Head-up display for a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

A head-up display (10) for a vehicle (11), in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (12), an image generating device (13) arranged in the housing (12), an optical module (14, 15) arranged in the housing (12) for projecting an image generated by the image generating device (13) and to be projected through a housing opening (16) outside the housing (12), a mirror bank (17) for absorbing light, and a glaretrap (19) arranged in a beam path (18) of the image to be projected, which glaretrap is designed and arranged to allow light of the image to be projected to pass through the housing (12) in a use position and to reflect light (20) incident in the direction of the housing (12) to the mirror bank (17), wherein the glaretrap (12) is formed from a deformable material and can be deformed between its use position, in which it has a first average curvature not equal to zero, and a non-use position,in which it has a second average curvature that is smaller in magnitude than in its position of use; furthermore, a vehicle (11) with a head-up display (10).,

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a head-up display for a vehicle and a vehicle with a head-up display.

[0002] Head-up displays (HUDs) are being installed more and more frequently in modern vehicles, e.g., cars, but also rail vehicles and aircraft. The HUD is generally positioned in the cockpit in front of the driver in a designated space. A control panel (or dashboard) has an opening for this purpose in the area of ​​an instrument hood, which can be closed with a cover after the HUD is installed. Traditional optical elements such as mirrors, lenses, diffusers and displays are normally used for the optical design of the HUD. These elements are located in a sealed housing that has a thin cover glass (so-called glaretrap) for the light output. The glaretrap directs sunlight entering from outside onto a so-called mirror bank and prevents unwanted reflections in the driver's field of vision.

[0003] For example, DE 102 20 180 A1 describes a head-up display for a motor vehicle windshield. A pivoting cover is arranged above an optical module of the head-up display, which, in a use position, serves to shield a driver from unwanted reflections. The cover can be designed in two parts.

[0004] CN 103885183 A discloses a cover for a so-called combiner head-up display of a motor vehicle. A combiner disk is extended from a housing, through which the image generated in the combiner HUD is reflected back to the driver. In addition, the combiner HUD has a cover consisting of three telescopically movable sub-segments to close the combiner HUD when not in use.

[0005] The required installation volume of a HUD increases with the size of the virtual image to be displayed and the virtual image distance. The size of a HUD is determined, among other things, by the available installation space in the control panel of a vehicle cockpit and is limited. Installation and removal can only be performed through the limited opening in the control panel. The use of a conventional glaretrap and mirror bank limits the size of a HUD in a vehicle.

[0006] DE 10 2016 003 430 A1, for example, describes a head-up display for a vehicle, which has a housing, an image generating device, a projection module, a mirror bank for absorbing light and a glaretrap for reflecting incident light to the mirror bank, wherein the glaretrap can be moved between a use position and a non-use position.

[0007] DE 10 2014 019 160 A1 and DE 10 2019 201 475 A1 each disclose a head-up display for a vehicle, comprising a housing, an image generating device, a projection module, a mirror bank for absorbing light and a glaretrap for reflecting incident light to the mirror bank.

[0008] Against this background, the invention is based on the object of providing a head-up display (HUD) for a vehicle that is compact, requires little space, and thus, not least, simplifies its installation in the vehicle. Furthermore, the head-up display should provide good image quality and contribute to a high level of driving safety.

[0009] This object is achieved by a head-up display having the features of claim 1 and by a vehicle having the features of claim 9. Further particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the respective subclaims.

[0010] It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technically reasonable manner (even across category boundaries, for example, between methods and devices) and demonstrate further embodiments of the invention. The description further characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in conjunction with the figures.

[0011] It should also be noted that a conjunction "and / or" used herein between two features and linking them together is always to be interpreted in such a way that in a first embodiment of the subject matter according to the invention only the first feature can be present, in a second embodiment only the second feature can be present and in a third embodiment both the first and the second feature can be present.

[0012] The invention relates to a head-up display (herein also abbreviated to HUD) for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a housing, an image generation device arranged in the housing, an optical module arranged in the housing for projecting an image generated by the image generation device through a housing opening outside the housing, a mirror bank for absorbing light, and a glaretrap arranged in a beam path of the image to be projected. The so-called glaretrap is designed and arranged, in a position of use, to allow light from the image to be projected to pass through the housing and to reflect light incident in the direction of the housing to the mirror bank, which absorbs at least a large part of the incident light, e.g., 95% or completely.According to the invention, the glaretrap is formed from a deformable material and can be transferred between its use position, in which it has a first average curvature that is not equal to zero, and a non-use position, in which it has a second average curvature that is smaller in magnitude than in its use position. The use position of the glaretrap corresponds to a use state of the HUD, and its non-use position corresponds to a non-use state of the HUD.

