Masking cover for head-up display projection module

Abstract

The invention relates to a trim comprising: - a lower part (1100) intended to be fixed on top of a projection module (400) at the periphery of its screen (410) and comprising a first strip (1110), U-shaped and open at the rear, designed to project above said module from and along the front and lateral portions of the peripheral edge of said screen; and - an upper part (1200) intended to be fixed against the lower face of an upper dashboard panel (200) at the periphery of a cutout (210) made in the latter, and comprising a second strip (1210), in the form of a frame, designed to project below said panel from and along the peripheral edge of said cutout; said second strip being sized to fit with partial overlap into said first strip so as to partition the vertical space between said screen and said cutout. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Masking cover for projection module of head-up display device Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to head-up display devices for motor vehicles comprising a projection module intended to be installed below a cutout made in an upper dashboard panel of said vehicle adjacent to the front windshield of this vehicle. It relates in particular to a masking trim for such a projection module. Prior art

[0002] As part of improving road safety, automobile manufacturers have for several years been using head-up display devices generally designated by the acronyms ATH (for Head-Up Display) or HUD (for Head-Up Display) and making it possible to project information into the driver's field of vision in front of the motor vehicle.

[0003] This type of display device comprises a projection module installed under the upper dashboard panel and intended to project a source image carrying information to a transparent element capable of reflecting part of the light rays coming from this projection module towards the driver of the motor vehicle so that the driver of the motor vehicle can read this information while continuing to view the external environment located in front of the vehicle and without modifying the accommodation of his eyes.

[0004] Depending on the devices, the semi-reflective transparent element is constituted either by a film incorporated directly into the windshield of the vehicle, or by a blade independent of the windshield and projecting from the dashboard. In order to allow the passage of light rays emitted by the projection module, the upper dashboard panel generally has a cutout arranged directly above this module.

[0005] In order to allow relatively easy access to the projection module of the head-up display device during after-sales service following, for example, a malfunction of the latter, the upper panel of the dashboard can generally be detached from the main body of the dashboard in order to be extracted from the vehicle.

[0006] Due to the close proximity between the vehicle's windshield and the front edge of this upper dashboard panel, the latter cannot be dismantled using purely vertical kinematics.

[0007] In order to be able to be dismantled, the upper dashboard panel must thus first be translated longitudinally towards the rear so as to move its front edge away from the windshield, then be lifted vertically so as to separate it from the dashboard body.

[0008] Furthermore, and in order to prevent certain vehicle components installed under this upper dashboard panel on the periphery of the projection module of the head-up display device from being visible to the driver or to an observer looking through the windshield from outside this vehicle, it is known in the prior art to use a masking trim (sometimes referred to by the English term "bezel") intended to partition the vertical space between the peripheral edge of the display screen of the projection module and that of the cutout.

[0009] Due to the particular kinematics of assembly / disassembly of the upper dashboard panel, such a masking trim cannot be formed in a single piece with this upper dashboard panel.

[0010] This masking trim is therefore in practice mounted from above the upper dashboard panel after the latter has been put in place. In order to ensure its attachment to this upper panel and as disclosed for example by document US 1,135,370 B2, this masking trim conventionally comprises a dropped peripheral edge covering and attaching by snap-fastening to the upper peripheral periphery of the cutout made in this upper panel.

[0011] This peripheral edge falling from the masking trim thus forms an inelegant excess thickness which harms the aesthetics of the vehicle's interior and contributes to degrading the perceived quality of the vehicle by users.

[0012] Furthermore, this masking trim must systematically be removed to allow the upper dashboard panel to be dismantled, which significantly increases the after-sales service intervention time. Statement of the invention

[0013] The present invention aims to improve the situation.

[0014] To this end, it proposes a masking trim for a projection module of a head-up display device installed below a cutout made in an upper dashboard panel adjacent to the front windshield of a motor vehicle; characterized in that it comprises: - a lower part intended to be fixed on top of said projection module at the periphery of its display screen and comprising a first masking strip, U-shaped and open at the rear, intended to project above said projection module from and along the front and lateral portions of the peripheral edge of said screen; and - an upper part intended to be fixed against the lower face of said upper panel at the periphery of said cutout and comprising a second masking strip, in the form of a frame, intended to project below said upper panel from and along the peripheral edge of said cutout; said second masking strip being further dimensioned to fit partially overlapping into said first masking strip so as to partition in a light-tight manner the vertical space between the front and lateral portions of the peripheral edge of said screen and those of the peripheral edge of said cutout.

