Vehicle Head-Up Display Using Holographic Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-up displays in motor vehicles require significant installation space and increased construction complexity, limiting their integration in the instrument panel and impairing surrounding components due to their large structural size, especially when attempting to enlarge the display surface for augmented-reality applications.
Innovation Solution
A head-up display system utilizing a holographic light-guide display panel with a non-rectilinear light guide and optical fibers, integrated in a transparent display panel positioned in the driver's field of view, allows for a compact design by positioning the projection unit outside the driver's view, such as in the A pillar or roof, and using a flexible and bendable light guide to connect to the display panel, enabling minimal installation space and reduced visual disturbance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the display surface is significantly enlarged to represent local or contact-analogous augmented-reality contents, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the structural size of the projection device increases and construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional 2D display surface to a 3D volumetric light field display. By using light field technology, the display extends into the third dimension, creating a volumetric representation of objects that provides depth perception and spatial awareness without requiring a proportionally larger physical projection device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light field generator as an intermediary component that creates a volumetric light field between the projection device and the driver's eye. This light field acts as a mediator that carries spatial information and enables contact-analogous representation without requiring the projection device itself to be physically large or complex.
2Area of moving object
If the projection device is enlarged to provide sufficient display surface, then the display surface area is improved, but the installation space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the projection device into the existing instrument panel structure, nesting it within the available space. The light field generator is positioned within the instrument panel's volume, utilizing the existing structural envelope rather than requiring additional external space.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a volumetric light field display, the patent achieves a large effective display surface area without proportionally increasing the physical volume of the projection device. The light field extends in three dimensions, providing extensive display capability within a compact device footprint.
3Volume of stationary object
If the projection device is arranged in the instrument panel, then the installation space is utilized, but the functions of surrounding components are significantly impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directs the light field projection to specific zones within the instrument panel that do not interfere with surrounding components. The light field is localized to particular spatial regions, allowing other instrument panel functions to operate independently without impairment. Different areas of the instrument panel maintain their original functions while the light field provides augmented reality information in designated zones.
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
This solution enables a compact and unobtrusive head-up display system that can cover a larger field of view without impairing surrounding components, allowing for augmented-reality representations while maintaining a minimal installation footprint, thus enhancing the driver's experience with reduced visual distractions.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide can be curved and guide the coupled-in display image to the output coupling end of the light guide. The output coupling end of the light guide is arranged on the input coupling region of the display panel
Implementation Method 2
A head-up display system utilizing a holographic light-guide display panel with a non-rectilinear light guide and optical fibers, integrated in a transparent display panel
Data Source
AI summary
A head-up display system for a motor vehicle includes a projection unit for providing a display image; a transparent holographic light guide display panel with a display surface in order to output a display image coupled into the display panel via a coupling-in region on a display surface, and a light guide which runs in a non-linear manner in order to guide a display image from the projection unit to the coupling-in region of the display panel.