Compact See-Through Head-Up Display Using Optical Pairings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-up displays (HUDs) are too large, expensive, and not cost-effective for smaller aircraft, and they suffer from light leakage and secondary imagery issues, making them unsuitable for multiple aircraft applications and requiring specific trim panels.
Innovation Solution
A compact see-through HUD with a see-through emissive display positioned between first and second optical pairings, where the first optical pairing collimates display light and the second optical pairing counteracts focal vergence effects, using waveplates and polarization-directed lenses to maintain a clear field of view and reduce perceivable focal changes, allowing for a lightweight, cost-effective, and versatile solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional relay lens assembly and combiner pair are used, then adequate field of view and viewing eyebox are achieved, but the device size and volume become too large for smaller aircraft cockpits
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple discrete optical pairings (first optical pairing with first waveplate and first polarization directed lens, second optical pairing with second waveplate and second polarization directed lens) positioned at different locations relative to the display. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and arranged in a compact configuration that reduces overall device volume while maintaining adequate field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions optical components in multiple dimensions and orientations - the first optical pairing is positioned on one side of the display while the second optical pairing is positioned on the opposite side. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows for compact integration of collimation and focal vergence counteraction functions without requiring large linear dimensions.
2Reliability
If conventional optical components are used, then adequate optical performance is achieved, but the manufacturing cost becomes too expensive for smaller aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The waveplates and polarization directed lenses serve multiple functions: they collimate display light, counteract focal vergence effects, and maintain optical performance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while maintaining adequate optical performance for smaller aircraft applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs waveplates with specific polarization properties and polarization directed lenses with tailored optical parameters to achieve collimation and focal vergence counteraction. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves adequate optical performance using cost-effective components rather than expensive conventional optical elements.
3Volume of stationary object
If waveguide combiner is used to expand pupil of imaging optic, then device size is reduced, but light leakage and secondary imagery issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second optical pairings act as intermediary elements between the display and the viewer's eye. These optical pairings with waveplates and polarization directed lenses mediate the light path to achieve collimation and counteract focal vergence effects, thereby eliminating light leakage and secondary imagery problems while maintaining compact device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the waveguide combiner mechanism with an optical pairing system using waveplates and polarization directed lenses. This substitution eliminates the inherent light leakage and secondary imagery issues of waveguides while achieving similar pupil expansion and compact form factor through different optical mechanisms.
4Reliability
If conventional HUD systems are designed for specific aircraft frames, then adequate optical performance is achieved, but adaptability to multiple aircraft types is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical pairing configuration with waveplates and polarization directed lenses creates a universal HUD system that can be adapted to multiple aircraft types. The modular design allows the same basic optical components to be installed in different aircraft configurations, providing both adequate optical performance and versatility across multiple aircraft frames without requiring custom-designed systems for each aircraft type.
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
The solution provides a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective HUD that maintains a wide field of view and reduces perceivable focal changes, making it suitable for smaller aircraft and multiple applications without the need for expensive optical components.
Implementation Method 1
The first optical pairing is configured to collimate the display light by providing a first focal vergence effect (e.g., focal convergence effect) on the display light transmitted through the first optical pairing
Implementation Method 2
The second optical pairing is configured to provide a second focal vergence effect, equal and opposite to the first focal vergence effect of the first optical pairing, such that no perceivable focal vergence effect is provided to the real world when viewed through the HUD
Implementation Method 3
The first optical pairing includes a first waveplate coupled with a first polarization directed lens. The second optical pairing includes a second waveplate coupled with a second polarization directed lens
Data Source
AI summary
A compact see-through head up display (HUD) for a vehicle such as an aircraft implemented as a fixed display positionable forward of a user (e.g., pilot), a head worn display, a helmet mounted display, etc. The HUD may be provided as an integrated stack including a see-through emissive display positioned between a predetermined number of first and second optical pairings each including a waveplate coupled with a polarization directed lens. The first optical pairing is configured to collimate display light emitted from a display side of the see-through emissive display and the second optical pairing provides an equal and opposite focal vergence effect to counter the focal vergence effect of the first optical pairing such that the see-through emissive display does not affect the focal distance of the outside environment as viewed through the see-through emissive display.