Combiner Positioning Unit With Spring-Loaded Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combiner positioning units for head-up display systems in vehicles face challenges in ensuring reliable and repeatable positional accuracy, especially under varying temperature and vibration conditions, while also requiring reduced manufacturing costs and easy operation between storage and operating positions.
Innovation Solution
A combiner positioning unit with a housing featuring first and second stop elements and a spring unit, where the combiner support is manually pivotable around a pivot axis, with the spring unit applying a consistent spring force to secure the combiner in either position, using a spring element that pushes against the stop elements to maintain stability in storage and operating positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a combiner positioning unit uses a spring unit to hold the combiner in storage and operating positions, then the positional accuracy and stability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate stop elements (first stop element and second stop element) that independently define the storage and operating positions. This segmentation allows each position to be precisely controlled by its own stop, improving positional accuracy without requiring a complex single-positioning mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring unit automatically maintains the combiner support in the correct position by exerting continuous force against the stop elements. The spring's elastic properties provide self-adjusting positioning that compensates for tolerances and environmental changes, ensuring repeatable accuracy without additional active control systems.
2Ease of operation
If the combiner support is manually pivotable between storage and operating positions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of maintaining precise position under vibration conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring unit is pre-loaded to exert a continuous cushioning force on the combiner support, pressing it against the appropriate stop element. This pre-loaded spring force acts as a buffer that prevents the combiner from moving away from its precise position under vibration or shock conditions, while still allowing easy manual pivoting when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring unit's force characteristics are optimized to provide sufficient holding force to counteract vibrations and maintain positional stability, while remaining flexible enough to allow easy manual movement. The spring's physical parameters (coil rate, pre-load) are selected to balance the contradiction between operational ease and positional stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a spring unit with spring element is used to push the combiner support against stop elements, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the precision of maintaining position under varying temperature conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring unit provides a dynamic, elastic connection between the combiner support and the housing, allowing the system to adapt to temperature-induced dimensional changes. Unlike rigid mechanical linkages that would require tight tolerances and expensive manufacturing, the spring's flexibility naturally compensates for thermal expansion and contraction, maintaining positional precision through its ability to deform elastically.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring's physical parameters are selected to provide optimal performance across the expected temperature range. The spring's modulus, coil diameter, and wire diameter are chosen so that its force characteristics remain suitable for maintaining precise positioning despite temperature variations, reducing the need for expensive temperature-compensated mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a reliable, cost-effective, and easily operable mechanism for positioning the combiner, ensuring accurate alignment and protection of the projector in storage and optimal image projection in operating positions, while reducing manufacturing costs and maintaining stability under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a spring unit, connected to the combiner support, comprising a spring element, wherein the spring unit is disposed and arranged in such a way that in storage position a spring force of the spring element pushes the combiner support against a first stop element of the housing
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
The present invention refers to a Combiner positioning unit (10) for a head-up display device for usage in vehicles, comprising a housing with a first stop element (14) and a second stop element (16), a combiner support (18) with a combiner (12), pivotably arranged in the housing, wherein the combiner support (18) is manually pivotable around a pivot axis (20) between a folded-in storage position and a folded-out operating position, wherein in storage position the combiner support (18) abuts against the first stop element (14) and in operating position the combiner support abuts against the second stop element (16), and a spring unit (22), connected to the combiner support (18), comprising a spring element (26), wherein the spring unit (22) is disposed and arranged in such a way that in storage position a spring force of the spring element (26) pushes the combiner support (18) against the first stop element (14) and in operating position, the spring force of the spring element (26) pushes the combiner support (18) against the second stop element (16). The present invention also refers to head-up display and a vehicle.