Head-Up Display Lamellae Assembly Reflection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional head-up displays with optical fibers suffer from reflection issues due to sunlight and other sources of interfering light, leading to reduced image contrast and faintness.

Innovation Solution

A slat arrangement with adjustable, elastic slats attached to racks and cover toothed strips, which can be dynamically adjusted to minimize reflections by aligning with the light direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional optical fibers are used to guide light in head-up displays, then the virtual image can be displayed, but reflections from sunlight and ambient light reduce image contrast and visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage contrastVSAvoidlight reflections
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts harmful light reflections into beneficial effects by using the reflected light to adjust the slat angles. The reflection reduction system uses sensors to detect reflected light and automatically adjusts the slats to block these reflections, turning the harmful reflected light into useful feedback for optimization. This resolves the contradiction by using the harmful factor itself to eliminate the harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamically adjustable slats that can change their angles in response to varying lighting conditions. Instead of fixed optical components, the slats are positioned to dynamically block reflections from different angles while maintaining visibility of the virtual image. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to changing environmental light conditions, resolving the contradiction between displaying the image and blocking reflections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If slats are added to reduce reflections, then image contrast improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage contrastVSAvoidcover arrangement structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slat arrangement serves multiple functions: it blocks reflections from various angles, maintains visibility of the virtual image, and can be adjusted dynamically based on lighting conditions. By integrating these multiple functions into a single cover arrangement structure, the patent reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving reflection reduction and image contrast improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover arrangement is segmented into multiple adjustable slats that can independently control light from different angles. This segmentation allows each slat to be optimized for specific reflection angles while collectively providing comprehensive reflection reduction. The modular nature of segmented slats also simplifies the overall structure compared to a monolithic solution, as each segment can be independently controlled and adjusted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 slat arrangement effectively reduces reflections and maintains image clarity by dynamically adjusting the slat angle to align with incoming light, thereby enhancing the contrast and visibility of the virtual image.

Implementation Method 1

The slat arrangement effectively reduces reflections and maintains image clarity by dynamically adjusting the slat angle to align with incoming light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4374212B1Lamellae assembly, method of making a lamellae assembly, cover assembly with a lamellae assembly
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP4374212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4374212B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4374212B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a lamella arrangement (250), in particular for a cover assembly for a head-up display, and to a method for manufacturing such a lamella arrangement (250). The invention also relates to a cover assembly having such a lamella arrangement (250) and to a head-up display, in particular a head-up display for a means of transport which has such a cover assembly. The lamella arrangement (250) comprises a first toothed rack (251) having a plurality of teeth (252) and a first toothed cover strip (253) arranged on the first toothed rack (251) and having a plurality of teeth (252). The lamella arrangement (250) also comprises a second toothed rack (254) having a plurality of teeth (252) and a second toothed cover strip (255) arranged on the second toothed rack (254) and having a plurality of teeth (252). A plurality of lamellas (256) are secured between the teeth (252) of the toothed racks (251, 254) and of the toothed cover strips (253, 255).