Transparent HUD Display Region with Scattering Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heads-up displays (HUDs) for vehicular environments do not effectively provide a wide field of view and transparent display, limiting their ability to present information without obstructing the driver's view of the road while maintaining safety and usability.
Innovation Solution
A heads-up display system utilizing a transparent substrate with an array of reflective scattering elements and interstitial regions that allow external light to pass through, enabling the projection of images onto a windshield with wide viewing angles by redirecting light with large divergence angles, using either periodic or non-periodic arrays to form diffraction grids for image generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a traditional opaque display screen is used in a HUD system, then the display visibility is improved, but the driver's view of the road is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is made transparent in the regions where information is displayed, while maintaining opacity only where necessary for structural integrity. This allows the screen to be visible when needed but transparent when not displaying critical information, resolving the contradiction between display visibility and view obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The display utilizes changes in optical properties (transparency/opacity) based on the display state. When information is displayed, the screen becomes visible; when not in use, it remains transparent to allow unobstructed view of the road, thus resolving the contradiction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a transparent display substrate is used to maintain unobstructed view, then the driver's view is improved, but the display brightness and visibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-illuminates the transparent display substrate using LED backlighting positioned behind the screen. This preliminary illumination ensures that when information is displayed, the transparent screen has sufficient brightness to be clearly visible without compromising the unobstructed view when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system dynamically adjusts the illumination intensity and transparency parameters of the substrate. By changing these parameters based on environmental conditions and display requirements, the system maintains both unobstructed view and adequate display brightness, resolving the contradiction.
3Loss of information
If the display area is increased to provide more information, then the information capacity is improved, but the transparency and view through the display are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is segmented into multiple independent transparent regions. Each segment can be independently controlled for transparency and display activation. This allows information to be distributed across multiple segments rather than requiring a single large opaque area, thus maintaining both information capacity and view transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display substrate have different optical properties optimized for their specific function. Critical view areas maintain high transparency, while information display regions can be more opaque when active. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between information capacity and view transparency.
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 system allows for the safe and unobstructed presentation of information to drivers, enabling them to view critical data such as navigation, speed, and engine RPMs without diverting their gaze from the road, enhancing safety and usability in various vehicular environments.
Implementation Method 1
an array of reflective scattering elements and interstitial regions disposed between adjacent ones of the reflective scattering elements
Implementation Method 2
reflective scattering elements
Implementation Method 3
The interstitial regions are substantially transparent to pass external light through the substrate
Implementation Method 4
using either periodic or non-periodic arrays to form diffraction grids for image generation
Data Source
AI summary
A heads-up display includes a display region disposed in or on a substantially transparent substrate. The display region includes an array of reflective scattering elements and interstitial regions disposed between adjacent ones of the reflective scattering elements. The interstitial regions are substantially transparent to pass external light through the substrate. A light source is positioned to direct light onto the display region of the substrate such that an image generated by the light directed onto the display region is visible.