Arrangement comprising a head-up display device for a vehicle

Abstract

TITLE: Arrangement comprising a head-up display device for a vehicle Arrangement (4) for a vehicle (1) comprising at least one windshield (5), a display surface (6) for at least one item of information and a head-up display device (7) for broadcasting the at least one item of information, the display device (7), comprising a first subassembly (8), comprising at least one projection unit (10), and a second subassembly (9) comprising a secondary mirror (12), the display surface (6) being arranged on or around the windshield (5) so as to be interposed between the first subassembly (8) and the second subassembly (9) along at least one direction, in particular along a vertical direction (Z). Abstract figure: figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Arrangement comprising a head-up display device for a vehicle

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a head-up display device for a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with such an arrangement.

[0002] It is known to equip motor vehicles or even airplane, train or ship cockpits with so-called "head-up" display devices, commonly called HUD devices from the acronym "Head Up Display". Such devices allow the frontal display of information or instructions, for example relating to driver assistance systems, in a user's field of vision. Such devices advantageously make it possible to improve the user's accessibility to information relating to the vehicle by reducing the excursion of the gaze between driving and the displayed information, thus providing safer driving.

[0003] Conventionally, head-up display devices comprise a unit for projecting a light beam, a plurality of reflective elements and a display comprising a display surface allowing the user to view the various information. The display may be an independent, partially reflective glass plate. Alternatively, in the case of so-called "WHUD" display devices, from the English "Windshield Head Up Display", the display may be a specific area of ​​a vehicle windshield, for example an area specially treated to ensure rendering of information projected optically from the projection unit.

[0004] Such display devices are arranged at the dashboard level but have the disadvantage of being very bulky. Particularly, in the case of motor vehicles, the integration of such devices is further complicated by the presence of numerous pieces of equipment on the front of the vehicle, for example the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (or HVAC) installation and the numerous electronic components equipping the dashboard.

[0005] The invention falls within this context and aims to provide a head-up display device which overcomes the above drawbacks.

[0006] The invention relates to an arrangement for a vehicle comprising at least one windshield, a display surface for at least one piece of information, configured to broadcast the information in a field of vision of a user of the vehicle, and a head-up display device for broadcasting at least one item of information in the vehicle, the display device comprising: - a first subassembly, comprising at least one projection unit configured to generate a light beam loaded with information to be displayed; - a second subassembly comprising a secondary mirror arranged to receive the light beam transmitted by the first subassembly in order to direct it towards the display surface; the arrangement being configured such that the display surface extends over or around the windshield and such that the display surface is spatially interposed between the first subset and the second subset along at least one direction, in particular along a vertical direction.

[0007] The first subassembly may comprise a primary mirror, distinct from the secondary mirror, arranged to receive the light beam coming from the projection unit and transmit it to the second subassembly.

[0008] An optical path of the light beam may be defined, along a trajectory extending from the projection unit to the secondary mirror, by an obtuse angle.

[0009] The display device may further comprise a transparent display blade, the display blade comprising the display surface.

[0010] The windshield may include the display surface.

[0011] The first subassembly may comprise a primary housing configured to house at least the projection unit, the primary housing being at least partly open and / or comprising a transparent cover so as to allow transmission of the light beam.

[0012] The primary housing may comprise at least one attachment means configured to hold the first subassembly at a ceiling of the vehicle.

[0013] The second subassembly may comprise a secondary housing configured to house at least the secondary mirror, the secondary housing being at least partly open and / or comprising a transparent cover so as to allow reception of the light beam transmitted by the first subassembly and transmission of the light beam towards the display surface.

[0014] The secondary housing may comprise at least one fixing means configured to hold the second subassembly at a dashboard of the vehicle.

[0015] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a dashboard, a ceiling and an arrangement as defined previously, the windshield being interposed between the ceiling and the dashboard and the windshield being at least partly interposed between the first subassembly and the second subassembly along at least one direction, in particular along the vertical direction.

[0016] The first subassembly can be mounted integrally with the ceiling, and the second subassembly can be mounted at the dashboard level.

