WO2021074676A1

WO2021074676A1 - Kinematic system for c-hud

Info

Publication number: WO2021074676A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/058900
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pedro Manuel AZEVEDO MOREIRA; Bruno Miguel FARIA DO VALE
Original assignee: Bosch Car Multimedia Portugal, S.A.; Universidade Do Minho
Priority date: 2019-10-16
Filing date: 2019-10-18
Publication date: 2021-04-22

Abstract

The present application describes a Kinematic System for Combiner Head-up-displays (C-HUD), widely used in vehicle industry, allowing the projection of virtual images with valuable data for the driver like for example, GPS indications, speed limits, instantaneous speed, fuel consumptions, etc. The Kinematic System for Combiner Head-up-displays (C-HUD), introduces overall improvements on C-HUD systems by moving the Combiner (1) from display position to park position, opening and closing the protective cover and to adjusting the Combiner (1) on display position. The Kinematic System comprises a Combiner (1), Top Housing (2), Lower Housing (3), a Protective Cover (4), a DC Motor (7), a Main Gear (8), a Secondary Gear (8.1), a Main Gear Pin (6.1), a Secondary Gear Pin (5.1), a Combiner Support (6), Combiner Support Pin Axis (6.2, 6.3), a Chassis (9), Chassis Grooves (9.1, 9.2), an Adjustment Spring (11), a Protective Cover Surface (4.2), Combiner Support (6.4), Protective Cover Rotation Axis (4.1), Protective Cover Spring (10), Gear Angular Features (5.2) and Combiner Support Angular Features (6.5).

Description

"Kinematic System for C-HUD"

Technical Field

The present application describes a Kinematic System for Combiner Head-up-displays (C-HUD).

Background art

There are different types of HUD systems known to date: Augmented Reality Head-up-display (AR-HUD), Windshield Head-up-display (W-HUD) and Combiner Head-up-display (C- HUD).

The C-HUD systems are composed by a combiner, a picture generate unit and a kinematic mechanism. The picture generating unit, projects the image on the combiner, being this information later projected for the driver visualization. The image is projected on a combiner, and its material must be translucent to allow the driver to visualize the road and the external environment through it. The kinematic system is used for the combiner movement and generally it is also used for the cover movement to protect the combiner when the C-HUD is not used by the driver.

Regarding to the remaining technologies, the main difference between W-HUD and C-HUD is the virtual image projection. On the C-HUD systems the virtual image is projected on the combiner and on W-HUD systems the image is projected on the windshield. The AR-Systems are more complex, and the information is generally projected on the windshield. The AR-HUD technology allows the interaction in real time with the road environment. The mechanism from C-HUD can describe several trajectories, depending on the volume available for a product design. In different C-HUD systems it is possible to find different combiners trajectories. The rotational movement consists in rotate a combiner along an axis, as described in the documents US5457575, US5394203A, JP2013160841A and W02014/162542 . On mechanisms with translation movement it is possible to verify that the combiner movement can be executed on distinct directions, such as: horizontal movement as described in documents US20130194518, US8077396B2, US8081387B2 and US8749889b2, vertical movement as described in documents WO2013059662A1, US20140320382, WO2013168396A2 and US20120188650A1 and even diagonal movements as described in documents WO20131572389 and US7978414B2.

In some C-HUD systems it is possible to find kinematic system with twist movements, as described in documents W02014168044A1, US8427751B2, DE102012209111A1 and W02014162477A1 .

On the patent US5457575 the combiner has only a rotation movement. On this mechanism, a gear sector is fixed on the combiner unit that engages on a linear rack. On this kinematic system the linear rack is actuated by a motor and the linear rack is responsible to rotate the combiner unit until it reaches the display position. The kinematic presented on patent US5394203A is simple, because the electric motor is connected to a worm gear that is engaged to a gear sector fixed to the combiner. This kinematic can move the combiner from park position to display position and to perform the combiner angular adjustment. In the other hand the mechanism presented on patent JP2013160841A is more complex and the kinematic system can perform the combiner angular adjustment, but it is not able to perform the combiner movement from display position to park position.

On patent W02014/162542, the combiner adjustment is performed along the virtual axis. This mechanism is composed by a motor unit accoupled to the gearbox. The gearbox is connected to the combiner over the curve rank. The adjustment angle is depending on the curve rank fixed to the combiner unit.

The mechanism presented on patent US20130194518 is responsible to move the combiner from park position until display position through a horizontal displacement using an electric motor. The horizontal movement is defined by a linear rack. When combiner unit reaches the display position, the mechanism allows the rotation movement.

