Vehicle Windshield Nanostructure for Head-Up Display Ghost Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-up display systems in vehicles suffer from the 'ghost' effect due to separate virtual images formed by light reflections on windshields, limiting design flexibility and increasing production costs, as they require wedge-shaped windshields or specific polarization techniques.
Innovation Solution
A head-up display system with a nanostructured windshield that includes tilted structural elements, such as nanoparticles, to control the reflection angle of p-polarized light, allowing adjustable reflection and reducing the 'ghost' effect without the need for wedge-shaped intermediate layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional windshield without adaptation is used in combination with a HUD projector, then the windshield structure remains simple and production costs are low, but the driver perceives two separate virtual images (ghost effect) causing overlapping images and difficult recognition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a wedge angle only to the intermediate layer in specific regions where the ghost effect occurs, rather than making the entire windshield complex. This localized application eliminates the ghost effect in critical areas while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a wedge angle is introduced between the outer and inner glass panel to eliminate the ghost effect, then image recognition clarity improves, but manufacturing costs and production complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge angle is applied locally only to the intermediate layer in regions where ghost images form, rather than requiring the entire windshield structure to be complex. This selective application achieves ghost effect elimination while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the windshield into distinct functional layers (outer glass panel, intermediate layer with wedge angle, inner glass panel), assigning the ghost effect elimination function specifically to the intermediate layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently, reducing overall production complexity.
3Reliability
If the windshield is adapted with specific wedge angles and shapes to suit HUD projection unit arrangement, then the HUD system performance improves, but vehicle design freedom is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge angle is introduced only in the intermediate layer at specific locations, allowing HUD optimization without requiring changes to the overall windshield shape or vehicle design. This localized adaptation maintains vehicle design freedom while improving HUD performance.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the ghost effect elimination function into the intermediate layer with a wedge angle, the patent allows the outer and inner glass panels to maintain their standard designs. This segmentation enables HUD system optimization without constraining overall vehicle design freedom.
4Reliability
If p-polarized light is used with a polymer film containing silver nanoparticles to eliminate ghost images, then image clarity improves, but the system complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a wedge angle in the intermediate layer as a simpler alternative to complex nanoparticle films. This local geometric modification achieves ghost effect elimination without requiring additional complex materials or polarization control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge angle in the intermediate layer provides a cost-effective solution compared to expensive nanoparticle films and polarization systems. This geometric approach eliminates the need for complex materials while achieving the same ghost effect elimination function.
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 provides flexible adjustability of the reflection angle, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances vehicle design freedom by eliminating the 'ghost' effect and allowing various projection unit arrangements and windshield shapes.
Implementation Method 1
the nanostructure is a nanostructure which refracts the light emitted by the projection unit
Implementation Method 2
the windshield is configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the projection unit
Implementation Method 3
configured to emit preferably p-polarized rays of light
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a head-up display system, in particular in the form of a head-up display system for displaying graphical elements on the windshield (2) of a motor vehicle, with a projection unit (7) arranged in the area of the front vehicle dashboard (5) of the motor vehicle, which is configured to emit preferably p-polarized light rays (28) preferably in the direction of a part of the windshield (2) providing a projection surface (8), wherein the windshield (2) is configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the projection unit (7). To enable a flexible adjustability of the reflection angle of the light rays incident on the windshield, to prevent the occurrence of the “ghost” effect and to ensure a cost-effective production of the head-up display system and of the windshield, a nanostructure (30) formed of structural elements (32) is provided at least in the part of the windshield (2) providing the projection surface (8), wherein the structural elements (32) are inclined at an angle of inclination (γ) in relation to a surface normal (N) of the windshield (2).