[0017] Other details, characteristics and advantages will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below, for informational and non-limiting purposes, in relation to the various exemplary embodiments illustrated in the following figure:

[0018] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a vehicle equipped with an arrangement according to the invention.

[0019] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle 1, in particular a motor vehicle. The vehicle 1 can be of any type, that is to say it can be a private vehicle, a utility vehicle, a truck or a bus. Also, the vehicle can be an airplane, a boat or even a train.

[0020] By convention in the following description, the direction in which the motor vehicle 1 moves in a straight line is defined as the longitudinal direction X. The forward direction corresponds to the direction in which the motor vehicle usually moves along the longitudinal direction and is opposite to the rearward direction. The direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located in a plane parallel to the ground is called the transverse direction Y. The direction perpendicular to the directions X and Y is called the vertical direction Z. Thus, a direct reference frame XYZ is defined, represented in [Fig.l].

[0021] The vehicle 1 comprises, in a known manner, a body comprising in particular at least one ceiling 2. The vehicle 1 is equipped with a dashboard 3 at the level of which are arranged equipment of a dashboard such as counters, in particular longitudinal speed, or even a steering wheel. Conventionally, the front of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 can also accommodate at least in part an HVAC installation or even a cross member, also known by the English name “Cross Car Beam”.

[0022] The vehicle 1 is furthermore equipped with an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement 4 according to the invention. The arrangement 4 comprises at least one windshield 5, a display surface 6 for at least one item of information, configured to broadcast said information in a field of vision F of a user of the vehicle 1, and a head-up display device 7. Here, the term "field of vision" is understood to mean an area where the observer can view the entirety of the displayed image without moving his gaze, or at least in a negligible way, thus not requiring him to take his eyes off the roadway.

[0023] Also, the dashboard 3 is arranged at the front of the vehicle 1 in such a way that the windshield 5 extends at least partly between the ceiling 2 and the dashboard 3 along at least one direction, in particular along the vertical direction Z.

[0024] Generally, the head-up display device 7 comprises a first subassembly 8 and a second subassembly 9. The arrangement 4 is particularly configured so that the display surface 6 extends over or around the windshield 5 and so that the display surface 6 is spatially interposed between the first subassembly 8 and the second subassembly 9 along at least one direction, in particular along the vertical direction Z. Throughout the description below, it is understood that the terms “first”, “second”, “primary” and “secondary” are simply intended to distinguish similar elements, and not to define a hierarchy among these elements.

[0025] The first subassembly 8 comprises a projection unit 10 configured to generate a light beam C, loaded with information to be displayed, which is transmitted directly or indirectly to the second subassembly 9. The projection unit 10 comprises at least one image generator providing information in the form of a virtual image. For example, such information may relate to a driving assistance system, to operating parameters of the vehicle 1 or to a location means of the “GPS” type. The image generator notably comprises at least one light source, not shown, adapted to generate an image which must be displayed. By way of non-limiting example, the light source may comprise a light-emitting diode module, called “LEDs”, a matrix of liquid crystal displays (LCD) or fluorescent displays.

[0026] Optionally but preferably, the first subassembly 8 may further comprise a primary mirror 11 arranged so as to receive the light beam C from the projection unit 10 and transmit it to the second subassembly 9. Alternatively, it is possible to project the light beam C directly from the projection unit 10 to the second subassembly 9 without passing through a mirror such as the primary mirror 11. Such a configuration may nevertheless require a larger volume along the Z axis.

[0027] The second subassembly 9 comprises a secondary mirror 12 which is arranged to receive the light beam C transmitted by the first subassembly 8. When the display device 7 comprises the primary mirror 11, the secondary mirror 12 is distinct from the primary mirror 11 and is arranged to receive the light beam C transmitted by the primary mirror 11 in order to direct it towards the display surface 6. Thus the display surface 6 is arranged to reflect the information transmitted towards the driver so as to produce a virtual image visible at least by the driver seated in a driver's seat of the vehicle 1. In particular, such a virtual image may appear distant, as illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0028] Advantageously, in order to reduce the size generated by the display device 7 at the front face, in particular the dashboard 3, of the vehicle, the display surface 6 is arranged so as to be interposed between the first sub-assembly 8 and the second sub-assembly 9 along at least one direction, in particular along the vertical direction Z. The windshield 5, comprising or being arranged at the edges of the display surface 6, is thus at least essentially interposed between the first sub-assembly 8 and the second sub-assembly 9 along the direction considered, that is to say that at least 50% of the dimension of the windshield 5 extends between the first sub-assembly 8 and the second sub-assembly 9 along said direction.

