Vehicle HUD Mirror Positioning for Driver Eye Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional projection systems for heads-up displays in vehicles fail to effectively adjust image projection based on the height of the driver, leading to degraded image viewing and increased costs due to the use of expensive, power-hungry rotatable concave mirrors.
Innovation Solution
An image projection system that includes an image height control module to monitor eye positions and adjust the position of a movable flat mirror using smaller actuation mechanisms, allowing the system to project images at the correct height without changing the angle of incidence, utilizing a flat mirror that is less expensive and consumes less power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable concave mirror is used to adjust the projection position, then the image can be projected at different positions for different driver heights, but the system becomes more expensive and consumes more power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive rotatable concave mirror with a much cheaper movable flat mirror. The flat mirror is significantly less costly to manufacture while still achieving the desired image height adjustment functionality, directly addressing the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the rotational mechanism from the mirror system, separating the image projection function from the height adjustment function. By using a movable flat mirror instead of a rotatable concave mirror, the system eliminates the need for complex rotational mechanisms, reducing both cost and power consumption while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable concave mirror is used to adjust the projection position, then the image can be projected at different positions, but the system requires a large motor that consumes large amounts of power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive rotatable concave mirror with a much cheaper movable flat mirror. The flat mirror is significantly less costly to manufacture while still achieving the desired image height adjustment functionality, directly addressing the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the rotational mechanism from the mirror system, separating the image projection function from the height adjustment function. By using a movable flat mirror instead of a rotatable concave mirror, the system eliminates the need for complex rotational mechanisms, reducing both cost and power consumption while maintaining adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable concave mirror is used to adjust the projection position, then the image can be projected at different positions, but the reflected light reaches the eye at different angles causing degraded image viewing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotational mechanism from the mirror system, separating the image projection function from the height adjustment function. By using a movable flat mirror instead of a rotatable concave mirror, the system eliminates the need for complex rotational mechanisms, reducing both cost and power consumption while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the mirror to change the projection position (which changes the angle of incidence), the patent inverts the approach by moving the mirror linearly to change the projection position while maintaining a constant angle of incidence. This inversion of the adjustment mechanism directly resolves the contradiction between adaptability and image viewing quality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the concave mirror rotates to a different orientation, then the projection position changes, but the incidence angle changes causing the image to be viewed outside the target viewing area
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the mirror to change the projection position (which changes the angle of incidence), the patent inverts the approach by moving the mirror linearly to change the projection position while maintaining a constant angle of incidence. This inversion of the adjustment mechanism directly resolves the contradiction between adaptability and image viewing 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 system effectively adjusts image projection based on driver height, ensuring images are viewed within a target area without altering the angle of incidence, reducing costs and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a HUD unit projects a light pattern that includes an image off of a set of mirrors, including the movable mirror, towards a windshield. The light pattern reflects off of the windshield towards an eye position of a driver
Data Source
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AI summary
Various embodiments include a computer-implemented method comprising determining a height of an eye associated with a user, determining, based on the height of the eye, a target mirror position for a movable mirror to reflect an image on to a reflective surface, wherein the image reflects off of the reflective surface and towards the user at an angle of inclination to reach the user at the height of the eye, the angle of inclination being constant for different heights of the eye, and causing the movable mirror to move to the target mirror position.