Head-Up Display Mirror Layout for Compact Real-Image Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-up display devices require a larger housing to accommodate the necessary optical components for displaying real images, which complicates vehicle body design and increases device size.
Innovation Solution
The head-up display device incorporates a reflector with a specific mirror configuration, including a first mirror, a second mirror, and a third mirror, arranged in a "U" shape to optimize the light path and reduce the device's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distance between the object to be viewed and the imaging optical system is increased to allow real image recognition, then the real image can be visually recognized, but the housing size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a three-mirror reflection system (first mirror 131, second mirror 132, third mirror 133) to fold the optical path into a U-shape configuration. This allows the light to travel a longer effective distance while maintaining a compact physical housing size by utilizing spatial dimensionality change through multiple reflections rather than a straight-line optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components are nested within the housing in a compact U-shaped arrangement where the light path is folded back on itself. The first mirror reflects light toward the second mirror, which reflects toward the third mirror, creating a nested optical configuration that minimizes the overall housing volume while maintaining the necessary optical path length.
2Reliability
If the housing size is increased to accommodate the optical components, then the real image can be displayed, but the vehicle body layout design becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By folding the optical path into a U-shape using three mirrors, the patent achieves compact housing dimensions that fit within standard vehicle body layouts. The vertical arrangement of mirrors (with the third mirror positioned above the first display) creates a space-efficient configuration that simplifies integration into vehicle instrument panels.
3Volume of moving object
If the first mirror is positioned closer to the emission port than the first display, then the device size is reduced, but the optical path configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the first mirror 131 between the emission port and the first display 12a along the optical path, creating a U-shaped light trajectory. This spatial arrangement folds the optical path to reduce the distance between key components, thereby minimizing device size while the systematic three-mirror configuration manages the optical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path is segmented into three distinct reflection stages (first mirror 131, second mirror 132, third mirror 133), each performing a specific function in the U-shaped light path. This segmentation allows for modular design and optimization of each mirror's position and angle, managing the 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
This configuration allows for the downsizing of the head-up display device while maintaining high display quality, enabling easier integration into vehicle designs and improved visibility for occupants.
Implementation Method 1
a first mirror 131 reflecting the first light beam L1 toward a second mirror 132
Implementation Method 2
the second mirror 132 reflecting the first light beam L1 toward a third mirror 133
Implementation Method 3
the third mirror 133 reflecting the first light beam L1 toward the emission port 17
Implementation Method 4
the first display 12a transmitting light emitted from a real-image first light source 11a and displaying the real image RI of the display image
Data Source
AI summary
To reflect a light beam emitted from a light source without deteriorating display quality and thus to downsize a device. A head-up display device allowing at least a real image to be visually recognized, that includes a first light source, a first display displaying the real image, and a reflector reflecting a first light beam representing the real image toward a windshield. The reflector reflects the first light beam by a first mirror, a second mirror and a third mirror in this order. The first mirror is disposed, along an optical path of the first light beam, closer to an opening than the first display as well as to the first display than a first optical focus of an imaging optical system that includes the windshield, second mirror and third mirror. A height position of the third mirror is above a height position of the first display.