Floating Image Display with Closed Curved Reflectors for Wider Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating image displays face limitations in image size and floating height, with images being cropped when the floating height exceeds a certain limit, and curved reflectors with optical axis openings restrict viewing angles, making them less applicable.
Innovation Solution
A floating image display device utilizing transflective optical elements with curved reflective surfaces that converge rays without optical axis openings, allowing for larger floating distances and improved viewing angles, including central and large viewing angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If curved reflectors with optical axis openings are used to reflect image beams multiple times, then floating image can be formed outside the device, but the user cannot see the floating image when eyes are located on or near the optical axis, limiting viewing angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the optical axis opening from the curved reflector structure. By extracting the harmful opening that blocked central viewing angles, the reflector can now properly reflect light rays along the optical axis, enabling users to view the floating image from central positions while maintaining large viewing angles.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a reflector with an opening at the center (conventional approach), the patent inverts the design by using a closed curved reflector without openings. This inversion allows the reflector to function properly for central viewing while still achieving the desired large viewing angle through its curved geometry.
2Length of moving object
If floating height exceeds the limit in general floating image displays, then non-contact operation distance increases, but the image will be cropped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a curved reflector geometry that operates in three-dimensional space to redirect light rays. By utilizing the curved surface's spatial configuration, the system can achieve extended floating heights while maintaining complete image formation through multiple ray reflections that preserve image integrity across different height positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a curved reflector with specific curvature to reflect image beams multiple times. The curved geometry allows light rays to converge and form complete floating images at greater heights without cropping, as the curvature enables proper ray redirection while maintaining image completeness.
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 uncropped floating images at various viewing angles, enhancing applicability to public carriers like virtual buttons and advertising, while reducing device volume and maintaining image integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are configured to re-converge rays from the first image to form a second image, where the second image is a floating image
Implementation Method 2
The second reflective surface is a transflective surface
Data Source
AI summary
A floating image display device, configured to generate a floating image, is provided. The floating image display device includes an image module and at least one transflective optical element. The image module is configured to provide a first image. The transflective optical element includes a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface. The first image is located between the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface. Each of the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface includes a curved surface and has no opening on an optical axis thereof. The second reflective surface is a transflective surface. The first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are configured to re-converge rays from the first image to form a second image. The second image is a floating image.