Transparent Light Guide for Vehicle Control Panel Virtual Image Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles' control panels require users to look away from their environment, causing eye adjustment issues when switching back, which can lead to latency and increased risk of accidents due to the difference in focal distances between the control panel and the surrounding environment.
Innovation Solution
An optical apparatus with transparent light guiding means that in-couple, expand, and out-couple light beams to display virtual images at a longer focal distance than the control panel, allowing users to view critical information without refocusing, thereby aligning the focal distance with the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If control panel is placed close to the user for better visibility, then information display clarity is improved, but focal distance difference with environment increases causing eye adjustment latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guiding means as an intermediary optical component between the control panel and the user's eye. This light guide displays virtual images at a longer focal distance than the physical control panel, allowing users to view information without refocusing their eyes from the close control panel to the distant environment. The light guiding means acts as a mediator that bridges the focal distance gap, eliminating the need for eye adjustment latency while maintaining close proximity information display.
2Loss of time
If virtual images are displayed at longer focal distance, then eye adjustment latency is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into distinct functional modules: in-coupling diffractive means for coupling light into the guide, expanding means for beam expansion, and out-coupling diffractive means for extracting the expanded beam. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier manufacturing and assembly. The light guiding means itself is divided into these functional sections, making the complex optical path manageable and manufacturable while achieving the focal distance extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes diffractive optical elements that can be designed with specific groove patterns and depths to control light propagation parameters. By changing the diffraction grating parameters (groove spacing, depth, orientation), the system achieves beam expansion and virtual image formation at desired focal distances. This parameter-based design allows flexibility in optimizing the optical path without adding complex mechanical structures.
3Loss of time
If light guiding means is added overlaying control panel, then focal distance alignment with environment is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guiding means with the control panel assembly by positioning the light guide directly overlaying the control panel. The in-coupling diffractive means is integrated near the control panel light source, and the out-coupling means is positioned at the user's eye level. This merging approach consolidates multiple optical functions into a single integrated assembly, reducing the number of separate alignment operations required and thereby lowering manufacturing precision requirements compared to separate component assembly.
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 users to view both vehicle information and environmental objects without adjusting their focus, reducing latency and improving situational awareness, thus enhancing safety by maintaining focus on hazards and information simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
in-coupling diffractive means configured to in-couple one or more input beams of light into the light guiding means
Implementation Method 2
expanding means configured to expand the one or more input beams of light
Implementation Method 3
out-coupling diffractive means configured to out-couple the one or more expanded beams of light from the light guiding means
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the disclosure relate to optical apparatus, modules, and devices. The optical apparatus includes a control panel and at least one light guide. The at least one light guide includes at least; a diffractive in-coupler configured to in-couple one or more input beams of light into the light guide from a first light engine, an expander configured to expand the one or more input beams of light, and an out-coupler configured to out-couple the one or more expanded beams of light from the light guide. The at least one light guide is transparent and is provided overlaying at least part of the control panel and is configured to display virtual images at a longer focal distance than the control panel.