Laminated Micro-LED Window Display With Micro-Reflectors for Collimated Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting systems require significant space and weight due to housings and optical systems, and separate projectors are needed for Heads-Up Displays, which complicates assembly and increases weight.
Innovation Solution
A micro-LED display integrated with micro-reflectors is fabricated on vehicle windows or mirrors, using laser etching to create collimated light beams for various lighting needs, and can be encapsulated or laminated between transparent sheets for improved efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional LED display systems with housings and optical systems are used, then lighting functionality is achieved, but space and weight requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (display, lighting, reflection) into a single integrated micro-LED structure. The micro-LEDs are directly mounted on a substrate with integrated optical elements, eliminating the need for separate housings and optical systems, thereby reducing weight while maintaining lighting functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from traditional LED systems. By removing housings, separate optical systems, and complex assembly structures, the design achieves lighting functionality with minimal components, directly reducing weight and space requirements
2Illumination intensity
If traditional LED display systems with housings and optical systems are used, then lighting functionality is achieved, but space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges display and lighting functions into a single planar substrate structure. The micro-LEDs, optical elements, and reflective surfaces are all integrated on one substrate, eliminating the need for voluminous housings and separate optical components, thereby reducing space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes bulky housings and complex optical systems from traditional LED designs. By extracting these unnecessary space-consuming components and replacing them with a compact integrated substrate structure, the system achieves lighting functionality with minimal space occupation
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate light projectors are used for Heads-Up Displays, then projection functionality is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal micro-LED substrate that can perform multiple functions: display, lighting, and projection. The same integrated structure serves as both the light source and the projection element, eliminating the need for separate projectors and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the projector function with the micro-LED display substrate. The optical elements integrated on the substrate serve dual purposes: directing light for display purposes and projecting images, thereby eliminating separate projector components and reducing complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate light projectors are used for Heads-Up Displays, then projection functionality is achieved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal micro-LED substrate that performs multiple functions including projection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate projector components, thereby reducing total weight while maintaining projection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the projector function into the micro-LED substrate structure. By integrating projection capabilities directly into the light-emitting substrate rather than using separate projector components, the system achieves weight reduction while maintaining projection functionality
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 integration of micro-LEDs with micro-reflectors reduces space and weight requirements, enhances lighting efficiency, and provides optimized beam patterns for legal and functional lighting needs.
Implementation Method 1
The micro-reflector includes a reflective surface facing the micro-LED... The shaped, micro-reflective surfaces of the micro-LED display emit collimated horizontal light
Implementation Method 2
The shaped, micro-reflective surfaces may be fabricated by laser etching a first sheet of glass
Data Source
AI summary
A method of fabricating micro-reflective surfaces disposed on a surface of, or disposed inside of, a window or mirror. A micro-Light Emitting Diode (micro-LED) display for vehicle windows or windshields combines an array of micro-LEDs with an aligned array of micro-reflectors. The shaped, micro-reflective surfaces may be fabricated by laser etching a first sheet of glass. Micro-LEDs may include side-emitting LEDs. The shaped, micro-reflective surfaces of the micro-LED display emit collimated horizontal light useful for legal photometric requirements of stop lights, Center High Mounted Stop Lights (CHMSL), or Head-Up-Displays. Also, the lighting efficiency may be improved by using micro-LEDs coupled to micro-reflectors. Micro-LED displays may be unencapsulated, uncapsulated in a transparent coating, or they may be laminated in-between two sheets of glass to make a laminated, light-emitting window system. Laminated micro-LED displays may be used in windows of vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, farm equipment, boats, and airplanes.