[0029] In particular, the display device 7 is configured so that the first subassembly 8 and the second subassembly 9 are located at a non-zero distance from each other within the vehicle 1. In other words, the first subassembly 8 and the second subassembly 9 are spatially separated within the vehicle 1, in particular within the passenger compartment. For example, the first subassembly 8 and the second subassembly 9 are arranged so that two closest points, one included in each of said subassemblies, extend at a distance greater than 30 cm, or even 50 cm.

[0030] According to a particular embodiment, the first subassembly 8 and the second subassembly 9 are arranged at least partly on either side of the field of vision F of the user, in particular of the seated driver, along at least one direction, in particular along the vertical direction Z.

[0031] Advantageously, the first subassembly 8 is mounted integral with the ceiling 2. The ceiling 2 may comprise one or more walls of the vehicle, for example so as to form a roof of the vehicle body and / or a lining facing the passenger compartment. The first subassembly 8 may extend at least partly into the passenger compartment or, preferably, extend at least partly between the roof of the vehicle 1 and the lining forming the ceiling 2 as explained previously. Advantageously, the first subassembly 8 may be entirely concealed at the level of the ceiling 2 of the vehicle 1, the ceiling 2 then advantageously comprises at least one orifice allowing the passage of the light beam. The dimensions and shapes of this at least one orifice may be defined according to the size of the desired display and / or according to the aesthetic constraints of the vehicle.According to an exemplary embodiment, the first subassembly 8 may extend, along the longitudinal direction X, at the level of a driver's seat, that is to say at least partly above it, or between the driver's seat and rear passenger seats. Alternatively, the first subassembly 8 may have a more frontal position, for example near the windshield 5 or an interior rearview mirror fitted to the vehicle 1. For example, the first subassembly 8 may be fixed, in particular screwed, to a metal crosspiece above the windshield and covered by a ceiling trim to hide it.

[0032] The second subassembly 9 is, for its part, preferably mounted at the level of the dashboard 3. In particular, the second subassembly 9 can extend into a volume delimited by the dashboard 3, not visible to the driver. The dashboard 3 then advantageously comprises one or more orifices allowing the reception and / or transmission of the light beam. Thus, the secondary mirror 12 remains invisible. The dimensions and shapes of these orifices can be defined according to the size of the desired display and / or according to the aesthetic constraints of the dashboard.

[0033] Such a spatial separation of the display device 7 into a first subassembly 8 and a second subassembly 9 advantageously allows the reduction of the bulk generated by said device at the level of the front face, in particular of the dashboard. The arrangement according to the invention is thus adapted to allow the integration of such devices in vehicles of various types, models and / or sizes, even when these have a cluttered front face, in particular due to the presence of the HVAC installation in the case of motor vehicles.

[0034] In more detail, within the display device 7, the primary mirror 11 and the secondary mirror 12 define an optical path between the projection unit 10 and the display surface 6 allowing the deflection and propagation of the light beam C to the field of vision F of the user. The secondary mirror 12 is arranged after the primary mirror 11 along the optical path going from the projection unit 10 to the display surface 6, that is to say that, as previously explained, the primary mirror 11 is arranged to receive the light beam C coming from the projection unit 10 and return it to the secondary mirror 12, itself arranged to direct the light beam C towards the display surface 6.

