Compound HUD Glazing With P-Polarized Ghost Image Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-up display (HUD) systems in vehicles suffer from ghost images due to S-polarized light reflections and high thermal radiation transmission, leading to increased production costs and reduced visibility, especially when using wedge films for angle compensation.

Innovation Solution

A composite pane for HUDs utilizing P-polarized radiation with a reflective coating of an electrically conductive silver-based layer and dielectric layers, combined with a second coating to reduce thermal radiation, eliminating the need for wedge films and improving TTS values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If S-polarized light is used for HUD projection, then the image can be projected onto the windshield, but ghost images appear due to reflections at both air-to-glass and glass-to-air transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHUD image visibilityVSAvoidghost images
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the polarization parameter from S-polarized to P-polarized light. P-polarized light at angles close to the Brewster angle experiences minimal reflection at the glass surface, eliminating the ghost image problem while maintaining HUD visibility. The projector is configured to emit P-polarized radiation at an angle of incidence between 45° and 75°, preferably close to the Brewster angle for the specific glass type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a wedge-shaped interlayer to geometrically offset the ghost image, the patent creates an optical copy solution by using P-polarized light that naturally avoids reflection at the glass interface. This eliminates the need for the wedge film while achieving the same goal of preventing ghost images.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Object-generated harmful factors

If wedge films are used to eliminate ghost images, then the ghost image problem is solved, but production costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveghost imagesVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the wedge film from the windshield structure. By using P-polarized light, the harmful reflection effect is eliminated without requiring the wedge-shaped interlayer, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the ghost image-free performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the physical wedge film structure with an optical solution using P-polarized light. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive wedge films while achieving the same functional result of preventing ghost images through optical principles rather than geometric structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Illumination intensity

If the windshield has high light transmission, then visibility is good, but too much thermal radiation is transmitted through the glazing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmissionVSAvoidthermal radiation transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite coating structure consisting of multiple dielectric layers with different refractive indices. This composite structure selectively reflects P-polarized visible light for HUD projection while allowing thermal infrared radiation to pass through, achieving both high visible light transmission and thermal energy blocking. The coating includes at least one dielectric layer with refractive index 1.9-2.2 and at least one with refractive index 1.4-1.7.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Object-generated harmful factors

If P-polarized radiation is used for HUD projection, then ghost images are eliminated, but the windshield requires a reflective coating which may affect thermal properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveghost imagesVSAvoidthermal radiation transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite dielectric layer structure that is spectrally selective. The coating reflects P-polarized visible light (400-700 nm) for HUD projection while being transparent to thermal infrared radiation (>700 nm). This allows the windshield to maintain good thermal properties without compromising the P-polarized light reflection needed to eliminate ghost images.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective coating is applied only in the HUD projection area rather than across the entire windshield surface. This localized application minimizes the impact on thermal radiation transmission while providing the necessary P-polarized light reflection for ghost image elimination in the specific region where HUD projection occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution provides high reflectivity for P-polarized radiation, reduces ghost images, and enhances TTS values by up to 5%, maintaining optimal visibility and thermal comfort without increasing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

The first coating is suitable for reflecting P-polarized radiation and comprises precisely one electrically conductive silver-based layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the radiation of the HUD projector is P-polarized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarisation: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

a second coating for reducing the transmission of total thermal radiation through the composite pane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

A measure of the total transmitted thermal radiation through the pane is described by the so-called TTS value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 5

a first pane and a second pane, which are bonded together via a thermoplastic intermediate layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLamination: Lamination

Data Source

PatentEP4222538B1Compound glazing for a head-up display
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 SAINT GOBAIN SEKURIT FRANCE
  • EP4222538B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4222538B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP4222538B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composite panel for a head-up display, at least comprising a first panel (1) having a first surface (I) and a second surface (II), a second panel (2) having a first surface (III) and a second surface (IV), and a thermoplastic intermediate layer (3), which is arranged between the second surface (II) of the first panel (1) and the first surface (III) of the second panel (2), a HUD area (B), and a first coating (20) for reflecting P-polarized radiation and exactly one electrically conductive layer (21) based on silver, wherein a second coating (30) is provided for reducing the total transmitted thermal radiation.