Head-Up Display Shear Deformation for Windshield Image Clarity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heads-up displays (HUDs) for vehicles suffer from visibility issues due to deformation of virtual images caused by the asymmetric and oblique shape of the front windshield, which complicates the optical system and reduces image clarity.

Innovation Solution

An image display apparatus is designed with an optical system that forms an intermediate image and guides light to a transmission and reflection member, where the virtual axis connecting the image center and the mirror's effective reflection area is oblique in all directions, minimizing deformation and improving visibility with a simple configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the optical system uses a conventional alignment with the front windshield, then the image can be formed, but the virtual image becomes deformed due to the asymmetric and oblique shape of the windshield

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage clarityVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately setting the virtual axis oblique to the normal direction of the transmission and reflection member. This asymmetric alignment compensates for the asymmetric deformation caused by the oblique windshield shape, thereby reducing overall image distortion without requiring complex optical correction elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of the virtual axis relative to the transmission and reflection member. By adjusting the oblique angle of the virtual axis, the system optimizes image clarity while maintaining a simple optical configuration, avoiding the need for additional corrective optical elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the virtual axis is aligned perpendicular to the transmission and reflection member, then the optical system remains simple, but the virtual image experiences significant deformation due to the oblique windshield shape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical system simplicityVSAvoidimage clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a controlled asymmetric alignment where the virtual axis is set oblique to the normal direction of the transmission and reflection member. This asymmetric configuration counteracts the asymmetric deformation from the windshield, achieving improved image clarity while keeping the optical system relatively simple without adding complex corrective elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Manufacturing precision

If the optical system is designed to compensate for windshield deformation, then image clarity improves, but the system configuration becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage clarityVSAvoidoptical system configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves image clarity improvement by changing the orientation parameter of the virtual axis rather than adding complex corrective optical elements. By optimizing the oblique angle of the virtual axis relative to the transmission and reflection member, the system compensates for windshield-induced deformation while maintaining a simple optical configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enhances the visibility of virtual images by attenuating deformation caused by the windshield's shape, achieving reliable and clear image display with a compact and efficient optical system.

Implementation Method 1

an optical system with a mirror configured to guide the light that forms the intermediate image to form a virtual image on a transmission and reflection member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2945001B1Head-up display apparatus with shear deformation introduced in an intermediate image
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP2945001B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2945001B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2945001B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Head-up display apparatus (1000) having an image-forming unit comprising a light source (100), a scanning optical-system (6, 7) and a mirror (9) reflecting light to a curved windshield (10). Shearing deformation is performed on an intermediate image (8), formed in the image-forming unit and to be scanned, in order to prevent from the influence of the shape of the windshield (10).