HUD Light Source Segmentation for Energy and Halo Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up displays for motor vehicles suffer from high electrical energy consumption and a 'halo effect' due to incomplete light blocking, which affects driver visibility and safety.
Innovation Solution
An image generation device that selectively illuminates only the parts of the light modulator needed to display information, using an optical assembly to condition light emission and a computer to control the light source, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and light halo.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the backlight device continuously illuminates the entire light modulator, then the image generation is complete and uniform, but the electrical energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The light modulator is divided into multiple independently controllable zones corresponding to different regions of the image to be displayed. The control unit selectively activates only those zones required for displaying specific information, rather than illuminating the entire modulator uniformly. This segmentation enables localized light control, significantly reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining complete image display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light modulator are treated differently based on display requirements. Zones requiring information display are illuminated with appropriate intensity, while non-essential zones remain dark or are illuminated at minimal levels. This local quality approach ensures that energy is allocated only where needed, resolving the contradiction between energy savings and display completeness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the backlight device continuously illuminates the light modulator, then the image is always visible, but a halo effect appears on the combiner due to incomplete light blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the source of the harmful halo effect by selectively turning off light emission from zones not required for display. By removing unnecessary light emission, the incomplete blocking that causes halos is eliminated at its source, while energy consumption is simultaneously reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of continuous illumination (which causes halos) into a benefit by using selective zone activation. The same light modulator structure that could produce halos is instead used to precisely control where light is emitted, transforming the problem into a solution where the light control mechanism itself prevents halo formation while saving energy.
3Quantity of substance
If all luminous elements are activated, then the entire light modulator area is illuminated for complete information display, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the quantity of light emitted based on real-time display requirements. Rather than maintaining constant illumination across all zones, the control unit continuously determines which zones need activation and adjusts light emission accordingly. This dynamic control ensures that the amount of light emitted matches exactly what is needed for displaying the required information, eliminating waste.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying full illumination across the entire light modulator (excessive action), the system applies partial illumination only to the specific zones required for display. This partial action approach provides exactly enough light for the information being displayed without the excess that would increase energy consumption unnecessarily.
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
Significantly reduces electrical energy consumption and minimizes the visible light halo on the combiner, enhancing driver safety and visibility by optimizing light usage.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (14) comprising a plurality of separate luminous elements (14A), each luminous element being designed to emit light in a predetermined mean direction
Implementation Method 2
an optical assembly (16) is provided which is interposed between the light source (14) and the light modulator (15) and which conditions the light emitted by each luminous element (14A) towards a corresponding zone of the light modulator (15)
Implementation Method 3
a light modulator (15) adapted to spatially modulate the light emitted by the light source (14)
Implementation Method 4
a computer (13) adapted to drive the light source (14) and the light modulator (15) in such a way that they generate an image
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an image-generation device (11) for a head-up display (10), comprising: a light source, a light modulator suitable for spatially modulating the light emitted by the light source, and a computer (13) suitable for controlling the light source and the light modulator such that they generate an image. According to the invention, the light source is composed of a plurality of separate light elements, and the computer is able to modulate the light intensity emitted by each light element independently of the light intensity emitted by the other light elements.