[0013] In other words, the HUD does not have a fixed, rigid glaretrap, as is the case with a conventional cover glass, for example. The glaretrap prevents light from entering the vehicle or the HUD housing from outside, such as sunlight, streetlights, or similar, from causing reflections that can significantly interfere with a driver's view of the image and even endanger driving safety.

[0014] In order to reliably reflect externally incident light from different directions to the mirror bank, the Glaretrap has an average curvature other than zero in its use position, i.e., a curvature. This does not necessarily have a constant radius of curvature across the entire surface of the Glaretrap, so that, according to the invention, an average curvature is considered, which can be understood as an average value of different radii of curvature that describe the curvature or curvature of the entire optically active surface of the Glaretrap.

[0015] According to the invention, the Glaretrap has a smaller average curvature in its non-use position than in its use position. In other words, the Glaretrap is flatter in its non-use position than in its use position. A cuboid enclosing the Glaretrap thus has a smaller volume in the non-use position than in the use position.

[0016] For the purposes of the invention, the relative terms "lesser" and "flatter" referring to the curvature of the Glaretrap are to be interpreted in such a way that manufacturing-related dimensional deviations of the feature in question, which lie within the manufacturing tolerances defined for the production of the Glaretrap, are not covered by the respective relative term. In other words, the curvature of the Glaretrap is only to be considered "lesser" or "flatter" than that of the comparison feature if the two compared sizes differ so significantly in value that this difference in size certainly does not fall within the manufacturing-related tolerance range of the feature in question, but is the result of deliberate action.

[0017] The deformability of the Glaretrap enables a compact design of the head-up display, making it easier to integrate into a vehicle's dashboard or instrument panel. Furthermore, the HUD's small footprint when not in use simplifies installation into the dashboard or instrument panel. Conversely, the head-up display according to the invention can be used to create large-format AR HUDs (augmented reality head-up displays) within a given footprint.

[0018] In addition to reducing the volume of the HUD when not in use, the housing height can be reduced when not in use due to the flatter Glaretrap geometry.

[0019] When the head-up display is installed in the vehicle, the image to be projected outside the housing is projected onto a projection surface, which may be a pane of the vehicle (e.g. front or windshield), and reflected from this so that the projected image can be seen by a driver.

[0020] The optical module may comprise optical elements, such as mirrors, lenses, diffusers, or similar, which are suitable for influencing the beam path of the image to be projected from the image generating device to the projection surface in the desired manner.

[0021] Particularly preferred embodiments provide for the glaretrap to be flat in its non-use position. In other words, the glaretrap has essentially no curvature in its non-use position, i.e., its average curvature is zero, but rather runs essentially parallel to a uniformly flat surface, which can, for example, be the surface in which the housing opening is located. This allows the glaretrap geometry to be lowered to its maximum in the non-use position.

[0022] In other advantageous embodiments, the glaretrap is made of a flexible film. This film can be converted into the desired shape for use and non-use. The film is designed in such a way that it is transparent to the image to be projected, but reflects ambient light, such as sunlight, streetlights, or similar, to deflect it toward the mirror bank.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment, the glaretrap is held stationary on the housing at a first section and can be raised relative to at least part of the housing at a diametrically opposite second section via a curved track. For example, when the HUD is installed in the vehicle, the first section corresponds to a front section, viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle, and the second section to a rear section of the glaretrap. With the aid of appropriately designed kinematics, the rear section of the glaretrap can be raised relative to the front section via the curved track. After being raised to an end position, the glaretrap forms a curved surface and can be used for optical anti-reflection coating.

[0024] The lifting of the second section of the Glaretrap can be achieved, for example, by two interconnected housing parts, one of which is pivotally mounted on the other about a pivot axis. The first section of the Glaretrap is held stationary in the area of ​​the pivot axis, and the second section of the Glaretrap is held on the pivotable housing part. Accordingly, the second section of the Glaretrap is raised relative to the other housing part when the housing part is pivoted into the use position.

[0025] In further preferred embodiments, the mirror bank is movably mounted on the housing, closing the housing opening when the Glaretrap is not in use and exposing the beam path of the image to be projected when the Glaretrap is in use. In other words, the HUD does not have a fixed mirror bank. Instead, the HUD is designed as a kinematically movable (possibly multi-part) cover. Thus, the mirror bank is not only used to absorb light when the Glaretrap is in use, but also enables the HUD to have a closed appearance when not in use. In the closed position, i.e. the position closing the housing opening, the HUD is preferably tightly sealed and the mirror bank forms a completely flush connection to a control panel in which the HUD is installed.The mirror bank is optically impermeable and thus, when not in use, offers very good protection against heating of the components accommodated in the housing (e.g. the image generation device, the optical elements of the optics module, electronics and the like) due to light radiation (e.g. sunlight) from outside.

[0026] When the mirror bank is in the position where it closes the housing opening, the glaretrap is preferably arranged between the mirror bank and the housing, so that the glaretrap is covered and protected by the mirror bank when not in use. For example, the glaretrap can be arranged in the housing opening.

