Movable Light Control Structure for Dual-Plane HUD Distortion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up displays with curved optical components suffer from lensing effects that distort display light and affect the pitch of replicas, leading to image distortions and ghosting effects, particularly in dual-plane displays, which are difficult to design and manufacture due to complex optical anomalies and large mirror sizes.
Innovation Solution
A light control device is used to compensate for the curvature of curved optical components by moving it relative to the replicator, ensuring correct image depth perception and reducing system size, while mitigating glare and optical distortions through a freeform Fresnel-type structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a curved optical component is used to redirect display light, then the display can be compact, but lensing effects cause image distortion and ghosting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical compensation function into multiple discrete optical elements (lens array or holographic optical elements) rather than using a single curved component. This segmentation allows precise control of light paths while maintaining compact form factor, resolving the contradiction between compact size and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical element (lens array or holographic element) between the display and the curved optical component to compensate for lensing effects. This intermediary corrects the optical distortions caused by the curved component while preserving the compact display architecture.
2Manufacturing precision
If large mirrors are used to correct optical anomalies, then image quality improves, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces large mechanical mirrors with compact optical elements (lens arrays or holographic optical elements) that achieve the same optical correction function. This substitution maintains optical correction accuracy while dramatically reducing system complexity and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of light propagation by using lens arrays or holographic elements with specific focal lengths and optical powers to correct lensing effects. This parameter-based approach achieves precise optical correction without requiring large mechanical components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dual-plane display is implemented, then information display capability improves, but optical design difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dual-plane display into two separate optical paths with distinct lens arrays or holographic elements for each plane. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each display plane, achieving enhanced information capability while managing optical design complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal optical elements (lens arrays or holographic optical elements) that can serve multiple functions: correcting lensing effects, enabling dual-plane display, and maintaining compact form factor. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while achieving versatile display capabilities.
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 provides a compact dual-plane or multi-plane head-up display with high image quality and reduced size, maintaining image clarity and depth perception across the viewing window by adjusting the light control device to align with the user's position.
Implementation Method 1
The spatial light modulator may be reflective meaning that modulated light is output in reflection. The spatial light modulator may equally be transmissive meaning that modulated light is output in transmission.
Implementation Method 2
Light scattered from an object contains both amplitude and phase information. This amplitude and phase information can be captured on, for example, a photosensitive plate by well-known interference techniques to form a holographic recording, or 'hologram'
Implementation Method 3
The optical component may have a first curvature in a first direction and a second curvature in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
Implementation Method 4
The curved optical component is on an optical path of the display light. The curved optical component has a complex curvature which introduces complex distortions when used in a display system
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a system having a viewing window and arranged to project a first image on a first plane and a second image on a second plane, the system including (i) a replicator arranged to receive spatially modulated light and form a plurality of replicas by waveguiding between a reflective surface and a transmissive-reflective surface forming an output surface, (ii) a light control device in the optical path of the replicas downstream from the output surface, wherein a first plurality of replicas of the first image form a first light footprint on a first area of the light control device and a second plurality of replicas of the second image form a second light footprint on a second area of the light control device, and (iii) a driver arranged to move the light control device relative to the replicator.