With the mechanism present on patent US8077396B2, it is possible for the combiner unit to describe a horizontal movement along the two round guides and when the combiner unit reaches the display position the kinematic will perform a rotation movement.

On the kinematic present on patent US8081387B2 the combiner movement is defined by a horizontal linear movement of the combiner from park position to display position. The movement is actuated with a worm gear and the movement is restricted by two linear guides.

On patent WO2013059662A1 the combiner unit trajectory is defined by the combiner unit pins and the paths of the side guides. The vertical movement of the combiner is actuated by the rotation of two gears. When the combiner unit reaches the display position, the features that are on the two gears are responsible for the combiner rotation.

In the kinematic described on patent US20140320382, the combiner unit has a vertical movement defined by the combiner unit pins and the trajectory is defined by the side guides. The combiner unit is actuated by the rotation of a worm gear.

On the mechanism described on patent WO2013168396A2, the combiner unit has a vertical movement between park position and display position. The vertical movement is defined by two linear racks. The Combiner unit is actuated by a worm gear.

On the concept described on patent WO2014168044 Al, the combiner unit moves from park position to display position by a lever rotation. On this mechanism, the cover is also moved by a lever and the trajectory is defined by the paths of the side guides

On the patent US8427751B2, the combiner has a vertical and rotational movement during the "move in" and "move out" movement. The combiner movement is defined by a rotation of a gear and by the movement of a lever. The lever transmits the rotational movement of the gear to the combiner. During the combiner movement, the combiner is rotating along the rotational axis of the lever. Summary

The present application describes a Kinematic System for Combiner Head-up-displays (C-HUD) characterized by a Top Housing (2) and a Lower Housing (3) comprising:

- a Combiner (1), responsible to show relevant information to the vehicle user;

- a Protective Cover (4), to protect said Combiner (1);

- a Chassis (9), which comprises all the kinematic parts of the system, characterized by comprising only one DC Motor (7), responsible for the movement of the Protective Cover (4), and simultaneously, the movement and angular adjustment of the Combiner (1), which by means of rotational movement transmitted to a Main Gear (8) transmits movement to a Secondary Gear (8.1), wherein both gears in rotational movement cause translation movement of the Combiner Support (6) which moves along the Chassis Grooves (9.1 and 9.2) where the said Combiner (1) is fixed.

In one embodiment of the system, the DC Motor (7) is responsible for providing movement of the combiner (1) from the display position to park position and vice-versa, opening and closing the Protective Cover (4), and performing the Combiner (1) angular adjustment when in display position.

In yet another particular embodiment of the system, the movement direction of the Combiner (1) is dependent of the gear's rotation direction.

In yet another particular embodiment of the system, the

Chassis (9) comprises a Protective Cover Spring (10) that is linked to the Protective Cover (4), pulling and retaining the said Protective Cover (4) in place while the Combiner (1) moves from park position to display position.

In yet another particular embodiment of the system, the Chassis (9) comprises a Adjustment Spring (11) used in angular adjustment of the Combiner (1), retaining the Combiner Support (6) under pressure pushing it to the Chassis Grooves (9.1 and 9.2).

In yet another particular embodiment of the system, the angular adjustment of the Combiner (1) is performed by Gear Angular Features (5.2) and Combiner Support Angular Features (6.5) when the said Combiner (1) is in display position.

The present application further describes a method of functioning of the Kinematic System for Combiner Head-up- displays (C-HUD), according with any of the preceding claims, characterised by comprising the steps of:

- Start (12) of the kinematic system with the Synchronized Movement of the Combiner and the Cover (13);

- When the cover is fully open, said cover Movement Stops and the Combiner Continues to Move (14) until the Combiner Reaches the Display Position (15);

- The combiner stays at the Display Position (16), giving information to the driver, which can perform the Combiner Angle Adjustment (17) to his specifications;

- When the combiner is no longer needed in operation, the Combiner Starts the Retracting Movement (18); - During this movement the Cover Starts to Move Synchronously with the Combiner (19), until both Cover and Combiner Reach the Park Position (20), thus Ending the Closing Movement (21) of the kinematic system.

General Description

The Head-up-Display (HUD) system is an electronic device, that is largely used in several vehicles, and it is a technology developed to support the driver during the driving. HUD devices project a virtual image with valuable data for the driver like for example, GPS indications, speed limits, instantaneous speed, fuel consumptions, among others. This image is often projected such that it appears near the center of the driver^'s visual field, approximately at the end of the automobile^'s hood. The HUD systems improve the driving experience and help to increase road safety, because the driver doesn't need to take the eyes off the road.

