Vehicle Head-Up Display (HUD) Systems

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a head-up display (HUD) system (100) for a vehicle. The HUD system includes an image generation unit (PGU) including an illumination source (112) configured to emit light and an optical assembly including a beam splitter (104a) that splits the incident light into a first polarizing section (106a) and a second polarizing section (106b). The second polarizing section passes through a wave plate (104b). The projection unit further includes a first diffuser and lens assembly (104c) and a second diffuser and lens assembly (104d) configured to receive one of the first polarizing section and the second polarizing section. The HUD system further includes the projection unit (103) and a display unit (108) arranged to receive the first polarizing section and the second polarizing section through the first diffuser and lens assembly and transmit them onto the vehicle glass (110).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the automotive field, and more particularly, the present invention relates to vehicle head-up displays (HUDs). [Background technology]

[0002] A HUD unit is a system that displays various information, such as vehicle driving and navigation information, on a see-through display on the vehicle's windshield within the driver's primary field of view while the vehicle is moving. There are typically two types of HUD systems: a stowed form that is hidden from view and stored under the cockpit area when not in use, or a windshield-type that projects information onto the vehicle's windshield for the driver to see.

[0003] One of the main challenges for HUD systems is the space constraints within the vehicle cockpit, and therefore, automakers are moving towards producing HUD systems with more compact sizes.

[0004] The present disclosure has been made in light of the above considerations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One or more drawbacks of conventional systems and methods are overcome, and further advantages are provided, by providing the systems and methods claimed in this disclosure.

[0006] Additional features and advantages are realized by the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

[0007] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a head-up display (HUD) system for a vehicle is disclosed. The HUD system includes an image generation unit (PGU) including an illumination source configured to emit light and an optical assembly. The optical assembly includes a beam splitter configured to split incident light from the illumination source into a first polarizing section and a second polarizing section. The first polarizing section transmits through the beam splitter, and the second polarizing section is reflected from the beam splitter. The second polarizing section passes through a wave plate. The optical assembly further includes a first diffuser and lens assembly configured to receive one of the first polarizing section and the second polarizing section, and a second diffuser and lens assembly configured to receive the remainder of the first polarizing section and the second polarizing section. A projection unit is disposed on the light-emitting side of the illumination source. The HUD system further includes a display unit arranged to receive the first polarizing section and the second polarizing section through the first diffuser and lens assembly and the second diffuser and lens assembly and transmit them onto the vehicle glass.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the HUD system includes a mirror for further reflecting at least one of the first polarizing section and the second polarizing section to at least one of the first diffuser and lens assembly and the second diffuser and lens assembly.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the display unit transmits the first polarized section and the second polarized section as first and second illumination cones created on the vehicle glass by the first diffuser and lens assembly and the second diffuser and lens assembly, the first illumination cone configured to project first information onto a first zone of the vehicle glass, and the second illumination cone configured to project second information onto a second zone of the vehicle glass.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle glass is a windshield.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first zone and the second zone are adjacent portions of the glass.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the illumination source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a collimator, and is positioned to project light from the back or side of the HUD system.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the wave plate is disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the positions of the first diffuser and lens assembly and the second diffuser and lens assembly, and the wave plate is disposed adjacent to either the first diffuser and lens assembly or the second diffuser and lens assembly based on the position of the illumination source.

[0014] It should be understood that the above-described aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure can be used in any combination with each other. Some of the aspects and embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the exemplary aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

[0016] The novel features and characteristics of the present disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. However, the disclosure itself, together with its preferred modes of use, further objects and advantages, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like elements and in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a head-up display (HUD) system for a vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2a] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a portion of a head-up display (HUD) system with different components of an optical assembly of an image generating unit (PGU) for projecting light onto a display unit, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2b] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a portion of a head-up display (HUD) system with different components of an optical assembly of a PGU for projecting light onto a display unit with an illumination source in alternative positions, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The figures depict embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of example only, and those skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the head-up display (HUD) system may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

[0019] The foregoing has outlined broadly the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the description thereof that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of this disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. The novel features believed characteristic of the present disclosure, as related to the construction of the present disclosure, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

[0020] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0021] While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described below. It is to be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but rather, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0022] The terms "comprises...a," "comprising," or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a system that includes a list of components does not include only those components, but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent in such an arrangement. In other words, one or more elements in a system or method step preceded by "comprises...a" does not, without further constraints, preclude the presence of other or additional elements in the apparatus.

