Head-Up Display Projection Shift for Curved Road Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Head-up display devices in motor vehicles can unconsciously prompt drivers to steer off course due to fixed projection of information, leading to reduced safety and comfort.

Innovation Solution

The displayed content is dynamically shifted to follow the road's curvature, ensuring it remains centered in the driver's line of sight by adjusting the projection based on the vehicle's course and eye movements, using existing sensors and optical components like mirrors or prisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the displayed content is fixed on the windshield, then the display structure is simple and stable, but the driver's gaze is diverted from the road ahead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving safetyVSAvoiddisplay control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the displayed content movable rather than fixed. The content position is dynamically adjusted based on the vehicle's steering angle and road curvature data, allowing the display to adapt to changing driving conditions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the display to follow the driver's line of sight naturally, maintaining safety without requiring complex active tracking systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring steering angle and road curvature data, then using this information to adjust the content position on the windshield. This closed-loop approach ensures the displayed content remains aligned with the driver's expected line of sight, improving safety while using readily available sensor data from the vehicle's existing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the displayed content is shifted to follow road curvature, then driver safety is improved, but additional processing and control mechanisms are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering accuracyVSAvoiddisplay adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by utilizing existing vehicle sensors (steering angle sensors, navigation systems with road curvature data) for a new purpose - adjusting head-up display content position. This multi-functional approach improves steering accuracy without requiring dedicated new hardware, as the same sensors serve both vehicle control and display positioning functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by automatically adjusting content position based on data already being collected for other vehicle operations. The display system uses steering angle and road curvature information that the vehicle already processes for navigation and stability control, eliminating the need for separate measurement systems and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If static information is always displayed in the same location, then the display is simple to implement, but it does not adapt to the driver's viewing direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay adaptabilityVSAvoidsensor and control requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using existing vehicle sensors (steering angle sensors, navigation systems) for dual purposes - both vehicle control and display positioning. This approach enables the display to adapt to driving conditions without adding dedicated sensor systems, achieving versatility while minimizing complexity increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The display system implements self-service by automatically adapting content position using data already being collected by the vehicle's existing sensor network. The system uses steering angle and road curvature information that is already being processed for navigation and vehicle stability, eliminating the need for separate measurement infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enhances driver safety by ensuring the driver's gaze is directed towards the intended path, improving attention on the road ahead and reducing the risk of steering errors during turns.

Implementation Method 1

The optical module projects the image onto the projection surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The optical module projects the image onto the projection surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3559725B1Head-up display device for a motor vehicle, method, device and computer-readable recording medium with instructions for controlling a display of a head-up display device
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3559725B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3559725B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3559725B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a head-up display device for a motor vehicle, and to a method, a device and a computer-readable recording medium, with instructions for controlling a display of a head-up display device for a motor vehicle. In a first step, a road course ahead of the motor vehicle is determined (10). The contents shown by the head-up display device are then displaced according to the road course that was determined (11).