WO2022268475A1 - Apparatus for generating a virtual image - Google Patents

Apparatus for generating a virtual image Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022268475A1
WO2022268475A1 PCT/EP2022/065075 EP2022065075W WO2022268475A1 WO 2022268475 A1 WO2022268475 A1 WO 2022268475A1 EP 2022065075 W EP2022065075 W EP 2022065075W WO 2022268475 A1 WO2022268475 A1 WO 2022268475A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
mirror
fastener
recess
protrusion
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/065075
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Dan Mihai BALEAN
Original Assignee
Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB2108928.9A external-priority patent/GB2608126B/en
Application filed by Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH filed Critical Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
Publication of WO2022268475A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022268475A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G02B27/0149—Head-up displays characterised by mechanical features
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G02B27/0149—Head-up displays characterised by mechanical features
    • G02B2027/0154—Head-up displays characterised by mechanical features with movable elements
    • G02B2027/0159—Head-up displays characterised by mechanical features with movable elements with mechanical means other than scaning means for positioning the whole image

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to an apparatus for generating a virtual image.
  • the invention is further related to a vehicle comprising such an apparatus.
  • a head-up display also referred to as a HUD
  • a HUD head-up display
  • the driver can therefore maintain his viewing direction. While such systems, due to their complexity and costs, were originally mainly used in the aviation sector, they are now also being used in large scale in the automotive sector.
  • Such apparatus for generating a virtual image are known.
  • They comprise a housing and mirror.
  • the mirror for example, an aspherical mirror, is mounted inside the housing such that an image received by the mirror is reflected to create the virtual image.
  • a mirror holder is used to which the mirror is fixed.
  • a separate mirror is fixed, e.g., glued, on a designated plane on the mirror holder.
  • Another example known from the art is to evaporate a reflecting coating onto the designated plane of the mirror holder.
  • the mirror or respectively the mirror holder has protrusions on two opposite lateral edges.
  • the mirror is mounted inside the housing such that a rotation of the mirror about an axis of rotation is allowed inside the housing.
  • exemplary reasons to allow a rotation of the mirror about an axis of rotation inside the housing are the possibility of an adaption of the size of the virtual image and or the position of the virtual image, for example such that position and size of the virtual image may be adapted to the driving person individually by the respective person, e.g. a driver, itself.
  • an apparatus such as a HUD, that comprises a mirror, respectively the mirror holder, fixed to a housing of the HUD by a fixation device.
  • the fixation device consists of two parts and provides a more or less rectangular space to mount the mirror via a protrusion of the mirror in a press-fit way inside the fixation device.
  • the fixation device is mountable to the housing using screws.
  • the housing or a housing part of the apparatus to which the mirror is fixed can be rotatable to allow for rotation of the mirror.
  • a HUD that comprises a concave mirror fixed to a mirror holder that comprises a protrusion, called protruding piece, to be rotatable mountable inside a housing of the HUD.
  • the protruding piece protrudes from the approximate center of the mirror holder width, which is defined along a rotational axis.
  • the protruding piece is connected to a tubular bearing that enables rotation of the concave mirror about the rotational axis inside the housing.
  • the head-up-display further comprises a U-shaped recess into which the tubular bearing is inserted in the mounted condition. The movement of the bearing inside the recess in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation is blocked by a bearing retainer that is fixed to a wall portion inside the recess.
  • a HUD comprising a housing and a head up display mirror mounting arrangement for a motor vehicle.
  • the mirror mounting arrangement comprises a mirror holder which holds the mirror for being mountable to the housing.
  • the mirror holder comprises two opposite ends each having a respective protrusion, called pivot.
  • the pivots define an axis of rotation of the mirror.
  • the housing includes two opposite ends each having a respective bearing support.
  • Each bearing support comprises a recess in which in a mounted condition of the mirror inside the housing a bearing is received that enables rotation of the pivot inside the recess.
  • bearing caps are used which are threaded via screws to the respective bearing support.
  • a HUD that comprises a mirror which extends between a first edge and a second edge. From the first and second edge protrusions, called mirror legs, extending from the respective edges along respective axes.
  • the apparatus comprises two ball joint assemblies.
  • the ball joint assemblies are configured to be detachably connectable to the housing via alignment cylinders and flexible tabs.
  • the flexible tabs extend generally parallel to the alignment cylinders for being detachably connectable to an orifice defined by a base in the housing.
  • each of the two ball joint assemblies pivotably connect the respective mirror leg to the housing.
  • the two ball joint assemblies include a bearing that is pivotable and rotatable about a respective axis.
  • each of the ball joint assemblies further includes a respective mirror interface member that is coupled in a concentric manner with the respective bearing and mirror leg.
  • the respective mirror interface member is arranged between the respective mirror leg and bearing and prevents a direct contact between the respective mirror leg and the bearing.
  • the respective mirror interface is able to rotate within the respective bearing.
  • a body of the respective ball joint assembly, the bearing and the mirror interface member of each ball joint assembly are configured in such a way that the movement of the mirror legs inside the respective ball joint assembly in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation is restricted.
  • the known embodiments of apparatus for generating a virtual image have the disadvantage that at least one extra component, e.g., a bearing, is required to mount the mirror inside the housing and to enable rotation of the mirror inside the housing.
  • a bearing is required to mount the mirror inside the housing and to enable rotation of the mirror inside the housing.
  • additional components have to be manufactured and the mirror has to be connected to these components in an assembly process before it can be mounted inside the housing. This is not only associated with high costs but also with a high time expenditure during the assembly process.
  • an apparatus for generating a virtual image comprises a housing, a mirror, a mirror holder and a fastener.
  • the housing may for example be made from metal or plastic.
  • the mirror is fixed to the mirror holder and via the mirror holder the mirror is mountable to the housing, such that an image received by the mirror is reflected to create the virtual image.
  • the mirror holder further enables a rotation of the mirror about an axis of rotation when the mirror via the mirror holder is mounted to the housing.
  • the mirror holder comprises at least at one of its lateral edges a protrusion.
  • the mirror holder comprises two lateral edges, one on a right side and one on a left side in the mounted condition of the mirror to the housing.
  • Each lateral edge comprises a point at which the axis of rotation breaks through the surface of the mirror holder.
  • the protrusion in the mounted condition of the mirror to the housing protrudes in a direction of the axis of rotation from the at least one of the two lateral edges.
  • the housing comprises a recess with an opening via which the protrusion may be inserted into the recess.
  • the recess is configured in such a way that it receives the protrusion. It is understood that not the entire protrusion has to be received in the recess.
  • the apparatus comprises a fastener that is fixable to the housing.
  • the mirror holder enables the rotation of the mirror via the protrusion, the recess and the fastener. Therefore, the protrusion, the recess and the fastener are configured such that they enable the rotation of the mirror inside the housing about the axis of rotation.
  • the protrusion and the recess may have specific forms to enable rotation of the protrusion in the recess about the axis of rotation in the mounted condition of the mirror to the housing.
  • the fastener is configured as elastically deformable element and, when fixed to the housing, the fastener is elastically prestressed and exerting an elastic force on the protrusion in the mounted condition of the mirror. It is understood that the fastener essentially exerts an elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
  • the described configuration of the fastener in addition to restricting a movement of the protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, enables the rotation of the protrusion in the recess about the axis of rotation.
  • the configuration of the fastener, the protrusion and the recess enable a rotation of the mirror about the axis of rotation in the mounted condition of the mirror to the housing.
  • the described configuration of the fastener enables an absorption of forces that may be exerted on the protrusion from a surface of the recess and/or the fastener and vice versa.
  • the configuration of the fastener in addition supports a safe storage of the protrusion inside the recess and prevents possible damages to the mirror and/or the mirror holder which could occur e.g. by impacts and/or shocks inside the housing. Due to the described configuration of the protrusion, the recess and the fastener no extra component, e.g. no bearing, is needed to enable a rotatable mounting of the mirror to the housing.
