Swivel mirror for head-up display

Abstract

The invention relates to a pivoting mirror for a head-up display. The pivoting mirror comprises a reflecting surface, capable of reflecting a beam of light, and at least one axis (16), integral with the reflecting surface, intended to allow the pivoting of the reflecting surface about an axis of rotation (AA'), when the pivoting mirror is integrated into a head-up display. At least one axis (16) has a necking zone (20), so as to allow the axis (16) to break in the event of an impact by a pedestrian on the pivoting mirror. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Swivel mirror for head-up display Technical field to which the invention relates

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of head-up displays for motor vehicles and, more particularly, a swiveling mirror for a head-up display. Technological background

[0002] The increasing integration of head-up displays in motor vehicles has profoundly transformed the driving experience. These projection devices allow the display, directly in the driver's field of vision, of multiple pieces of information such as speed, route, traffic conditions and much more.

[0003] For this purpose, a head-up display comprises an image generation module and an image projection module. More specifically, the image generation module incorporates a light source illuminating the front face of a screen.

[0004] Upon command, the screen is adapted to allow some light to pass through, so as to permit the emission of an image from a rear surface of the screen. The resulting image contains information intended for the driver. This image is then directed towards the windshield of the motor vehicle, via the projection module, so as to be visible to the driver when in the driving position. The projection surface is generally formed by the windshield of the motor vehicle.

[0005] To this end, the projection module consists of a mirror and a projection surface. The mirror is housed in an optical duct, one end of which is occupied by the image generation module. The mirror is located at a second end of the optical duct, near the windshield of the motor vehicle.

[0006] Advantageously, the optical conduit is positioned under the dashboard of the motor vehicle so as not to obstruct the driver's field of vision. The mirror located in the optical conduit is pivotable, which allows the position of the images on the projection surface to be adjusted according to the driver's height and driving position.

[0007] New safety standards now require that parts of a motor vehicle that may be struck at low speed by a pedestrian be able to deform or give way during the collision, in order to cushion the impact and thus limit the risk of serious injury to the pedestrian.

[0008] However, in the event of a frontal collision, a pedestrian's head is likely to impact the optical tube of the head-up display. More specifically, the presence of the mirror at The level of the second end of the optical conduit, positioned close to the windshield, creates a risk of serious injury to the pedestrian.

[0009] The present invention aims to reduce this risk of injury, by proposing a pivoting mirror for a head-up display, capable of more effectively absorbing the impact of a pedestrian at low speed. Object of the invention

[0010] For this purpose, the invention proposes a pivoting mirror for a head-up display, comprising a reflective surface, capable of reflecting a light beam, and at least one axis, attached to the reflective surface, intended to allow the pivoting of the reflective surface around an axis of rotation, when the pivoting mirror is integrated into a head-up display.

[0011] The invention is remarkable in that at least one axis has a restriction zone so as to allow the said axis to break in the event of an impact of a pedestrian on the pivoting mirror.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the constriction zone extends partly or all around said axis.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, the constriction zone delimits a closed contour.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the necking zone is included or substantially included in a plane normal to the direction of elongation of said axis.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one shaft comprises a cylindrical part, and the necking zone is present at the level of the cylindrical part of said shaft.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical part is hollow. Preferably, the hollow cylindrical part opens at a free end of the shaft.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, the necking zone has a depth of between 0.1 and 1 mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 mm.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, the necking zone is located at a distance from the reflection surface which is equal to or less than 5 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 1 mm.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, the pivoting mirror forms a single piece, obtained by a molding technique. Optionally, the pivoting mirror can be locally coated with a metallic layer to form the reflective surface mentioned above.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the pivoting mirror is made from one or more synthetic polymers.

[0021] Of course, the different characteristics, variants and embodiments men- The above data can be associated with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0022] The invention also relates to a head-up display comprising a swiveling mirror as described above. Description of the figures

[0023] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] illustrates a perspective view of a head-up display according to the invention, po positioned under the dashboard of a motor vehicle;

[0025] [Fig.2] illustrates a front view of a pivoting mirror according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig.3] illustrates a partial perspective view of the pivoting mirror visible on the [Fig.2], showing in detail an axis of the mirror, allowing the pivoting of the mirror around an axis of rotation in the head-up display;

[0027] [Fig.4] illustrates a longitudinal section of the axis visible on [Fig.3]. Detailed description of the invention

[0028] As a reminder, the invention proposes a pivoting mirror for a head-up display, capable of more effectively absorbing the impact of a pedestrian at low speed.

