Polarization Separation Head-Up Display for Heat Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-up displays (HUDs) face challenges in reducing heat generation and size while maintaining adequate luminance, as increasing the light source size for improved visibility leads to increased heat and temperature issues within the optical system.
Innovation Solution
The display device employs a polarization separation element to transmit and reflect polarized light, using separate optical modulation units for each polarization state, allowing for the projection of multiple images onto different areas of a projection plane, and incorporates local dimming control to manage light source brightness and reduce heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the size of the display panel is increased to display various images at different positions, then the display capability is improved, but the size of the light source must also be increased which leads to increased heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple optical units, each with its own light source and display panel. This segmentation allows each light source to be small while collectively achieving diverse display capabilities across multiple projection positions. The heat generation problem is solved by distributing the illumination load across multiple smaller light sources rather than one large light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the spatial dimension by projecting images to multiple different positions and orientations. Instead of increasing the size of a single display panel, multiple smaller display panels are arranged in different spatial locations and orientations, allowing diverse image display without requiring a larger light source.
2Illumination intensity
If the brightness of the light source is enhanced to improve the visibility of the virtual image, then the visibility is improved, but the amount of heat generation of the light source is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The total illumination requirement is divided among multiple light sources. Each light source operates at lower brightness individually, but collectively they provide sufficient visibility across multiple projection areas. This segmentation of illumination duty reduces the heat generation of each individual light source while maintaining overall visibility.
3Area of stationary object
If a single large light source is used to illuminate a large display panel, then the display area is increased, but the heat generation and temperature increase in the optical system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple small light sources instead of one large light source. Each light source illuminates its own smaller display panel, and the combined display area of multiple panels achieves the desired total display area. This approach distributes the heat generation across multiple smaller sources rather than concentrating it in one large source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent expands the display area by utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement of multiple display panels at different positions and orientations. Instead of using one large planar display panel requiring a large light source, multiple smaller panels are distributed in space, each illuminated by its own compact light source.
4Volume of moving object
If the size of the HUD is reduced structurally, then the compactness is improved, but the light source size and heat management become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the HUD into multiple modular optical units. Each unit contains a small light source and display panel assembly, allowing compact packaging. The distributed architecture of multiple small units is more space-efficient than one large centralized unit, achieving both compactness and effective heat management.
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 enables the display of various images with reduced heat generation and a smaller form factor, improving the contrast ratio and power efficiency while maintaining visibility.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization separation element which transmits first polarized light as transmitted light, and reflects second polarized light different from the first polarized light as reflected light
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a polarization separation element which transmits first polarized light, and reflects second polarized light, a first optical modulation unit which displays a first image by using transmitted light, a second optical modulation unit which displays a second image by using reflected light, and a projector which projects the first image onto a first projection area of a projection plane, and projects the second image onto a second projection area different from the first projection area of the projection plane.