, and a Fresnel prism 207. Fresnel prism 203 has an image zoom function, while Fresnel prism 207 has an image reduction function. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reflector 202 is not essential. For example, the light emitted by image light source 201 can directly strike curved reflector 204, as long as it can be directed to windshield 500 for display.

[0037] Here, a portion of the light from the image light source 201 of the head-up display 200 is reflected by the reflector 202 onto the curved mirror 204. The curved mirror 204 performs a first scaling on the image, and then the image is scaled a second time by the Fresnel prism 203 before being reflected to the windshield 500. After being reflected by the windshield 500, the light enters the human eye 300, and the human eye 300 sees a virtual image 206. Meanwhile, another portion of the light from the image light source 201 of the head-up display 200 is reflected by the reflector 202 onto the curved mirror 204. The curved mirror 204 performs a first scaling on the image, and then the image is scaled a second time by the Fresnel prism 203. The light is further scaled, for example, reduced, by the Fresnel prism 207 before being reflected to the windshield 500. After being reflected by the windshield 500, the light enters the human eye 300, and the human eye 300 sees a virtual image 205. Since the virtual image 205 has a smaller magnification than the virtual image 206 , the projection distance of the virtual image 205 is smaller than the projection distance of the virtual image 206 , so the human eye 300 feels that the virtual image 205 is closer to the human eye.

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a lens assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, Fresnel prism 203 and Fresnel prism 207 have identical prism angles and sizes. When Fresnel prism 203 and Fresnel prism 207 are bonded together using optical glue 208, the bonded area loses its ability to scale images. The optical path adjustment device proposed in this application achieves dual-layer projection distance display without increasing its size.

[0039] In addition to the aforementioned technical solution using two layers of Fresnel prisms, this can also be achieved, for example, using a holographic optical element. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an optical path adjustment device according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, a head-up display 400 according to the present application comprises a reflector 402, a curved mirror 404, and a holographic optical element 403. Some local locations of the holographic optical element 403 have an image zoom function, while other local locations of the holographic optical element 403 do not have this function. A portion of the light from the image light source 401 of the head-up display 400 is reflected by the reflector 402 onto the curved mirror 404. The curved mirror 404 performs a first scaling on the image, then passes through the position of the holographic optical element 403 where the image is scaled a second time, and finally is reflected to the windshield 500. After being reflected by the windshield 500, the light enters the human eye 300, and the human eye 300 sees a virtual image 406. Meanwhile, another portion of the light from the image light source 401 of the head-up display 400 is reflected by the reflector 402 onto the curved mirror 404. The curved mirror 404 performs a first scaling on the image, then passes through the position of the holographic optical element 403 where the image is not scaled, and finally is reflected to the windshield 500. After being reflected by the windshield 500, the light enters the human eye 300, and the human eye 300 sees a virtual image 405. Because virtual image 405 has a smaller magnification than virtual image 406, the projection distance of virtual image 405 is smaller than the projection distance of virtual image 406, so the human eye 300 perceives virtual image 405 as being closer to the human eye. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reflector 402 is not essential. For example, the light emitted by image light source 401 can directly hit curved reflector 404, as long as the light can be directed to windshield 500 for display.

[0040] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a lens assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, holographic optical element 403 comprises a region 408 with a zoom function and a region 407 without a zoom function. The zoom function of the holographic optical element is due to the fact that during holographic recording, at least one of the recorded light waves is spherical or aspherical, thus imparting optical power to the holographic optical element. If a light shield is used to block the light waves and holographic recording is not performed on region 407, region 407 does not have the image zoom function.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly include a curved reflector configured to reflect light emitted from the first image region to the first imaging region, and to reflect light emitted from the second image region to the second imaging region. The curved reflector according to the present invention can reflect light incident from different directions onto the windshield, thereby optimizing the display effect of the head-up display according to the present invention.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present application, the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly further include a plane reflector, and the plane reflector is used to reflect the light emitted through the first image area and the light emitted through the second image area to the curved reflector.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present application, the first lens assembly includes a first Fresnel prism. Preferably, in one embodiment of the present application, the second lens assembly includes a second Fresnel prism and a third Fresnel prism, wherein the second Fresnel prism and the third Fresnel prism have complementary structures. More preferably, in one embodiment of the present application, the first Fresnel prism and the second Fresnel prism have the same physical structure. Further preferably, in one embodiment of the present application, the first Fresnel prism and the second Fresnel prism are integrally formed.

[0044] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, the zoom factor of the first Fresnel prism is greater than one, and the zoom factor of the combined prism formed by the second and third Fresnel prisms is one, or the zoom factor of the first Fresnel prism is greater than the zoom factor of the combined prism. Alternatively, in one embodiment of the present invention, the zoom factor of the first lens assembly and the zoom factor of the second lens assembly are both greater than one.

