Polarized HUD Light Source Layout for Compact High-Resolution Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle information display systems face challenges such as low light utilization efficiency, high power consumption, damage to liquid crystal panels from sunlight, large volume, limited maintenance flexibility, and limited resolution of displayed images.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a point or planar light source, optical means to reduce the divergence angle of light, and a light guide with a reflection surface to efficiently transmit light to an image display apparatus. This setup includes a reflection type polarizing plate and a retardation plate to reduce double images and protect the image display apparatus from sunlight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional HUD system with large volume is used to obtain a large virtual image at a long distance, then the display resolution and viewing distance are improved, but the set volume exceeds 10 liters and cannot be arranged in the space between the steering wheel and the window glass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple optical components (light source, optical means, light guide, image display apparatus) into a nested compact structure where components are arranged in sequence within a confined space. The light guide is positioned between the optical means and image display apparatus, creating a space-efficient nested configuration that achieves high resolution without exceeding 10 liters volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by arranging components in a stacked configuration from bottom to top (light source → optical means → light guide → image display apparatus). This vertical arrangement allows the system to achieve the required optical path length and resolution while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint that fits within the vehicle's available space.
2Measurement precision
If projection-type information display systems are used, then image display is achieved, but light utilization efficiency is low and power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional projection-type optical systems with a direct-view image display apparatus that uses a light guide and polarizing plates. This substitution eliminates the need for complex projection optics and reduces light loss, thereby improving light utilization efficiency and reducing power consumption while maintaining image display quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide acts as an intermediary component that efficiently transmits light from the light source to the image display apparatus. By using a light guide with optimized optical properties and combining it with polarizing plates, the system minimizes light loss and maximizes light utilization efficiency, reducing the power required to achieve the desired display brightness.
3Measurement precision
If conventional HUD apparatus is used, then image display is achieved, but maintenance flexibility is low due to difficulty of replacement when malfunction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the HUD system into distinct modular components (light source module, optical means module, light guide module, image display apparatus module) that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to replace only the malfunctioning module without disassembling the entire system, significantly improving maintenance flexibility and reducing repair time while preserving image display quality.
4Device complexity
If existing HUD system with limited resolution is used, then hardware configuration is simple, but high-precision image display cannot be performed and the system cannot respond to advancement of communication environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the image display apparatus with a universal interface and modular architecture that can accommodate different resolution requirements. The system can be configured with high-resolution display panels while maintaining the same basic hardware structure, allowing it to respond to advancements in communication environments and display technology without requiring complete system redesign.
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 achieves a thin, high-luminance direct-view image display apparatus with improved light utilization efficiency, reduced power consumption, protection against sunlight damage, and increased image resolution, while also reducing the volume of the display system and enhancing maintenance flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide configured to have a reflection surface that reflects the light output from the light source and propagates the light to an image display apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a reflection type polarizing plate is arranged between the image display apparatus and the light guide
Implementation Method 3
the polarization direction of the light having the specific polarization direction is converted to propagate as light having a polarization direction different from the specific polarization direction to the image display apparatus by bringing the light having the specific polarization direction to pass through the waveplate twice
Data Source
AI summary
In an information display system that allows an observer to visually recognize image information displayed on an image display apparatus by superimposing the image on an external scenery through a window glass and a combiner, the system includes a light source apparatus that supplies light having a specific polarization direction at a narrow divergence angle to the image display apparatus, a reflection position of the image is changed by arranging a position and an angle of the image display apparatus with respect to the window glass so that the position and the angle change while a monitoring angle of the image visually recognized by the observer is constant, and a virtual image display distance of the image visually recognized by the observer and a size of the image of the virtual image can be changed by the arrangement state in the vehicle.