Vehicle HUD Image Generation with Polarized Beam Splitting for 3D Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-up display (HUD) systems in vehicles suffer from suboptimal stereoscopic display effects due to issues such as image resolution loss, distortion, and crosstalk between left-eye and right-eye images, particularly in naked-eye stereoscopic display technologies.

Innovation Solution

An image generation apparatus with a light adjustment apparatus positioned close to the image source module, utilizing components like polarization beam splitters, liquid crystal on silicon, and lens arrays to split and project left-eye and right-eye images in different directions, avoiding diffusion screen-related issues and maintaining high resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a diffusion screen is used for beam splitting in existing HUD systems, then stereoscopic display function is achieved, but image resolution loss, distortion, and crosstalk occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestereoscopic display qualityVSAvoidimage resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the diffusion screen from the optical path, replacing it with a direct beam splitting approach using polarizing beam splitters and light adjustment apparatus. This eliminates the source of image degradation while preserving the stereoscopic display function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a light adjustment apparatus as an intermediary component between the image source module and projection lens. This apparatus includes polarizing beam splitters and optical elements that enable precise beam splitting and directional control without the resolution loss associated with diffusion screens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the light adjustment apparatus is positioned far from the image source module, then optical path alignment is easier, but beam splitting effect deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical path alignmentVSAvoidbeam splitting effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The light adjustment apparatus is positioned close to the image source module to perform beam splitting and directional control at the earliest possible stage in the optical path. This preliminary action ensures optimal beam separation before light propagation, achieving both good beam splitting effect and acceptable alignment through precise component placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If traditional stereoscopic display components are added to improve 3D effect, then naked-eye stereoscopic display is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestereoscopic display effectVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light adjustment apparatus serves multiple functions simultaneously: it performs beam splitting, directional control, and optical path management using integrated polarizing beam splitters and light adjustment elements. This multi-functionality achieves naked-eye stereoscopic display without requiring separate complex components for each function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the beam splitting function and light direction control into a single light adjustment apparatus that is integrated with the image source module. This merging of functions reduces the number of discrete components and simplifies the overall system structure while maintaining stereoscopic display performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances stereoscopic display quality by minimizing image distortion and crosstalk while keeping costs and volume low, with improved beam splitting and optical path compensation.

Implementation Method 1

The polarizing beam splitter is configured to: perform polarization splitting on the illumination light beam to form a first light beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization splitting: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

The liquid crystal on silicon is configured to: form the imaging light, and project the imaging light onto the light adjustment apparatus, where a polarization direction of the imaging light is a second polarization direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal polarization modulation: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 3

The light adjustment apparatus is configured to split the imaging light, and after split, the first imaging sub-light and the second imaging sub-light in the imaging light are projected onto the projection lens in different directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBeam splitting: Refraction

Implementation Method 4

The projection lens is configured to project the first imaging sub-light and the second imaging sub-light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical projection: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP4692901A1Image generation apparatus, display device, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 YINWANG INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES CO LTD
  • EP4692901A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4692901A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4692901A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

This application relates to the field of light display technologies, and provides an image generation apparatus (1), a display device (100), and a transportation means (200), to improve stereoscopic display effect of the image generation apparatus. The image generation apparatus (1) includes an image source module (2), a light adjustment apparatus (3), and a projection lens (4). The image source module (2) is configured to: form, based on image data, imaging light (P1) that includes image information, and project the imaging light (P1) onto the light adjustment apparatus (3). The imaging light (P1) includes first imaging sub-light (P11) and second imaging sub-light (P12), and the first imaging sub-light (P11) and the second imaging sub-light (P12) are respectively used to form a left-eye image and a right-eye image for implementing stereoscopic display. The light adjustment apparatus (3) is configured to split the imaging light (P1), and after split, the first imaging sub-light (P11) and the second imaging sub-light (P12) in the imaging light (P 1) are projected onto the projection lens (4) in different directions. The projection lens (4) is configured to project the first imaging sub-light (P11) and the second imaging sub-light (P12). The image generation apparatus (1) may be used in the display device (100) and the transportation means (200).