Head-Up Display Optical Masking for Rectangular Image Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up display systems suffer from optical distortions due to the diffusion of light from the housing elements, causing peripheral edges of the display and folding mirror to appear distorted and disrupt the driver's vision.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of mechanical masking elements with predetermined shapes along the peripheral edges of the display surface and folding mirror to minimize optical distortions, along with an optical design method to determine the positioning and orientation of these elements to compensate for residual distortions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the image generation unit is sized to emit sufficient light intensity for daytime visibility, then the projected images become easily visible under strong sunlight, but the inner part of the housing is filled with intense light that diffuses and creates distorted peripheral edge images disrupting driver vision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful diffused light from the optical path by introducing masking elements that block the peripheral edges of the display surface and folding mirror from reflecting light into the housing interior. This prevents the diffused light from creating distorted peripheral edge images while maintaining the central light path for clear image projection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces masking elements as intermediary components between the display surface/folding mirror and the housing interior. These masks act as mediators that selectively block harmful light paths while allowing beneficial light to pass through, thereby reducing optical distortion without compromising image visibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical masking elements are added to reduce light diffusion and peripheral edge distortions, then the projected image clarity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes only the necessary peripheral portions of the display surface and folding mirror using masking elements, rather than redesigning the entire optical system. This selective extraction approach reduces optical distortion at the periphery while maintaining the central imaging function, thereby improving clarity without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The masking elements are positioned and shaped to provide local control over light paths specifically at the peripheral edges where distortion occurs. The masks have predetermined shapes that correspond to the expected distorted regions, allowing targeted correction without affecting the overall device architecture or adding unnecessary complexity throughout the system.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the masking edges are shaped to compensate for optical aberrations, then the peripheral edge images appear less distorted, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary shaping of the masking edges to pre-compensate for known optical aberrations before light reflection occurs. By designing the masks with predetermined shapes that counteract expected distortions from the folding mirror and blade, the system reduces optical distortion proactively rather than requiring complex real-time correction mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The masking elements feature asymmetric shapes tailored to the specific optical geometry of the system, with edges shaped to match the expected distorted patterns from the folding mirror and blade. This asymmetric design allows precise compensation for optical aberrations in the peripheral regions while maintaining simplicity in the overall mask structure.
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 apparent distortions in the projected image, ensuring clear and undistorted visibility of the projected scene for the driver under various illumination conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the folding mirror is arranged to reflect, towards a partially reflective blade of the head-up display device, a beam of light emitted from a substantially flat display surface
Implementation Method 2
a partially reflective blade adapted to form an image from said projected light beam
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention concerns an image projection system (1) for a head-up display device (2) comprising an image generation unit (3) emitting a light beam (5) from a display surface (4), a folding mirror (6) arranged so as to reflect the emitted beam, and a housing (7) that accommodates the unit and the mirror and has, on an output face (8), an output window (9) allowing the beam to exit towards a partially reflective plate (10) of the head-up display device. According to the invention, the housing comprises a first element (11) that partially conceals the unit and has a first opening (12) having a first concealing edge (13) running along a peripheral edge (14) of the display surface or a second mechanical concealing element (15) that partially conceals the mirror and has a second opening (16) having a second concealing edge (17) running along a peripheral edge (18) of the mirror; and the first edge or the second edge has a predetermined shape, such that the image of same by the device is substantially rectangular in shape.