Vehicle HUD Optical Layout for Wider Viewable Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up-display (HUD) systems face challenges in achieving a balance between virtual image size and viewable range, leading to unnatural point-of-view motion and limited image information display, especially when attempting to incorporate augmented reality and overlap virtual images with practical foreground views.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a dual-optical system approach, using a virtual-image optical system to project virtual images onto the windshield and a practical-image optical system to overlay practical images, with the virtual-image optical system positioned near the center of the windshield and the practical-image optical system positioned lower, utilizing MEMS elements for scanning and polarized light to enhance image display and reduce distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the concave mirror dimension is increased to enlarge the virtual image viewable range, then the viewable range is improved, but the apparatus volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple components: a first optical system for generating the virtual image and a second optical system for projecting the practical image. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently, enabling a compact overall design while achieving a large combined viewable range on the windshield.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the windshield surface as a two-dimensional projection area, mapping both virtual and practical images onto different regions of the same surface. This dimensional approach allows large viewable ranges to be achieved without proportionally increasing the three-dimensional apparatus volume.
2Area of moving object
If the object points are brought close to the focal point to increase virtual image size, then the magnification is improved, but the viewable range becomes small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into two separate optical systems: the first optical system optimizes for virtual image magnification by positioning object points near the focal point, while the second optical system expands the overall viewable range by projecting additional image areas onto the windshield. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between magnification and viewable range.
3Device complexity
If a single optical system is used for both virtual image and practical image display, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality and viewable range are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two distinct optical systems with specialized functions: the first optical system is optimized for virtual image generation with appropriate magnification, while the second optical system is dedicated to practical image projection for expanding viewable range. This functional segmentation achieves superior overall performance compared to a single compromised system.
Solution Approach 2:
Both optical systems project their images onto the same windshield surface, utilizing the windshield as a universal display medium for both virtual and practical images. This multi-functional use of the projection surface achieves expanded viewable range without proportionally increasing system 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
This configuration reduces unnatural point-of-view motion, enhances the viewable range, and improves safety by providing a seamless combination of virtual and practical images, contributing to smoother driver experience and improved driving assistance.
Implementation Method 1
displays a virtual image onto a forward part of the vehicle by causing the windshield glass to reflect light emitted from the image display apparatus
Implementation Method 2
projects light to acquire a practical image overlapped with the virtual image created by the first information display apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
In an information display apparatus displaying information onto a vehicle, an information display apparatus capable of acquiring a lot of pieces of image information while reducing point-of-view motion of a viewer is provided. An information display apparatus displaying information onto a vehicle includes a first information display apparatus displaying image information of a virtual image by allowing a windshield glass of a vehicle to reflect light, a second information display apparatus acquiring a practical image by scanning the windshield glass with laser light using a MEMS element and a third information display apparatus using an instrument panel of the vehicle.