Head-Up Display Shutter Mechanism for Compact Housing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional head-up display devices with shutter mechanisms require large spaces due to the size of their cover parts, resulting in a bulky device.

Innovation Solution

The use of an endless belt shutter mechanism with pulleys allows the shutter plates to be smoothly moved into a narrow space within the housing, accompanied by a combiner drive mechanism that automatically adjusts the combiner's position, and a light baffle turned by a motor, reducing the overall size of the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional cover body with first and second cover parts is used to close the opening part, then the opening part can be effectively closed, but the device size becomes large due to the large arrangement space required for the cover parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing function of opening partVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter mechanism is divided into multiple shutter plates (first shutter plate, second shutter plate, third shutter plate) that can be independently controlled. Each shutter plate is associated with specific belts (first belt, second belt, third belt) that enable independent movement. This segmentation allows the opening part to be closed effectively while reducing the overall device size by eliminating the need for large cover parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple shutter plates are used to close the opening part, then the closing function is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple belts and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing function of opening partVSAvoidshutter mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control mechanisms for the three shutter plates are merged into a single controller that coordinates the movement of all three belts (first belt, second belt, third belt). This unified control approach reduces device complexity by consolidating control functions while maintaining the segmented shutter plate structure for effective closing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The belts in the shutter mechanism serve multiple functions: they control the movement of shutter plates, enable the combiner to move between raised and retracted positions, and facilitate the light baffle's rotation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable closing function.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If the combiner is made movable between raised and retracted positions, then the device functionality is improved, but the device size increases due to the space required for combiner movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombiner position adjustmentVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The combiner is designed to be movable between a raised position (protruding from the upper face) and a retracted position (accommodated in the main body). This dynamic positioning is achieved through the belt mechanism that can move the combiner along a defined path. The dynamic design maintains compact device size by allowing the combiner to be retracted into the main body when not in use, while still providing position adjustment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2851233B1Head-up display device
Publication Date: 2018.01.31 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP2851233B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(B)
  • EP2851233B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2851233B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a head-up display device whose size is capable of being reduced even when a shutter mechanism for closing an opening part formed in a housing is provided. The head-up display device 1 includes a display 3, a combiner 2, a housing 8 which is formed with an opening part in its upper face, and a shutter mechanism 10 for closing the opening part of the housing 8. The combiner 2 is movable between a rising-up position where the combiner 2 rises up so as to protrude from the opening part of the housing 8 and an accommodated position where the combiner 2 is accommodated in the inside of the housing 8. The shutter mechanism 10 includes a belt 35, a belt drive mechanism 37 for moving the belt 35 in its longitudinal direction, and a plurality of shutter plates 38 for closing the opening part of the housing 8. A plurality of the shutter plates 38 is formed in a sub-stantially rectangular plate shape whose longitudinal direction is a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the belt 35 and the shutter plates 38 are fixed to the belt 35 so as to be adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the belt 35.