[0015] The masking trim according to the invention thus makes it possible to preserve a homogeneous and continuous surface at the upper periphery of the cutout made in the upper dashboard panel, free from any unsightly excess thickness.

[0016] The invention also makes it possible to significantly reduce the time taken to disassemble and reassemble the upper dashboard panel after-sales since this masking trim does not have to be removed beforehand.

[0017] According to preferred characteristics of said masking trim according to the invention: - said lower part also comprises an externally fallen peripheral edge extending from and along the lower edge of said first masking strip and designed to rest fixedly against the peripheral periphery of said screen, following its curve; - said lower part comprises several anchoring tabs projecting outside its dropped peripheral edge and each having a respective drilling, so as to allow their fixing by screwing to said projection module; - at least some of said anchoring legs of said lower part are each provided with a respective longitudinal and / or transverse indexing hole intended to be crossed by a corresponding pin extending from said projection module; - said upper part also comprises an outer U-shaped peripheral edge open at the front extending from and along the rear and lateral portions of the upper edge of said second masking strip and designed to rest against the rear and lateral portions of the peripheral periphery of said cutout, following its curve; - said upper part further comprises several anchoring tabs projecting substantially horizontally forward from the outer face of the front wall of said second masking strip and each intended to be sandwiched between an inner wall of said upper dashboard panel and an attachment wall of a reinforcing element which is fixed by riveting to this inner wall via fixing nipples; - each said anchoring lug of the upper part has a respective notch intended to allow a said corresponding fixing stud to pass through it; - at least some of said anchoring legs of said upper part are each provided with a respective longitudinal and / or transverse indexing hole intended to be crossed by a pin extending from said inner wall; and - said upper portion comprises a cap extending downwards from and along the rear portion of its outer dropped peripheral edge and projecting below the lower edge of the rear wall of said second strip.

[0018] The invention also aims, in a second aspect, at a motor vehicle comprising: - a front windshield; - an upper dashboard panel adjacent to said windshield and having a cutout; - a head-up display device comprising a projection module provided with a display screen and installed below said upper panel in line with said cutout; characterized in that it further comprises such a masking trim. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] represents a three-quarter rear perspective view of a dashboard of a motor vehicle incorporating a head-up display device comprising a projection module installed under the upper panel of this dashboard directly above a cutout made in the latter, the space between the periphery of the upper glazed facade of the projection module and that of the cutout being filled by a masking trim according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is a partial enlarged perspective view from three-quarters rear and from above of the head-up display device reception area; - [Fig.3] represents a perspective sectional view taken along a vertical transverse plane of the reception area of ​​the head-up display device; - [Fig.4] is an exploded perspective view of the masking trim according to the invention comprising a lower part intended to be fixed on top of the projection module and an upper part intended to be fixed against the lower face of the upper dashboard panel; - [Fig.5] represents a three-quarter perspective view from the front and from above of the projection module on which the lower part of the masking trim of [Fig.4] is mounted; - [Fig.6] is a three-quarter front and bottom perspective view of the upper dashboard panel on which the upper part of the masking trim of [Fig.4] is mounted; and - [Fig.7], [Fig.8] and [Fig.9] illustrate successive stages of the kinematics of mounting the upper dashboard panel with respect to the main dashboard body. Description of the embodiments

[0020] [Fig.l] represents a subassembly of a dashboard 1 of a motor vehicle integrating a head-up display device.

[0021] By convention, we define with respect to the constituent elements (including in particular the projection module 400) of this dashboard subassembly 1 in the configuration mounted in a motor vehicle, an orthogonal reference frame XYZ comprising three axes perpendicular two by two, namely: - an X axis, defining a horizontal longitudinal direction, parallel to the ground and coincident with the general direction of movement of the vehicle; - a Y axis, defining a horizontal transverse direction, also parallel to the ground and which with the X axis defines a horizontal XY plane; and - a Z axis, defining a vertical direction, perpendicular to the ground and to the horizontal XY plane.

