Fibre Optic Face Plate Layout for Compact Vibration-Robust HUDs

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-up displays (HUDs) face constraints due to the size and weight of optical components, which require significant space and are sensitive to vibrations, and adjusting multiple light paths for different sources is challenging, leading to difficulties in achieving a unified image plane.

Innovation Solution

The use of a rigid fibre optic face plate to transfer images from an image generator to a surface element, allowing for flexible adaptation to constrained geometries and reducing sensitivity to vibrations, while maintaining image focus without extensive optical systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional optical components (lenses, mirrors) are used to transfer images in HUDs, then image quality can be maintained, but the size and weight of the display arrangement increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidweight of display arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical optical components (lenses, mirrors) with a fibre optic face plate that uses light-guiding fibres to transfer images. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky optical elements while maintaining image transfer capability, directly resolving the contradiction between image quality and weight/size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fibre optic face plate acts as an intermediary medium between the image source and the display surface. Instead of using free-space optical paths requiring large lenses, the fibres serve as a compact intermediary that guides light from the image plane to the display plane, reducing overall system size and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If conventional optical components are used, then images can be transferred, but the arrangement requires considerable space for optical paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage transfer capabilityVSAvoidspace for optical paths
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces free-space optical paths with fibre optic waveguides. The fibres confine and guide light through their internal structure, eliminating the need for large clearance spaces around optical components. This directly reduces the area required for optical path accommodation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fibre optic face plate uses thin fibre bundles to create compact optical paths. The fibres can be arranged in dense configurations within a thin face plate structure, enabling image transfer in a compact form factor that minimizes the space required for optical paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources are used, then different image information can be displayed, but adjusting all paths to the same image plane becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple image sourcesVSAvoidadjustment of optical paths
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fibre optic face plate is segmented into multiple independent fibre bundles, each corresponding to a specific light source or image channel. Each bundle can be independently optimized and positioned, making it easy to accommodate multiple light sources without complex adjustments to shared optical paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fibre optic face plate provides a universal platform that can accommodate multiple light sources and image channels simultaneously. The modular fibre bundle structure allows different sources to be coupled to specific fibre regions, enabling versatile multi-channel operation without increasing adjustment complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If free-space optical paths are used between lenses, then optical transmission can be achieved, but the arrangement becomes sensitive to vibrations and forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical transmissionVSAvoidsensitivity to vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces free-space optical paths with solid fibre optic waveguides. The fibres physically constrain and guide light through their cladding structure, making the optical transmission immune to vibrations and forces that would affect free-space paths. This directly improves reliability under vibrational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fibre optic face plate provides inherent mechanical protection for the optical paths. The fibres are embedded within a rigid face plate structure that cushions and protects them from vibrations and forces before they can affect optical transmission, ensuring stable image transfer under adverse conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 fibre optic face plate enables efficient image transfer with improved robustness and flexibility, allowing multiple image sources to be combined or divided into separate planes without geometric distortion, enhancing the practicality and performance of HUDs.

Implementation Method 1

a fibre optic face plate comprising a first side having a first surface and a second side having a second surface, said fibre optic face plate being arranged to transmit light incident on the first surface to the second surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3309600B1A head-up or head-mounted display arrangement and a method for presenting at least one image via at least one surface element of a head-up or head-mounted display arrangement
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SAAB AB
  • EP3309600B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3309600B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3309600B1 patent drawingFigure 6a~7

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a head up or head mounted display arrangement and a method for presenting at least one image via at least one surface element of a head up or head mounted display arrangement. The arrangement comprises at least one image generating element (301, 302) arranged to generate an image in a first image plane (346', 346"), at least one surface element, and a fibre optic face plate (340).The face plate is arranged in relation to the at least one image generating element such that the first surface lies at a first image plane. A second image plane lies at the second surface and the at least one surface element is arranged in the beam path from the second surface. The first image plane comprises a plurality of first part image planes each associated with an individual first part surface of the fibre optic face plate and/or the second image plane comprises a plurality of second part image planes each associated with an individual second part surface of the fibre optic face plate.