Windshield Head-Up Display Layout for Mirrorless Vehicle Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle systems require drivers to constantly look away from the road to access information, leading to distraction and increased aerodynamic resistance due to the presence of control panels and rear-view mirrors.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle equipped with a head-up display that projects virtual images onto the windshield, eliminating the need for a control panel and rear-view mirrors, providing essential driving information directly in the driver's peripheral vision without diverting their gaze, and reducing aerodynamic resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a control panel with instruments is installed on the dashboard, then the driver can access information about vehicle status, but the driver must constantly look away from the road, causing distraction and reducing safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a head-up display to create a virtual copy of the control panel information on the windshield. The projection unit generates light beams that form virtual images of instrument readings (speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, temperature) directly on the windshield, allowing the driver to view this information without looking away from the road. This optical copying eliminates the need for the driver to shift gaze to physical instruments on the dashboard.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions information display from the two-dimensional dashboard surface to the three-dimensional space in front of the driver by projecting virtual images onto the windshield. This dimensional change allows information to be presented in the driver's forward field of view rather than requiring lateral gaze shifts to the dashboard, effectively moving information into another spatial dimension that does not compete for the driver's attention.
2Ease of operation
If traditional rear-view mirrors are used, then the driver can see the rear view, but the mirrors increase aerodynamic resistance and create blind spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rear-view mirror system with an electronic imaging system. Cameras mounted on the vehicle capture rear view images, and these images are processed and displayed on the head-up display or dashboard screen. This substitution eliminates the need for physical mirrors, thereby reducing aerodynamic resistance and eliminating blind spots associated with traditional mirror mounting positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies of the rear view scene using cameras and displays the captured images on electronic screens. This copying mechanism allows the driver to view the rear scene without physical mirrors blocking airflow or creating blind spots, as the camera sensors can be positioned optimally without interfering with aerodynamics.
3Loss of information
If a complete control panel with multiple instruments is installed, then comprehensive vehicle information is available, but the dashboard becomes cluttered and aerodynamic resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent projects virtual images of multiple instrument displays (speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature indicator) onto the windshield using a projection unit. These virtual copies provide comprehensive vehicle information without requiring physical instruments on the dashboard, thereby simplifying the dashboard structure and reducing clutter while maintaining complete information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the information display function from the physical dashboard structure and relocates it to the windshield projection system. By taking out the need for physical instrument panels, gauges, and associated mounting structures, the dashboard can be simplified or eliminated entirely, reducing structural complexity and aerodynamic resistance while preserving all necessary information display capabilities.
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
Enhances driving safety by minimizing driver distraction and reducing aerodynamic resistance through the projection of essential information onto the windshield, allowing drivers to access information without looking away from the road and eliminating the need for rear-view mirrors.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of mirrors arranged so as to reflect the light beam onto a windshield. The windshield deflects the light beam. The mirrors and the windshield form, in known solutions, an optical system configured to form a virtual image on the outside of the windshield
Implementation Method 2
The windshield deflects the light beam. The mirrors and the windshield form, in known solutions, an optical system configured to form a virtual image on the outside of the windshield and at a distance other than zero from the windshield
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A motor vehicle (1) comprising a passenger compartment (3) defining a seat (21) for a driver, a dashboard (25) arranged within the passenger compartment (3), delimiting the passenger compartment (3) at the front with reference to a normal forward moving condition of the motor vehicle (1) and arranged in front of the seat (21); a windshield (5) delimiting the passenger compartment (3) and contiguous with the dashboard (25); and a head-up display (30) configured to form at least one virtual image (29, 51) containing an item of information associated with an operating state of the motor vehicle (1) on a first region (19) of the windshield (5); the dashboard (25) comprises a second region (26) contiguous with the windshield (5); the head-up display (30) comprises at least one projector (32) housed in the second region (26) and the first region (19) delimits the windshield (5) on the side of the dashboard (25) .