Masking bezel for head-up display projection module

Abstract

The invention relates to a trim piece comprising: - a lower portion (1100) intended to be fixed to the top of a projection module (400) around the periphery of its screen (410) and comprising a first U-shaped band (1110), 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 portion (1200) intended to be fixed against the underside of an upper dashboard panel (200) around the periphery of a cutout (210) formed in the latter, and comprising a second frame-shaped band (1210) designed to project below said panel from and along the peripheral edge of said cutout; said second band being dimensioned to partially overlap said first band so as to partition the vertical space between said screen and said cutout. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Masking bezel for head-up display projection module 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 in an upper panel of the dashboard of said vehicle adjacent to the front windshield of said vehicle. It relates in particular to a masking trim piece for such a projection module. Previous technique

[0002] As part of improving road safety, car manufacturers have been using head-up display devices for some years, generally referred to by the acronyms HUD (Head Up Display) and allowing information to be projected into the driver's field of vision in front of the motor vehicle.

[0003] This type of display device includes a projection module located 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 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 in front of the vehicle and without changing the accommodation of his eyes.

[0004] Depending on the design, the semi-reflective transparent element consists either of a film incorporated directly into the vehicle's windshield or of a blade independent of the windshield and protruding from the dashboard. To allow the passage of light rays emitted by the projection module, the upper dashboard panel generally has a cutout positioned directly above this module.

[0005] In order to allow relatively easy access to the projection module of the head-up display device in 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 removed using a purely vertical kinematic approach.

[0007] In order to be able to be disassembled, 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 detach it from the dashboard body.

[0008] Furthermore, and in order to prevent certain vehicle components located under this upper dashboard panel around the periphery of the head-up display device's projection module from being visible to the driver or to an observer looking through the windshield from outside the 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 projection module's display screen and that of the cutout.

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

[0010] This masking trim is therefore, in practice, mounted from the top of the upper dashboard panel after the latter has been installed. In order to secure it to this upper panel, and as disclosed, for example, by US patent 1,135,370 B2, this masking trim conventionally comprises a dropped peripheral edge that covers and snaps into place around the upper peripheral edge of the cutout in this upper panel.

[0011] This peripheral edge, which has fallen from the masking trim, thus forms an unsightly excess thickness which detracts from the aesthetics of the vehicle's interior and contributes to degrading the perceived quality of the vehicle by users.

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

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

[0014] For this purpose, it proposes a masking trim for a projection module of a head-up vision device implanted 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 to the top of said projection module at the periphery of its display screen and comprising a first masking strip, in the shape of a U open at the rear, intended to protrude above said projection module from and along the front and lateral portions of the peripheral edge said screen; and - an upper part intended to be fixed against the lower face of said upper panel around the periphery of said cutout and comprising a second masking strip, in the form of a frame, intended to protrude 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-proof 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 cut-out made in the upper panel of the dashboard, free from any unsightly excess thickness.

[0016] The invention also makes it possible to significantly reduce the time required to dismantle and reassemble the upper dashboard panel in after-sales service 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 includes an outer peripheral edge extending from and along the lower edge of said first masking strip and designed to rest fixedly against the peripheral perimeter of said screen, following its curve; - said lower part has several anchoring tabs protruding outside its dropped peripheral edge and each having a respective hole, so as to allow their fixing by screwing to said projection module; - at least some of the said anchoring lugs of the 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 the said projection module; - said upper part also includes 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 perimeter 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 provided each 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 corresponding said fixing stud to pass through it; - at least some of the said anchoring lugs of said upper part are each provided with a respective longitudinal and / or transverse indexing hole intended to be passed through by a pin extending from said inner wall; and - said upper part includes a cap extending downwards from and along the rear portion of its peripheral edge, which falls outwards and protrudes below the lower edge of the rear wall of said second band.