[0045] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly include a common holographic optical element, and a first scaling factor of a first portion of the holographic optical element on the first optical path is different from a second scaling factor of a second portion of the holographic optical element on the second optical path. Preferably, in one embodiment of the present invention, one of the first scaling factor and the second scaling factor is equal to one.

[0046] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the first imaging area is used to display dynamic images. Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the second imaging area is used to display static images. Preferably, in one embodiment of the present application, the first imaging area and the second imaging area are independent of each other in position.

[0047] In addition, a second aspect of the present application provides a head-up display for a vehicle, wherein the head-up display includes the optical path adjustment device provided according to the first aspect of the present application.

[0048] Furthermore, a third aspect of the present application provides a vehicle, which includes the optical path adjustment device provided in the first aspect of the present application or the head-up display for the vehicle provided in the second aspect of the present application.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present application, the vehicle-mounted glass included in the vehicle includes a front windshield of the vehicle.

[0050] As can be seen from the above discussion, the head-up display (HUD) according to the present application has a simple internal structure and optical design, resulting in a compact size. It utilizes a membrane with an image zoom function, such as a Fresnel prism or holographic optical element, to vary the zoom ratio in specific areas of the membrane, thereby changing the projection distance of light, thereby allowing the HUD to project images at different distances simultaneously. The present application can also be applied to other membranes or lenses with zoom or reduction functions, simply by converting the zoom or reduction structure of a localized area on the membrane into a non-zoom or reduction structure.

[0051] In summary, in the optical path adjustment device proposed in this application, the zoom coefficient of the first lens assembly differs from the zoom coefficient of the second lens assembly, thereby causing the optical path lengths of the first optical path and the second optical path to differ, and thus causing the zoom coefficients of the images presented in the first imaging area and the second imaging area to also differ. In this way, the difference in the zoom coefficients of the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly can be utilized to achieve different zoom requirements for different images in the head-up display, thereby optimizing the display effect of the head-up display according to the present application.

[0052] Although the embodiments of the present application have been described with reference to several specific embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. The embodiments of the present application are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An optical path adjustment device, characterized in that: The optical path adjustment device comprises: An image light source, the image light source having a first image area and a second image area, wherein an image of the first image area is presented in a first imaging area of ​​the vehicle glass via a first optical path, and wherein an image of the second image area is presented in a second imaging area of ​​the vehicle glass via a second optical path; a first lens assembly disposed in the first optical path; and a second lens assembly disposed in the second optical path; Wherein, the scaling factor of the first lens assembly is different from the scaling factor of the second lens assembly.

2. The optical path adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first lens assembly and the second lens assembly include a curved reflector, and the curved reflector is used to reflect the light emitted through the first image area to the first imaging area, and to reflect the light emitted through the second image area to the second imaging area.

3. The optical path adjustment device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first lens assembly and the second lens assembly further include a plane reflector, and the plane reflector is used to reflect the light emitted through the first image area and the light emitted through the second image area to the curved reflector.

4. The optical path adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first lens assembly includes a first Fresnel prism.

5. The optical path adjustment device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second lens assembly includes a second Fresnel prism and a third Fresnel prism, wherein the second Fresnel prism and the third Fresnel prism have complementary structures.

6. The optical path adjustment device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first Fresnel prism and the second Fresnel prism have the same physical structure.

7. The optical path adjustment device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first Fresnel prism and the second Fresnel prism are integrally formed.

8. The optical path adjustment device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The scaling factor of the first Fresnel prism is greater than one and the scaling factor of the combined prism formed by the second Fresnel prism and the third Fresnel prism is one, or the scaling factor of the first Fresnel prism is greater than the scaling factor of the combined prism.

9. The optical path adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The zoom factor of the first lens assembly and the zoom factor of the second lens assembly are both greater than one.

10. The optical path adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The first lens assembly and the second lens assembly include a common holographic optical element, and a first zoom factor of a first portion of the holographic optical element on the first optical path is different from a second zoom factor of a second portion of the holographic optical element on the second optical path.

11. The optical path adjustment device according to claim 10, characterized in that: One of the first scaling factor and the second scaling factor is equal to one.

12. The optical path adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The first imaging area is used to display dynamic images.

13. The optical path adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The second imaging area is used to display a static image.

14. The optical path adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The first imaging area and the second imaging area are independent of each other in position.

15. A head-up display for a vehicle, characterized in that: The head-up display comprises the optical path adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises the light path adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or comprises the head-up display for a vehicle according to claim 15 .

17. The vehicle according to claim 16, characterized in that The vehicle-mounted glass included in the vehicle includes a front windshield of the vehicle.

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