  • rotatable mounting of the mirror to the housing is exclusively enabled by the respective configuration of the protrusion, the recess and the fastener. Therefore, the protrusion, in the mounted condition of the mirror is in direct contact to at least one surface of the recess and the fastener, when fixed to the housing.
  • the housing is configured to receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted.
  • the housing may have a specific form or comprise a specific receiving means, which is integrally formed to the housing and receives the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted.
  • Such a configuration of the housing ensures that the direction from which the elastic force is to be applied to the protrusion by the fastener is maintained. In particular, such a configuration prevents possible slippage of the protrusion out of the recess due to a moving fastener.
  • Integrally formed inside the housing respectively to the housing means that the respective parts of the housing, i.e. the recess and the described receiving means are made in one-piece with the housing.
  • the housing comprises at least one support surface, the support surface is configured such that the fastener, when fixed to the housing, comes to rest on the support surface.
  • the at least one support surface is integrally arranged to the housing.
  • the support surface is configured such that it restricts a movement of the fastener into the direction of the protrusion in the mounted condition of the mirror.
  • the housing comprises at least one pillar and the at least one pillar is configured to receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted.
  • the at least one pillar is integrally formed to the housing.
  • the usage of a pillar is one of plenty embodiments how the housing may be configured to receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted.
  • this embodiment has the advantage that a pillar is easy to manufacture and a simple way to receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted.
  • the at least one pillar may have any form as long as it may receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted.
  • the at least one pillar may be of cylindrical or of polygonal shape. Especially, a cuboidal shape is particularly preferred.
  • the housing comprises at least two pillars and the at least two pillars are configured to receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted.
  • the usage of at least two pillars offers the advantage that the at least one additional pillar additionally restricts the movement of the fastening element along the direction of the axis of rotation.
  • the housing comprises four pillars and the four pillars are configured to receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted. It has been found that the usage of four pillars that are integrally formed to the housing optimally restricts the movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation. Increasing the number of pillars further might restrict the movement only slightly more but requires more material. The more pillars are integrated in the housing, the more material is needed for the manufacturing of the housing which means additional costs.
  • At least one pillar comprises a support surface, the support surface, being configured such that the fastener, when fixed to the housing, comes to rest on the support surface.
  • the support surface is configured such that it restricts a movement of the fastener into the direction of the protrusion in the mounted condition of the mirror.
  • each of the at least one pillar comprises a support surface, each support surface, being configured such that the fastener, when fixed to the housing, comes to rest on each support surface. This further optimizes a distribution of the force exerted by the fastener on the protrusion.
  • the housing comprises at least two pillars and at least one support surface is configured as a wall or a web connecting two of the at least two pillars. A wall connecting the two pillars further optimizes the distribution of the force exerted by the fastener on the protrusion.
  • a web may be used instead of a wall to reduce material consumption.
  • the wall or web may additionally enhance stabilization of the pillar and, e.g., prevent a breakage of a pillar.
  • the wall or web connects two of the at least two pillars in a direction in parallel to the axis of rotation. In yet another embodiment, the wall or web connects two pillars in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. It is understood that the wall or web may not block an insertion of the protrusion into the recess. Hence, the wall or web needs to be arranged such that an insertion of the protrusion into the recess is enabled.
  • the at least one pillar has a shape tapering towards its tip.
  • a shape tapering towards its tip is an alternative to a support surface.
  • a tapering shape increases the stability of the pillar and reduces the risk of the pillar breaking off at the housing.
  • the fastener comprises at least one aperture and the at least one aperture receives the at least one pillar in a form fitting manner, when the fastener is fixed to the housing.
  • the aperture in addition to the pillar restricts the movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation.
  • Such embodiment is particularly advantageous if only one pillar or two pillars are used. By that it is possible to reduce material consumption in an easy way and to restrict the movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation.
  • the fastener is made of flat metal.
  • the manufacturing of the fastener using flat metal is particularly simple and therefore particularly cost-effective.
  • the fastener is fixable to the housing by a fastening means such as a rivet and/or a screw. Such fasteners make installation of the fastener particularly simple and cost-effective.
  • the fastener is configured as an elastically deformable metal clip comprising two elastic arms, each being configured to snap back and interlock with a corresponding aperture in the housing after being elastically deformed.
  • no additional fastening mean such as a screw or rivet, in accordance with the fastener is necessary to fix the fastener to the housing.
  • each of the two elastic arms at its respective ends may comprise an elastic finger which consists of a laterally projecting hooked protrusion which, when the fastener is fixed to the housing, engage behind an edge of said aperture in the housing.
  • the described configuration ensures both a simple way to fix the fastener to the housing and to function as an elastically deformable element that, when fixed to the housing, is elastically prestressed and exerts an elastic force on the protrusion in the mounted condition of the mirror.
  • the recess may have any shape and comprise a single surface or plenty surfaces, as long as the protrusion is rotatably received inside the recess about the axis of rotation in the mounted condition of the mirror.
  • the recess is cuboidal shaped.
  • the recess comprises surfaces with a rectangular shape or a square shape.
  • the protrusion or a part or end piece of the protrusion which is in direct contact to a surface of the recess may have essentially the shape of a cylinder or a sphere.
  • the recess comprises a surface such that the recess comprises a U-formed shape.
  • the recess has a U-formed shape and the part of the protrusion has essentially the shape of a sphere or of a cylinder. This ensures that the part can easily rotate in the recess.
  • the recess is spherical segment-shaped or spherical shell-shaped. In this embodiment, the recess comprises a surface with a substantially spherical shape.
  • the recess is spherical segment-shaped or spherical shell-shaped and the end piece of the protrusion has essentially the shape of one half of a sphere and the other half of a cylinder.
  • the mirror holder comprises two protrusions, a first protrusion at a first lateral edge and a second protrusion at a second lateral edge.
  • the first protrusion protrudes into a first direction from the first lateral edge and the second protrusion protrudes into a second direction from the second lateral edge.
  • the first direction is the opposite direction of the second direction.
  • the housing comprises two recesses, a first recess and a second recess, each with an opening.
  • the first recess is configured to receive the first protrusion and the second recess is configured to receive the second protrusion.
  • a first fastener when fixed to the housing, locks the opening of the first recess and a second fastener when fixed to the housing, locks the opening of the second recess.
  • the fasteners when fixed to the housing restrict a movement of the protrusions in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation in the mounted condition of the mirror to the housing.
  • Both recesses are integrally formed inside the housing.
  • the first protrusion, in the mounted condition of the mirror is in direct contact to at least one surface of the first recess and the first fastener, when fixed to the housing.
  • Both protrusions, recesses and fasteners are configured to enable mounting of the mirror to the housing and to enable rotation of the mirror about the axis of rotation.
  • Both fasteners are configured as elastically deformable elements and, when fixed to the housing, are elastically prestressed and exerting an elastic force on the respective protrusion in the mounted condition of the mirror.
  • the housing is configured to receive both fasteners such that a movement of the fasteners along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted.
  • a vehicle comprises an apparatus for generating a virtual image as described above.
  • Fig. 1 shows a sketch of a state-of-the-art head-up display for a motor vehicle
  • Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention in a mounted condition of a mirror inside the housing;
  • Fig. 3 shows the housing of Fig. 2 in a top view
  • Fig. 4 shows Figure 2 in an unmounted condition of the mirror in the housing
  • Fig. 5 shows Figure 3 in an unmounted condition of the mirror in the housing
  • Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror inside the housing;
  • Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror inside the housing
  • Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror inside the housing
  • Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror inside the housing;
  • Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror inside the housing;
  • Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror inside the housing.
  • Fig. 1 shows a sketch of a state-of-the-art head-up display for a motor vehicle.
