# US 12,761,472 B2 · Image generating device and head-up display comprising such a device

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- Number: US 12,761,472 B2
- Document ID: US12761472B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/293,115
- Filed: 2022-07-28
- Published: 2025-03-13
- Granted: 2026-10-13
- Earliest claimed: 2021-07-30
- Assignees: Valeo Comfort and Driving Assistance
- Applicants: Valeo Comfort and Driving Assistance
- Inventors: Ayoub Ben Nachouane
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12761472B2

## CPC

- G02B 27/0101: {characterised by optical features (G02B27/0172 takes precedence)}
- G02B 27/0149: {characterised by mechanical features (G02B27/0176 takes precedence)}
- G02B 2027/0118: {comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility}
- G02B 2027/0127: {comprising devices increasing the depth of field}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

An image generating device is disclosed having a light source configured to produce an upstream light beam, and an array of elements with variable transmittance configured to selectively receive and transmit the upstream light beam so as to form a downstream light beam forming an image. A downstream face of the array of variable transmittance elements is in contact with an at least partially transparent plate configured to limit heating of the array of variable transmittance elements. A downstream face of the partially transparent plate is in contact with a cold face of a thermoelectric cooling module.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image generation device comprising:
a light source configured to produce an upstream light beam; and
an array of elements with variable transmittance,
wherein the array of elements positioned between a first upstream polarizer forming an upstream side of the array of elements with variable transmittance, and a second downstream polarizer forming a downstream side of the array of elements with variable transmittance is configured to selectively receive and transmit the upstream light beam so as to form a downstream light beam forming an image,
wherein the downstream side of the array of elements with variable transmittance, formed by the second downstream polarizer, is in contact with an upstream side of an at least partially transparent plate configured to limit heating of the array of elements with variable transmittance, and
wherein a downstream side of the partially transparent plate is in contact with a cold side of a thermoelectric cooling module.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image generation device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the thermoelectric cooling module is in contact with a peripheral area of the downstream side of the at least partially transparent plate so as to leave a central area of the at least partially transparent plate free, making it possible for the downstream light beam to pass.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image generation device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the thermoelectric cooling module is in contact with a peripheral area of the downstream side of the at least partially transparent plate so as to delimit the central area.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The device as claimed in claim 2,
comprising several thermoelectric cooling modules,
wherein the cold sides of the thermoelectric cooling modules are in contact with the peripheral area of the downstream side of the partially transparent plate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device as claimed in claim 4,
wherein the thermoelectric cooling modules are electrically coupled in series.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the thermoelectric cooling module comprises a hot side opposite the cold side,
wherein the hot side is in contact with a heat sink.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
an optical diffuser situated between the light source and the array of elements with variable transmittance,
wherein the optical diffuser and the array of elements with variable transmittance are coupled to a heat sink,
wherein the heat sink acts as a support for the optical diffuser and for the array of elements with variable transmittance.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the at least partially transparent plate extends beyond the outlines of the array of elements with variable transmittance, and
wherein the upstream side of the at least partially transparent plate is in contact with a heat sink that acts as a support.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein at least one heat sink is coupled to a forced-convection cooling module.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the array of elements with variable transmittance is a liquid-crystal display.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the at least partially transparent plate is an at least partially transparent ceramic plate.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A head-up display comprising an image generation device as claimed in claim 1.