Method and apparatus for attenuating solar flux in a head-up display
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorWalter Joseph Nill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A head-up display (HUD) uses reduced reflectivity projection optics to reduce the harmful effects of intense solar radiation on HUD components. In a HUD generally comprising a display, a mirror, and a combiner, an image is projected from the display to the combiner via the mirror. The reflectance of the mirror is reduced to prevent high thermal stress on HUD components. The light source is brighter than a conventional backlight, and thus compensates for the reduction in the reflectance of the mirror. Reduced mirror reflectance translates into a reduced thermal load on the display, lens, case, electronics, or wherever the solar radiation is directed.
Claims31
A head-up display (HUD) comprising:
- a combiner;
- an electronic display;
- a reflector system having reflectance of less than approximately 80%;
- and
- a high brightness light source illuminating the rear of the electronic display wherein the light source is sufficiently bright to cause a visible image to be projected from the display and onto the combiner via the reflector system.
A night vision HUD system for an automobile comprising:
- a combiner;
- an electronic display;
- an aspheric mirror having reflectance of less than 70%;
- and,
- wherein an image is projected from said electronic display and said image is sufficiently bright to be projected from the display and onto the combiner via the mirror.
A method of reducing thermal loading in a HUD having a reflector system, a display, and an image projected from the display, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning the HUD such that solar radiation strikes the reflector system of the HUD;
- and,
- reflecting less than 80% of the solar radiation striking the reflector system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.