Head-Up Display Projection Adjustment via Mirror Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-up display devices face challenges in adjusting the projection position of display light based on the observer's viewpoint height without vertically moving the virtual image, leading to issues such as image deviation and reduced brightness.

Innovation Solution

A head-up display device with a concave mirror and two driving mechanisms, where the concave mirror's inclination and the case's longitudinal position are adjusted using stepping motors and control means to maintain the virtual image's vertical position while adjusting the projection point based on the observer's viewpoint height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a plane mirror is used to adjust the projection position of display light, then the projection position can be adjusted, but the incident position and incident angle to the front glass are uniquely determined, causing the virtual image to vertically move and deviate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection position adjustmentVSAvoidvirtual image position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control of the plane mirror's inclination angle through a driving mechanism, allowing independent adjustment of the projection position while maintaining virtual image stability. The mirror angle is dynamically changed based on detected observer height, enabling the system to adapt to different viewing conditions without causing vertical image displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the display and concave mirror are moved along an arc to adjust projection position, then the virtual image position can be maintained, but space is required in longitudinal and vertical directions, increasing the device size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevirtual image position stabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving components along an arc in longitudinal and vertical directions, the patent changes the adjustment dimension by rotating the plane mirror around a fixed axis. This angular adjustment in a different dimensional space achieves the same projection position variation without requiring large physical displacement space, thereby reducing device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If a semitransparent reflection mirror is used to adjust projection position, then the projection position can be adjusted without moving the virtual image, but the mirror decreases brightness of the virtual image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevirtual image position stabilityVSAvoidvirtual image brightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the key parameter of the reflecting surface from semitransparent to fully reflective. By using a regular plane mirror with high reflectivity instead of a semitransparent mirror, the system maintains the ability to adjust projection position while significantly improving the brightness of the virtual image, as all incident light is reflected rather than partially transmitted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 adjustment of the display light projection position according to the observer's height without vertically moving the virtual image, reducing the device's size and maintaining image brightness by eliminating the need for a semi-transparent mirror.

Implementation Method 1

a display 20, a concave mirror 30 that reflects the display light L emitted from the display 20 toward a front glass 201 of the vehicle 200

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3048468B1Head up display device
Publication Date: 2022.02.16 NIPPON SEIKI CO LTD
  • EP3048468B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3048468B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3048468B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a head up display device with which it is possible to adjust the projection location of display light depending on the height of the observer's point of view, without moving the virtual image in the vertical direction. This head up display device (100) is provided with: a case (10) which retains a display (20) and a concave mirror (30) in a prescribed positional relationship; a first driving means (40) which rotates the concave mirror (30); a second driving means (50) which moves the case (10) frontward and rearward; and a control means which operates the first and second drive means (40, 50) in accordance with information about the viewpoint position of the observer, and adjusts the projection location of display light (L) on front glass (201) depending on the height of the observer's point of view.