Transparent Support Body for Head-Up Display Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-up display systems for vehicles require complex structures with separate light guides and supports, which can be prone to mechanical vibrations and lack uniform illumination of the semi-reflecting blade's edge, affecting the visibility and robustness of the display.

Innovation Solution

A semi-reflecting blade mounted on a support with a body made of at least partially transparent, optically non-diffusing or diffusing material that transmits light radiation to illuminate the blade's edge, simplifying the structure and enhancing illumination uniformity by eliminating the need for additional light guides and providing robustness against mechanical vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If separate light guides and supports are used to illuminate the semi-reflecting blade edge, then the illumination can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and mechanical stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge illuminationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support body is designed to integrate both the support function and the light guide function into a single component. The body is made of transparent or translucent material that allows light to pass through it to illuminate the semi-reflecting blade edge, eliminating the need for separate light guide components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support body performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the semi-reflecting blade and also acts as a light guide to illuminate the blade edge. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed in the system.

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

2Illumination intensity

If separate light guides and supports are used, then illumination can be achieved, but the reliability under mechanical vibrations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge illuminationVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the support and light guide into a single integrated body, the number of interfaces and connections between components is reduced. This integration minimizes potential failure points under mechanical vibration and improves overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the support body is made of transparent material, then the structure is simplified, but the illumination uniformity may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidillumination uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention allows changing the optical parameters of the support body material between transparent and translucent options. This parameter change enables balancing between structural simplicity and illumination uniformity, as translucent materials can diffuse light more evenly while still maintaining the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution simplifies the assembly and enhances the robustness of the display element by integrating the support and light guide functions, while improving the uniformity and intensity of illumination along the semi-reflecting blade's edge, ensuring clear and consistent visual cues for the driver.

Implementation Method 1

the body of the support transmits at least part of the light radiation emitted by said at least one light source to the semi-reflecting plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

allowing, by reflection on one face of the blade, to visualize an image to display

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3171075B1Display element and display comprising such an element
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 VALEO COMFORT & DRIVING ASSISTANCE
  • EP3171075B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3171075B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a display element comprising: - a semi-reflective blade (100) formed from a transparent plate having two main faces connected by an edge, this blade allowing the visualization, by reflection on one of said two main faces, of an image to be displayed, - at least one light source (200), and - a support having a body (310), the semi-reflective blade and said at least one light source being mounted on this body. According to the invention, said at least one light source is arranged so as to emit light radiation directed towards the interior of the support body, and the support body is formed of a material that is at least partially transparent. A display comprising such a display element is also described.