HUD Reflection Blocking Member for Windshield Clarity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Head up display systems in vehicles suffer from reflections caused by external light, which reduce visibility and cause discomfort for drivers by reflecting onto the windshield, despite existing solutions that require positional constraints or adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A reflection blocking member is strategically arranged between the concave optically reflecting surface and the driver's seat to prevent external optical signals from being reflected onto the windshield, while allowing the intended optical image signal to be projected onto the windshield, using a concave optically reflecting surface and an electronic image emitting unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mirrors are used to project the image to the windshield, then the image can be displayed without looking away from the traffic, but external light is reflected onto the windshield causing disturbances and reduced visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver's ability to view information without looking away from trafficVSAvoidexternal light reflections on windshield
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful reflected light is extracted from the optical path by positioning the housing and its light-blocking elements to intercept and block external light before it reaches the windshield, separating the harmful reflection path from the useful image projection path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing acts as an intermediary element between the mirror and the windshield, containing light-blocking elements that prevent external light from reaching the windshield while allowing the projected image to pass through transparently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the housing is positioned to block external light reflections, then reflections are reduced, but constraints on the positional relationship between the housing, windshield and optical components are needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal light reflections on windshieldVSAvoidpositional constraints on housing and optical components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the optical components, structures the light path, and contains light-blocking elements that prevent reflections, thereby reducing the need for additional separate components and simplifying the overall system

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a dust cover is used to redirect incident light away from the driver, then reflections are reduced, but it only provides partial protection and does not eliminate the need for positional constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal light reflections on windshieldVSAvoidflexibility in positioning the housing relative to windshield
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Light-blocking elements are strategically positioned at specific locations on the housing where external light would enter and reflect onto the windshield, providing targeted protection only where needed while leaving other areas open for image projection and maintaining design flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local 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

This solution effectively minimizes or eliminates reflections on the windshield, enhancing driver visibility and comfort by blocking external light reflections before they reach the windshield, without obstructing the projected image.

Implementation Method 1

a concave optically reflecting surface; wherein, when in use, concave optically reflecting surface is arranged to reflect the optical image signal emitted by the electronic image emitting unit towards a combiner element comprising at least part of the windshield

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a reflection blocking member arranged between the concave optically reflecting surface and the driver's seat, the reflection blocking member is arranged such that it prevents at least part of external optical signals reflected in the head up display system to be reflected in the windshield

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking/Absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3327484B1Reflection protection for a head up display system
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP3327484B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3327484B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3327484B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a vehicle (100) comprising a driver's seat (101), a windshield (102) and a head up display system (104) comprising: an electronic image emitting unit (124) arranged to emit an optical image signal (112); a concave optically reflecting surface (110); wherein, the concave optically reflecting surface is arranged to reflect the optical image signal emitted towards a combiner element (108) comprising at least part of the windshield such that an image (135) representative of the optical image signal is visible from the driver's seat through the combiner element. A reflection blocking member (114) is arranged between the concave optically reflecting surface and the driver's seat, the reflection blocking member is arranged such that it prevents at least part of external optical signals reflected in the head up display system to be reflected in the windshield.