[0018] The invention also relates, in a second aspect, to a motor vehicle comprising: - a front windshield; - an upper dashboard panel adjacent to said windshield and featuring a cutout; - a head-up display system comprising a projection module equipped with a display screen and installed below said upper panel directly above said cutout; characterized in that it also includes such a masking trim. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The description of the invention will now be continued by a detailed description of an example embodiment, given below by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, on which: - [Fig.1] represents a three-quarter rear perspective view of a dashboard of a motor vehicle incorporating a head-up display device comprising a projection module located under the upper panel of this dashboard in line with a cutout made in the latter, the space between the periphery of the upper glazed face 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 three-quarter rear and top perspective view of the head-up display device's reception area; - [Fig.3] represents a perspective cross-sectional view taken along a vertical transverse plane of the area housing 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 front and top perspective view of the projection module on which is mounted the lower part of the masking trim of the [Fig.4]; - [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 in relation to the main dashboard body. Description of the implementation methods

[0020] Fig. 1 represents a sub-assembly of a motor vehicle dashboard 1 incorporating a head-up display device.

[0021] By convention, an orthogonal coordinate system XYZ comprising three axes perpendicular in pairs is defined with respect to the constituent elements (including in particular the projection module 400) of this dashboard sub-assembly 1 in its configuration mounted in a motor vehicle, namely: - an X axis, defining a horizontal longitudinal direction, parallel to the ground and coinciding with the general direction of movement of the vehicle; - a Y-axis, defining a horizontal transverse direction, also parallel to the ground, which, together 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 frame defined above, the terms "longitudinal" or "longitudinally" shall refer to a direction parallel to the X axis, the terms "transverse" or "transversely" shall refer to a direction parallel to the Y axis, and the terms "vertical" or "vertically" shall refer to a direction parallel to the Z axis.

[0023] Furthermore, the terms "front" and "rear" will be used to specify the longitudinal positioning of certain elements relative to the orientation of the X-axis, which conventionally points forward. Similarly, the terms "upper" and "lower" will be used to specify the relative position of certain elements with respect to the orientation of the Z-axis, which conventionally points upward.

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

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

[0026] Still with reference to [Fig.1], the dashboard subassembly 1 also includes an upper dashboard panel 200 extending along a substantially horizontal average plane and having a curved front edge designed to follow the curvature of the lower end of the unshown windscreen of the vehicle.

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

[0028] More clearly visible in [Fig. 5], this projection module 400 is intended to project a light beam source carrying information to a transparent reflecting element capable of reflecting part of the light rays from this projection module towards the eyes of the driver of the motor vehicle, so that the latter visualizes 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 information projected, we can mention for example the speed of the vehicle, the maximum speed allowed on the traffic lane taken, the number of kilometers traveled since the last reset of the daily odometer, the vehicle's range in terms of quantity of fuel or kilometers, alerts relating to safety distances or compliance with the traffic lane, or even parking assistance.

[0030] The semi-reflective transparent reflector element may, for example, consist of a film incorporated into the vehicle's windshield and sufficiently transparent to allow some ambient light rays from the environment to pass through, while being sufficiently reflective to reflect some of the light rays from this projection module 400 back towards the driver. This reflector element may also consist of 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 figures 1 to 3, the upper dashboard panel 200 has a rectangular cutout 210 suitable for transmitting the light rays emitted by the display screen 410 of this projection module 400 to the reflector element.

[0032] Furthermore, and in order to prevent certain vehicle components located under this upper panel of the dashboard 200 around the periphery of the projection module 400 cannot be seen by the driver or by an observer looking through the front windshield from outside this vehicle, the dashboard sub-assembly 1 includes 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 provided in the upper panel of the dashboard 200.

[0033] We will now describe in detail this 1000 masking trim with reference to figures 4 to 6.

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

[0035] Advantageously made from a single piece of a thermoplastic polymer possibly reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers, the lower part 1100 of the trim 1000 includes a masking strip 1110 in the shape of a U open at the rear and designed to protrude 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 by following 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 each other, intended to extend respectively from and along a corresponding lateral portion of the peripheral edge of this screen 410.

[0037] The lower part 1100 of the trim 1000 also has an outer peripheral edge 1120 extending from and along the lower edge of the masking strip 1110 and provided, as illustrated by [Fig.5], to rest fixedly against the peripheral perimeter of the screen 410 of the projection module 400 by 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 in Figures 4 and 5, the lower part 1100 of the trim piece 1000 further comprises several anchoring tabs 1130, 1140, 1150 and 1160 projecting outside its dropped peripheral edge 1120, each having a hole 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 lugs 1130, 1140 projecting longitudinally in front of the front portion of the dropped peripheral edge 1120, being spaced transversely apart from each other; and - two lateral anchoring lugs 1150, 1160 projecting transversely outwards from the lateral portions of this fallen peripheral edge 1120.

