Underwater Dive Helmet Head-Up Display with Optical Waveguides
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater divers face challenges in interpreting audio descriptions of visual data in low visibility environments, leading to potential mission failures due to unreliable audio communication and difficulty in retaining pre-mission briefing information.
Innovation Solution
A head-up display system with first and second optical waveguides positioned within an underwater dive helmet or mask, providing a binocular image of real-time visual data from a topside location, allowing seamless transition between activated and non-activated states without user adjustment, using a bracket to maintain precise angular and spatial alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If audio communication is used to convey visual data to divers, then information can be transmitted, but interpretation accuracy deteriorates in low visibility environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical waveguide system as an intermediary device that transmits visual data directly from the topside location to the diver's eyes through the water. This optical intermediary bypasses the unreliable audio communication channel and eliminates the need for audio interpretation, directly resolving the contradiction between information transmission and interpretation accuracy in low visibility environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the acoustic communication mechanism with an optical communication mechanism. By using optical waveguides to transmit visual data directly to the diver's eyes, the system substitutes the mechanical/acoustic transmission medium with an optical one, thereby eliminating the interpretation errors associated with audio descriptions while maintaining reliable information transmission.
2Loss of information
If handheld displays are provided to divers, then visual information can be displayed, but visibility in low visibility water environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display function with the diver's natural visual field by projecting visual information directly onto the water surface or surrounding environment through optical waveguides. This integration eliminates the need for separate handheld displays that would compete for the diver's attention and visibility, allowing information to be displayed in conjunction with the natural aquatic environment rather than as a separate visual element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional handheld display screens to three-dimensional spatial projection by directing optical waveguides to project visual information at various depths and locations in the aquatic environment. This dimensional expansion allows visual data to be displayed throughout the three-dimensional water space rather than confined to a single planar surface, improving visibility and information accessibility.
3Loss of information
If audio descriptions are provided for visual data, then data can be communicated, but confusion and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical waveguide system as an intermediary that directly transmits visual data from the topside location to the diver's eyes, eliminating the need for audio descriptions as an intermediate step. This direct optical transmission pathway removes the source of confusion and errors inherent in audio interpretation while maintaining effective data communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the acoustic description system with a direct optical transmission system. By substituting the mechanical/acoustic communication pathway with an optical one that delivers visual data directly to the diver's eyes, the system eliminates the harmful effects of confusion and errors associated with audio interpretation while preserving complete data communication 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
Enables real-time visual information delivery to divers, reducing confusion and errors associated with audio interpretation, ensuring clear and accurate mission data access regardless of water visibility levels.
Implementation Method 1
A head up display system includes first and second optical waveguides
Implementation Method 2
The first optical waveguide and second optical waveguide are angularly disposed with respect to one another to produce a binocular image
Data Source
AI summary
A head up display system includes first and second optical waveguides. A bracket holds the optical waveguides in a spaced-apart fixed relationship to one another such that their optical axes are separated by a distance of 63.5-65 millimeters. The optical waveguides are angularly disposed with respect to one another to produce a binocular image whose focal plane is located out at a distance of 2-4 meters. The bracket also specifically positions the optical waveguides adjacent to a transparent face plate of a dive helmet or dive mask.