Head-up display apparatus for automotive vehicle

• US 4,908,611 A
• Filed: 07/24/1989
• Issued: 03/13/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Contraves Limited
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Iino, Tadashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Moore, David K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fatahiyar, M.
• Application Number:
  US07/384,083
• Time in Patent Office: 232 Days
• Field of Search: 340/97, 340/98, 340/705, 340/980, 353/13, 353/14, 350/174, 358/25, 358/93, 358/103, 358/104
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/10 for dashboards
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0276 for rear passenger use
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0154 with movable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0165 associated with a head-down display
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0169 Supporting or connecting means other than the external walls
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/002 to project the image of a two-dimensional display, such as an array of light emitting or modulating elements or a CRT

Abstract

To display various vehicle images or TV programs to a driver taking a front seat or to a passenger taking a rear seat by a head-up display apparatus for an automotive vehicle, the head-up display apparatus comprises a driver half mirror disposed on the dashboard, a passenger mirror disposed on a console box disposed between two front seats, and a projector unit having a CRT and a pivotal reflecting mirror driven by a motor from a first driver position to a second passenger position or vice versa in response to control signals from a control circuit.

Claims

1. A head-up display apparatus for an automotive vehicle, which comprises:

(a) first displaying means for displaying display images toward a driver taking a front seat, said first displaying means being any one of a half mirror and a hologram plate disposed on a dashboard and inside a windshield;

(b) second displaying means for displaying display images toward a passenger taking a rear seat, said second displaying means being a mirror disposed at about a middle position between two front seats; and

(c) projecting means for selectively projecting display images toward any one of said first and second displaying means, said projecting means being disposed at a ceiling within a passenger compartment.

2. The head-up display apparatus for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said projecting means comprises:

(a) a projector unit for projecting display images;

(b) a pivotal reflecting mirror for reflecting display images projected from said projector unit; and

(c) an actuator for actuating said pivotal reflecting mirror to a first position where display images projected from said projector unit is reflected toward said first displaying means and a second position where display images projected from said projector unit is reflected toward said second displaying means.

3. The head-up display apparatus for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises a control circuit including:

(a) vehicle sensors for detecting various vehicle information;

(b) a TV receiver for receiving TV program broadcastings;

(c) a stop sensor for detecting vehicle stop condition;

(d) a park sensor for detecting vehicle park condition;

(e) a selector switch coupled to said vehicle sensors and said TV receives; and

(f) a controller, coupled to said projector unit, said actuator, said stop sensor, said park sensor, and said selector switch, for changing over said selector switch to connect said vehicle sensors to said controller, when said stop and park sensors do not detect vehicle stop-and-park conditions simultaneously, so that vehicle information can be projected by said projector unit, and to connect said TV receiver to said controller, when said stop and park sensors detect vehicle stop-and-park conditions simultaneously, so that TV programs can be projected by said projector unit.

4. The head-up display apparatus for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 2, which further comprises a control circuit including:

(a) vehicle sensors for detecting various vehicle information;

(b) a TV receiver for receiving TV program broadcastings;

(c) a stop sensor for detecting vehicle stop condition;

(d) a park sensor for detecting vehicle park condition;

(e) a selector switch coupled to said vehicle sensors and said TV receives; and

(f) a controller, coupled to said projector unit, said actuator, said stop sensor, said park sensor, and said selector switch, for changing over said selector switch to connect said vehicle sensors to said controller, when said stop and park sensors do not detect vehicle stop-and-park conditions simultaneously, so that vehicle information can be projected by said projector unit, and to connect said TV receiver to said controller, when said stop and park sensors detect vehicle stop-and-park conditions simultaneously, so that TV programs can be projected by said projector unit.

5. The head-up display apparatus for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said control circuit further comprises a passenger selector switch, coupled to said controller, for actuating said pivotal reflecting mirror to a second position where display images projected from said projector unit is reflected toward said second displaying means and for changing over said selector switch to connect said controller to said vehicle sensors or said TV receiver.

6. The head-up display apparatus for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 2, wherein said actuator is a motor.

7. The head-up display apparatus for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 2, wherein said projecting means further comprises two projective lenses disposed between said pivotal reflecting mirror and said first displaying means and between said pivotal reflecting mirror and said second displaying means, respectively.

8. The head-up display apparatus for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 5, wherein said passenger selector switch further comprises TV set switches.