Helmet Display Assembly with Switchable Microlens Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-up displays in helmets face performance limitations due to the trade-off between providing a wide field of view and increasing weight, and existing solutions for transparent displays in helmets do not effectively manage pupil tracking and light blocking for immersive visual environments.
Innovation Solution
A display assembly comprising a transparent organic light emitting diodes (OLED) display, a switchable microlens array, and an eye tracker, where the microlens array is separated from the OLED by the visor thickness, allowing for time-multiplexed operation between an off mode for viewing external images and an on mode for displaying images, with the microlens array switching between optically flat and active modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the field of view is increased to provide a more immersive visual environment, then the projection system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into multiple functional layers: a transparent OLED display layer for visual output, a microlens array layer for optical control, and a pupil tracking system layer for positioning. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring a heavy projection system, achieving wide field of view with minimal weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical projection systems with an optically-based transparent OLED display combined with a microlens array. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy projection hardware while achieving immersive visual environments through optical means, directly resolving the weight-field of view trade-off.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transparent displays are used in helmets to provide external visibility, then pupil tracking and light blocking capabilities are insufficient for immersive environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated display assembly: the transparent OLED display provides visual output, the microlens array provides optical control and light blocking, and the pupil tracking system provides positioning. This combination creates a versatile system that handles both transparent display and immersive environment requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The display assembly is designed as a universal system that can operate in multiple modes: transparent mode for external visibility, immersive mode for virtual reality, and augmented reality mode combining both. The same hardware components serve all these functions, enhancing adaptability while maintaining ease of operation through a unified system.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple pixels are provided for each microlens to improve display quality, then the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes in the microlens array, specifically making the focal length electrically controllable. This allows the system to optimize the optical parameters dynamically to match the display quality provided by multiple pixels per microlens, achieving high display quality without proportionally increasing device complexity through software-based optimization.
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 a wide field of view with minimal weight increase, providing an augmented reality experience by ensuring that display images are perceived at infinity, while allowing external views to be seen without obstruction, and can be adapted for both avionic and non-avionic helmets.
Implementation Method 1
The transparent display device (30) is an organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) type display
Implementation Method 2
a switchable microlens array (34)... by virtue of switching the switchable microlens array (34) to an optically active light directing mode
Implementation Method 3
a light blocking device (32) that is switchable between a substantially light blocking state and a substantially light passing state
Data Source
AI summary
A display assembly, comprising: a display device (30); a microlens array (34); and an eye tracker (8), for example a pupil tracker (8), and/or a head tracker; wherein plural pixels (150) or sub-pixels of the display device (30) are provided for each microlens (160) of the microlens array (34). The display may be adapted such that only certain pixels/sub-pixels (150) are activated/selected for any particular determined pupil/eye/head position, for example such that for each microlens (160), only one respective pixel/sub-pixel (150) is activated/selected for any particular determined pupil/eye/head position. The display device (30) may be a transparent display device (30), the microlens array (34) may be a switchable microlens array (34), and the display assembly may further comprise a light blocking device (32) that is switchable between a substantially light blocking state and a substantially light passing state.