Single Lens Head-Up Display for Simulator Eyestrain Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-up display (HUD) systems in simulators are costly and generate negative training due to imagery visibility outside the HUD apparatus, and actual aircraft HUDs focus at infinity, causing eyestrain in domed simulators.
Innovation Solution
A single planar multiple-pixel display with a single reflective and transmissive lens that focuses HUD imagery on the interior surface of a domed simulator for two-eye viewing, allowing adjustable focusing to reduce eyestrain and align with the out-the-window scene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a rear projector displays imagery on the dome for viewing by the trainee, then the imagery can be seen, but the imagery can be seen even when not looking through the HUD apparatus, generating negative training
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective lens is introduced as an intermediary component between the display and the trainee's eyes. The lens reflects HUD imagery toward the trainee's eyes while blocking direct viewing of the display, ensuring imagery is only visible when looking through the HUD apparatus. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining imagery visibility while eliminating negative training effects.
2Manufacturing precision
If an actual HUD apparatus focuses the HUD imagery at infinity, then the HUD imagery is focused at infinity, but this causes eyestrain in a domed simulator
Solution Approach 1:
The focal distance parameter of the HUD system is changed from infinity (as in actual aircraft HUDs) to a finite distance that matches the domed simulator environment. The reflective lens is designed with specific optical parameters to focus imagery at an appropriate distance, resolving the contradiction between maintaining focus accuracy and ensuring user comfort in the simulator context.
3Device complexity
If a single planar multiple-pixel display with a single lens is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but achieving two-eye viewing with proper focusing is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The single reflective lens is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it reflects light from the planar display toward both eyes, collimates light to focus at the correct distance, and provides stereoscopic two-eye viewing capability. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving complex viewing requirements with a simple single-lens structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective lens utilizes three-dimensional surface geometry to achieve two-eye viewing from a single planar display. By varying the reflectivity and orientation of different regions of the lens surface, the system directs light to multiple eye positions in three-dimensional space, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and viewing capability.
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 configuration provides a low-cost, effective HUD system that reduces eyestrain and improves training by focusing HUD imagery at a comfortable distance for the user, enhancing the training experience in simulators.
Implementation Method 1
a single reflective and transmissive lens that is configured to reflect an image from the planar multiple-pixel display toward a predetermined location of a user
Implementation Method 2
The single reflective and transmissive lens is further configured to at least partially collimate light from the planar multiple-pixel display to focus the image at a distance in front of the single reflective and transmissive lens for each eye of two eyes of the user
Data Source
AI summary
A head-up display (HUD) apparatus is provided. The HUD apparatus includes a display holder configured to hold a single planar multiple-pixel display. The HUD apparatus also includes a single reflective and transmissive lens that is configured to reflect an image from the planar multiple-pixel display toward a predetermined location of a user. The reflective and transmissive lens is further configured to at least partially collimate light from the planar multiple-pixel display to focus the image at a distance in front of the reflective and transmissive lens for each eye of two eyes of the user.