[0027] In yet further advantageous embodiments, the mirror bank comprises a plurality of flexibly interconnected sub-segments, which can be arranged to form a flat surface in the position closing the housing opening and can be arranged folded in the position releasing the beam path. For example, the sub-segments can be pivotally connected to adjacent sub-segments so that they are compactly folded together in the position releasing the beam path. In the position closing the housing opening, the sub-segments form a flat surface that preferably runs substantially parallel to the plane of the housing opening.

[0028] Large-format AR HUDs, in particular, require a large coverage area. Therefore, it is advantageous to divide the mirror bank, which serves as a cover for the housing opening, into multiple sections. The mirror bank can, for example, comprise three sub-segments. To save installation space and keep the kinematics simple, the sub-segments are moved toward the windshield when the HUD is installed in the vehicle, where they align to form the mirror bank. Extending the Glaretrap into its operating position ensures the anti-reflection function of the Glaretrap mirror bank arrangement. The mirror bank is designed so that the sub-segments do not obstruct the optical system, i.e., the beam path of the image to be projected.

[0029] In yet another advantageous embodiment, in the position of the mirror bank clearing the beam path, at least one of the sub-segments provides a light absorption surface onto which the light reflected by the glaretrap impinges and is absorbed. The light absorption surface preferably corresponds to a broad side of the sub-segment. The mirror bank, or at least the sub-segment providing the absorption surface, can be formed from a matte black material or coated with a matte black, light-absorbing paint. The absorption surface is designed to absorb a high proportion of the incident light, for example, 95% or more. For example, the mirror bank can have several plastic panels as sub-segments.

[0030] Furthermore, the subject matter of the invention is a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a head-up display which is designed according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0031] It should be understood that with regard to vehicle-related definitions of terms as well as the effects and advantages of vehicle-specific features, the disclosure of corresponding definitions, effects, and advantages of the head-up display according to the invention can be fully relied upon, and vice versa. Repetition of explanations of similar features, their effects, and advantages can thus be omitted in favor of a more concise description, without such omissions being interpreted as a limitation of any of the disclosed subject matter of the invention.

[0032] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In this drawing, schematically show: Fig. 1 a sectional side view of a head-up display and a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention in a non-use state of the head-up display; and Fig. 2 a sectioned side view of the head-up display and the vehicle Fig. 1 in a state of use of the head-up display.

[0033] In the different figures, parts that are equivalent in terms of their function are always provided with the same reference symbols, so that they are usually only described once.

[0034] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a sectional side view of a head-up display (HUD) 10 and a vehicle 11, e.g., a motor vehicle, rail vehicle, or aircraft, according to one embodiment of the invention in a non-use state of the head-up display 10. In the present case, the HUD 10 is installed, by way of example, in a motor vehicle 11, but is not necessarily limited to motor vehicles. Fig. 2 turns off the head-up display 10 and the vehicle 11 Fig. 1 in a state of use of the head-up display 10. In the following, reference is made alternately to both Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 taken.

[0035] The head-up display 10 comprises a housing 12, an image generating device 13 (e.g., an LED display) arranged in the housing 12, an optical module arranged in the housing 12, which in the present case comprises a folding mirror 14 and an aspherical mirror 15 for projecting an image generated by the image generating device 13, which image is to be projected through a housing opening 16 outside the housing 12, a mirror bank 17 for absorbing light, and a glaretrap 19 arranged in a beam path 18 of the image to be projected. The glaretrap 19 is designed and arranged, in a position of use, which is Fig. 2, to transmit light of the image to be projected from the housing 12 and to reflect light 20 incident in the direction of the housing 12 (e.g. sunlight, street lighting, etc.) to the mirror bank 17. The glaretrap 19 is made of a deformable material, e.g. a flexible film, and can be moved between its use position ( Fig. 2), in which it has a first average curvature not equal to zero, and a non-use position ( Fig. 1), in which it has a smaller second average curvature than in its use position. For this purpose, appropriate kinematics (not shown in detail) can be provided.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows that the glaretrap 19 of the present embodiment of the HUD 10 is flat in its non-use position and, in contrast to its position in Fig. 2 has essentially no curvature, ie its average curvature is zero. Furthermore, Fig. 1 that the glaretrap 19 is arranged between the mirror bank 17 and the housing 12 in the example shown. The glaretrap 19 can be arranged, for example, in the housing opening 16, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0037] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the image to be projected outside the housing 12 is projected in the state installed in the vehicle 11 onto a projection surface, which in the present case is a window pane 21, in particular a windscreen, of the vehicle 11. The projected image is reflected by this, so that it can be seen by a symbolically represented driver 22 (cf. beam path 18 in Fig. 2).