[0022] In the remainder of the description and with reference to the reference defined above, the terms “longitudinal” or “longitudinally” will refer to a direction parallel to the X axis, the terms “transverse” or “transversely” will refer to a direction parallel to the Y axis, and the terms “vertical” or “vertically” will refer to a direction parallel to the Z axis.

[0023] On the other hand, the terms "front" and "rear" will be used to specify the longitudinal positioning of certain elements relative to the orientation of the X axis conventionally pointing forward. Similarly, the terms "upper" and "lower" will be used to specify the relative position of certain elements relative to the orientation of the Z axis conventionally pointing upward.

[0024] Finally, the term "substantially" will indicate that a slight deviation is permitted from a predetermined nominal position or arrangement, while remaining included within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially vertical" indicates that a deviation of the order of 15 to 20° from a strictly vertical orientation is permitted within the scope of the invention.

[0025] As illustrated in this [Fig.l], the dashboard subassembly 1 comprises a main dashboard body 100 rigidly mounted on a dashboard crossmember, not visible, intended to be fixed by its two ends to the linings of the front side wings of the body structure of the vehicle, so as to extend transversely over the entire width of this vehicle above the feet of the driver and the front passenger.

[0026] Still with reference to [Fig.l], the dashboard subassembly 1 also comprises an upper dashboard panel 200 extending along a substantially horizontal mean plane and having a curved front edge intended to match the curvature of the lower end of the windshield (not shown) of the vehicle.

[0027] This upper dashboard panel 200 covers certain devices of the vehicle integrated in this subassembly 1 such as in particular the vehicle instrument cluster 300 and the projection module 400 of a head-up display device.

[0028] Better visible in [Fig.5], this projection module 400 is intended to project a source light beam carrying information to a transparent return element capable of reflecting part of the light rays coming from this projection module towards the eyes of the driver of the motor vehicle, so that the latter views this information in the form of a virtual image located a few meters in front of the vehicle in an area above the hood or the road and without modification of the accommodation of the eyes.

[0029] Among the projected information, we can cite for example the speed of the vehicle, the maximum speed authorized on the traffic lane used, the number of kilometers traveled since the last reset of the daily mileage counter, the autonomy of the vehicle in terms of quantity of fuel or kilometers, alerts relating to safety distances or compliance with the traffic lane, or even parking aids.

[0030] The semi-reflective transparent return element may for example be constituted by a film incorporated in the windshield of the vehicle and sufficiently transparent to allow a portion of the ambient light rays coming from the environment to pass through while being sufficiently reflective to return a portion of the light rays coming from this projection module 400 towards the driver. This return element may also be constituted by a blade independent of the windshield and projecting from the upper dashboard panel 200.

[0031] Directly above the projection module 400 and as illustrated by FIGS. 1 to 3, the upper dashboard panel 200 has a rectangular cutout 210 capable of allowing the transmission of the light rays emitted by the display screen 410 of this projection module 400 to the return element.

[0032] Furthermore, and in order to prevent certain vehicle components located under this upper panel of the dashboard 200 on the periphery of the projection module 400 cannot be visible to the driver or to an observer looking through the front windshield from outside this vehicle, the dashboard subassembly 1 comprises a masking trim 1000 according to the invention intended, as illustrated by figures 2 and 3, to partition the vertical space between the peripheral edge of the screen 410 of the projection module 400 and that of the cutout 210 made in the upper panel of the dashboard 200.

[0033] This masking trim 1000 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0034] With reference to [Fig. 4], the masking trim 1000 comprises a lower part 1100 intended to be fixed on top of the projection module 400 at the periphery of its display screen 410 as shown in [Fig. 5], as well as an upper part 1200 intended to be fixed against the lower face of the upper dashboard panel 200 at the periphery of its cutout 210 as shown in [Fig. 6].

[0035] Advantageously molded in a single piece from a thermoplastic polymer possibly reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers, the lower part 1100 of the trim 1000 comprises a U-shaped masking strip 1110 open at the rear and designed to project above the projection module 400 from and along the front and lateral portions of the peripheral edge of the screen 410 of this module 400, matching the curve of this peripheral edge.

