Vehicle Head-Up Display Using Polarized Light for Dual Virtual Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up displays for vehicles are complex, with increased power consumption and size due to the use of multiple mirrors and image sources, leading to difficulties in forming two virtual images with precise distance settings and high light loss.
Innovation Solution
A compact head-up display design utilizing an imaging device that emits linearly polarized light in two directions, a polarizing reflection mirror, and two reflection mirrors to form two virtual images with different lengths, minimizing the number of components and optimizing light transmission and reflection for reduced power consumption and simplified structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two image sources and multiple mirrors are used to form two virtual images, then the virtual images can be displayed, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two image sources into one by using a single imaging device that emits linearly polarized light in two perpendicular directions. This single device replaces what would traditionally require two separate image sources, thereby reducing component count while maintaining the capability to form two distinct virtual images at different distances
Solution Approach 2:
The single imaging device performs multiple functions by emitting light in two different polarization directions. This multi-functional approach allows one device to replace two separate image sources, reducing overall system complexity while achieving the same virtual image formation capability
2Reliability
If a half mirror is used to form two light paths, then two virtual images can be formed, but light loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polarizing beam splitter as an intermediary component that separates the two orthogonally polarized light beams from the single imaging device. This mediator directs each polarization direction through different optical paths with full mirrors, avoiding the light loss associated with half mirrors while still achieving two distinct virtual images
3Reliability
If multiple flat mirrors are used to create distance difference between virtual images, then two virtual images with different distances can be formed, but the structure becomes complicated and precise distance setting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the virtual image distances by adjusting the physical positions of the full mirrors rather than relying on complex arrangements of multiple flat mirrors. By changing the position parameter of the mirrors, precise control over the distance of each virtual image from the windshield is achieved, simplifying the overall structure
4Reliability
If sequentially reflecting light paths are used with mirrors at different angles, then two virtual images can be formed, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple sequential mirrors into a more efficient configuration using a polarizing beam splitter combined with two full mirrors. This consolidation reduces the total number of optical components needed to achieve the same dual virtual image formation, as the polarizing beam splitter efficiently divides the light paths without requiring additional mirrors for each reflection sequence
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 enables the formation of two virtual images with distinct distances from the windshield, improving driver convenience while reducing the complexity and size of the display, minimizing light loss, and lowering power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging device that emits first linearly polarized light in a first direction and second linearly polarized light in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction
Implementation Method 2
a polarizing reflection mirror through which the first linearly polarized light is transmitted and from which the second linearly polarized light is reflected
Implementation Method 3
a second reflection mirror spaced apart from the polarizing reflection mirror and at which the first linearly polarized light transmitted through the polarizing reflection mirror is reflected to the polarizing reflection mirror
Data Source
AI summary
A head up display for a vehicle including an imaging device configured to emit first linearly polarized light in a first direction and second linearly polarized light in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a polarizing reflection mirror through which the first linearly polarized light is transmitted and from which the second linearly polarized light is reflected; a second reflection mirror spaced apart from the polarizing reflection mirror and at which the first linearly polarized light transmitted through the polarizing reflection mirror is reflected to the polarizing reflection mirror; and a first reflection mirror spaced from the polarizing reflection mirror and configured to reflect the second linearly polarized light reflected from the polarizing reflection mirror to a windshield of the vehicle to produce a first image having a first length from the windshield, and to reflect the first linearly polarized light reflected from the second reflection mirror and transmitted through the polarizing reflection mirror to the windshield of the vehicle to produce a second image having a second length from the windshield different than the first length.