Air-Floating Video Display Light Guide for Thin, Uniform Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air floating video display systems face challenges in achieving both system miniaturization and luminance uniformity on the liquid crystal panel, with insufficient consideration given to thinning and luminance uniformity in conventional configurations.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a light source apparatus, display panel, and retroreflector with a recessed light guide, utilizing a retroreflective optical system that includes a light control panel with intersecting optical members to enhance luminance uniformity and reduce system depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional light source apparatus configuration is used, then system brightness is sufficient, but system depth dimension is large and luminance uniformity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate transitions from a conventional flat structure to a three-dimensional microlens array structure, where microlenses are arranged in multiple layers at different depths. This dimensional transformation allows light to be redirected more efficiently toward the liquid crystal panel, achieving better luminance uniformity while reducing the overall system depth dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical parameters of the light guide plate are changed by incorporating microlenses with specific focal lengths, curvature radii, and spacing arrangements. These parameter optimizations enable precise control of light distribution, improving luminance uniformity across the display screen while minimizing the required depth of the light source apparatus.
2Length of stationary object
If system components are compactly arranged for thinning, then system depth is reduced, but luminance uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By transforming the light guide plate into a multi-layer microlens array structure, the patent achieves efficient light redistribution in a compact depth profile. The microlenses at different depths work synergistically to uniformize luminance without requiring increased system thickness, thus resolving the trade-off between thinning and luminance uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional mechanical arrangement of light source components is replaced with an optical system based on microlens arrays. This substitution allows for more efficient light control and distribution, achieving uniform luminance output while maintaining a compact, thinned system structure.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional light guide structure is used, then system structure is simple, but ghost images are generated and luminance uniformity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide structure evolves from a two-dimensional planar configuration to a three-dimensional microlens array with multiple layers. This dimensional enhancement enables superior light control and uniformity while the modular array design keeps the overall structure manageable and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate is segmented into multiple microlens units arranged in an array, with each microlens acting as an independent optical element. This segmentation allows for precise control of light paths, eliminating ghost images and improving uniformity, while the repetitive modular structure maintains manufacturing simplicity.
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 configuration achieves both thinning of the system and improved luminance uniformity on the liquid crystal panel, reducing the dimension in the depth direction and minimizing ghost images while maintaining high-quality video display.
Implementation Method 1
a retroreflector configured to reflect the video light from the display panel to form, by the reflected light, the air floating video that is a real image in air
Implementation Method 2
a light guide configured to guide light from the reflector toward the display panel
Implementation Method 3
a reflector configured to reflect light from the light source
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technique capable of achieving the thinning of a system or an air floating video display apparatus and the reduction in the influence of heat of a light source apparatus and the like. An air floating video display apparatus includes a light source apparatus, a display panel configured to emit light from the light source apparatus as video light, and a retroreflector configured to reflect the video light from the display panel to form, by the reflected light, the air floating video that is a real image in air, the light source apparatus includes a light source, a reflector configured to reflect light from the light source, and a light guide configured to guide light from the reflector toward the display panel, and the light guide includes a nearest portion having a recess.