μ-LED Display with Separate Collimation Optics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current micro-LED displays face challenges in achieving high resolution and minimizing the fly screen effect due to the small size of light-generating components, which affects their directionality and collimation, especially in augmented reality and automotive applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of a projection unit with a matrix of micro-LEDs emitting different colors, each with separate collimation optics to generate overlapping intermediate images, and a light guiding arrangement that adapts to the eye's resolution capabilities by projecting images with varying resolutions onto different retinal regions, utilizing curved emission surfaces and optical elements like holographic or refractive optics to enhance light directionality and collimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the size of light-generating components is reduced to achieve high resolution, then the resolution is improved, but the directionality and collimation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces separate collimation optics for each micro-LED emission region as an intermediary component. These optics act as mediators between the small light-generating components and the final image projection, enabling proper collimation and directionality control that would otherwise be difficult to achieve with miniaturized LEDs alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the display into multiple independently controllable emission regions with separate collimation optics for each region. This segmentation allows each micro-LED group to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system performance, addressing the directionality issue at the regional level rather than requiring complete system redesign.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pixel density is increased to reduce the fly screen effect, then the fly screen effect is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates overlapping intermediate images through separate collimation optics for each emission region. This copying approach allows the system to achieve high effective resolution and reduce the fly screen effect without requiring proportionally higher physical pixel density, as multiple optical copies of the micro-LED emission patterns work together to form the final image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional pixel array problem to a three-dimensional optical path solution by introducing intermediate image planes and multiple collimation stages. This dimensional approach allows resolution enhancement through optical path manipulation rather than simply increasing pixel count, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If separate collimation optics are added to each emission region, then the light directionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separate collimation optics for each emission region serve multiple functions simultaneously: they collimate light to improve directionality, create overlapping intermediate images to enhance resolution, and enable independent control of different display regions. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple performance benefits from a single structural addition.
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 approach improves the resolution and reduces the fly screen effect by ensuring high directional radiation and efficient light coupling, allowing for compact, high-resolution displays with reduced pixel density requirements, suitable for augmented reality and automotive applications.
Implementation Method 1
Each emission region comprises a plurality of μ-LEDs... each with separate collimation optics assigned to the emission region
Implementation Method 2
separate collimation optics assigned to the emission region... ensuring high directional radiation and efficient light coupling
Implementation Method 3
utilizing curved emission surfaces and optical elements like holographic or refractive optics to enhance light directionality and collimation
Implementation Method 4
optical elements like holographic or refractive optics to enhance light directionality and collimation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to various aspects of a μ-LED or a μ-LED array for augmented reality or lighting applications, in particular in the automotive field. The μ-LED is characterized by particularly small dimensions in the range of a few μm.