[0023] It should be noted that those skilled in the art will be motivated by the present disclosure and modify various features of the device and system without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are considered part of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only specific details pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure, and avoid obscuring the present disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present description. Furthermore, the device and system of the present disclosure can be employed in any type of vehicle, such as passenger cars and commercial vehicles. However, complete vehicles and HUD systems are not shown in the drawings of the present disclosure for simplicity.

[0024] The term "head-up display (HUD)" in this disclosure is used to refer to a unit or system that displays various information, such as vehicle driving or navigation information, on the glass or windshield of a vehicle within the driver's primary field of view while the vehicle is moving. The term "substantially" is used herein to mean that a feature or component changes significantly or significantly in size relative to another feature or component. The term "wider" in this disclosure is used to compare the width dimension of one feature or component to another feature or component. The term "projection" in this disclosure is used to refer to the presentation of information or an image. The terms "first" and "second" element may be used interchangeably herein.

[0025] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to be limiting of application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or summary or the following detailed description.

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle head-up display (HUD) system 100. The HUD system 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is a two-layer HUD. The two-layer HUD may be configured to display two different sets of information. Such a two-layer HUD typically includes two zones 110a and 110b on a windshield 110, each capable of displaying separate information. While the present disclosure is described using a two-layer HUD, the two-layer HUD should not be considered a limitation of the present disclosure, as the HUD system 100 of the present disclosure may have more or fewer layers than two, with minor modifications. Furthermore, the two zones 110a and 110b may be positioned adjacent to each other, either above or below each other, or laterally. However, such an arrangement of the two zones 110a and 110b should not be considered a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1 , the HUD system 100 of the present disclosure includes an image generation unit (PGU) 102 that further includes an illumination source 112 having a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a collimator, and an optical assembly. In one embodiment, the illumination source 112 may be an array of light sources for emitting light beams. The light beams are indicated by arrows in FIG. 1 . The HUD system 100 also includes a projection unit 103. The projection unit 103 may be provided on the light-emitting side of the illumination source 112. The projection unit 103 is configured to receive the light emitted from the illumination source 112 and project information onto a vehicle glass 110. The projection onto the glass 110 is also indicated by an arrow. In one embodiment, the vehicle glass 110 may be a vehicle windshield, i.e., the information may be projected onto the vehicle windshield 106.

[0029] The glass 110 or windshield of the vehicle may include two zones, a first zone 110a and a second zone 110b. The two zones may be configured to display two separate pieces of information. In one embodiment, the information displayed on the windshield 110 may include speed, warning signals, indicator arrows for navigation, virtual images, and an overview of traffic conditions. However, the type of information displayed on the glass 110 or windshield should not be considered a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0030] In one embodiment, the first zone 110a and the second zone 110b may be arranged one above the other. In one embodiment, the first zone 110a and the second zone 110b may be positioned adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction. The first zone 110a may be smaller in size and the second zone 110b may be larger in size. Thus, the first zone 110a may display information that requires less space than the second zone 110b.

[0031] 2a and 2b together, which illustrate schematic diagrams of the HUD system 100 of the present disclosure with different components of the optical assembly of the PGU 102. FIG. 2a illustrates an illumination source 112 located at the rear end of the HUD system 100, while FIG. 2b illustrates an illumination source 112 on the side of the HUD system 100. In one embodiment, for a two-tier HUD, a generally large display or projection unit 103 may be required to project information into both zones 110a and 110b. Instead of an equivalently large illumination source 112, the components or optical assembly of the PGU 102 of the present disclosure allow for fewer light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), to be used.