  • the head-up display has an image generator 40, an optical unit 30 and a partially reflecting, translucent pane 50.
  • a beam SB1 emanates from a display element of the image generator 40 and is reflected by a smaller mirror 31 , here a folding mirror onto a bigger mirror 32, here an aspherical mirror, which reflects it in the direction of the pane 50, which here is a windshield of the motor vehicle.
  • the SB2 beam is directed towards the eye of an observer, e.g. a driver of the motor vehicle.
  • the observer sees a virtual image VI, which is located outside the vehicle above the bonnet or even in front of the vehicle.
  • the virtual image VI is an enlarged representation of the image displayed by the display element.
  • a symbolic speed limit the current vehicle speed and navigation instructions are displayed.
  • the eye is inside an eyebox indicated by a rectangle in the sketch, all elements of the virtual image are visible to the eye. If the eye is located outside the eyebox, the virtual image VI is only partially or not at all visible to the viewer. The larger the eyebox is, the less restricted the viewer is in his choice of the seating position.
  • the curvature of the aspherical mirror 32 is adapted to the curvature of the windshield and ensures that the image distortion is stable over the entire eyebox.
  • the rotation of the aspherical mirror 32 is enabled using a bearing 42 which needs to be fixed to a housing 1 of the head-up display. Therefore, in an assembling process, the bearing 32 is inserted in a recess of a bearing support (not shown) of the housing and fixed by a metal bracket (not shown) using screws to fixate the metal bracket to the bearing support. By rotating the aspherical mirror 32, it is possible to shift the eyebox and thus to adjust the position of the eyebox to the position of the eye.
  • the folding mirror 31 ensures that the distance travelled by the beam SB1 between the display element of the image generator and the aspherical mirror 32 is long, while at the same time the optical unit 30 remains compact.
  • the optical unit 30 and the image generator 40 are accommodated in the housing 1 and separated from the environment by a transparent cover.
  • the optical elements of the optical unit 30 are thus protected, for example, against dust inside the vehicle.
  • An optical foil or polarizer is located on the cover.
  • the display element is typically polarized and the pane 50 acts like an analyzer. The purpose of the polarizer is, therefore, to influence the polarization such as to achieve a uniform visibility of the useful light.
  • An anti-glare shield serves to securely absorb light reflected across the interface of the cover so that no glare is caused to the observer.
  • Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention in a mounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1.
  • the housing 1 is made from plastic in an injection molding process.
  • Fig. 3 differs from Fig. 2 only in that it shows the housing 1 in a top view.
  • the mirror 3, here an aspherical mirror, is mounted inside the housing 1 via a mirror holder 4 to which the mirror 3 is fixed.
  • the mirror holder 4 comprises two lateral edges 5.
  • Each of the two lateral edges 5 comprises a point 21 at which the axis z of rotation breaks through the surface of the mirror holder 4.
  • the mirror holder 4 further comprises at the shown lateral edge 5 a protrusion 6 that protrudes in direction of the axis z of rotation from the shown lateral edge 5.
  • an end piece 10 of the protrusion 6 engages the housing 1 and is received in a recess 8 that is integrally formed inside the housing 1 .
  • One half of the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6 has the shape of a sphere and the other half of a cylinder.
  • the recess 8 essentially has a spherical shape.
  • the housing 1 comprises two apertures 24, 24’ which are arranged at opposite sides of the recess 8 and such that, in a mounted condition of the mirror to the housing 1 as shown in Fig. 2, a first aperture 24 is arranged on a left side of the protrusion 6 and a second aperture is arranged on a right side of the protrusion and in both in a direction perpendicular to the axis z of rotation.
  • Fig. 4 which shows Fig. 2 in an unmounted condition of the mirror in the housing
  • the protrusion 6 can be inserted in the housing 1 through an opening of the recess 8.
  • the fastener 7 is made of flat metal as an elastically deformable metal clip.
  • the fastener 7 comprises two elastic arms 26, 26’ that snap back and interlock with a corresponding aperture 24, 24’ in the housing 1 after being elastically deformed.
  • Each of the two elastic arms 26, 26’ at its end comprises an elastic finger 27, 27’ which consists of a laterally projecting hooked protrusion.
  • each of the two elastic fingers 27, 27’ engage behind an edge of said aperture 24, 24’ in the housing. Due to the elastic arms 26, 26’ and elastic fingers 27, 27’, the fastener 7 is configured as elastically deformable element that, when fixed to the housing 1 , is elastically prestressed and exerts an elastic force on the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6.
  • the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6 is in direct contact to the spherical surface of the recess 8 and to the fastener 7.
  • the mirror holder 4 via the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6, the recess 8 and the fastener 7 that exerts an elastic force on the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6 enables a mounting of the mirror 3 inside the housing 1 such that an image received by the mirror 3 is reflected to create a virtual image.
  • the mirror holder 4 via the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6 one half of which has the shape of a sphere and the other half of a cylinder, the recess 8 which essentially has a spherical shape and the fastener 7 that exerts an elastic force on the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6, further enables a rotation of the mirror 3 inside the housing 1 about an axis z of rotation.
  • the rotation can be done, e.g., using a step motor (step motor not shown) which is connected to an arm 15 of the mirror holder 4, as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the housing 1 shown in figures 2 to 5 comprises four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ that are integrally formed to the housing 1 .
  • the four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ are essentially cuboidal shaped.
  • Two 22, 22”’ of the four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ are arranged at a front end of the recess 8 and the other two 22’, 22” of the four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ are arranged at a rear end of the recess 8. In the mounted condition of the mirror, the front end is closer to the lateral edge 5 as the rear end.
  • the four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ are arrange in such a way that the fastener 7, when fixed to the housing 1 , lies between the four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’.
  • the surfaces of the pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ that are directed to the fastener 7 enclose the fastener 7 and thus restrict a movement of the fastener 7 along the direction of the axis z of rotation.
  • the pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22’” are arranged such that a movement of the fastener 7 to either sides along the direction of the axis z of rotation, is blocked by the surfaces of the pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ that are directed to the fastener 7.
  • Each of the four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ comprises a support surface 23, 23’, 23”, 23”’.
  • the fastener 7, when fixed to the housing 1 comes to rest on each support surface 23, 23’, 23”, 23”’.
  • the support surfaces 23, 23’, 23”, 23”’ restrict a movement of the fastener 7 into the direction of the endpiece 10 of protrusion 6.
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1 .
  • the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 differs from that shown in figures 2 to 5 in that each two of the total of four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ are connected by a wall that forms the support surface.
  • Two pillars which are oriented on a first side perpendicular to the axis z of rotation are connected by a first wall and two pillars which are oriented on an opposite second side perpendicular to the axis z of rotation are connected by a second wall.
  • the first wall and the second wall connects respective two pillars in a direction in parallel to the axis of rotation.
  • webs can be used to connect two pillars, for example, to reduce material consumption in a producing process and thus to reduce costs.
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1 .
  • the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 differs from that shown in figures 2 to 5 in that the housing 1 only comprises two pillars 22, 22”’.
  • the two pillars 22, 22”’ are arranged at the front end of the recess 8 on opposite sides of the recess 8.
  • the first pillar 22 is thus arranged at the front end and the first side of the recess 8 and the second pillar 22”’ is thus arranged at the front end and the second side of the recess 8.
  • Each of the two pillars 22, 22”’ comprises a support surface 23, 23”’ that has the form of a wall but does not connect two pillars. Instead, the support surfaces 23, 23”’ on opposite sides of the recess extend from the respective pillar 22, 22’ to the rear end of the recess 8.
  • Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1.
  • the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 differs from that shown in Fig. 7 in that the first pillar 22 is arranged at the rear end of the recess 8 and the support surface 23 of the first pillar 22 extends from the first pillar 22 to the front end of the recess 8.
  • Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1.
