Integrated HUD and Meter Optics for Vibration-Stable Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image projecting devices for vehicles face challenges in achieving space saving and design flexibility while maintaining visibility, as they require separate installations for HUD and meter units, leading to limited design freedom and reduced visibility due to vibrations during travel.
Innovation Solution
An image projecting device that branches light into first and second image lights, with the first light projected via the windshield and the second light displayed directly, allowing for improved design flexibility and vibration compensation to maintain image stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If separate installations for HUD and meter units are used, then visibility is improved, but device complexity and space utilization worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the HUD device and meter unit into a single integrated instrument panel. The HUD projection optical system and meter display are merged into one device, eliminating the need for separate installations while maintaining both augmented reality navigation visibility and traditional meter readability through shared housing and coordinated optical paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated instrument panel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it projects augmented reality navigation images onto the windshield for distant viewing, displays traditional meter information for close viewing, and provides both functions through a single multi-functional device rather than requiring separate specialized units.
2Illumination intensity
If separate installations for HUD and meter units are used, then visibility is improved, but space utilization worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the HUD and meter unit into one integrated instrument panel, significantly reducing the total volume occupied in the vehicle's instrument panel area. By combining housing, optical systems, and display elements into a single device, the overall space requirement is minimized compared to separate installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The meter display is nested within the HUD device housing, with the meter unit positioned to utilize the same structural space. The optical paths and housing structures are nested together, allowing the meter to be accommodated within the volume already required for the HUD projection system.
3Loss of information
If multiple images are projected using multiple image irradiation units, then information presentation is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
A single image irradiation unit performs multiple functions by projecting different types of information through different optical paths. The same light source and modulation system generate both the augmented reality navigation image and the meter display image, eliminating the need for multiple separate image irradiation units while presenting comprehensive information.
Solution Approach 2:
The single image irradiation unit is segmented into different functional regions or zones that generate different image types. The projection system divides the output light into separate optical paths, with one path directing augmented reality images to the windshield and another path directing meter images to the display panel, all from one irradiation unit.
4Loss of information
If multiple image irradiation units are provided, then information presentation is improved, but space utilization worsens
Solution Approach 1:
One image irradiation unit provides multiple information displays by directing light through different optical systems. The same irradiation unit generates both the virtual navigation image and the traditional meter image, eliminating the volume required for multiple separate irradiation units while maintaining comprehensive information presentation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple image irradiation units into a single unified irradiation system. By combining the light sources, modulation elements, and projection optics into one integrated system that serves multiple display purposes, the overall volume occupied in the instrument panel is significantly reduced.
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 enables space-saving design with enhanced visibility by compensating for vehicle vibrations, ensuring effective image display areas and improved driver experience.
Implementation Method 1
a light branching unit configured to branch light for emitting the image into at least first image light and second image light
Implementation Method 2
a first optical unit configured to emit, as the projection image, the first image light in a viewpoint direction, via the display unit
Implementation Method 3
a second optical unit configured to emit the second image light in the viewpoint direction, without passing through the display unit
Data Source
AI summary
An image projecting device for emitting a projection image on a display unit configured to display a virtual image. The image projecting device includes an image irradiation unit configured to emit an image, a light branching unit configured to branch light for emitting the image into at least first image light and second image light, a first optical unit configured to emit, as the projection image, the first image light in a viewpoint direction, via the display unit, and a second optical unit configured to emit the second image light in the viewpoint direction, without passing through the display unit.