Head-Up Display Optical Member for Uniform Light and Distortion Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up displays face challenges in improving the visibility of virtual images due to uneven light distribution and distortion caused by reflections from concave mirrors or windshields.
Innovation Solution
An image generation apparatus with a single curved optical member, such as a Fresnel lens, and a liquid crystal unit that adjusts light source positions to correct for distortion, enhancing image clarity and reducing unevenness in light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple aspherical convex lenses are arranged and partially coupled, then the optical system can be constructed, but light distribution becomes uneven and visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple aspherical convex lenses into a single integrated optical member with a continuous curved surface. This eliminates the connecting portions between separate lenses that caused light distribution unevenness, while maintaining the optical functions of multiple lenses through the unified curved surface design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a single curved surface (aspherical or Fresnel) that maintains continuous curvature without discontinuities. This curved surface design provides the optical benefits of multiple lenses while ensuring uniform light distribution by eliminating the connecting portions between separate lens elements.
2Device complexity
If conventional optical members are used, then the system structure is simple, but distortion from concave mirror or windshield reflection reduces image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary distortion correction by designing the emitting surface image with pre-compensated geometry. The liquid crystal unit generates an emitting surface image that accounts for and corrects the distortion that will occur during concave mirror or windshield reflection, ensuring the final virtual image is undistorted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameters of light sources relative to the liquid crystal unit to optimize image quality. By adjusting light source positions, the system compensates for distortion effects and optimizes the emitting surface image characteristics for the specific optical path involving concave mirrors or windshields.
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 improves the visibility of virtual images by minimizing distortion and uneven light distribution, resulting in a clearer and more accurate display for occupants in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an optical member configured to transmit light emitted from the plurality of light sources
Implementation Method 2
a liquid crystal unit configured to generate a predetermined image by the light emitted from the optical member
Implementation Method 3
the optical member is a single Fresnel lens
Data Source
AI summary
An image generation apparatus for generating an image of a head-up display includes a plurality of light sources, an optical member configured to transmit light emitted from the plurality of light sources, and a liquid crystal unit configured to generate a predetermined image by the light emitted from the optical member. The optical member includes an incident surface configured to receive the light emitted from the plurality of light sources, and an emitting surface configured to emit the light received by the incident surface to the liquid crystal unit. The emitting surface is formed by a single curved surface.