  • the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 differs from that shown in Fig. 8 in that the first and second pillar 22, 22’ are each arranged in the middle between the rear end and the front end of the recess 8.
  • Each of the two pillars 22, 22’ comprise support surfaces 23, 23’ that extend from the respective pillar 22, 22’ to the front end and to the rear end.
  • each pillar comprises two support surfaces.
  • the fastener 7 comprises two apertures 25, 25’, a first aperture 25 and a second aperture 25’.
  • the two pillars 22, 22’ and the two apertures 25, 25’ are arranged in such a way that, when the fastener 7 is fixed to the housing 1 , the first aperture 25 in the fastener 7 receives the first pillar 22 and the second aperture 25’ receives the second pillar 22’ in a form fitting manner, which restricts the movement of the fastener 7 along the direction of the axis z of rotation.
  • Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1 .
  • the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 differs from that shown in Fig. 9 in that the housing 1 only comprises one pillar 22 that is arranged in the middle between the rear end and the front end of the recess 8.
  • the fastener 7 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 only comprises one aperture 25. Both, the aperture 25 and the pillar are configured such that, when the fastener 7 is fixed to the housing 1 , the aperture 25 in the fastener 7 receives the pillar 22 in a form fitting manner, which restricts the movement of the fastener 7 along the direction of the axis z of rotation.
  • the pillar 22 in the shown embodiment has a shape tapering towards the tip.
  • the tapering shape of the pillar is arranged in such a way that the fastener 3, when fixed to the housing 1 , comes to rest at a specific place of the pillar, depending on the tapering shape. In the mounted condition of the mirror 3, the tapering shape restrict a movement of the fastener 7 into the direction of the endpiece 10 of protrusion 6.
  • Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1 .
  • the embodiment shown in Fig. 11 differs from that shown in Fig. 7 in that both pillars 22, 22’” are arranged at the same side of the recess 8.
  • the first pillar 22’” is arranged at a front end and the second pillar 22 is arranged at a rear end of the recess 8.
  • the two pillars 22, 22”’ are connected by a wall 28 as a first support surface.
  • the housing 1 comprises a second support surface 23 that is integrally formed to the housing 1 and arranged without any pillar.
  • the second support surface 23 extends from the respective front end to the respective rear end of the recess 8.
  • the fastener 7, when fixed to the housing 1 is arranged between the first and second pillar 22, 22’ and comes to rest on the wall 28 and the second support surface 23.
  • FIGs 2 to 11 only one side of the housing 1 and only one side of the mirror 3 can be seen. Except for the arm 15 that may be connected to a step motor and that only exists once, the other side of the housing 1 and mirror 3 is formed identically to the one that can be seen.
  • the respective housing 1 shown in the figures as part of an apparatus for generating a virtual image is mounted inside a vehicle (not shown).

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Rear-View Mirror Devices That Are Mounted On The Exterior Of The Vehicle (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is related to an apparatus for generating a virtual image. The invention is further related to a vehicle comprising such an apparatus. In order to provide a simplified setup for an apparatus for generating a virtual image, the apparatus comprises a housing (1), a mirror (3), a mirror holder (4) and a fastener (7). A recess (8) being integrally formed inside the housing (1). A protrusion (6) of the mirror holder (4), in the mounted condition of the mirror (3) to the housing (1) is in direct contact to at least one surface of the recess (8) and the fastener (7), when fixed to the housing. The protrusion (6), the recess (8) and the fastener (7) are configured to enable a mounting of the mirror (3) to the housing (1) and to enable a rotation of the mirror (3) about the axis z of rotation. The fastener (7) is configured as elastically deformable element and, when fixed to the housing (1), is elastically prestressed and exerts an elastic force on the protrusion (6) in the mounted condition of the mirror (3). The housing (1) is configured to receive the fastener (7) such that a movement of the fastener (7) along the direction of the axis z of rotation is restricted.

Description

Apparatus for generating a virtual image
The present invention is related to an apparatus for generating a virtual image. The invention is further related to a vehicle comprising such an apparatus.
As an example of an apparatus for generating a virtual image, a head-up display, also referred to as a HUD, is known as a tool for displaying information in the field of vision of a driver. The driver can therefore maintain his viewing direction. While such systems, due to their complexity and costs, were originally mainly used in the aviation sector, they are now also being used in large scale in the automotive sector.
From the state-of-the-art such apparatus for generating a virtual image are known. Usually they comprise a housing and mirror. The mirror, for example, an aspherical mirror, is mounted inside the housing such that an image received by the mirror is reflected to create the virtual image. To enable mounting of the mirror inside the housing, usually a mirror holder is used to which the mirror is fixed. For example, a separate mirror is fixed, e.g., glued, on a designated plane on the mirror holder. Another example known from the art is to evaporate a reflecting coating onto the designated plane of the mirror holder. To enable mounting of the mirror inside the housing, usually, the mirror or respectively the mirror holder has protrusions on two opposite lateral edges.
It is further known from the state-of-the-art that the mirror is mounted inside the housing such that a rotation of the mirror about an axis of rotation is allowed inside the housing. Exemplary reasons to allow a rotation of the mirror about an axis of rotation inside the housing are the possibility of an adaption of the size of the virtual image and or the position of the virtual image, for example such that position and size of the virtual image may be adapted to the driving person individually by the respective person, e.g. a driver, itself.
From W02020200658A1 an apparatus is known, such as a HUD, that comprises a mirror, respectively the mirror holder, fixed to a housing of the HUD by a fixation device. The fixation device consists of two parts and provides a more or less rectangular space to mount the mirror via a protrusion of the mirror in a press-fit way inside the fixation device. The fixation device is mountable to the housing using screws. To rotate the mirror, it is known from W02020200658A1 that the housing or a housing part of the apparatus to which the mirror is fixed can be rotatable to allow for rotation of the mirror.
There are simplified solutions known from the state of the art to enable a rotation of a mirror inside a housing compared to a rotation of the housing or a housing part of the apparatus. To enable the rotation of the mirror inside the housing in a simplified way, it is known from the state-of-the-art to use a bearing which is fixable to the housing, e.g. in a fixation device known from W02020200658A1 , and in which a protrusion of the mirror, respectively of the mirror holder, is received rotational about an axis of rotation. Instead of a fixation device as known from W02020200658A1 , it is known to use a metal bracket and a rivet or screw to fix the bearing in a bearing support or a recess inside the housing.
For example, from EP3232250A1 a HUD is known that comprises a concave mirror fixed to a mirror holder that comprises a protrusion, called protruding piece, to be rotatable mountable inside a housing of the HUD. The protruding piece protrudes from the approximate center of the mirror holder width, which is defined along a rotational axis. In a mounted condition of the concave mirror inside the housing, the protruding piece is connected to a tubular bearing that enables rotation of the concave mirror about the rotational axis inside the housing. The head-up-display further comprises a U-shaped recess into which the tubular bearing is inserted in the mounted condition. The movement of the bearing inside the recess in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation is blocked by a bearing retainer that is fixed to a wall portion inside the recess.
From US2017371158A1 a HUD comprising a housing and a head up display mirror mounting arrangement for a motor vehicle is known. The mirror mounting arrangement comprises a mirror holder which holds the mirror for being mountable to the housing. The mirror holder comprises two opposite ends each having a respective protrusion, called pivot. The pivots define an axis of rotation of the mirror. The housing includes two opposite ends each having a respective bearing support. Each bearing support comprises a recess in which in a mounted condition of the mirror inside the housing a bearing is received that enables rotation of the pivot inside the recess. To secure a movement of the bearings in the mounted condition of the mirror out of the respective bearing support in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, bearing caps are used which are threaded via screws to the respective bearing support.
