Vehicle Head-Up Display Support Piece Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of image projection devices in head-up displays for vehicles is complex, making it difficult to align the image generation and return units, and the existing designs are bulky, preventing the use of retractable combiners.

Innovation Solution

A support piece that facilitates the assembly and positioning of the image generation and return units, including metallic construction with heat dissipation means, sliding and fixed lugs for secure attachment within a protective housing, and a retractable combiner design that allows for both deployed and retracted positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the image generation unit and image return unit are assembled using separate metal parts and overall casing, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity increases and alignment difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the image generation unit and image return unit onto a single support piece, integrating multiple functions into one component. This merging approach maintains structural strength while significantly reducing assembly complexity and improving alignment precision, as the units are positioned relative to each other on the same rigid support structure rather than being separately mounted in an overall casing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If the image projection device uses a fixed overall casing design, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability decreases due to inability to accommodate retractable combiners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidcombiner configuration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the head-up display system into modular components: the image projection device with support piece, and the combiner as a separate adjustable element. This segmentation allows the combiner to be repositioned or retracted independently while maintaining precise alignment of the optical units on the support piece, thus achieving both manufacturing precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the support structure is made bulky to ensure stability, then the reliability is improved, but the volume increases preventing retractable combiner integration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support piece serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a rigid mounting structure for the image generation and return units, acts as a heat dissipation component through its metallic construction, and creates compact spacing that enables combiner retraction. This multi-functionality achieves reliability and stability without increasing device volume.

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

4Ease of repair

If multiple separate components are used for mounting screen, light sources, and reflecting mirror, then the ease of repair is improved, but the alignment difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent replaceabilityVSAvoidalignment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The support piece is pre-configured with precisely positioned mounting locations and alignment features for the image generation and return units. This preliminary preparation ensures that when components are replaced or adjusted, the alignment is maintained through the rigid support structure's built-in geometric relationships, combining ease of repair with alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The support piece simplifies the assembly and alignment of image projection units, ensures optimal orientation for quality images, and enables the use of a retractable combiner, enhancing the compactness and functionality of the head-up display system.

Implementation Method 1

it further comprises a heat dissipation means; said support piece is metallic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3443405B1Head-up display
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 VALEO COMFORT & DRIVING ASSISTANCE
  • EP3443405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3443405B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3443405B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a support piece (25) for image projection device (20) comprising an image generation unit (22) and a return unit (24) for returning the images generated. According to the invention, the support piece comprises support means for said image generation unit and support means for said return unit for returning the images generated. The invention also relates to a device for projecting images comprising such a support piece and a head-up display comprising such a device for projecting images.