[0036] This masking strip 1110 thus comprises a front wall 1111, in this case substantially vertical, intended to extend from and along the front portion of the peripheral edge of the screen 410 of the projection module 400, as well as two side walls 1112, 1113, in this case substantially vertical and arranged symmetrically to one another, intended to extend respectively from and along a corresponding lateral portion of the peripheral edge of this screen 410.

[0037] The lower portion 1100 of the trim 1000 also includes an outer, dropped peripheral edge 1120 extending from and along the lower edge of the masking strip 1110 and provided, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], to rest fixedly against the peripheral periphery of the screen 410 of the projection module 400, following its curve.

[0038] In order to reinforce its mechanical resistance, several stiffening ribs 1121 advantageously extend from the upper face of this dropped peripheral edge 1120 at regular intervals over at least a portion of its length, being fixedly attached to the outer face of the masking strip 1110.

[0039] As illustrated by figures 4 and 5, the lower part 1100 of the trim 1000 further comprises several anchoring tabs 1130, 1140, 1150 and 1160 projecting outside its dropped peripheral edge 1120 and each having a drilling respective 1131, 1141, 1161, so as to allow their fixing by screwing to the projection module 400.

[0040] In this case, this lower part 1100 of the trim 1000 comprises: - two front anchoring legs 1130, 1140 projecting longitudinally in front of the front portion of the dropped peripheral edge 1120 while being transversely spaced from each other; and - two lateral anchoring lugs 1150, 1160 projecting transversely towards the outside of the lateral portions of this dropped peripheral edge 1120.

[0041] Advantageously, at least some of these anchoring lugs (in this case, the two lateral anchoring lugs 1150, 1160) are each further provided with a respective longitudinal and / or transverse indexing hole 1162 intended to be crossed by a corresponding cross-section pin 420 (one of them being visible in [Fig. 5]) extending vertically from the projection module 400.

[0042] In order to reinforce their mechanical resistance, several stiffening ribs 1133, 1143, 1153 and 1163 advantageously extend from the upper face of these anchoring tabs 1130, 1140, 1150 and 1160, being fixedly attached to the outer face of the masking strip 1110.

[0043] In order to ensure perfect plating of the dropped peripheral edge 1120 against the peripheral periphery of the screen 410, the lower part 1100 of the trim 1000 may also comprise at least one other anchoring tab 1170 projecting outside its dropped peripheral edge 1120 (in this case at one of its distal ends) and having a slot intended to be crossed by snap-fastening by a clipping tab 430 visible in [Fig. 5].

[0044] This type of snap-on anchoring bracket such as 1170 has the advantage of being less bulky than a screw-on anchoring bracket such as 1130, 1140, 1150 and 1160.

[0045] Advantageously molded in a single piece from a thermoplastic polymer possibly reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers, the upper part 1200 of the trim 1000 comprises a masking strip 1210 in the form of a frame and designed to project below the upper dashboard panel 200 from and along the peripheral edge of the cutout 210, matching the curve of this edge.

[0046] This masking strip 1210 thus comprises: - a front wall 1211 intended, as illustrated by [Fig.6], to extend from and along the front portion of the peripheral edge of the cutout 210 and oriented in this case obliquely towards the front; - a rear wall 1212 intended, as illustrated by [Fig.6], to extend from and along the rear portion of the peripheral edge of the cutout 210 and also oriented in this case, biased forward; and - two side walls 1213, 1214 intended, as illustrated by [Fig.6], to extend each respectively from and along a corresponding lateral portion of the peripheral edge of the cutout 210 and oriented in this case substantially vertically while being arranged symmetrically to one another.

[0047] The upper portion 1200 of the trim 1000 also includes a U-shaped outer peripheral edge 1220 open at the front extending from and along the rear and lateral portions of the upper edge of the masking strip 1210 and provided, as illustrated in [Fig. 6], to rest fixedly (in this case by means of several ultrasonic welding points) against the rear and lateral portions of the peripheral periphery of the cutout 210, matching its curve.