From EP3514605A1 a HUD is known that comprises a mirror which extends between a first edge and a second edge. From the first and second edge protrusions, called mirror legs, extending from the respective edges along respective axes. To enable a mounting and a rotation of the mirror inside a housing of the HUD, the apparatus comprises two ball joint assemblies. The ball joint assemblies are configured to be detachably connectable to the housing via alignment cylinders and flexible tabs. The flexible tabs extend generally parallel to the alignment cylinders for being detachably connectable to an orifice defined by a base in the housing. Furthermore, each of the two ball joint assemblies pivotably connect the respective mirror leg to the housing. To do so, the two ball joint assemblies include a bearing that is pivotable and rotatable about a respective axis. Moreover, each of the ball joint assemblies further includes a respective mirror interface member that is coupled in a concentric manner with the respective bearing and mirror leg. The respective mirror interface member is arranged between the respective mirror leg and bearing and prevents a direct contact between the respective mirror leg and the bearing. The respective mirror interface is able to rotate within the respective bearing. A body of the respective ball joint assembly, the bearing and the mirror interface member of each ball joint assembly are configured in such a way that the movement of the mirror legs inside the respective ball joint assembly in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation is restricted.
However, the known embodiments of apparatus for generating a virtual image have the disadvantage that at least one extra component, e.g., a bearing, is required to mount the mirror inside the housing and to enable rotation of the mirror inside the housing. This in turn means that additional components have to be manufactured and the mirror has to be connected to these components in an assembly process before it can be mounted inside the housing. This is not only associated with high costs but also with a high time expenditure during the assembly process.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simplified setup for an apparatus for generating a virtual image.
This object is achieved by an apparatus according to claim 1 and by a vehicle comprising such apparatus according to claim 10. The dependent claims include advantageous further developments and improvements of the present principles as described below.
According to an aspect of the invention, an apparatus for generating a virtual image, comprises a housing, a mirror, a mirror holder and a fastener. The housing may for example be made from metal or plastic. The mirror is fixed to the mirror holder and via the mirror holder the mirror is mountable to the housing, such that an image received by the mirror is reflected to create the virtual image. The mirror holder further enables a rotation of the mirror about an axis of rotation when the mirror via the mirror holder is mounted to the housing. To enable mounting of the mirror and its rotation, the mirror holder comprises at least at one of its lateral edges a protrusion. Typically, the mirror holder comprises two lateral edges, one on a right side and one on a left side in the mounted condition of the mirror to the housing. Each lateral edge comprises a point at which the axis of rotation breaks through the surface of the mirror holder. The protrusion in the mounted condition of the mirror to the housing protrudes in a direction of the axis of rotation from the at least one of the two lateral edges. To mount the mirror via the mirror holder to the housing, the housing comprises a recess with an opening via which the protrusion may be inserted into the recess. The recess is configured in such a way that it receives the protrusion. It is understood that not the entire protrusion has to be received in the recess. In the sense of the disclosure it is sufficient if at least a part or an end piece of the protrusion is received inside the recess as long as it enables a rotatable mounting of the mirror via the mirror holder to the housing. It is understood that such part or end piece are integrally formed to the protrusion. It is further understood that the recess is integrally formed inside the housing. Thus, no extra component is needed, such as a detachably connectable fixation device or ball joint assembly which usually consists of a minimum of two parts, which need to be fixed to the housing using screws or rivets and which would take extra steps in a mounting process. To lock the opening of the recess and to restrict a movement of the protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation in the mounted condition of the mirror, the apparatus comprises a fastener that is fixable to the housing. In the sense of the invention, the mirror holder enables the rotation of the mirror via the protrusion, the recess and the fastener. Therefore, the protrusion, the recess and the fastener are configured such that they enable the rotation of the mirror inside the housing about the axis of rotation. For example, the protrusion and the recess may have specific forms to enable rotation of the protrusion in the recess about the axis of rotation in the mounted condition of the mirror to the housing. The fastener is configured as elastically deformable element and, when fixed to the housing, the fastener is elastically prestressed and exerting an elastic force on the protrusion in the mounted condition of the mirror. It is understood that the fastener essentially exerts an elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The described configuration of the fastener in addition to restricting a movement of the protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, enables the rotation of the protrusion in the recess about the axis of rotation. Thus, the configuration of the fastener, the protrusion and the recess enable a rotation of the mirror about the axis of rotation in the mounted condition of the mirror to the housing. Moreover, the described configuration of the fastener enables an absorption of forces that may be exerted on the protrusion from a surface of the recess and/or the fastener and vice versa. Thus, the configuration of the fastener in addition supports a safe storage of the protrusion inside the recess and prevents possible damages to the mirror and/or the mirror holder which could occur e.g. by impacts and/or shocks inside the housing. Due to the described configuration of the protrusion, the recess and the fastener no extra component, e.g. no bearing, is needed to enable a rotatable mounting of the mirror to the housing. In the sense of the invention, rotatable mounting of the mirror to the housing is exclusively enabled by the respective configuration of the protrusion, the recess and the fastener. Therefore, the protrusion, in the mounted condition of the mirror is in direct contact to at least one surface of the recess and the fastener, when fixed to the housing. Additionally, the housing is configured to receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted. For example, the housing may have a specific form or comprise a specific receiving means, which is integrally formed to the housing and receives the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted. Such a configuration of the housing ensures that the direction from which the elastic force is to be applied to the protrusion by the fastener is maintained. In particular, such a configuration prevents possible slippage of the protrusion out of the recess due to a moving fastener. Integrally formed inside the housing respectively to the housing means that the respective parts of the housing, i.e. the recess and the described receiving means are made in one-piece with the housing.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing comprises at least one support surface, the support surface is configured such that the fastener, when fixed to the housing, comes to rest on the support surface. The at least one support surface is integrally arranged to the housing. The support surface is configured such that it restricts a movement of the fastener into the direction of the protrusion in the mounted condition of the mirror. By that it is possible to optimize the elastic force exerted to the protrusion by the fastener. This prevents the protrusion within the recess from exerting too high frictional forces on a surface of the recess that could damage the housing.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing comprises at least one pillar and the at least one pillar is configured to receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted. It is understood that the at least one pillar is integrally formed to the housing. The usage of a pillar is one of plenty embodiments how the housing may be configured to receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted. However, this embodiment has the advantage that a pillar is easy to manufacture and a simple way to receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted. It is further understood that the at least one pillar may have any form as long as it may receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted. For example, the at least one pillar may be of cylindrical or of polygonal shape. Especially, a cuboidal shape is particularly preferred.
In another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing comprises at least two pillars and the at least two pillars are configured to receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted. The usage of at least two pillars offers the advantage that the at least one additional pillar additionally restricts the movement of the fastening element along the direction of the axis of rotation.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing comprises four pillars and the four pillars are configured to receive the fastener such that a movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted. It has been found that the usage of four pillars that are integrally formed to the housing optimally restricts the movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation. Increasing the number of pillars further might restrict the movement only slightly more but requires more material. The more pillars are integrated in the housing, the more material is needed for the manufacturing of the housing which means additional costs.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one pillar comprises a support surface, the support surface, being configured such that the fastener, when fixed to the housing, comes to rest on the support surface. The support surface is configured such that it restricts a movement of the fastener into the direction of the protrusion in the mounted condition of the mirror. By that it is possible to optimize the elastic force exerted to the protrusion by the fastener. This prevents the protrusion within the recess from exerting too high frictional forces on a surface of the recess that could damage the housing.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the at least one pillar comprises a support surface, each support surface, being configured such that the fastener, when fixed to the housing, comes to rest on each support surface. This further optimizes a distribution of the force exerted by the fastener on the protrusion. In a further preferred embodiment, the housing comprises at least two pillars and at least one support surface is configured as a wall or a web connecting two of the at least two pillars. A wall connecting the two pillars further optimizes the distribution of the force exerted by the fastener on the protrusion. However, this also increases material consumption. Therefore, a web may be used instead of a wall to reduce material consumption. Furthermore, the wall or web may additionally enhance stabilization of the pillar and, e.g., prevent a breakage of a pillar.
