Metasurface Head-Up Display Modulating Light Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Head-Up Display (HUD) systems face challenges with complex and costly processing of free-form surfaces, leading to bulky and difficult-to-assemble designs due to their reflective optical paths.
Innovation Solution
The use of metasurfaces, which include reflective or transmissive unit cells that modulate incident imaging light to adjust its propagation direction, forming an enlarged virtual image and integrating higher-order curved surfaces, reducing the need for traditional optical components and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional reflective optical paths with free-form surfaces are used in HUD systems, then imaging function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical optical components (lenses, mirrors with free-form surfaces) with a metasurface that uses sub-wavelength nanostructures to achieve the same imaging function through electromagnetic field modulation, thereby simplifying the optical path and reducing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of optical surface description from macroscopic free-form geometry to sub-wavelength nanostructure patterns, allowing complex optical functions to be achieved through controlled variations in nanostructure geometry rather than complex surface machining
2Manufacturing precision
If free-form surface processing is applied to reflective optical paths, then optical performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and processing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical free-form surface processing with a planar metasurface structure where optical functions are achieved through sub-wavelength nanostructure patterns that can be fabricated using standard semiconductor lithography processes, significantly easing manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the optical function into discrete sub-wavelength nanostructure units arranged in specific patterns, allowing complex optical performance to be achieved through modular fabrication rather than monolithic free-form machining
3Reliability
If traditional optical components are used in HUD systems, then imaging function is achieved, but device size and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (beam expansion, focusing, imaging) into a single metasurface component rather than requiring separate optical elements, thereby reducing device volume and assembly complexity while maintaining imaging function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential optical function from complex multi-component systems and concentrates it into a single planar metasurface, eliminating unnecessary intermediate components and reducing overall device size
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 configuration results in a compact, cost-effective, and easily producible HUD system with improved imaging performance and reduced complexity, enabling high productivity and simplified processing.
Implementation Method 1
the reflective unit cells are configured to modulate at least part of incident imaging light hitting the reflective unit cells, so as to adjust a propagation direction of outgoing imaging light leaving the reflective unit cells
Implementation Method 2
the metasurface includes a reflective metasurface; and the reflective metasurface includes a plurality of reflective unit cells
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image generator, a head-up display and a vehicle. The image generator includes an image source and a metasurface. The metasurface is provided at a light-outgoing side of the image source. The image source is configured to emit imaging light, and the imaging light is capable of propagating towards the metasurface. The metasurface is configured to modulate incident imaging light hitting the metasurface, so as to adjust a propagation direction of outgoing imaging light leaving the metasurface and direct the outgoing imaging light leaving the metasurface towards a light-outgoing area of the image generator.