[0032] The optical assembly of the PGU 102 can include a beam splitter 104a onto which the illumination source 102 projects light. In one embodiment, the beam splitter 104a is a polarizing beam splitter, but for simplicity, the term beam splitter is used herein. In one embodiment, the illumination source 112 can project unpolarized light onto the beam splitter 104a. The beam splitter 104a separates the incident light from the illumination source 102 into a first polarizing section 106a and a second polarizing section 106b. The first polarizing section 106a can be transmitted through the beam splitter 104a, and the second polarizing section 106b can be a portion reflected from the beam splitter 104a. The first polarizing section 106a is p-polarized light, and the second polarizing section 106b is s-polarized light. In one embodiment, the beam splitter 104a allows fewer LEDs to be used for the illumination source 112, resulting in a more compact backlight. This also means less heat buildup.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2a, when backside illumination is used for the illumination source 112, the second polarizing section 106b, or s-polarized light, reflected from the beam splitter 104a is further reflected by the mirror 104e toward the wave plate 104b, or retarder. The wave plate 104b rotates the second polarizing section 106b, or s-polarized light, to p-polarized light. The p-polarized light is then transmitted toward the first diffuser and lens assembly 104c. Meanwhile, the first polarizing section 106a, or p-polarized light, transmitted through the beam splitter 104a may be projected onto the second diffuser and lens assembly 104d. Thus, both the first diffuser and lens assembly 104c and the second diffuser and lens assembly 104d accept p-polarized light. In one embodiment, the wave plate 104b, or retarder, rotating the s-polarized light to p-polarized light ensures that the light is transmitted through the display unit 108. In one embodiment, wave plate 104b may be positioned in a plane parallel to and adjacent to the plane of location of first diffuser and lens assembly 104c, as shown in Figure 2a. Thus, the display unit 108 receives p-polarized light from first diffuser and lens assembly 104c and second diffuser and lens assembly 104d. In one embodiment, display unit 108 may be, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0034] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2a, the first illumination cone 106c and the second illumination cone 106d may be formed by the second polarizing section 106b and the first polarizing section 106a passing through the first diffuser and lens assembly 104c and the second diffuser and lens assembly 104d, respectively. In one embodiment, both the first and second illumination cones 106c and 106d may be s-polarized. The first illumination cone 106c and the second illumination cone 106d may be configured to illuminate the glass 110 of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the first illumination cone 106c may project first information onto the first zone 110a of the glass 110, and the second illumination cone 106d may project second information onto the second zone 110b of the glass 110 or the windshield of the vehicle. Illumination cones 106c and 106d may project information onto vehicle glass 110 at the same or different intensities, which should not be construed as a limitation of this disclosure.

[0035] 2b shows a side-mounted illumination source 112. Here, unpolarized light from illumination source 112 enters beam splitter 104a and is split into a first polarization section 106a, or p-polarized light, which passes through beam splitter 104a to mirror 104e, and a second polarization section 106b, or s-polarized light, which passes through wave plate 104b or retarder. In one embodiment, wave plate 104b in this embodiment may be positioned in a plane adjacent to and parallel to the plane of the location of second diffuser and lens assembly 104d. In one embodiment, first polarization section 106a reflected from mirror 104e may be projected onto first diffuser and lens assembly 104c. Furthermore, the first diffuser and lens assembly 104c and the second diffuser and lens assembly 104d form a first illumination cone 106c and a second illumination cone 106d that transmit through the display unit 108 and can be projected onto a first zone 110a and a second zone 110b of the vehicle glass 110 or windshield.

[0036] In one embodiment, the HUD system 100 of the present disclosure enables illuminating a first zone 110a and a second zone 110b of the glass 110 with first and second information that may be useful to a user of the vehicle.

[0037] In one embodiment, the beam splitter 104a of the projection unit 103 of the HUD system 100 of the present disclosure allows for fewer LEDs to be used in the illumination source 112, thus resulting in a more compact backlight being used, which also means less heat is generated.

