Vehicle HUD Mirror Positioning for Stable Driver Eye Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Head-Up Displays (HUDs) for vehicles lack a mechanism to adjust the image display position and angle in response to changes in the driver's eye position and driving conditions, leading to potential obstruction of the front viewing field and discomfort due to varying depression angles.
Innovation Solution
An image display apparatus with a mirror drive unit that includes a link mechanism with three rotary motors and two movable arms, allowing for both rotational and positional adjustments of the mirror to maintain a stable image display regardless of the driver's eye position, incorporating sensors for automatic adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mirror drive mechanism with only rotation function is provided, then the driver can adjust the image angle according to eye height, but the reflection position on the windshield moves and blocks part of the front viewing field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the mirror position adjustable in addition to rotation. The mirror drive mechanism is enhanced to include both rotational movement (for angle adjustment) and positional movement (for maintaining reflection position). This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different driver eye positions while keeping the virtual image stable on the windshield, preventing obstruction of the front viewing field.
2Adaptability or versatility
If only rotation adjustment is provided, then the image can be viewed at different eye heights, but the depression angle changes causing driver discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics by implementing a mirror drive mechanism that can independently control both the rotation angle and position of the mirror. When the driver's eye height changes, the system adjusts the mirror rotation to maintain the correct viewing angle, while simultaneously adjusting the mirror position to keep the virtual image at a constant depression angle. This coordinated dynamic adjustment ensures viewing comfort across different eye heights.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the display position is to be moved according to driver position and driving conditions, then a display position moving function is required, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a mirror drive mechanism that performs multiple functions: it adjusts the mirror rotation angle for different eye heights, moves the mirror position to maintain stable reflection points, and controls the virtual image display position according to driving conditions. This multi-functional mechanism achieves display position adjustment without requiring separate dedicated mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
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
Enables a more suitable and comfortable image recognition for the driver by maintaining a consistent display position and angle, preventing obstruction of the viewing field and reducing driver discomfort, even as the driver's eye position changes.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror that reflects the image light emitted from the image display unit toward the windshield
Data Source
AI summary
An image display apparatus 100 for a vehicle is provided with: an image display unit 2 that has a light source and a display element and outputs image light; a mirror 3 that reflects the image light output by the image display unit 2 toward a windshield 7; a mirror drive unit 4 that changes the angle and position of the mirror 3; and a control unit 10 that determines amounts of change in the angle and position of the mirror and controls the mirror drive unit 4. The control unit 10 makes determinations of the amount of change for the angle and position of the mirror in association with each other such that the image is visible even if the position of the driver's eyes 8 changes and the display state of the image with respect to the driver does not change.