[0048] As illustrated by Figures 4 and 6, the upper part 1200 of the trim 1000 further comprises several (in this case, three) anchoring tabs 1230, 1240 and 1250 projecting substantially horizontally forward from the outer face of the front wall 1211 of the masking strip 1210 while being transversely spaced from each other, and designed to be each sandwiched, as illustrated by [Fig. 7], between an inner wall 220 of the upper dashboard panel 200 and an attachment wall 510 of a reinforcing element 500 which is fixed by riveting to this inner wall 220 via fixing pins 221 projecting vertically from the lower face of this wall 220 and passing through corresponding orifices provided in the front wall 510 to be hot-stamped against this attachment wall 510 around the perimeter of these orifices.

[0049] It will be noted in support of [Fig.4], that the anchoring lugs 1230, 1240 and 1250 each have a respective notch 1231, 1241 and 1251 intended to allow a corresponding fixing stud 221 to pass through it.

[0050] At least some of the anchoring lugs 1230, 1240 and 1250 are further advantageously provided with a respective longitudinal and / or transverse indexing hole 1232, 1242 and 1252 intended to be crossed by a corresponding cross-section pin 222 (the latter being visible in [Fig. 5]) extending vertically from the inner wall 220 of the upper dashboard panel 200.

[0051] In order to reinforce their mechanical resistance, several stiffening ribs 1253 advantageously extend from the upper face of these anchoring tabs 1230, 1240 and 1250, being fixedly attached to the outer face of the front wall 1211 of the masking strip 1210.

[0052] We will now briefly describe the kinematics of mounting the upper dashboard panel 200 on the main dashboard body 100 with the support of figures 7 to 9.

[0053] As illustrated in [Fig.7], the upper dashboard panel 200 must be first presented in line with the main body of the dashboard 100, being offset longitudinally by several centimeters backwards from its mounting position.

[0054] This upper dashboard panel 200 must then be lowered vertically so as to come to rest on this main dashboard body 100 ([Fig.8]), then finally be translated longitudinally from back to front to its mounting position illustrated by [Fig.9] and in which its front edge comes close to the front windshield of the vehicle.

[0055] In order to allow access to the projection module 400 in after-sales service following, for example, a malfunction of the latter, the disassembly of this upper dashboard panel 200 will be carried out by carrying out these same steps but in reverse. Such kinematics thus make it possible to remove this upper dashboard panel 200 without having to remove the front windshield of the vehicle.

[0056] As illustrated by figures 2, 3 and 9, it can be noted that the masking strip 1210 of the upper part 1200 of the trim 1000 is dimensioned to fit with partial overlap, during this assembly kinematics, into the masking strip 1110 of the lower part 1100 of this trim 1000, so as to partition in a light-tight manner the vertical space between the front and lateral portions of the peripheral edge of the screen 410 of the projection module 400 and those of the peripheral edge of the cutout 210 formed in the upper dashboard panel 200.

[0057] It will be understood that the profile of the masking strip 1210 of the upper part 1200 of the trim 1000 will be arranged so as not to hinder the assembly kinematics of this upper dashboard panel 200.

[0058] The lower end portions of the front 1211 and side 1213, 1214 walls of the masking strip 1210 of the upper part 1200 of the trim 1000 are thus shaped to extend, in the mounted configuration of the upper dashboard panel 200, opposite and close to the upper end portions of the front 1111 and side 1112, 1113 walls of the masking strip 1110 of the lower part 1100 of this trim 1000.

[0059] It will be noted, in particular with reference to [Fig. 9], that the rear wall 1212 of the masking strip 1210 of the upper part 1200 of the trim 1000 is configured so that its lower edge is distant, in the mounted configuration of the upper dashboard panel 200, by a distance e (preferably between 3 and 9 millimeters) from the rear portion of the peripheral periphery of the screen 410 of the projection module 400 in order to prevent it from rubbing with this periphery during the mounting of this upper panel 200.

