Vehicle HUD Projection Pane With Eyebox-Selective Matrix Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Head-up displays in vehicles face challenges with reduced contrast and visibility due to superimposition of projected light on ambient light, especially in varying lighting conditions, affecting the perception of safety-relevant information.

Innovation Solution

A projection arrangement using a laminated glass with a composite screen and an image display device, where the projection area is outside the main viewing area, featuring an opaque masking layer and a control element to adjust the image display for different eyebox positions, utilizing a matrix display and potentially infrared detection for precise eye position determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a conventional projector is placed on a patient's body for intraoperative projection, then the projection can be displayed at the surgical site, but the projector generates heat that may harm the patient's skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojection display capabilityVSAvoidheat harm to patient skin

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transparent or translucent barrier layer (such as a surgical drape or protective film) positioned between the projector and the patient's skin. This intermediary layer blocks or attenuates the heat generated by the projector while allowing the projected image to pass through, thus protecting the patient from thermal harm without compromising the projection display capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional thermal light source (lamp-based projector) with a laser-based projection system. Lasers generate light through stimulated emission rather than thermal radiation, significantly reducing the amount of waste heat produced. This substitution maintains high illumination intensity for projection while minimizing the harmful thermal effects on the patient's skin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a transparent or translucent barrier layer is introduced between the projector and patient skin, then heat harm is reduced, but the projector may not be securely positioned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat protection to patient skinVSAvoidprojector positioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the barrier layer with the projector mounting structure into an integrated assembly. The barrier layer is attached to the projector housing or mounting bracket, ensuring that the protective layer and projector move together as a single unit. This merging ensures both heat protection and stable positioning without requiring separate attachment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible mounting brackets or adhesive elements that can conform to the curved surface of the patient's body while maintaining secure attachment. These flexible components allow the projector and barrier layer assembly to be firmly positioned on irregular anatomical surfaces, ensuring stability during the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If the projector is firmly positioned on the patient's body, then stable projection is achieved, but the heat generated may still harm the patient's skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojector positioning stabilityVSAvoidheat harm to patient skin

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a laser-based projection system is used instead of a conventional projector, then heat generation is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat reductionVSAvoidprojection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a laser module that serves multiple functions: it generates the projection light, provides precise positioning capabilities through integrated sensors, and enables communication with the surgical system. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional device, the overall system complexity is managed despite the advanced laser technology used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4649350B1Projection arrangement

Publication Date: 2026.05.13 SAINT GOBAIN SEKURIT FRANCE

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a projection arrangement (100) for presenting a virtual image (9a, 9b, 9c) for an observer whose eye position is located in an eyebox (10a, 10b, 10c), at least comprising a composite pane (1) having a projection region (P) and a main see-through region (H), the projection region (P) being arranged outside the main see-through region (H) and the composite pane (1) having an opaque masking layer (5) outside the main see-through region (H) at least in the projection region (P), comprising an image display device (6) arranged in the interior and directed at the projection region (P), the image display device (6) being a matrix display, and comprising a control element (7) suitable for controlling selectively different matrices (8a, 8b, 8c) of the image display device (6) in order to present the virtual image (9a, 9b, 9c) for different positions of the eyebox (10a, 10b, 10c).