Dimmable HUD Combiner Optics for Bright Light Readability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up displays (HUDs) face challenges in readability under bright conditions, such as when the sun is near the horizon or in brightly sunlit clouds, making it difficult for pilots to read critical flight parameters, which limits their certification as the sole display for aircraft control.
Innovation Solution
A dimmable head-up display system that includes a combiner with adjustable transmissivity, controlled by a light sensor and combiner control module, allowing the system to automatically or manually adjust light transmission levels to optimize visibility in varying light conditions, reducing the need for additional shading devices and preventing rapid changes in light intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the combiner is kept transparent to allow viewing of the outside world, then the pilot can see through the HUD, but the HUD becomes difficult to read under bright conditions such as when the sun is near the horizon
Solution Approach 1:
The combiner's transmissivity is made dynamically adjustable through an electrochromic layer that can change its light transmission properties in response to control signals. The system includes a control module that receives input signals and adjusts the combiner's transmissivity accordingly, allowing the same combiner to adapt between transparent and dimmed states based on viewing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of the combiner being changed is its light transmissivity. By applying voltage to the electrochromic layer, the combiner transitions between different transmissivity states, thereby changing its optical properties to suit different environmental lighting conditions and ensure HUD readability.
2Reliability
If additional shading devices are added to reduce light intensity, then HUD readability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shading function is merged with the combiner itself by integrating an electrochromic layer directly into the combiner structure. This eliminates the need for separate shading devices while achieving the same light intensity reduction effect, thereby improving HUD readability without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The combiner serves multiple functions: it acts as both the transparent display surface for HUD information and the adjustable shading element. By making the combiner itself dimmable through the electrochromic layer, the system eliminates the need for additional dedicated shading components.
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 dimmable HUD system enhances operational reliability and user experience by maintaining visibility of flight information across different light conditions, reducing the risk of visual acuity loss and eliminating the need for additional shading, thus enabling pilots to focus on flight tasks without re-focusing their eyes.
Implementation Method 1
A dimmable head-up display includes a display portion configured to provide head-up display information to an operator. Additionally, a dimmable portion is coupled to the display portion configured to change a transmissivity of the display portion from a first transmissivity level to a second transmissivity level.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for providing an electrically dimmable combiner optics for head-up displays are disclosed. In one embodiment, a dimmable head-up display includes a display portion configured to provide head-up display information to an operator. Additionally, a dimmable portion is coupled to the display portion configured to change a transmissivity of the display portion from a first transmissivity level to a second transmissivity level.