[0035] In particular, the optical path of the light beam C may be defined by an obtuse angle α, as illustrated, along a trajectory extending from the projection unit 10 to the secondary mirror 12, such a trajectory passing in particular, in the illustrated embodiment, through the primary mirror 11. For example, such an angle α may be between 100 and 160°, or even between 110 and 150°. These values ​​may be adapted in particular as a function of the position of the driver, the inclination and position of the windshield and the dashboard design. Furthermore, the optical path of the light beam may be defined by an acute angle α along a trajectory extending from the primary mirror 11 to the display surface 6 via the secondary mirror 12, for example an angle α between 15 and 80°, or even between 20 and 60°.Due to the configuration of the display device 7 according to the invention, the part of the luminous flux going from the projection unit 10 to the secondary mirror 12, in other words the luminous flux received by the second sub-assembly 9, and the part of the luminous flux emitted by the secondary mirror 12 to the surface. display 6, in other words the part of the flow emitted by the second subset 9, do not cross.

[0036] The primary mirror 11 and the secondary mirror 12 are arranged in such a way that, along the vertical direction Z, the primary mirror 11 has a position higher than that of the secondary mirror 12. In other words, the primary mirror 11 is positioned, along the vertical direction Z, above the secondary mirror 12 and the primary mirror 11 is interposed between the secondary mirror 12 and the ceiling 2 of the vehicle 1 along the vertical direction Z.

[0037] Furthermore, as previously explained, at least the secondary mirror 12 is advantageously positioned between the road observed by the driver and the latter, along the longitudinal direction X. Preferably, the projection unit 10 and the primary mirror 11 are positioned outside the driver's high field of vision. In particular, the primary mirror 11 can be positioned above the driver.

[0038] The primary mirror 11 and the secondary mirror 12 may, for example, be semi-transparent mirrors which reflect a portion of the incident light flux, or mirrors which reflect the entire light flux. Alternatively, the primary mirror 11 and / or the secondary mirror 12 may be replaced by any other reflective element, capable of reflecting a light beam. The primary mirror 11 and / or the secondary mirror 12 may advantageously have a concave shape. In particular, at least one reflective surface of the primary mirror 11 is concave and / or at least one reflective surface of the secondary mirror 12 is concave.

[0039] Optionally but preferably, at least one of the primary mirror 11 or the secondary mirror 12 may be mounted movably within the vehicle 1. Said mirror is then equipped with at least one adjustment member, making it possible to alter the position and / or the orientation of the mirror in question within the vehicle 1. For example, at least one of the primary mirror 11 or the secondary mirror 12 may be rotatably mounted so as to be able to be pivoted and thus orient the transmission of the light beam C. In addition or alternatively, at least one of the primary mirror 11 or the secondary mirror 12 may be mounted movably in translation, for example on a rail, so as to be moved in translation along at least one direction. For example, the mirror in question may be configured to be moved along a direction parallel, or substantially parallel, to the longitudinal direction X and / or along the transverse direction Y.Such an adjustment member makes it possible in particular to adjust the length and the trajectory of the optical path of the light beam C. Consequently, it makes it possible to adjust the position of the information displayed within the display surface 6 according to the driver, in particular the size of the driver. The vehicle 1 can then be equipped with an actuation system making it possible to adjust, automatically or manually, the position and / or the orientation of at least one of the mirror. primary 11 or secondary mirror 12. In particular, the actuation system may comprise at least one electric motor. Thus, the display device can adapt to the morphology of the driver.

[0040] In particular, the other of the primary mirror 11 or the secondary mirror 12 can be fixed. That is to say that neither its position nor its orientation can be adjusted. In this case, in the illustrated embodiment, the primary mirror 11 is fixed while the secondary mirror 12 is movable.

[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment not shown, the primary mirror 11 and the secondary mirror 12 can both be mounted movably as explained previously. Note that, in such an exemplary embodiment, the adjustment of the primary mirror 11 and the adjustment of the secondary mirror 12 can be carried out independently of one another.

[0042] As explained previously, the display device 7 transmits the light beam C towards the display surface 6. The latter may be a transparent surface or a glazed surface that is at least partially reflective in order to reflect the at least one item of information into the eyes of the user who is looking through the display surface 6. According to two alternative embodiments of the invention, the display device 7 may be configured so that: - the transparent windshield 5 of the vehicle 1 comprises the display surface 6, that is to say that the information is broadcast via at least a part of the windshield 5; or - the arrangement 4 further comprises a transparent display blade which comprises the display surface 6.