[0038] Without necessarily being limited to this, the glaretrap 19 in the presently illustrated embodiment of the HUD 10 is held stationary on the housing 12 at a first section. This section corresponds to a front section viewed in the direction of a vehicle front of the vehicle 11, i.e. a section facing the windscreen 21. At a diametrically opposite second section of the glaretrap 19, i.e. in this case at a rear section facing away from the windscreen 21, the glaretrap can be raised via a curved path relative to at least a part of the housing 12 by means of a kinematics not shown in detail. After lifting to an end position which is shown in Fig. 2 is reached, the Glaretrap 19 forms the curved surface described herein, with which the optical anti-reflection coating can be realized, which in Fig. 2 is illustrated by the illustrated reflection of the light 20 incident from outside onto the glaretrap 19 in the direction of the mirror bank 17, by which it is absorbed.

[0039] The mirror bank 17 of the HUD 10 is movably mounted on the housing 12. In Fig. 1 shows that the mirror bank 17 closes the housing opening 16 when the glaretrap 19 is in the non-use position. The mirror bank 17 enables a closed appearance of the HUD 10 when not in use. In this closed position, the HUD 10 is preferably tightly sealed, and the mirror bank 17 forms a flush connection to the control panel (not shown) in which the HUD 10 is installed in the vehicle 11.

[0040] How Fig. 2, the mirror bank 17 fully exposes the beam path 18 of the image to be projected in the use position of the Glaretrap 19.

[0041] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the mirror bank 17 has several flexibly interconnected sub-segments, in this case three sub-segments, which in the position of the housing opening 16 closing the Fig. 1 are arranged to form a flat surface and in the position releasing the beam path 18 of the Fig. 2 are arranged folded together. It is understood that the number of sub-segments is not necessarily limited to three. The mirror bank 17 may have more or fewer than three sub-segments.

[0042] In the present case, the respective sub-segments are pivotally connected to adjacent sub-segments so that they are compactly pushed together in the position releasing the beam path 18. Instead of a pivotable connection, e.g., realized by means of hinges, the sub-segments can alternatively be formed from a flexible, foldable material that does not require hinges to push the mirror bank 17 together into the folded arrangement. In any case, when the mirror bank 17 is moved toward the front window 21, the sub-segments of the mirror bank 17 preferably position themselves so that at least one of the sub-segments forms a non-zero angle with the plane of the housing opening 16, as shown in Fig. 2. In this way, the rear sub-segment of the mirror bank 17 provides a light absorption surface 23 onto which the light reflected by the glaretrap 19 strikes and is absorbed. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS: 10 Head-up display 11 vehicles 12 housings 13 Image generating device 14 folding mirrors 15 Aspherical mirror 16 Housing opening 17 Mirror bench 18 Beam path 19 Glaretrap 20 Light coming from outside 21 Windscreen 22 drivers 23 Light absorption surface

Claims

[1] Head-up display (10) for a vehicle (11), in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (12), an image generating device (13) arranged in the housing (12), an optical module (14, 15) arranged in the housing (12) for projecting an image generated by the image generating device (13) and to be projected through a housing opening (16) outside the housing (12), a mirror bank (17) for absorbing light and a glaretrap (19) arranged in a beam path (18) of the image to be projected, which glaretrap is designed and arranged to let light of the image to be projected pass through the housing (12) in a position of use and to reflect light (20) incident in the direction of the housing (12) to the mirror bank (17), wherein the glaretrap (19) is formed from a deformable material and can be deformed between its position of use, in which it has a first average curvature unequal zero, and a non-use position,in which it has a second average curvature that is smaller in magnitude than in its position of use. [2] Head-up display according to claim 1, wherein the glaretrap (19) is flat in its non-use position. [3] Head-up display according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the glaretrap (19) is formed from a flexible film. [4] Head-up display according to one of the preceding claims, in which the glaretrap (19) is held stationary on the housing (12) at a first section and can be raised relative to at least a part of the housing (12) at a diametrically opposite second section via a curved path. [5] Head-up display according to one of the preceding claims, in which the mirror bank (17) is movably held on the housing (12), closing the housing opening (16) in the non-use position of the glaretrap (19) and releasing the beam path (18) of the image to be projected in the use position of the glaretrap (19). [6] Head-up display according to claim 5, wherein the mirror bank (17) has a plurality of flexibly interconnected sub-segments which can be arranged to form a flat surface in the position closing the housing opening (16) and can be arranged folded in the position releasing the beam path (18). [7] Head-up display according to claim 6, wherein in the position of the mirror bank (17) releasing the beam path (18), at least one of the sub-segments provides a light absorption surface (23) onto which the light reflected by the glaretrap (19) strikes and is absorbed. [8] Head-up display according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the glaretrap (19) is arranged in the housing opening (16). [9] Vehicle (11), in particular motor vehicle, with a head-up display (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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