Head-up display for motor vehicles

• US 5,005,010 A
• Filed: 03/18/1988
• Issued: 04/02/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Aoki, Hitoshi, Misaki, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberley, Alvin E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fatahi-Yar, M.
• Application Number:
  US07/169,695
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 340/705, 340/971, 340/980, 340/763, 340/796, 340/97, 340/98, 353/11, 353/12, 353/13, 353/14, 353/61, 353/68, 350/171, 350/174, 350/331 T, 350/331 R, 350/257, 350/407, 350/277, 350/279, 350/276 R, 358/103, 358/109, 358/250, 73/178 R
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0149 characterised by mechanical features G02B27/0176 takes precedence

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a head-up display for a motor vehicle having a dashboard with a top surface, which comprises a projector enclosed in the dashboard, the projector including a light source, an object from which visual information is to be displayed and a lens, an aperture formed on the top surface of the dashboard which is covered by the lens or a transparent member for preventing dust or the like from entering thereinto, a reflecting member provided in front of a driving seat on which light projected from the projector through the aperture is reflected to produce the image of the visual information thereon, and a reflection preventing member for preventing the reflection of light entering from the outside of the vehicle on the lens of the projector or on the transparent member. An antireflection coating such as a black paint is applied on the upper surface of the reflection preventing member. The reflection preventing member being shiftable between a first position in which the member covers the lens or the transparent member to close the aperture and a second position in which the member uncovers the lens or the transparent member to open the aperture. The reflection preventing member is shifted to the second position from the first position only when the head-up display is employed. Accordingly, it can prevent external light from being reflected on the lens or the transparent member toward eyes of the driver of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A head-up display for a motor vehicle having a dashboard with a top surface which is provided with an aperture, which comprises:

a transparent member provided within said aperture in said top surface of said dashboard;

means for projecting an image of visual information through said transparent member provided in said aperture, said projecting means being enclosed in said dashboard;

reflection means for producing the image of the visual information thereon; and

means for preventing reflection of light entering from the outside of said vehicle on said transparent member, said reflection preventing means being associated with said aperture and shiftable between a first position covering said transparent member by closing said aperture and a second position uncovering said transparent member by opening said aperture.

2. A head-up display as claimed in claim 1, wherein said head-up display further comprises means for shifting said reflection preventing means between said first and second positions.

3. A head-up display as claimed in claim 2, wherein said reflection preventing means is shifted to said second position from said first position by said shifting means only when said head-up display is employed.

4. A head-up display as claimed in claim 3, wherein said head-up display further comprises control means for controlling the shift of the reflection preventing means and the operation of said projecting means, and said control means comprises means for generating output signals connected with a central processing unit wherein said central processing unit is operated by indication request signals inputted by said means for generating an indication request signal and output signals for operating said projecting means and for driving said shifting means.

5. A head-up display as claimed in claim 4, wherein said reflection preventing means is shifted to said first position from said second position by said shifting means when intensive light enters from the outside into said projecting means or when the quantity of the reflected light on said transparent member is too large during the employment of said head-up display.

6. A head-up display as claimed in claim 5, wherein said control means further comprises a sensor for detecting the quantity of light entering into said projecting means or reflected on said transparent member and said sensor being outputting a signal in accordance with the quantity of the detected light, and said signal is inputted into said central processing unit, then said central processing unit outputs a signal for shifting said reflection preventing means from said second position to said first position.

7. A head-up display as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reflection preventing means comprises at least one visor means having an upper surface and located above said transparent member, and an antireflection coating being applied on said upper surface.

8. A head-up display as claimed in claim 7, wherein said antireflection coating includes a black paint.

9. A head-up display as claimed in claim 7, wherein said antireflection coating includes fine irregularities.

10. A head-up display as claimed in claim 7, wherein said visor means comprises a plurality of visors pivotally mounted on said aperture, in which in said first position said visors are adjusted to be directed horizontally to said top surface of said dashboard and close said aperture and in said second position said visors are adjusted to be directed vertically to said top surface of said dashboard and to open said aperture.

11. A head-up display as claimed in claim 7, wherein said visor means comprises a flexible plate-like member, in which in said first position said plate-like member covers said transparent member and closes said aperture and in said second position said plate-like member slidingly moves under the upper surface of the dashboard to uncover said transparent member and open said aperture.