[0043] [Fig. 1] illustrates an example of a first embodiment in which the display surface 6 is included in the windshield 5. In particular, the display surface 6 is limited to a portion of an inner surface, facing the passenger compartment, of the windshield 5. In particular, the display surface 6 is included in a central area, along the transverse direction Y, and / or in front of the driver's seat. In this way, the display surface 6 is located in the driver's field of vision F, and the projected image is superimposed on the road, which allows the driver to access the projected information easily and to avoid diverting his attention from the road, such a loss of attention being able to generate a dangerous situation.

[0044] The area of ​​the windshield 5 comprising the display surface 6 may in particular have a composition different from that of the rest of the windshield 5. For example, such a surface may comprise a strip interposed between two layers of glass, the strip allowing the display to be reflected.

[0045] Optionally, and according to an alternative not shown, the windshield 5 may comprise a plurality of display surfaces, for example more or less close relative to the driver.

[0046] According to a second embodiment, not shown, the arrangement 4 according to the invention may comprise a transparent display blade which comprises the display surface 6. Such a blade is in particular semi-reflective so as to deflect a portion of the light beam towards the user. It is independent of the windshield 5 and is in particular arranged, at the level of the field of vision F of the user, so as to be interposed between the driver and at least a portion of the windshield 5 along the longitudinal direction.

[0047] The blade is particularly integrated into the dashboard 3. The blade can be fixed, by means of a base for example, on the dashboard 3 so as to extend, along the vertical direction Z, above the dashboard 3 and thus at least partly in the field of vision F of the driver. Alternatively, the blade can extend at least partly in the volume delimited by the dashboard 3 so as to be at least partly disclosed from the driver's view. A base or a support for fixing the blade is then hidden from the driver's view. The at least one orifice included in the dashboard 3, previously mentioned, then extends around the blade and / or allows the blade to pass through.

[0048] Optionally, the first subassembly 8 and / or the second subassembly 9 may comprise a housing of its own.

[0049] In the illustrated example, the first subassembly 8 comprises a primary housing 13 configured to house at least the projection unit 10. In particular, the primary housing 13 can house the projection unit 10 and the primary mirror 11 and the primary mirror 11.

[0050] The primary housing 13 may comprise a plurality of opaque sides and is configured so as to allow the transmission of the light beam C towards the second subassembly 9. It is thus at least partly open and / or comprises a transparent side, for example a transparent removable cover arranged at an opening.

[0051] The primary housing 13 may comprise at least one fixing means configured to hold the first subassembly 8 in the upper part of the vehicle 1, for example at the level of the ceiling 2 of the vehicle 1 and / or the upper interior rearview mirror, as explained previously. According to one embodiment, the primary housing 13 could also accommodate other electronic equipment or sensors of the vehicle, such as for example a passenger compartment lighting system, and / or a GPS antenna and / or a rain sensor.

[0052] A similar principle may, optionally, be applied mutatis mutandis to the second subassembly 9. The second subassembly 9 may thus comprise a secondary housing 14 configured to house at least the secondary mirror 12.

[0053] As explained previously, the secondary housing 14 may be at least partly open and / or comprise at least one transparent side, for example a transparent removable cover covering an opening in order to allow the reception of the light beam C transmitted by the primary mirror 11 on the one hand and the transmission of the light beam C towards the display surface 6 on the other hand.

[0054] The secondary housing 14 may comprise at least one fixing means configured to hold the second subassembly 9 at the level of the dashboard 3 of the vehicle 1, for example in the volume delimited by the dashboard and the dashboard 3.

