Laser Light Source Condensing Unit for Vehicle Head-Up Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-up display systems face limitations in miniaturization and optical power due to LED-based light sources, which suffer from color uniformity issues, thermal degradation, and increased volume, while bulk-optic laser systems struggle with optical alignment in harsh environments and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A laser light source device utilizing an optical fiber bundle with a condensing unit that includes incident and output optical fibers, allowing for efficient laser light condensation and transmission to an image forming unit, with a polygonal output path that easily connects to a polygonal-shaped connecting portion, reducing optical loss and environmental sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LED-based light sources are used to increase brightness, then illumination intensity is improved, but color uniformity deteriorates and volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the light source system into multiple individual LED chips (red, green, blue) arranged in a specific pattern, with each chip independently controllable. This allows precise control of each color component to maintain color uniformity while achieving high brightness through additive color mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different colors to different spatial locations (red LED at one position, green at another, blue at another) and controlling each location's emission independently. This enables precise color mixing and uniformity control across the display area while maintaining high illumination intensity.
2Illumination intensity
If LED-based light sources are used to increase brightness, then illumination intensity is improved, but volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is segmented into multiple small LED chips instead of using a single large LED or array, allowing compact arrangement in a confined space while collectively providing high brightness through the additive effect of multiple color channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple LED chips of different colors (red, green, blue) into a single integrated light source assembly, combining their individual luminous outputs to achieve high overall brightness while maintaining a compact form factor that would be impossible with a single LED type.
3Power
If bulk-optic laser diodes are used to obtain high optical power, then power is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high-power laser source is segmented into multiple lower-power laser diodes arranged in an array, with each diode operating at a manageable power level. This segmentation reduces the cost and complexity of manufacturing individual high-power diodes while achieving the required total optical power through the combined output of multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple copies of identical or similar laser diode units rather than a single unique high-power diode. This copying approach standardizes the manufacturing process, reduces per-unit costs through economies of scale, and simplifies replacement and maintenance while maintaining high overall optical power output.
4Power
If bulk-optic laser system is used to achieve high optical power, then power is improved, but device complexity increases due to optical alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical optical alignment systems with a simplified integrated design where laser diodes are mounted in a fixed geometric arrangement with predetermined optical paths. This eliminates the need for delicate mechanical alignment adjustments while maintaining high optical power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the light source, optical path, and condensing optics into a more integrated assembly, reducing the number of separate components that require alignment. The laser diodes are positioned and oriented during manufacturing to work together as a unified system, eliminating subsequent alignment procedures.
5Loss of energy
If optical fiber bundle with condensing unit is used to transmit laser light, then optical loss is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical fiber bundle as an intermediary medium between the laser source and the condensing unit, enabling efficient light transmission with minimal loss. The fiber bundle acts as a flexible conduit that maintains optical integrity while allowing spatial separation and reconfiguration of system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber bundle serves multiple functions: it transmits laser light efficiently, provides flexible routing, enables spatial separation of components, and maintains optical alignment. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural complexity by delivering tangible performance benefits in a single integrated element.
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 stable and efficient transmission of laser light in harsh environments, reduces optical loss, and minimizes system volume, while maintaining uniform optical intensity distribution and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber bundle which includes a plurality of incident optical fibers, a first end of which is connected to the light sources, so as to receive the laser light
Implementation Method 2
an exit-side input optical fiber which is connected to the optical fiber bundle so as to receive the laser light passed through the incident optical fibers, and is internally provided with a condensing path to condense the laser light received therein
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a laser light source device for a head-up display and a head-up display system using the same, the laser light source device for the head-up display including a plurality of light sources which emit laser light and a condensing unit which condenses the laser light emitted from the light sources, is connected to an image forming unit that generates an image for displaying information on a vehicle operation using the laser light, and provides the condensed laser light to the image forming unit.The laser light source device for the head-up display according to the present disclosure and the head-up display system using the same have advantages that optical alignment is not easily destroyed even under harsh operating environment such as a vehicle where considerable vibration and temperature change are introduced, because the whole part of the condensing unit is optically connected by the optical fibers with a high stability on the contrary to a conventional bulk-optic based system.