Virtual Image System for Windshields

• US 20090295681A1
• Filed: 05/27/2008
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Stringfellow, Steven A., Kaminski, Paul R., Livingston, Susan, Silvestri, Davide
• Application Number:
  US12/127,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20090295681A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10165 Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10348 comprising an obscuration band
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0018 with means for preventing ghost images anti-reflection coatings G02B1/11
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/003 Light absorbing elements

Abstract

A virtual image system for windshields that permits an image source to reflect off the windshield so that a virtual image, free of ghost image, is visible to the driver. Either a matte black material is applied to a windshield glass pane at any of the outer glass pane windshield surfaces 1 or 2, or at the inner glass pane windshield surface 3, or else a black glossy sheet is disposed at windshield surface 4 upon the windshield frit, whereby the virtual image is provided for any image source having real image rays incident at windshield surface 4.

Claims

1. A virtual image system, comprising:

a laminated windshield, comprising;

an outer glass pane having a windshield surface 1 and an opposite windshield surface 2;

an inner glass pane having a windshield surface 3 and an opposite windshield surface 4; and

a plastic layer disposed between said outer and inner glass panes, wherein windshield surfaces 2 and 3 abut said plastic layer;

a matte black material disposed on at least one of said windshield surfaces 1, 2 and 3; and

an image source which provides real image rays which are incident at said windshield surface 4;

wherein the real image rays reflect at said windshield surface 4 and thereby provide virtual image rays, the virtual image rays providing a virtual image;

wherein refracted rays of the real image rays which transmit into the windshield strike the matte black material such as to prevent ghost image rays; and

wherein the virtual image is free from ghost image.

2. The virtual image system of claim 1, wherein said matte black material is disposed at said windshield surface 1.

3. The virtual image system of claim 2, wherein said matte black material is a frit material.

4. The virtual image system of claim 3, wherein said matte black material is disposed substantially adjacent a base of the windshield, between a predetermined upper sightline and a predetermined lowest sightline.

5. The virtual image system of claim 1, wherein said matte black material is disposed at said windshield surface 2.

6. The virtual image system of claim 5, wherein said matte black material is a frit material.

7. The virtual image system of claim 6, wherein said matte black material is disposed substantially adjacent a base of the windshield, between a predetermined upper sightline and a predetermined lowest sightline.

8. The virtual image system of claim 1, wherein said matte black material is disposed at said windshield surface 3.

9. The virtual image system of claim 8, wherein said matte black material is a frit material.

10. The virtual image system of claim 9, wherein said matte black material is disposed substantially adjacent a base of the windshield, between a predetermined upper sightline and a predetermined lowest sightline.

11. A virtual image system, comprising:

a laminated windshield, comprising;

an outer glass pane having a windshield surface 1 and an opposite windshield surface 2;

an inner glass pane having a windshield surface 3 and an opposite windshield surface 4; and

a plastic layer disposed between said outer and inner glass panes, wherein windshield surfaces 2 and 3 abut said plastic layer;

a black glossy sheet disposed at said windshield surface 4; and

an image source which provides real image rays which are incident at said black glossy sheet;

wherein the real image rays reflect at said black glossy sheet and thereby provide virtual image rays, the virtual image rays providing a virtual image; and

wherein the virtual image is free from ghost image.

12. The virtual image system of claim 11, wherein:

said laminated windshield further comprises a peripheral frit located on said windshield surface 4; and

wherein

said glossy black sheet is adhered to said frit, wherein said frit is at least co-extensive with said glossy black sheet.

13. The virtual image system of claim 12, wherein said black glossy sheet is a self-adhering mylar applique.

14. The virtual image system of claim 13, wherein said black glossy sheet is disposed substantially adjacent a base of the windshield, between a predetermined upper sightline and a predetermined lowest sightline.

15. A laminated windshield, comprising:

an outer glass pane having a windshield surface 1 and an opposite windshield surface 2;

an inner glass pane having a windshield surface 3 and an opposite windshield surface 4;

a plastic layer disposed between said outer and inner glass panes, wherein windshield surfaces 2 and 3 abut said plastic layer; and

a matte black material disposed on at least one of said windshield surfaces 1, 2 and 3.

16. The laminated windshield of claim 15, wherein:

said matte black material is disposed at said windshield surface 1;

said matte black material is a frit material; and

said matte black material is disposed substantially adjacent a base of the windshield, between a predetermined upper sightline and a predetermined lowest sightline.

17. The laminated windshield of claim 15, wherein:

said matte black material is disposed at said windshield surface 2;

said matte black material is a frit material; and

said matte black material is disposed substantially adjacent a base of the windshield, between a predetermined upper sightline and a predetermined lowest sightline.

18. The laminated windshield of claim 15, wherein:

said matte black material is disposed at said windshield surface 3;

said matte black material is a frit material; and

said matte black material is disposed substantially adjacent a base of the windshield, between a predetermined upper sightline and a predetermined lowest sightline.

19. A laminated windshield, comprising:

an outer glass pane having a windshield surface 1 and an opposite windshield surface 2;

an inner glass pane having a windshield surface 3 and an opposite windshield surface 4;

a plastic layer disposed between said outer and inner glass panes, wherein windshield surfaces 2 and 3 abut said plastic layer;

a peripheral frit located on said windshield surface 4; and

a black glossy sheet disposed on the frit of said windshield surface 4.

20. The laminated windshield of claim 19, wherein:

said black glossy sheet is a self-adhering mylar applique; and

said black glossy sheet is disposed substantially adjacent a base of the windshield, between a predetermined upper sightline and a predetermined lowest sightline.