Adjustable Optical Axis for Distortion-Free Road Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear view devices for motor vehicles face challenges in providing a clear and distortion-free projection of logos or messages onto the road surface due to positional deviations caused by tolerance chains in the projector module, mirror housing, and vehicle components, leading to suboptimal illumination and visibility.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves assigning a light funnel to each light emitter with an adjustable optical axis up to 40° relative to a horizontal plane, connecting the funnels via a web, and incorporating an adjusting device with translational and rotational degrees of freedom to precisely align the projector module, ensuring homogeneous illumination and distortion-free projection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a projector module is used to project logos or messages onto the road surface, then visibility and information transmission are improved, but positional deviations due to tolerance chains in the projector module, mirror housing, and vehicle components cause distortion and reduce projection quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the optical unit adjustable relative to the light guide. The optical unit can be positioned at different locations and/or orientations along the longitudinal axis, allowing dynamic adaptation to compensate for positional deviations and tolerance accumulations, thereby achieving distortion-free projection despite manufacturing variations in the projector module and mirror housing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by varying the position and orientation parameters of the optical unit. By adjusting the longitudinal position and angular orientation of the optical unit, the system compensates for tolerance chain deviations, maintaining optimal projection quality and eliminating distortion caused by manufacturing imprecisions
2Device complexity
If the optical unit position is fixed in the projector module, then device complexity is reduced, but illumination homogeneity and projection quality deteriorate due to tolerance accumulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed optical unit into a dynamic, adjustable component. The optical unit can be repositioned and reoriented along the longitudinal axis to optimize illumination homogeneity and projection quality, compensating for tolerance accumulations without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the adjustable mechanism to allow optimal positioning of the optical unit. The system is designed with built-in adjustment capabilities that can be configured during assembly or operation to compensate for known tolerance deviations, ensuring optimal illumination homogeneity from the outset
3Area of stationary object
If multiple light emitters are used to illuminate the road surface, then illumination coverage is improved, but projection distortion increases due to misalignment of multiple light guides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the optical unit adjustable, allowing it to be positioned and oriented to receive light from multiple light emitters. This adjustment capability compensates for misalignment between multiple light guides, ensuring that all light sources contribute effectively to the projection without increasing distortion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universality by designing the adjustable optical unit to work effectively with multiple light emitters. The optical unit can be positioned to receive light from various sources (first light guide, second light guide, etc.), making the system versatile and tolerant of manufacturing variations in light guide alignment while maintaining projection quality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables a distortion-free and visually appealing projection of logos or messages onto the road surface, improving visibility and illumination homogeneity adjacent to the vehicle, while allowing for manual or automated adjustment to compensate for positional deviations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source with at least one light emitter, in particular in the form of an LED, for emitting light which can be coupled into and out of a light guide
Implementation Method 2
each light emitter with a light funnel in order to bundle, in particular to focus, the light coupled out of each light funnel
Implementation Method 3
incorporating an adjusting device with translational and rotational degrees of freedom to precisely align the projector module
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device of a rear view device of a motor vehicle, includes at least one light source with at least one light emitter for emitting light which can be coupled into and out of a light guide with at least one light funnel in order to pass at least through part of a light transmission unit and illuminate an area adjacent to the motor vehicle, where each light funnel extends upward or downward from its light input end to its light output end, and each light emitter is associated with a light funnel determining an optical axis.