[0041] Advantageously, at least some of these anchoring lugs (in this case, the two lateral anchoring lugs 1150, 1160) are further provided each with a respective longitudinal and / or transverse indexing hole 1162 intended to be traversed 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 lugs 1130, 1140, 1150 and 1160, being fixedly attached to the outer face of the masking strip 1110.

[0043] In order to ensure perfect contact of the dropped peripheral edge 1120 against the peripheral perimeter of the screen 410, the lower part 1100 of the trim 1000 may also include 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 snapping by a clipping tab 430 visible on the [Fig.5].

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

[0045] Advantageously produced from a single piece molding of a thermoplastic polymer possibly reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers, the upper part 1200 of the trim 1000 includes a masking strip 1210 in the shape of a frame and intended to protrude below the upper dashboard panel 200 from and along the peripheral edge of the cutout 210, following the curve of this edge.

[0046] This masking strip 1210 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 at an angle 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, slanted forwards; and - two lateral walls 1213, 1214 intended, as illustrated by [Fig.6], to extend respectively from and along a corresponding lateral portion of the peripheral edge of the cut 210 and oriented in this case substantially vertically by being arranged symmetrically to each other.

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

[0048] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, the upper part 1200 of the trim piece 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, being transversely separated from one another, and intended to be sandwiched, as illustrated in [Fig. 7], between an inner wall 220 of the upper dashboard panel 200 and an attachment wall 510 of a reinforcement element 500 which is fastened 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 holes provided in the wall 510 before being hot-butted 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 traversed by a corresponding cross-section pin 222 (the latter being visible on [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 lugs 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 assembly kinematics of the upper dashboard panel 200 onto the main dashboard body 100 with reference to Figures 7 to 9

[0053] As illustrated by [Fig.7], the upper dashboard panel 200 must be firstly presented in line with the main body of dashboard 100, being longitudinally offset 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] ), and 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] To allow access to the projection module 400 during after-sales service, for example following a malfunction, the removal of this upper dashboard panel 200 will be carried out by performing the same steps in reverse. This procedure makes it possible to remove this upper dashboard panel 200 without having to remove the vehicle's windshield.

[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 partially overlap, during this assembly kinematic, the masking strip 1110 of the lower part 1100 of this trim 1000, so as to partially overlap 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 in the upper panel of the dashboard 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 interfere with 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 near 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 support in particular of [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 perimeter of the screen 410 of the projection module 400 in order to prevent it from rubbing against this perimeter during the mounting of this upper panel 200.

[0060] In order to prevent light rays from the front windshield of the vehicle and crossing the gap between the rear portion of the peripheral perimeter 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 windscreen, this upper part 1200 of the trim 1000 advantageously comprises a cap 1260 extending downwards (preferably diagonally forwards) 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] Many variants are conceivable and it is recalled in this regard that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented, but also encompasses all variants of execution within the reach of a person skilled in the art.

[0062] The lower part of this masking trim could, for example, have come from a one-piece molding with at least part of the housing of the projection module.

Claims

Demands

1. Masking trim (1000) for a projection module (400) of a head-up vision device implanted 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), in the shape of a U open at the rear, intended to protrude 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 underside 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, provided 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 partially overlap into said first masking strip (1110) so as to partition 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) in a light-tight manner.

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 provided to rest fixedly against the peripheral perimeter of said screen (410) by following its curve.

3. Masking trim (1000) according to claim 2, characterized in that said lower part (1100) has several anchoring tabs (1130, 1140, 1150 and 1160) projecting outside its dropped peripheral edge (1120) and each having a respective hole (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 any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said upper part (1200) also comprises an outer dropped peripheral edge (1220), in the shape of a U open at the front, extending from and along the rear and lateral portions of the upper edge of said second masking trim (1210) and provided to rest against the rear and lateral portions of the peripheral perimeter of said cutout (210) by following 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 sandwiched each between an inner wall (220) of said upper panel (200) and an attachment wall (510) of a reinforcement element (500) being 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 corresponding fixing stud (221) to pass through it.

8. Masking trim (1000) according to any 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 traversed by a corresponding pin (222) extending from said inner wall (220).

9. Masking trim (1000) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said upper part (1200) comprises a cap (1260) extending downwards 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 trim (1210).

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

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