In a further embodiment, the wall or web connects two of the at least two pillars in a direction in parallel to the axis of rotation. In yet another embodiment, the wall or web connects two pillars in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. It is understood that the wall or web may not block an insertion of the protrusion into the recess. Hence, the wall or web needs to be arranged such that an insertion of the protrusion into the recess is enabled.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the at least one pillar has a shape tapering towards its tip. Particularly, such form of a pillar is an alternative to a support surface. A tapering shape increases the stability of the pillar and reduces the risk of the pillar breaking off at the housing.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the fastener comprises at least one aperture and the at least one aperture receives the at least one pillar in a form fitting manner, when the fastener is fixed to the housing. The aperture in addition to the pillar restricts the movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation. Such embodiment is particularly advantageous if only one pillar or two pillars are used. By that it is possible to reduce material consumption in an easy way and to restrict the movement of the fastener along the direction of the axis of rotation.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the fastener is made of flat metal. The manufacturing of the fastener using flat metal is particularly simple and therefore particularly cost-effective. In an embodiment of the present invention, the fastener is fixable to the housing by a fastening means such as a rivet and/or a screw. Such fasteners make installation of the fastener particularly simple and cost-effective.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastener is configured as an elastically deformable metal clip comprising two elastic arms, each being configured to snap back and interlock with a corresponding aperture in the housing after being elastically deformed. By that no additional fastening mean, such as a screw or rivet, in accordance with the fastener is necessary to fix the fastener to the housing. For example, each of the two elastic arms at its respective ends may comprise an elastic finger which consists of a laterally projecting hooked protrusion which, when the fastener is fixed to the housing, engage behind an edge of said aperture in the housing. The described configuration ensures both a simple way to fix the fastener to the housing and to function as an elastically deformable element that, when fixed to the housing, is elastically prestressed and exerts an elastic force on the protrusion in the mounted condition of the mirror.
The recess may have any shape and comprise a single surface or plenty surfaces, as long as the protrusion is rotatably received inside the recess about the axis of rotation in the mounted condition of the mirror. In an embodiment of the present invention, the recess is cuboidal shaped. For example, in this embodiment the recess comprises surfaces with a rectangular shape or a square shape. To ensure that the protrusion is easily rotatable received inside the recess the protrusion or a part or end piece of the protrusion which is in direct contact to a surface of the recess, may have essentially the shape of a cylinder or a sphere.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the recess comprises a surface such that the recess comprises a U-formed shape. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the recess has a U-formed shape and the part of the protrusion has essentially the shape of a sphere or of a cylinder. This ensures that the part can easily rotate in the recess. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the recess is spherical segment-shaped or spherical shell-shaped. In this embodiment, the recess comprises a surface with a substantially spherical shape. In another particularly preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the recess is spherical segment-shaped or spherical shell-shaped and the end piece of the protrusion has essentially the shape of one half of a sphere and the other half of a cylinder. This is a simple way to prevent the end piece of the protrusion from making movements other than rotational movements inside the recess in a mounted condition of the mirror to the housing and when the fastener is fixed to the housing. Furthermore, such configuration prevents a lateral slippage and a slippage of the end piece and thus of the protrusion along the axis of rotation within the recess and ensures that the direction from which the elastic force is to be applied to the protrusion by the fastener is maintained.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mirror holder comprises two protrusions, a first protrusion at a first lateral edge and a second protrusion at a second lateral edge. The first protrusion protrudes into a first direction from the first lateral edge and the second protrusion protrudes into a second direction from the second lateral edge. The first direction is the opposite direction of the second direction. Both, the first and second protrusion protruding in the mounted condition of the mirror to the housing into the direction of the axis of rotation. To receive each of the two protrusions, the housing comprises two recesses, a first recess and a second recess, each with an opening. The first recess is configured to receive the first protrusion and the second recess is configured to receive the second protrusion. A first fastener, when fixed to the housing, locks the opening of the first recess and a second fastener when fixed to the housing, locks the opening of the second recess. The fasteners when fixed to the housing restrict a movement of the protrusions in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation in the mounted condition of the mirror to the housing. Both recesses are integrally formed inside the housing. The first protrusion, in the mounted condition of the mirror, is in direct contact to at least one surface of the first recess and the first fastener, when fixed to the housing. Both protrusions, recesses and fasteners are configured to enable mounting of the mirror to the housing and to enable rotation of the mirror about the axis of rotation. Both fasteners are configured as elastically deformable elements and, when fixed to the housing, are elastically prestressed and exerting an elastic force on the respective protrusion in the mounted condition of the mirror. The housing is configured to receive both fasteners such that a movement of the fasteners along the direction of the axis of rotation is restricted.
According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle comprises an apparatus for generating a virtual image as described above.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the figures.
Figures
Fig. 1 shows a sketch of a state-of-the-art head-up display for a motor vehicle;
Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention in a mounted condition of a mirror inside the housing;
Fig. 3 shows the housing of Fig. 2 in a top view;
Fig. 4 shows Figure 2 in an unmounted condition of the mirror in the housing;
Fig. 5 shows Figure 3 in an unmounted condition of the mirror in the housing;
Fig. 6shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror inside the housing;
Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror inside the housing; Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror inside the housing;
Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror inside the housing;
Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror inside the housing;
Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a housing of an apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror inside the housing.
Detailed description
For a better understanding of the principles of the present invention, embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals are used in the figures for the same or equivalent elements and are not necessarily described again for each figure. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments and that the features described may also be combined or modified without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Fig. 1 shows a sketch of a state-of-the-art head-up display for a motor vehicle. The head-up display has an image generator 40, an optical unit 30 and a partially reflecting, translucent pane 50. A beam SB1 emanates from a display element of the image generator 40 and is reflected by a smaller mirror 31 , here a folding mirror onto a bigger mirror 32, here an aspherical mirror, which reflects it in the direction of the pane 50, which here is a windshield of the motor vehicle. From there, the SB2 beam is directed towards the eye of an observer, e.g. a driver of the motor vehicle. The observer sees a virtual image VI, which is located outside the vehicle above the bonnet or even in front of the vehicle. Due to the interaction of the optical unit 30 and the pane 50, the virtual image VI is an enlarged representation of the image displayed by the display element. Here a symbolic speed limit, the current vehicle speed and navigation instructions are displayed. As long as the eye is inside an eyebox indicated by a rectangle in the sketch, all elements of the virtual image are visible to the eye. If the eye is located outside the eyebox, the virtual image VI is only partially or not at all visible to the viewer. The larger the eyebox is, the less restricted the viewer is in his choice of the seating position.
The curvature of the aspherical mirror 32 is adapted to the curvature of the windshield and ensures that the image distortion is stable over the entire eyebox. The rotation of the aspherical mirror 32 is enabled using a bearing 42 which needs to be fixed to a housing 1 of the head-up display. Therefore, in an assembling process, the bearing 32 is inserted in a recess of a bearing support (not shown) of the housing and fixed by a metal bracket (not shown) using screws to fixate the metal bracket to the bearing support. By rotating the aspherical mirror 32, it is possible to shift the eyebox and thus to adjust the position of the eyebox to the position of the eye. The folding mirror 31 ensures that the distance travelled by the beam SB1 between the display element of the image generator and the aspherical mirror 32 is long, while at the same time the optical unit 30 remains compact. The optical unit 30 and the image generator 40 are accommodated in the housing 1 and separated from the environment by a transparent cover. The optical elements of the optical unit 30 are thus protected, for example, against dust inside the vehicle. An optical foil or polarizer is located on the cover. The display element is typically polarized and the pane 50 acts like an analyzer. The purpose of the polarizer is, therefore, to influence the polarization such as to achieve a uniform visibility of the useful light. An anti-glare shield serves to securely absorb light reflected across the interface of the cover so that no glare is caused to the observer. In addition to sunlight SL, also light from another source of interference might reach the display element of the image generator 40. In combination with a polarization filter, the polarizer can also be used to suppress incident sunlight SL. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention in a mounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1. The housing 1 is made from plastic in an injection molding process. Fig. 3 differs from Fig. 2 only in that it shows the housing 1 in a top view.
