HEADS-UP DISPLAY SYSTEM

• US 20130120850A1
• Filed: 10/31/2012
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: LAMBERT, DAVID K., STARK, KRIS R., SYLVESTER, GAIL M.
• Application Number:
  US13/664,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20130120850A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/630
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/23 using reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/31 Virtual images
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/785 on or in relation to the windshield or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/23 Head-up displays [HUD] optical aspects of head-up displays G02B27/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/02 Diffusing elements; Afocal elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/045 Prism arrays

Abstract

A heads-up display system suitable for use in a vehicle. The system includes a projector configured to project a projected image. A faceted reflector is included to overlay a dashboard area of the vehicle and define an array of reflective facets. Each facet is configured to reflect cooperatively a portion of the projected image to form a reflected image directed toward a windshield of the vehicle. A light diffusive layer is included to diffuse the reflected portion of the projected image such that the reflected image can be seen by an occupant of the vehicle as a reflection in the windshield. A light control film interposed between the windshield and the faceted reflector is included to propagate preferentially the projected image and thereby reduce the occurrence of ambient light washout of the reflected image being displayed.

Claims

1. A heads-up display system suitable for use in a vehicle, said system comprising:

a projector configured to project a projected image;

a faceted reflector configured to overlay a dashboard area of the vehicle and define an array of reflective facets, wherein each facet is configured to reflect cooperatively a portion of the projected image to form a reflected image directed toward a windshield of the vehicle;

a light diffusive layer configured to diffuse the reflected portion of the projected image such that the reflected image can be seen by an occupant of the vehicle as a reflection in the windshield; and

a light control film interposed between the windshield and the faceted reflector, said film configured to propagate preferentially the projected image.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the faceted reflector, the light diffusive layer, and the light control film are integrated to form an image reflector assembly.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said windshield is characterized as a standard windshield.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said projector comprises a scanning laser.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said light diffusive layer is interposed between the light control film and the windshield.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said light diffusive layer is interposed between the light control film and the faceted reflector.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said light diffusive layer is applied to each facet.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said light control film comprises a plurality of sections, and a preferential propagation direction of each section is determined based on the direction of the projector relative to the windshield.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said system includes an anti-reflective layer configured to reduce sunlight reflection from the dashboard area proximate to the faceted reflector.

10. An image reflector assembly comprising:

a faceted reflector configured to overlay a dashboard area of a vehicle and define an array of reflective facets, wherein each facet is configured to reflect cooperatively a portion of a projected image from a projector to form a reflected image directed toward a windshield of the vehicle;

a light diffusive layer configured to diffuse the reflected portion of the projected image such that the reflected image can be seen by an occupant of the vehicle as a reflection in the windshield; and

a light control film interposed between the windshield and the faceted reflector, said film configured to propagate preferentially the projected image.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said light diffusive layer is interposed between the light control film and the windshield.

12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said light diffusive layer is interposed between the light control film and the faceted reflector.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said light diffusive layer is applied to each facet.

14. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said light control film comprises a plurality of sections, and a preferential propagation direction of each section is determined based on the direction of the projector relative to the windshield.

15. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said assembly includes an anti-reflective layer configured to reduce sunlight reflection from the dashboard area proximate to the faceted reflector.