[0055] Thus, when the display device 7 according to the invention is implemented, the projection unit 10 emits a light beam C comprising at least one item of information to be displayed. This light beam C is sent, directly or indirectly, to the second subassembly 9. In this case, the light beam is received by the primary mirror 11 of the first subassembly 8 and then reflected to the second subassembly 9, for example through an opening or a transparent side of a primary housing 13. The light beam passes through the passenger compartment to reach the second subassembly 9, arranged at the level of the dashboard 3. In particular, the light beam C passes through the at least one opening of the secondary housing 14, or even the orifice of the dashboard 3 and the at least one opening of the secondary housing 14, and is received by the secondary mirror 12.The light beam C is then reflected by the secondary mirror 12 towards the display surface 6. The light beam C leaves the secondary housing 14 and reaches the windshield 5 or the blade, depending on the embodiment implemented, and the information is then reflected by the display surface 6 in the field of vision F of the user, particularly the driver, superimposed on the road. Thus, the driver can read information more safely, without taking his eyes off the road.

[0056] The arrangement according to the invention thus advantageously allows the integration of a head-up display device in various vehicles by limiting the space taken up at the front face, in particular the dashboard, of the vehicle.

[0057] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and modes described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means or mode and to any technically operative combination of such means insofar as they ultimately fulfill the functionalities described and illustrated in the present document.

Claims

Claims

1. Arrangement (4) for a vehicle (1) comprising at least one windshield (5), a display surface (6) for at least one item of information, configured to broadcast the information in a field of vision (F) of a user of the vehicle (1), and a head-up display device (7) for broadcasting the at least one item of information in the vehicle (1), characterized in that the display device (7) comprises: - a first subassembly (8), comprising at least one projection unit (10) configured to generate a light beam loaded with information to be displayed; - a second subassembly (9) comprising a secondary mirror (12) arranged to receive the light beam transmitted by the first subassembly (8) in order to direct it towards the display surface (6);the first subassembly (8) comprising a primary mirror (11), distinct from the secondary mirror (12), arranged to receive the light beam coming from the projection unit (10) and transmit it to the second subassembly (9), at least the primary mirror (11) being mounted mobile in translation within the vehicle (1), said mirror being equipped with at least one adjustment member making it possible to alter the position and / or the orientation of the mirror so that it can be moved along at least one direction; the vehicle (1) being equipped with an actuation system comprising at least one electric motor configured to automatically adjust the position and / or the orientation of the primary mirror (11) and the secondary mirror (12) so as to adapt to the morphology of a driver;the arrangement (4) being configured such that the display surface (6) extends over or around the windshield (5) and such that the display surface (6) is spatially interposed between the first subassembly (8) and the second subassembly (9) along at least one direction, in particular along a vertical direction (Z).;

2. Arrangement (4) according to the preceding claim, in which an optical path of the light beam is defined, along a trajectory extending from the projection unit (10) to the secondary mirror (12), by an obtuse angle (a).

3. Arrangement (4) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a transparent display blade, the display blade comprising the display surface (6).

4. Arrangement (4) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the windshield (5) comprises the display surface (6).

5. Arrangement (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first subassembly (8) comprises a primary housing (13) configured to house at least the projection unit (10), the primary housing (13) being at least partly open and / or comprising a transparent cover so as to allow the transmission of the light beam.

6. Arrangement (4) according to the preceding claim, wherein the primary housing (13) comprises at least one fixing means configured to hold the first subassembly (8) at the level of a ceiling (2) of the vehicle (1).

7. Arrangement (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second subassembly (9) comprises a secondary housing (14) configured to house at least the secondary mirror (12), the secondary housing (14) being at least partly open and / or comprising a transparent cover so as to allow reception of the light beam transmitted by the first subassembly (8) and transmission of the light beam towards the display surface (6).

8. Arrangement (4) according to the preceding claim, in which the secondary housing (14) comprises at least one fixing means configured to hold the second subassembly (9) at the level of a dashboard (3) of the vehicle (1).

9. Vehicle (1) comprising a dashboard (3), a ceiling (2) and an arrangement (4) according to one of the preceding claims, the windshield (5) being interposed between the ceiling (2) and the dashboard (3) and the windshield (5) being at least partly interposed between the first subassembly (8) and the second subassembly (9) along at least one direction, in particular along the vertical direction (Z).

10. Vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, in which: - the first subassembly (8) is mounted integrally with the ceiling (2); and - the second subassembly (9) is mounted at the level of the dashboard (3).

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