Head-Up Display Optics With Intermediate Image for Low Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-up displays are large and prone to distortion and stray light interference, necessitating a reduction in size while maintaining image quality and minimizing external light reflection.
Innovation Solution
A head-up display configuration featuring a projection optical system with a first optical element to condense light, a first lens to further condense light, and a second optical element to diffuse light, arranged in sequence to form an intermediate image that is projected onto a windshield, allowing for a compact design and reduced distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional head-up display configurations are used, then the display can project images on the windshield, but the device becomes large and prone to distortion and stray light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The projection optical system is divided into multiple discrete optical elements (first optical element, first lens, second optical element) arranged in sequence. This segmentation allows each element to perform a specific function (condensing, focusing, diffusing light) independently, enabling compact arrangement while controlling stray light and distortion effectively
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate image is formed between the display device and the windshield projection. This intermediate image acts as a mediator that allows the optical system to be compact while maintaining image quality. The intermediate image plane enables the use of smaller optical elements arranged in a folded optical path
2Volume of moving object
If the head-up display size is reduced, then compactness is improved, but maintaining image quality and minimizing external light reflection becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different optical elements are positioned at specific locations along the optical path with tailored optical properties. The first optical element condenses light at a specific location, the first lens focuses at another location to form the intermediate image, and the second optical element diffuses light before projection. This localized optimization maintains image quality and controls stray light in a compact configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path is folded using reflective elements to arrange the optical components in a three-dimensional configuration rather than a linear arrangement. This allows the optical elements to be compactly positioned while maintaining the required optical path length and separation between components, preserving image quality in a reduced volume
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 reduces the size of the head-up display while minimizing stray light and maintaining a clear, undistorted virtual image for the observer, enhancing the display's compactness and optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical element configured to condense light
Implementation Method 2
a first lens configured to condense light
Implementation Method 3
a second optical element configured to diffuse light
Implementation Method 4
The projection optical system is configured to form the image as an intermediate image
Implementation Method 5
project an image on a transparent reflection member to cause an observer to visually recognize a virtual image
Data Source
AI summary
A head-up display is configured to project an image on a transparent reflection member to cause an observer to visually recognize a virtual image, and includes a display device configured to display the image, and a projection optical system configured to project the image displayed by the display device as the virtual image for the observer. The projection optical system is configured to form the image as an intermediate image, and includes a first optical element configured to condense light, a first lens configured to condense light, and a second optical element configured to diffuse light. The first optical element, the first lens, and the second optical element are disposed in this order along an optical path from the display device.