Reflective cluster display with stowable viewing screen

• US 5,361,165 A
• Filed: 12/09/1992
• Issued: 11/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Stringfellow, Steven A., Zelenak, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/987,889
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 359/631, 359/633, 359/839, 359/838, 359/863, 359/859, 359/858, 359/884, 340/705, 340/840, 340/461
• US Class Current: 359/631
• 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 5/10 with curved faces

Abstract

A display apparatus includes an image source displaying information and a magnifying mirror element reflecting the displayed information and projecting one or more images thereof viewable by the operator in one or more focal planes, the mirror element being partially light transmissive. A display data source is also provided so that, in a first mode, the display data is not visible and in a second mode the display data is visible to the operator through the mirror. A motor mechanism is operable to pivot the display between a stowed position and an unstowed operational position.

Claims

1. A vehicle display device comprising:

an image source displaying information;

a spherical concave mirror, mounted near the image source, reflecting the displayed information to project a virtual image thereof viewable by an operator, the spherical concave mirror comprising (i) a partially transparent mirror with a first surface facing the display source and a second surface opposite the display source and (ii) a mask layer on the second surface of the partially transparent mirror defining display data normally not visible to the operator;

means, positioned proximate to the partially transparent mirror opposite the image source, for sourcing light onto the defined display data, so that when the defined display data receives the light, the display data becomes visible to the operator; and

means for pivoting the partially transparent mirror, with respect to an axis, between a first position characterized as a stowed position and a second position characterized as an unstowed operational position.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the partially transparent mirror comprises:

a primarily transparent optical element with two surfaces, one facing the image source and the other opposite the image source; and

a partially transparent reflective coating on at least one of the two surfaces of the optical element.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the image source comprises a primary source mounted in a first source plane and a secondary source mounted in a second source plane, whereby the virtual image comprises a primary virtual image in a first image plane and a secondary virtual image in a second image plane.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein the partially transparent reflective coating is a metallic coating.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein the partially transparent reflective coating is a dark color coating.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein the partially transparent reflective coating is a black coating.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein the metallic coating comprises at least one element of a set including aluminum and stainless steel.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pivoting means comprises a motor assembly with a 90 degree pivoting arm.

9. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, also comprising a mirror assembly, the mirror assembly comprising the spherical concave mirror and the means for sourcing light, wherein the mirror assembly also comprises a housing within which the spherical concave mirror and means for sourcing light are mounted.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim 9 wherein the mirror assembly housing comprises an outer layer comprising at least one member of a set comprising:

plastic, vinyl, leather and metal.

11. The apparatus set forth in claim 10, wherein, the mirror assembly is mounted on a vehicle instrumentation panel, and wherein the outer layer blends in with the vehicle instrumentation panel when the mirror assembly is stowed.

12. The apparatus set forth in claim 9, also comprising:

a mirror assembly arm fixedly mounted to the mirror assembly, the mirror assembly arm including an elongated slot;

a motor assembly with a 90 degree pivoting arm; and

a pin, mounted to the 90 degree pivoting arm and engaging the elongated slot, wherein the motor assembly, pin and mirror assembly arm operate to pivot the mirror assembly between the stowed and unstowed positions.

13. The apparatus set forth in claim 12, wherein the motor assembly, pin and mirror assembly arm operate to provide position adjustment of the mirror assembly in the unstowed position.

14. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is characterized by at least three modes of operation, including a first mode in which the mirror assembly is stowed and not operational, a second mode in which the mirror assembly is unstowed and the image source projects the virtual image, and a third mode in which the mirror assembly is unstowed and the display data is visible to the operator.