Rotating Combiner HUD for Distortion-Free Virtual Image Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head up displays face challenges in adjusting the direction of virtual images within limited installation spaces, leading to potential distortion and installation issues in vehicles with restricted dimensions.
Innovation Solution
An image display device featuring a rotating combiner and projection unit that allows for rotational movement along specific surfaces, enabling adjustment of the virtual image direction without altering the entire device's position, using a combiner support arm to rotate the combiner and projection unit in tandem.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the angle of a mirror that projects an image onto a combiner is adjusted to change the virtual image direction, then the virtual image direction can be changed, but the image may become distorted when the angle change is large
Solution Approach 1:
The combiner is made rotatable about a rotation axis to dynamically adjust its orientation. The projection unit is also made rotatable to dynamically track and maintain proper alignment with the combiner during rotation, allowing continuous adjustment without image distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotation unit is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed mounting structure and the combiner/projection unit. This rotation unit enables controlled rotational movement and coordination between components, serving as a mediator that allows direction adjustment while preventing distortion.
2Ease of operation
If the angle of a combiner and an entire image generation unit are adjusted in an integral manner, then the virtual image direction can be changed, but the device size increases causing installation problems in vehicles with limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent functional units: the image generation unit, the projection unit, and the combiner. Each unit can be adjusted independently or in coordination, rather than moving the entire assembly. This segmentation allows direction adjustment with minimal device size increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection unit and combiner are made independently rotatable to dynamically adjust the virtual image direction. This dynamic adjustment capability eliminates the need for large integral adjustments of the entire device, reducing the required installation space.
3Reliability
If the projection unit rotates to track the combiner's movement, then the virtual image direction can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection unit and combiner are combined in a coordinated rotational system where both units rotate together about the same rotation axis. This merging of rotational movements simplifies the control mechanism compared to independent adjustments, as the rotation unit simultaneously manages both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation unit automatically coordinates the rotation of the projection unit with the combiner's position. The system self-adjusts by linking the rotational movements, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms and simplifying the overall device complexity.
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
Enables effective adjustment of virtual image direction within limited spaces, ensuring clear and undistorted image recognition for drivers across various vehicle configurations and eye positions, even in vehicles with limited installation space.
Implementation Method 1
a combiner (400) on which the image display light projected by the projection unit (300) is reflected
Implementation Method 2
a rotating unit (331) that rotationally moves the combiner (400) along at least one rotation surface
Data Source
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AI summary
An image display device includes: an image generation unit that generates image display light based on an image signal; a projection unit that projects the image display light generated by the image generation unit; a combiner (400) that presents the image display light projected by the projection unit as a virtual image; and a rotating unit (331) that rotationally moves the combiner along at least one rotation surface, wherein the projection unit changes a direction in which the image display light is projected based on the rotational movement of the combiner.