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a non-limiting example of an embodiment of a head-up display According to the invention, the head-up display 2 consists of an optical duct 4, positioned under the dashboard 6 of a motor vehicle. More specifically, the optical duct 4 includes an image generation module and a pivoting mirror 8 allowing the projection of images from said module onto the windshield 10.

[0030] As mentioned above, in the event of a frontal collision with a pedestrian, the pedestrian's head is likely to impact the optical duct 4 of the head-up display 2. The presence of the mirror in the optical duct 4 is then likely to form a "hard" point and thus seriously injure the pedestrian.

[0031] To reduce this risk, the invention proposes a new type of pivoting mirror 8 as illustrated in [Fig. 2]. The pivoting mirror 8 consists of a parallelepiped-shaped or substantially parallelepiped-shaped plate 12, which supports a reflecting surface 14 capable of reflecting a beam of light. The reflecting surface is preferably formed by a metallic layer based on silver or other materials.

[0032] The pivoting mirror 8 also includes two axes 16 fixed to the plate. More precisely, each axis 16 extends perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to a short side 18 of the plate. The axes are aligned or substantially aligned so as to allow the plate to pivot around an axis of rotation AA' visible in [Fig.2].

[0033] Figures 3 and 4 show more precisely an axis 16 mentioned above. As illustrated by [Fig. 3], the axes are cylindrical in shape and their diameter is approximately 15 mm. Each axis 16 is hollowed out in its center to allow the insertion into said axis of a lug, not shown in the figures, ensuring the retention of the plate 12 in the optical conduit 4 of the head-up display, while allowing the plate to pivot in the optical conduit around the axis of rotation AA'.

[0034] Remarkably, the axle 16 includes a restriction zone 20 configured to allow the axle to detach from the plate when a pedestrian impacts the pivoting mirror. To achieve this, the restriction zone is located on the outer face 22 of the axle and completely surrounds the hollowed-out portion of said axle.

[0035] Preferably, the necking zone 20 forms a ring around the axis 16, the ring being contained in a plane normal or substantially normal to the axis of rotation AA'.

[0036] According to the present example, the depth of the necking zone 20, measured in a direction normal to the outer face 22 of the axis, is between 0.1 and 1 mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 mm. The width of the necking zone, measured in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the axis of rotation AA', is between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm.

[0037] As illustrated by [Fig.4], the necking zone is positioned as close as possible to the plate 12, preferably at a distance from the plate equal to or less than 5 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 1 mm.

[0038] Thus, remarkably, in the event of an impact between a pedestrian and the head-up display 2 described above, the presence of the constriction zones 20 on the axes 16 of the pivoting mirror allows the pivoting mirror to detach itself in part or totally from the optical conduit 4 of the head-up display, in which it is located, so as not to form a "hard" point likely to seriously injure the pedestrian.

[0039] The invention thus proposes a pivoting mirror intended to equip a head-up display, making it possible to reduce the risk of injury to a pedestrian in the event of a collision between the latter and the head-up display.

Claims

Claims

1. Pivoting mirror (8) for a head-up display, comprising a reflection surface (14), capable of reflecting a light beam, and at least one axis (16), integral with the reflection surface (14), intended to allow the reflection surface (14) to pivot about an axis of rotation (AA'), when the pivoting mirror (8) is integrated in a head-up display, characterized in that at least one axis (16) comprises a constriction zone (20) so as to allow the breaking of said axis (16), in the event of an impact of a pedestrian on the pivoting mirror (8).

2. Pivoting mirror (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that the constriction zone (20) extends partly or completely around at least one axis (16).

3. Pivoting mirror (8) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the constriction zone (20) delimits a closed contour.

4. Pivoting mirror (8) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the constriction zone (20) is included or substantially included in a plane normal to the longitudinal direction of at least one axis (16).

5. Pivoting mirror (8) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one axis (16) comprises a cylindrical part, and in that the constriction zone (20) is present at the level of the cylindrical part of said axis (16).

6. Pivoting mirror (8) according to claim 5, characterized in that the cylindrical part is hollow.

7. Pivoting mirror (8) according to claim 6, characterized in that the hollow cylindrical part opens at a free end of the axis (16).

8. Pivoting mirror (8) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the constriction zone (20) has a depth of between 0.1 and 1 mm.

9. Pivoting mirror (8) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the constriction zone (20) is located at a distance from the reflection surface (14) which is equal to or less than 5 mm.

10. Head-up display (2) comprising a pivoting mirror (8) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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