HUD Corrective Optics for Windshield Curvature and Disparity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up displays face challenges in creating dual- or multi-plane displays due to the complex curvature of vehicle windshields, which cause image distortions and require large mirrors or additional components, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A corrective device is used to compensate for the curvature of the optical combiner by introducing a purposefully uneven disparity offset, allowing for the creation of a dual- or multi-plane display without additional components, using a bulk optic with non-uniform power and diffractive elements to manipulate image depth cues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a curved optical combiner (windshield) is used in a head-up display, then the display can be integrated into the vehicle windshield structure, but complex curvature introduces image distortions and requires additional corrective components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the curvature compensation function and disparity control function into a single integrated corrective device. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate corrective components while maintaining image quality and dual-plane display capabilities, directly resolving the technical contradiction between windshield integration and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrective device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: compensating for windshield curvature distortions and controlling disparity offsets for depth perception. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both integration requirements and image quality requirements without adding complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If large mirrors or additional components are used to compensate for windshield curvature, then image distortions are corrected, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges curvature compensation and disparity control into one integrated corrective device, eliminating the need for multiple separate components. This single device provides both functions with high precision, reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision for image distortion correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrective device uses variable optical power across its surface (non-uniform power distribution) to simultaneously correct curvature distortions and control disparity. By changing optical parameters spatially rather than using multiple components, the patent achieves precise image correction with reduced component count.
3Manufacturing precision
If a corrective device with non-uniform power is used to compensate for curvature, then image quality is improved, but the device design and manufacturing become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The corrective device employs continuous variation of optical power parameters across its surface to compensate for windshield curvature. This parameter change approach enables precise image quality control while using standard manufacturing techniques for aspheric or freeform optical surfaces, balancing manufacturing feasibility with image quality requirements.
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 effectively creates a dual- or multi-plane display experience with reduced complexity and cost, providing a comfortable viewing experience by altering depth perception through controlled disparity offsets, enhancing image quality and reducing distortions.
Implementation Method 1
a corrective device located in the optical path of the replicated image downstream from the replicator. The corrective device is arranged to compensate for a complex curvature of an optical combiner
Implementation Method 2
using a bulk optic with non-uniform power and diffractive elements to manipulate image depth cues
Data Source
AI summary
A head-up display for a vehicle includes a picture generating unit arranged to project an image onto a screen and a replicator arranged to receive the image and replicate the image. The head-up display also includes a corrective device located in the optical path of the replicated image downstream from the replicator, arranged to compensate for a complex curvature of an optical combiner downstream from the corrective device and to form a virtual image of the image that is visible from a plurality of viewing positions of a viewing window. The corrective device is arranged to introduce a first disparity offset to at least some of the plurality of virtual image points. The first disparity offset of each virtual image point is substantially constant for the plurality of viewing positions of the viewing window and is a function of the position of the virtual image point in the virtual image.