Laser Windshield Display Fault Detection and Auto Shut-Down
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser-generated windshield displays lack a reliable method to detect potentially hazardous fault conditions and automatically shut down the laser to prevent safety hazards to vehicle occupants and nearby pedestrians.
Innovation Solution
A method where a microprocessor-based controller deflects the laser beam onto a reflective target before the display surface, using a UV sensor to detect feedback signals, and automatically turns off the laser if no signal is received, with a delayed retry to resume normal operation once the fault is resolved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a laser beam is used to create visible patterns on the windshield, then the display functionality is achieved, but safety hazards may occur due to undetected fault conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary safety check by deflecting the laser beam onto a reflective target and detecting the feedback signal before enabling normal display operation. This advance verification ensures the laser is functioning correctly and safely before it is directed at the windshield, preventing potential safety hazards from undetected faults.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects the reflected laser beam from a target. The controller monitors this feedback signal to verify proper laser operation and beam direction. If the feedback signal is absent or abnormal, the controller shuts down the laser, thereby preventing safety hazards while maintaining display functionality when operating conditions are safe.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the laser is continuously monitored for safety, then safety hazards are minimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective target serves multiple functions: it acts as a safety verification element for the laser beam path, a calibration reference for beam positioning, and a means to test sensor functionality. By making this single component multi-functional, the system achieves comprehensive safety monitoring without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective target and sensor act as an intermediary safety verification system between the laser and the windshield. Rather than directly monitoring complex parameters of laser-windshield interaction, the system uses this simpler intermediary feedback mechanism to infer laser safety, thereby minimizing safety hazards without excessive complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the laser shuts down automatically upon fault detection, then safety is ensured, but display operation is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary safety verification by checking for the feedback signal before allowing normal display operation to commence. By preventing operation before a fault can occur rather than shutting down after detection, the system maintains both safety and continuous display productivity without unnecessary interruptions.
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
Effectively minimizes safety risks by immediately shutting down the laser in case of fault conditions, ensuring the display resumes automatically once the issue is cured without requiring identification of the precise cause.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor disposed in a reflection path of the reflective target is sampled to detect the presence of a feedback signal that occurs when the laser beam impinges on the sensor
Implementation Method 2
The laser operates in the non-visible ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, and the visible patterns are produced by a windshield coating that emits visible light when excited by the UV laser energy
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The laser (20) of a laser-generated windshield display (10) is controlled (22, 46) to initially deflect the laser beam in the direction of a reflective target (26) disposed outside a display region (24) of the windshield (12), and a sensor (28) disposed in a reflection path of the target (26) is sampled (22, 48) to detect the presence of a feedback signal that occurs when the laser beam impinges on the sensor (28). If the feedback signal is detected, the laser beam is deflected onto the display region (24) to generate a driver display (22, 48-52); but if the feedback signal is not detected, the laser (20) is automatically turned-off (22, 48, 58). Once the laser (22) is turned off for lack of a feedback signal, the control is repeated following a specified delay interval (22, 60, 62) so that the driver display will automatically resume the when the condition that prevented generation of the feedback signal is cured.