[0060] In order to prevent light rays coming from the front windshield of the vehicle and crossing the gap between the rear portion of the peripheral edge of the screen 410 of the projection module 400 and the lower edge of the rear wall 1212 of the masking strip 1210 of the upper part 1200 of the trim 1000, to reach other elements housed under the upper dashboard panel 200 behind this projection module 400 and to be partially reflected towards this windshield, this upper part 1200 of the trim 1000 advantageously comprises a cap 1260 extending downwards (preferably at an angle towards the front) from and along the rear portion of the outer dropped peripheral edge 1220 and projecting below the lower edge of this rear wall 1212 of the strip 1210.

[0061] Numerous variants are conceivable and it is recalled in this regard that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but also encompasses all the variants of execution within the reach of those skilled in the art.

[0062] The lower part of this masking trim could, for example, have been molded in one piece with at least part of the housing of the projection module.

Claims

Claims

1. Masking trim (1000) for a projection module (400) of a head-up display device installed below a cutout (210) made in an upper dashboard panel (200) adjacent to the front windshield of a motor vehicle; characterized in that it comprises: - a lower part (1100) intended to be fixed on top of said projection module (400) at the periphery of its display screen (410) and comprising a first masking strip (1110), U-shaped open at the rear, intended to project above said projection module (400) from and along the front and lateral portions of the peripheral edge of said screen (410);and - an upper part (1200) intended to be fixed against the lower face of said upper panel (200) at the periphery of said cutout (210) and comprising a second masking strip (1210), in the form of a frame, intended to project below said upper panel (200) from and along the peripheral edge of said cutout (210); said second masking strip (1210) being further dimensioned to fit with partial overlap into said first masking strip (1110) so as to partition in a light-tight manner the vertical space between the front and lateral portions of the peripheral edge of said screen (410) and those of the peripheral edge of said cutout (210).;

2. Masking trim (1000) according to claim 1, characterized in that said lower part (1100) also comprises an outer dropped peripheral edge (1120) extending from and along the lower edge of said first masking strip (1110) and designed to rest fixedly against the peripheral periphery of said screen (410) by following its curve.

3. Masking trim (1000) according to claim 2, characterized in that said lower part (1100) comprises several anchoring tabs (1130, 1140, 1150 and 1160) projecting outside its dropped peripheral edge (1120) and each having a respective drilling (1131, 1141, 1161), so as to allow their fixing by screwing to said projection module (400).

4. Masking trim (1000) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least some of said anchoring tabs (1130, 1140, 1150, 1160) of said lower part (1100) are each provided with a respective longitudinal and / or transverse indexing hole (1162) intended to be crossed by a corresponding pin (420) extending from said projection module (400).

5. Masking trim (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said upper part (1200) also comprises an external, U-shaped, dropped peripheral edge (1220) open at the front, extending from and along the rear and lateral portions of the upper edge of said second masking strip (1210) and designed to rest against the rear and lateral portions of the peripheral periphery of said cutout (210) by matching its curve.

6. Masking trim (1000) according to claim 5, characterized in that said upper part (1200) further comprises several anchoring tabs (1230, 1240, 1250) projecting substantially horizontally forward from the outer face of the front wall (1211) of said second masking strip (1210) and provided to be each sandwiched between an inner wall (220) of said upper panel (200) and an attachment wall (510) of a reinforcing element (500) which is fixed by riveting to this inner wall (220) via fixing pins (221).

7. Masking trim (1000) according to claim 6, characterized in that each said anchoring tab (1230, 1240, 1250) of the upper part (1200) has a respective notch (1231, 1241, 1251) intended to allow a said corresponding fixing stud (221) to pass through it.

8. Masking trim (1000) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that at least some of said anchoring tabs (1230, 1240, 1250) of said upper part (1200) are each provided with a respective longitudinal and / or transverse indexing hole (1232, 1242, 1252) intended to be crossed by a corresponding pin (222) extending from said inner wall (220).

9. Masking trim (1000) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said upper portion (1200) comprises a cap (1260) extending downwardly from and along the rear portion of its outer dropped peripheral edge (1220) and projecting below the lower edge of the rear wall (1212) of said second strip (1210).

10. Motor vehicle comprising: - a front windshield; - an upper dashboard panel (200) adjacent to said windshield and having a cutout (210); - a head-up display device comprising a projection module (400) provided with a display screen (410) and installed below said upper panel (200) in line with said cutout (210); characterized in that it further comprises a masking trim (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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