HUD Cover Forward Retraction for Compact Instrument Panel Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-up display apparatuses are large in the front-rear direction, limiting design flexibility and causing interference with other instruments due to the need for covers to retract in opposite directions, which reduces installation space for instruments like speedometers.

Innovation Solution

A head-up display apparatus with a casing featuring continuous first and second openings, where the combiner is supported by guide members and can move between accommodated and projecting positions, and covers that retract forward into the casing, allowing the second cover to overlap with the combiner's space, reducing overall size and increasing design flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If covers retract in opposite directions to open openings for combiner and light passage, then the openings can be opened simultaneously, but the overall size of the apparatus increases in the front-rear direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous opening of openingsVSAvoidoverall size in front-rear direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by having both covers retract in the same forward direction instead of opposite directions. The first cover closes the first opening and the second cover closes the second opening, both moving forward into the casing, eliminating the need for rearward movement and reducing the overall length of the apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the second cover to overlap with the combiner's space in the front-rear direction. This spatial arrangement allows both covers to retract forward without interfering with each other, as the second cover occupies the space previously needed for rearward retraction, effectively using three-dimensional space to resolve the linear dimension constraint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If one cover retracts forward and the other retracts rearward, then both openings can be opened, but design flexibility of the lower rear section is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening operationVSAvoiddesign flexibility of lower rear section

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the retraction direction of the second cover from rearward to forward, the patent eliminates the space constraint in the lower rear section. The second cover now retracts forward into the casing along with the first cover, freeing up the lower rear section for other components or designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The second cover is positioned to overlap with the combiner's space, creating a nested arrangement where the second cover occupies the space behind the combiner when retracted. This nesting allows the covers to be compact and reduces the need for extended rearward space, enhancing design flexibility in the lower rear section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If covers retract in opposite directions, then openings can be opened, but interference with instruments like speedometer occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening operationVSAvoidinterference with instruments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the interference issue by inverting the retraction direction of the second cover. Instead of moving rearward and potentially interfering with instruments in the lower rear section, the second cover moves forward into the casing, clearing the path for instruments like the speedometer and eliminating harmful interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the retraction movement of the second cover from the rearward direction and relocates it to the forward direction. This extraction eliminates the spatial conflict with instruments, as the second cover now occupies the space within the casing rather than encroaching on the instrument installation area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3208649B1Head-up display apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.08.31 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD

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AI summary

An HUD apparatus is structured such that a first cover moves forward to open a first opening, which is disposed on a path along which a combiner moves, and a second cover also moves forward to open a second opening, which is disposed on an optical path from a light-projecting portion of a light-emitting unit (second mirror) to the combiner. When the combiner moves from an accommodated position to a projecting position, a front end portion of the second cover moves into a space that is occupied by the combiner when the combiner is at the accommodated position.