The mirror 3, here an aspherical mirror, is mounted inside the housing 1 via a mirror holder 4 to which the mirror 3 is fixed. The mirror holder 4 comprises two lateral edges 5. Each of the two lateral edges 5 comprises a point 21 at which the axis z of rotation breaks through the surface of the mirror holder 4. As can be seen, the mirror holder 4 further comprises at the shown lateral edge 5 a protrusion 6 that protrudes in direction of the axis z of rotation from the shown lateral edge 5.
In the mounted condition of the mirror 3 inside the housing 1 shown in figures 2 and 3, an end piece 10 of the protrusion 6 engages the housing 1 and is received in a recess 8 that is integrally formed inside the housing 1 . One half of the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6 has the shape of a sphere and the other half of a cylinder. From Fig. 5, which shows Fig. 3 in an unmounted condition of the mirror 3 in the housing 1 , it can be seen that the recess 8 essentially has a spherical shape. Furthermore, the housing 1 comprises two apertures 24, 24’ which are arranged at opposite sides of the recess 8 and such that, in a mounted condition of the mirror to the housing 1 as shown in Fig. 2, a first aperture 24 is arranged on a left side of the protrusion 6 and a second aperture is arranged on a right side of the protrusion and in both in a direction perpendicular to the axis z of rotation.
As can be seen better from Fig. 4, which shows Fig. 2 in an unmounted condition of the mirror in the housing, the protrusion 6 can be inserted in the housing 1 through an opening of the recess 8.
A fastener 7, when fixed to the housing 1 , as shown in figures 2 and 3 locks the opening of the recess 8 such that a movement of the protrusion 6 in a direction perpendicular to the axis z of rotation is restricted. The fastener 7 is made of flat metal as an elastically deformable metal clip. The fastener 7 comprises two elastic arms 26, 26’ that snap back and interlock with a corresponding aperture 24, 24’ in the housing 1 after being elastically deformed. Each of the two elastic arms 26, 26’ at its end comprises an elastic finger 27, 27’ which consists of a laterally projecting hooked protrusion. When the fastener 7 is fixed to the housing 1 , each of the two elastic fingers 27, 27’, engage behind an edge of said aperture 24, 24’ in the housing. Due to the elastic arms 26, 26’ and elastic fingers 27, 27’, the fastener 7 is configured as elastically deformable element that, when fixed to the housing 1 , is elastically prestressed and exerts an elastic force on the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6.
In the mounted condition of the mirror as shown in figures 2 and 3, the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6 is in direct contact to the spherical surface of the recess 8 and to the fastener 7. The mirror holder 4 via the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6, the recess 8 and the fastener 7 that exerts an elastic force on the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6 enables a mounting of the mirror 3 inside the housing 1 such that an image received by the mirror 3 is reflected to create a virtual image. The mirror holder 4 via the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6 one half of which has the shape of a sphere and the other half of a cylinder, the recess 8 which essentially has a spherical shape and the fastener 7 that exerts an elastic force on the end piece 10 of the protrusion 6, further enables a rotation of the mirror 3 inside the housing 1 about an axis z of rotation. The rotation can be done, e.g., using a step motor (step motor not shown) which is connected to an arm 15 of the mirror holder 4, as shown in Fig. 2.
The housing 1 shown in figures 2 to 5 comprises four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ that are integrally formed to the housing 1 . The four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ are essentially cuboidal shaped. Two 22, 22”’ of the four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ are arranged at a front end of the recess 8 and the other two 22’, 22” of the four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ are arranged at a rear end of the recess 8. In the mounted condition of the mirror, the front end is closer to the lateral edge 5 as the rear end. The four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ are arrange in such a way that the fastener 7, when fixed to the housing 1 , lies between the four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’. As can be seen the surfaces of the pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ that are directed to the fastener 7 enclose the fastener 7 and thus restrict a movement of the fastener 7 along the direction of the axis z of rotation. Or in other words, the pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22’” are arranged such that a movement of the fastener 7 to either sides along the direction of the axis z of rotation, is blocked by the surfaces of the pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ that are directed to the fastener 7.
Each of the four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ comprises a support surface 23, 23’, 23”, 23”’. The fastener 7, when fixed to the housing 1 , comes to rest on each support surface 23, 23’, 23”, 23”’. In the mounted condition of the mirror 3, the support surfaces 23, 23’, 23”, 23”’restrict a movement of the fastener 7 into the direction of the endpiece 10 of protrusion 6.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1 . The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 differs from that shown in figures 2 to 5 in that each two of the total of four pillars 22, 22’, 22”, 22”’ are connected by a wall that forms the support surface. Two pillars which are oriented on a first side perpendicular to the axis z of rotation are connected by a first wall and two pillars which are oriented on an opposite second side perpendicular to the axis z of rotation are connected by a second wall. By this the first wall and the second wall connects respective two pillars in a direction in parallel to the axis of rotation. Alternatively, instead of the walls, webs can be used to connect two pillars, for example, to reduce material consumption in a producing process and thus to reduce costs.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1 . The embodiment shown in Fig. 7 differs from that shown in figures 2 to 5 in that the housing 1 only comprises two pillars 22, 22”’. The two pillars 22, 22”’ are arranged at the front end of the recess 8 on opposite sides of the recess 8. The first pillar 22 is thus arranged at the front end and the first side of the recess 8 and the second pillar 22”’ is thus arranged at the front end and the second side of the recess 8. Each of the two pillars 22, 22”’ comprises a support surface 23, 23”’ that has the form of a wall but does not connect two pillars. Instead, the support surfaces 23, 23”’ on opposite sides of the recess extend from the respective pillar 22, 22’ to the rear end of the recess 8.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1. The embodiment shown in Fig. 8 differs from that shown in Fig. 7 in that the first pillar 22 is arranged at the rear end of the recess 8 and the support surface 23 of the first pillar 22 extends from the first pillar 22 to the front end of the recess 8.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1. The embodiment shown in Fig. 9 differs from that shown in Fig. 8 in that the first and second pillar 22, 22’ are each arranged in the middle between the rear end and the front end of the recess 8. Each of the two pillars 22, 22’ comprise support surfaces 23, 23’ that extend from the respective pillar 22, 22’ to the front end and to the rear end. Thus, each pillar comprises two support surfaces. Furthermore, the fastener 7 comprises two apertures 25, 25’, a first aperture 25 and a second aperture 25’. The two pillars 22, 22’ and the two apertures 25, 25’ are arranged in such a way that, when the fastener 7 is fixed to the housing 1 , the first aperture 25 in the fastener 7 receives the first pillar 22 and the second aperture 25’ receives the second pillar 22’ in a form fitting manner, which restricts the movement of the fastener 7 along the direction of the axis z of rotation.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1 . The embodiment shown in Fig. 10 differs from that shown in Fig. 9 in that the housing 1 only comprises one pillar 22 that is arranged in the middle between the rear end and the front end of the recess 8. Moreover, the fastener 7 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 only comprises one aperture 25. Both, the aperture 25 and the pillar are configured such that, when the fastener 7 is fixed to the housing 1 , the aperture 25 in the fastener 7 receives the pillar 22 in a form fitting manner, which restricts the movement of the fastener 7 along the direction of the axis z of rotation. Furthermore, instead of a support surface, the pillar 22 in the shown embodiment has a shape tapering towards the tip. The tapering shape of the pillar is arranged in such a way that the fastener 3, when fixed to the housing 1 , comes to rest at a specific place of the pillar, depending on the tapering shape. In the mounted condition of the mirror 3, the tapering shape restrict a movement of the fastener 7 into the direction of the endpiece 10 of protrusion 6.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a housing 1 of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention in an unmounted condition of a mirror 3 inside the housing 1 . The embodiment shown in Fig. 11 differs from that shown in Fig. 7 in that both pillars 22, 22’” are arranged at the same side of the recess 8. The first pillar 22’” is arranged at a front end and the second pillar 22 is arranged at a rear end of the recess 8. The two pillars 22, 22”’ are connected by a wall 28 as a first support surface. At the opposite side of the recess 8 the housing 1 comprises a second support surface 23 that is integrally formed to the housing 1 and arranged without any pillar. The second support surface 23 extends from the respective front end to the respective rear end of the recess 8. The fastener 7, when fixed to the housing 1 , is arranged between the first and second pillar 22, 22’ and comes to rest on the wall 28 and the second support surface 23.
