Waveguide Diffractive Gratings for Continuous HUD Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-up displays in vehicles face challenges in providing a large, continuous projected area for enhanced visibility and field-of-view, as existing solutions often require larger, more complex and costly light guiding means to achieve a combined exit pupil or field-of-view.
Innovation Solution
The use of first and second light guiding means with in-coupling and out-coupling diffractive means positioned to form a combined and continuous out-coupling projected area, allowing for a larger exit pupil or field-of-view without the need for a single larger light guiding component, by aligning or overlapping the diffractive elements to expand and combine light beams effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single larger light guiding means is used to achieve a large exit pupil or field-of-view, then the projected area is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light guiding system into multiple separate light guiding means (first light guiding means and second light guiding means), each with its own in-coupling and out-coupling diffractive means. This segmentation allows each component to be smaller and simpler to manufacture, while the combined output achieves the desired large projected area through spatial arrangement of the multiple means.
2Area of stationary object
If a single larger light guiding means is used to achieve a large exit pupil or field-of-view, then the projected area is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into multiple smaller light guiding means, each component can be manufactured using standard processes and scaled independently. The modular approach reduces the risk and cost associated with manufacturing a single large complex component, while the combined output achieves the desired projected area.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple light guiding means are used to form a combined exit pupil, then the field-of-view is improved, but the alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a common in-coupling diffractive means that serves as an intermediary element for multiple light guiding means. This common interface simplifies the alignment process by providing a reference point and reducing the cumulative alignment errors that would occur if each component was independently aligned. The diffractive means acts as a mediator that coordinates the light paths from multiple sources.
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 enables a larger combined exit pupil or field-of-view, improving visibility and reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, while maintaining image quality and uniformity across the viewing area.
Implementation Method 1
first in-coupling diffractive means configured to in-couple one or more first input beams of light into the first light guiding means from a first light engine
Implementation Method 2
first expanding means configured to expand the one or more first input beams of light from the first light engine to form one or more first expanded beams of light
Implementation Method 3
first out-coupling diffractive means configured to out-couple the one or more first expanded beams of light from the first light guiding means
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes: a first light waveguide including at least: a first in-coupling diffraction grating to in-couple first input beams of light into the first light waveguide from a first light engine, a first expander to expand the first input beams of light from the first light engine to form first expanded beams of light, and a first out-coupling diffraction grating to out-couple the first expanded beams of light from the first light waveguide; a second light waveguide including at least: a second in-coupling diffraction grating to in-couple second input beams of light into the second light waveguide from a second light engine, a second expander to expand the second input beams of light from the second light engine to form second expanded beams of light, and a second out-coupling diffraction grating to out-couple the second expanded beams of light.