[0038] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can develop similarly configured systems without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0039] equivalent With respect to the use of virtually any plural and / or singular term herein, those skilled in the art can convert from plural to singular and / or from singular to plural as appropriate to the context and / or application. Various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for clarity.

[0040] In general, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the terms used herein are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but not limited to," etc.). Where a specific number of introduced claim recitations are intended, such intention will be explicitly set forth in the claim; in the absence of such recitation, it will be further understood by those skilled in the art that no such intention exists. For example, aids in understanding the description can include the use of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be interpreted as meaning that the introduction of a claim recitation with the indefinite article "a" or "an" limits any particular claim that includes such an introduced claim recitation to an invention that includes only one such recitation, even if the same claim includes the introductory phrase "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"). The same applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Moreover, even if a specific number of introduced claim recitations is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitations should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., a bare recitation of "two recitations" without any other modifiers typically means at least two recitations, or more than two recitations).Furthermore, when a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, generally such a configuration is intended in the sense that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" includes, but is not limited to, systems having A only, B only, C only, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). Furthermore, when a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, generally such a configuration is intended in the sense that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" includes, but is not limited to, systems having A only, B only, C only, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibility of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" is understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

[0041] While various aspects and embodiments are disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being set forth herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] TIFF2025538703000002.tif163170

Claims

1. A head-up display (HUD) system (100) for a vehicle, comprising: An image generation unit (PGU) (102), an illumination source (112) configured to emit light, The HUD system (100) includes a beam splitter (104a) configured to split incident light from the illumination source (102) into a first polarizing section (106a) and a second polarizing section (106b), wherein the first polarizing section (106a) is transmitted through the beam splitter (104a), the second polarizing section (106b) is reflected from the beam splitter (104a), and the second polarizing section (106b) passes through a wave plate (104b); a first diffuser and lens assembly (104c) configured to receive one of the first polarizing section (106a) and the second polarizing section (106b); an image generating unit (PGU) (102) comprising an illumination source (112), further comprising an optical assembly comprising: a second diffuser and lens assembly (104d) configured to receive the remainder of the first polarizing section (106a) and the second polarizing section (106b); a projection unit (103) provided on the light-emitting side of the illumination source (112); a display unit (108) that receives the first polarizing section (106a) and the second polarizing section (106b) via the first diffuser and lens assembly (104c) and the second diffuser and lens assembly (104d) and is positioned to transmit the polarizing section onto a glass (110) of the vehicle.

2. At least one of the first polarizing section (106a) and the second polarizing section (106b) the first diffuser and lens assembly (104c); The HUD system of claim 1 , further comprising a mirror for reflecting at least one of the second diffuser and the lens assembly.

3. 3. The HUD system of claim 1, wherein the display unit transmits the first polarizing section and the second polarizing section as a first illumination cone and a second illumination cone created on the glass of the vehicle by the first diffuser and lens assembly and the second diffuser and lens assembly.

4. The HUD system (100) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the glass (110) is a windshield.

5. 4. The HUD system of claim 3, wherein the first illumination cone is configured to project first information onto a first zone of the glass of the vehicle.

6. 6. The HUD system of claim 1, wherein the second illumination cone is configured to project second information onto a second zone of the glass of the vehicle.

7. 7. The HUD system (100) of claim 1, wherein the first zone (110a) and the second zone (110b) are adjacent portions of the glass (110).

8. The HUD system (100) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the illumination source (112) includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a collimator.

9. 9. The HUD system (100) of claim 1, wherein the illumination source (112) is positioned to emit light from a rear end or a side of the HUD system (100).

10. 10. The HUD system of claim 1, wherein the wave plate is disposed in a plane parallel to a plane of location of the first diffuser and lens assembly and the second diffuser and lens assembly.

11. 11. The HUD system of claim 9, wherein the wave plate is disposed adjacent to one of the first diffuser and lens assembly or the second diffuser and lens assembly based on a position of the illumination source.

12. A vehicle comprising a HUD system (100) as defined in claim 1.

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