In Figures 2 to 11 only one side of the housing 1 and only one side of the mirror 3 can be seen. Except for the arm 15 that may be connected to a step motor and that only exists once, the other side of the housing 1 and mirror 3 is formed identically to the one that can be seen. The respective housing 1 shown in the figures as part of an apparatus for generating a virtual image is mounted inside a vehicle (not shown).
Reference Numerals 1 housing
3 mirror
4 mirror holder
5 lateral edge
6 protrusion
7 fastener
8 recess 10 end piece 15 arm 21 point
22, 22’, 22”, 22’” pillar
23, 23’, 23”, 23”’ support surface
24, 24’ aperture in the housing
25, 25’ aperture in the fastener
26, 26’ elastic arm
27, 27’ elastic finger
28, 28’ wall
30 optical unit
31 mirror
32 aspherical mirror 40 image generator 42 bearing 50 pane axis of rotation

Claims

Patent claims
1. Apparatus for generating a virtual image, comprising a housing (1 ), a mirror (3), a mirror holder (4) and a fastener (7), the mirror (3) being fixed to the mirror holder (4), the mirror (3) being mountable to the housing (1 ) via the mirror holder (4), such that
-- an image received by the mirror (3) is reflected to create the virtual image and -- the mirror (3) is rotatable about an axis (z) of rotation, the mirror holder (4) comprising lateral edges (5), each of the lateral edges (5) comprising a point (21 ) at which the axis (z) of rotation breaks through the surface of the mirror holder (4), the mirror holder (4) comprising at least at one of its lateral edges (5) a protrusion (6), which, in a mounted condition of the mirror (3) to the housing (1 ), protrudes in direction of the axis (z) of rotation from the at least one of the lateral edges (5), the housing (1 ) comprising a recess (8) with an opening, the recess (8) being configured to receive the protrusion (6), the fastener (7) being fixable to the housing (1 ) and the fastener (7), when fixed to the housing (1 ), locking the opening of the recess (8) and restricting a movement of the protrusion (6) in a direction perpendicular to the axis (z) of rotation in the mounted condition of the mirror (3) to the housing (1 ), c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y the recess (8) being integrally formed inside the housing (1 ), the protrusion (6), in the mounted condition of the mirror (3), being in direct contact to at least one surface of the recess (8) and the fastener (7), when fixed to the housing (1 ), the protrusion (6), the recess (8) and the fastener (7) being configured to enable mounting of the mirror (3) to the housing (1 ) and to enable rotation of the mirror (3) about the axis (z) of rotation, the fastener (7) being configured as elastically deformable element and, when fixed to the housing (1 ), being elastically prestressed and exerting an elastic force on the protrusion (6) in the mounted condition of the mirror (3), and the housing (1 ) being configured to receive the fastener (7) such that a movement of the fastener (7) along the direction of the axis (z) of rotation is restricted.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , the housing (1 ) comprising at least one pillar (22, 22’, 22”, 22”’), preferably four pillars (22, 22’, 22”, 22”’), the at least one pillar (22, 22’, 22”, 22”’) being configured to receive the fastener (7) such that a movement of the fastener (7) along the direction of the axis (z) of rotation is restricted.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, at least one pillar (22, 22’, 22”, 22”’) comprising a support surface (23, 23’, 23”, 23”’), the support surface (23, 23’, 23”, 23”’), being configured such that the fastener (7), when fixed to the housing (1 ), comes to rest on the support surface (23, 23’, 23”, 23”’).
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, the housing comprising at least two pillars (22, 22’, 22”, 22”’), and the support surface being configured as a wall (28, 28’) or a web connecting two of the at least two pillars (22, 22’, 22”, 22”’).
5. Apparatus according to claim 2, the at least one pillar has a shape tapering towards its tip.
6. Apparatus according to anyone of claims 2, 3 or 5, the fastener (7) comprising at least one aperture (25, 25’), the at least one aperture (25, 25’) receiving the at least one pillar (22, 22’, 22”, 22”’) in a form fitting manner, when the fastener (7) being fixed to the housing (1 ).
7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, the fastener (7) being made of flat metal.
8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, the fastener (7) being configured as an elastically deformable metal clip comprising two elastic arms (26, 26’), each being configured to snap back and interlock with a corresponding aperture (24, 24’) in the housing (1) after being elastically deformed.
9. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, the recess (8) being spherical segment-shaped or spherical shell-shaped and the end piece (10) of the protrusion (6) essentially has the shape of one half of a sphere and the other half of a cylinder.
10. A vehicle comprising an apparatus for generating a virtual image according to one of the preceding claims.
PCT/EP2022/065075 2021-06-21 2022-06-02 Apparatus for generating a virtual image WO2022268475A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21465530 2021-06-21
EP21465530.0 2021-06-21
GB2108928.9A GB2608126B (en) 2021-06-22 2021-06-22 Apparatus for generating a virtual image
GB2108928.9 2021-06-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022268475A1 true WO2022268475A1 (en) 2022-12-29

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3232250A1 (en) 2014-12-09 2017-10-18 Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. Head-up display device
US20170371158A1 (en) 2016-06-24 2017-12-28 Panasonic Automotive Systems Company Of America, Division Of Panasonic Corporation Of North America Compact pivot system for m1 mirror in head up display (hud) resulting in reduced friction and accurate mirror to mirror location
US20180059417A1 (en) * 2015-03-23 2018-03-01 Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. Head-up display device
EP3514605A1 (en) 2018-01-18 2019-07-24 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Head-up display system
JP2019163003A (en) * 2018-03-20 2019-09-26 カルソニックカンセイ株式会社 Mirror support structure of head-up display device
WO2020200658A1 (en) 2019-04-03 2020-10-08 Continental Automotive Gmbh Apparatus comprising a mirror fixed to a housing by a fixation device
JP2021075248A (en) * 2019-11-13 2021-05-20 株式会社デンソー Virtual image display apparatus

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3232250A1 (en) 2014-12-09 2017-10-18 Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. Head-up display device
US20180059417A1 (en) * 2015-03-23 2018-03-01 Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. Head-up display device
US20170371158A1 (en) 2016-06-24 2017-12-28 Panasonic Automotive Systems Company Of America, Division Of Panasonic Corporation Of North America Compact pivot system for m1 mirror in head up display (hud) resulting in reduced friction and accurate mirror to mirror location
EP3514605A1 (en) 2018-01-18 2019-07-24 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Head-up display system
JP2019163003A (en) * 2018-03-20 2019-09-26 カルソニックカンセイ株式会社 Mirror support structure of head-up display device
WO2020200658A1 (en) 2019-04-03 2020-10-08 Continental Automotive Gmbh Apparatus comprising a mirror fixed to a housing by a fixation device
JP2021075248A (en) * 2019-11-13 2021-05-20 株式会社デンソー Virtual image display apparatus

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