Windshield Reflection Display for Large-Area Vehicle HUDs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle display systems integrated into windshields are costly and require significant technical effort to replace or maintain, and they often require multiple display devices to achieve a large-area virtual display.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle display system utilizing the windshield and dashboard components as a display surface, where light beams from an image source are reflected to create a virtual image on a black background, allowing for efficient and cost-effective display of vehicle-relevant information without the need for extensive windshield replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a large-area virtual display is created using multiple display devices on the windshield, then the display area is increased, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidnumber of display devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is segmented into a single image source positioned in the dashboard and a reflection region on the windshield. Instead of using multiple display devices across the windshield, the system divides the function between the image source (which generates light) and the reflection region (which displays the virtual image), thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining large display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If display devices are integrated into the windshield structure, then the display is integrated into the vehicle, but the ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates due to high technical effort and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration into vehicleVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The display function is extracted from the windshield structure itself and relocated to a separate image source positioned in the dashboard. This allows the windshield to remain structurally intact while the display components can be independently accessed, removed, or replaced without requiring windshield replacement, significantly improving ease of repair and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediate reflection region is introduced between the image source and the driver's view. This reflection region acts as a mediator that allows the display function to be separated from the windshield structure, enabling independent maintenance of display components while maintaining integration with the vehicle interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If an opaque black background is used for the reflection region, then the contrast of the virtual image is improved, but the amount of light reaching the driver is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage contrastVSAvoidlight transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The windshield is designed with local quality variations: the reflection region has an opaque black background to provide high contrast for the virtual image, while other regions of the windshield remain transparent to allow light transmission. This localized application of opacity only where needed for display purposes maintains overall light transmission while achieving high image contrast.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 a cost-effective and maintainable way to display information, allowing for high-contrast virtual images that can be easily updated and maintained, while minimizing the complexity and cost of replacing the windshield, and enabling efficient communication of critical vehicle status and navigation information to the driver.

Implementation Method 1

at least one image source positioned in a dashboard of the motor vehicle, which is configured to emit light rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

The emitted light rays are reflected by a reflection region to generate a virtual image

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4069545B1Motor vehicle having a display system and an operating method therfore
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 AUDI AG
  • EP4069545B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4069545B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4069545B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (10) having a display system (12), comprising at least one image source (40) which is positioned in a dashboard (34) of the motor vehicle (10) and has the purpose of emitting light beams (S1), wherein a reflection area (58) extends parallel to a side edge (22) of at least one windowpane layer (18) of a windscreen (16) and which is configured to reflect light beams (S1) for generating a virtual image (54', 54''), wherein the at least one image source (40) provides at least one strip display (42) which can be switched in an exclusively unidimensional fashion, and a control device (36) of the motor vehicle (10) is configured to make available dynamic chase lighting (68') and/or a static light strip (68'') as the virtual image (54', 54'') by means of the at least one strip display (42).