Aperture Stop Brightness Control for Vehicle HUD
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-up display (HUD) systems face challenges in dynamically adjusting brightness to accommodate varying environmental conditions without the need for complex and costly drive circuit designs, which affects driving safety, especially in low-light environments.
Innovation Solution
A picture generation apparatus comprising a light source assembly, spatial light modulation assembly, and beam adjustment assembly, where the beam adjustment assembly, including an adjustable aperture stop element, dynamically adjusts the light amount of the beam to adjust brightness and contrast of the projected picture, eliminating the need for a specialized drive circuit for the light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the current to the PGU back light source is adjusted to reduce brightness, then the brightness of the projected virtual image is reduced, but a specially designed drive circuit is required which increases costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
An adjustable aperture stop is introduced as an intermediary component in the optical path between the light source and the spatial light modulation assembly. This aperture stop mediates the brightness control function by physically blocking light, eliminating the need for complex current adjustment circuits in the light source itself. The aperture stop serves as a simple mechanical mediator that achieves brightness reduction without affecting the light source's electrical characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical control mechanism (current adjustment circuit) with a mechanical control mechanism (adjustable aperture stop). Instead of using electrical circuits to regulate light output by changing current, the system uses a mechanical aperture that can be physically adjusted to control the amount of light passing through the optical path, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the brightness is reduced to 100 nits or lower for night driving, then driving safety is improved by avoiding dazzling, but the display becomes less visible in low-light environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the aperture size of the adjustable aperture stop based on environmental lighting conditions. During daytime, the aperture is larger to allow sufficient light transmission for clear visibility. During nighttime, the aperture is reduced to control glare while maintaining adequate visibility. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize both visibility and glare control according to real-time environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of aperture size to control light transmission. By adjusting the aperture diameter or area, the system can precisely control the amount of light reaching the driver's eye. This parameter change enables the system to reduce brightness to safe levels for night driving (100 nits or lower) while maintaining sufficient visibility through optimized aperture geometry and position.
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
Enables automatic adjustment of brightness and contrast based on environmental conditions, improving user experience and driving safety by reducing glare and enhancing visibility in both bright and dark environments without increasing HUD costs.
Implementation Method 1
The beam adjustment assembly includes a control element and an adjustable aperture stop element, and the control element controls a size of a light transmission hole of the adjustable aperture stop element to adjust the light amount of the first beam
Implementation Method 2
The lens assembly is configured to project the picture beam onto a projection surface to display a target picture
Implementation Method 3
The spatial light modulation assembly is configured to modulate the first beam to generate a picture beam
Data Source
AI summary
A picture generation apparatus includes at least a light source assembly, a spatial light modulation assembly, a beam adjustment assembly and a lens assembly. The light source assembly is configured to generate a first beam. The spatial light modulation assembly is configured to modulate the first beam to generate a picture beam. The lens assembly is configured to project the picture beam onto a projection surface to display a target picture. The beam adjustment assembly is disposed in the lens assembly or on an optical path between the light source assembly and the spatial light modulation assembly, and is configured to adjust a light amount of the first beam, to adjust brightness of the target picture.