# US 12,181,669 B2 · Head-up display apparatus in which reflecting mirror is rotated > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,181,669 B2 - Document ID: US12181669B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/233,988 - Filed: 2023-08-15 - Published: 2023-11-30 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2021-02-17 - Assignees: Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Tetsuya Ogura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181669B2 ## CPC - G02B 27/0149: {characterised by mechanical features (G02B27/0176 takes precedence)} - B60K 35/233: controlling the size or position in display areas of virtual images depending on the condition of the vehicle or the driver - B60K 35/235: with means for detecting the driver's gaze direction or eye points - B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) - G02B 26/0816: {by means of one or more reflecting elements} - G02B 27/01: Head-up displays - G02B 27/0179: {Display position adjusting means not related to the information to be displayed} - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - G02B 2027/0154: {with movable elements} - G02B 2027/0159: {with mechanical means other than scaning means for positioning the whole image} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES ## Abstract A head-up display apparatus includes: a second reflecting mirror, a first gear, and a rotating apparatus. The second reflecting mirror is rotatable around a first rotation axis C1 extending in a transversal direction. The first gear is disposed in a lower edge portion of the second reflecting mirror. The rotating apparatus includes a second gear that meshes with the first gear from below and that is rotatable around a second rotation axis C2 aligned with the first rotation axis C1. When the rotating apparatus rotates the second gear, the second reflecting mirror is rotated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A head-up display apparatus comprising: a reflecting mirror rotatable around a first rotation axis extending in a transversal direction; a first gear disposed in a lower edge portion of the reflecting mirror; and a rotating apparatus including a second gear that meshes with the first gear from below and that is rotatable around a second rotation axis aligned with the first rotation axis, wherein the reflecting mirror includes: a left shaft part and a right shaft part extending along the first rotation axis; and a main body made of resin disposed between the left shaft part and the right shaft part in the transversal direction, the main body includes: a front surface having a mirror surface and an offset surface; a rib extending from a front lower edge portion of the front surface of the main body toward a rear side of the reflecting mirror; and a coupling part that protrudes downward from the rib such that the first gear is adapted to be fitted into the coupling part, wherein the offset surface extends downward from a part of the front lower edge portion of the front surface of the main body and above the coupling part, and a depth of the rib in a first section in contact with the offset surface is larger than a depth of the rib in a second section not in contact with the offset surface, and when the rotating apparatus rotates the second gear, the reflecting mirror is rotated. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a length of the offset surface in the transversal direction is longer than a length of the coupling part in the transversal direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein emboss processing is applied to the offset surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein emboss processing is applied to the offset surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a spring including a winding part inserted through at least one of the left shaft part or the right shaft part and a first arm and a second arm caused to extend linearly from ends of the winding part, wherein the spring applies a stress to the first gear in a direction of expanding a spacing between the first arm and the second arm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a spring including a winding part inserted through at least one of the left shaft part or the right shaft part and a first arm and a second arm caused to extend linearly from ends of the winding part, wherein the spring applies a stress to the first gear in a direction of expanding a spacing between the first arm and the second arm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a spring including a winding part inserted through at least one of the left shaft part or the right shaft part and a first arm and a second arm caused to extend linearly from ends of the winding part, wherein the spring applies a stress to the first gear in a direction of expanding a spacing between the first arm and the second arm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a spring including a winding part inserted through at least one of the left shaft part or the right shaft part and a first arm and a second arm caused to extend linearly from ends of the winding part, wherein the spring applies a stress to the first gear in a direction of expanding a spacing between the first arm and the second arm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating apparatus includes: a motor; and a threaded third gear rotated around a third rotation axis aligned with a direction different from that of the second rotation axis, wherein the threaded third gear meshes with the second gear from below. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating apparatus includes: a motor; and a threaded third gear rotated around a third rotation axis aligned with a direction different from that of the second rotation axis, wherein the threaded third gear meshes with the second gear from below. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotating apparatus includes: a motor; and a threaded third gear rotated around a third rotation axis aligned with a direction different from that of the second rotation axis, wherein the threaded third gear meshes with the second gear from below. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rotating apparatus includes: a motor; and a threaded third gear rotated around a third rotation axis aligned with a direction different from that of the second rotation axis, wherein the threaded third gear meshes with the second gear from below. ### Claim 13 (depends on 4) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the rotating apparatus includes: a motor; and a threaded third gear rotated around a third rotation axis aligned with a direction different from that of the second rotation axis, wherein the threaded third gear meshes with the second gear from below. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the rotating apparatus includes: a motor; and a threaded third gear rotated around a third rotation axis aligned with a direction different from that of the second rotation axis, wherein the threaded third gear meshes with the second gear from below. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the rotating apparatus includes: a motor; and a threaded third gear rotated around a third rotation axis aligned with a direction different from that of the second rotation axis, wherein the threaded third gear meshes with the second gear from below. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the rotating apparatus includes: a motor; and a threaded third gear rotated around a third rotation axis aligned with a direction different from that of the second rotation axis, wherein the threaded third gear meshes with the second gear from below. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the rotating apparatus includes: a motor; and a threaded third gear rotated around a third rotation axis aligned with a direction different from that of the second rotation axis, wherein the threaded third gear meshes with the second gear from below. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the offset surface is offset from a center of the front surface of the main body along the first rotation axis. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The head-up display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rib extends rearward from an upper edge portion and side edge portions of the front surface of the main body.