The C-HUD systems are composed by optical components and kinematic mechanisms responsible to move the combiner between park position and display position. Typically, the kinematic systems are complex because they need to move the combiner from park position to display position, move the combiner cover and to adjust the combiner to the driver field of view. The mechanisms should be accurate and ensure the repeatable positional because the combiner position is determinant for the image quality projected on the combiner. They are designed based on the customer specifications, such as image size and quality, volume available on the car for device installation, noise levels, temperatures, humidity, vibrations, among others. On kinematic design it is necessary to take in count the volume and geometry available on the dashboard, once these factors are normally constrained by the cluster, windshield, electric wires, air conditioning pipes and steering wheel system. After assembly the C-HUD system on the car, the C-HUD kinematic must allow the system to adjust the angular position of the combiner because this position is depending of the driver height.

The present application describes a Kinematic System for Combiner Head-up-displays (C-HUD), capable of introducing overall improvements on C-HUD systems by moving the Combiner (1) from display position to park position, opening and closing the protective cover and to adjusting the combiner on display position.

The main improvements and differentiating characteristics introduced by the developed kinematic system are the following: i. The developed mechanism only uses one DC motor (7) to perform four types of movements over the developed system. More specifically, said DC motor (7) promotes the movement of the Combiner (1) from the display position to park position and vice versa, throught the use of only two Gears (8 and 8.1). The same DC Motor (7) guaranties the movement of the Protective Cover (4), more specifically the opening and closing of the said cover, performing also the Combiner (1) angular adjustment; ii. The developed mechanism allows the Combiner (1) said angular adjustment when the Combiner (1) is in display position; iii. Kinematic module and Chassis (9). All components of the developed mechanism are assembled in the Chassis (9), which becomes independent of the housing that it is usually connected to the dashboard. On this Chassis (9) it is also possible to fix the optical and electrical components. The structural stiffness of the chassis and the part quality are fundamental for the kinematics performance because all kinematics components are linked to the Chassis (9) and so, some quality parameters will be minimized such us optical distortions and undesired noise. iv. The developed mechanism uses an inferior number of parts, making it less complex in terms of assembly, more compact, easily replaceable, size adaptable to the customer needs and available space in the vehicle dashboard, and of easy general functioning.

Brief description of the drawings

For easier understanding of this application, figures are attached in the annex that represent forms of implementation which nevertheless are not intended to limit the technique disclosed herein.

Fig. 1 - Isometric view of the kinematic system for C-HUD in display position. This figure discloses a Combiner (1), Top Housing (2), Lower Housing (3) and a Protective Cover (4). Fig. 2 - Isometric view of the kinematic system for C-HUD in park position.

Fig. 3 - Front and back view of the kinematic system for C- HUD (movement representation). This figure discloses a DC Motor (7), a Main Gear (8), Secondary Gear (8.1), Main Gear Pin (6.1), Secondary Gear Pin (5.1), Combiner Support (6), Combiner Support Pin Axis (6.2, 6.3) and Chassis (9).

Fig. 4 - Side view of the kinematic system for C-HUD (Kinematic components). This figure discloses Chassis Grooves (9.1) and (9.2), Adjustment Spring (11), Protective Cover Surface (4.2), Combiner Support (6.4), Protective Cover Rotation Axis (4.1) and Protective Cover Spring (10).

Fig. 5 - Upper view of the combiner support angular adjustment. This figure discloses Gear Angular Features (5.2) and Combiner Support Angular Features (6.5).

Fig. 6 - Flow chart of the kinematic system behavior. The movement of the kinematic system Start (12) with the Synchronized Movement of the Combiner and the Cover (13). When the cover is fully open, it's Movement Stops and the Combiner Continues to Move (14) until the Combiner Reaches the Display Position (15). The combiner stays at the Display Position (16), giving information to the driver, which can perform the Combiner Angle Adjustment (17) to his specifications. When the combiner is no longer needed in operation, the Combiner Starts the Retracting Movement (18). During this movement the Cover Starts to Move Synchronously with the Combiner (19), until both Cover and Combiner Reach the Park Position (20), thus Ending the Closing Movement (21) of the kinematic system. Description of Embodiments

In cooperation with attached drawings, the technical contents and description of the present invention are described thereinafter according to a preferable embodiment, being not used to limit its executing scope. Any equivalent variation and modification made according to appended claims is all covered by the claims claimed by the present invention.

Reference will now be made to the drawing figures to describe the present invention.

Reference is made to Figure 3 were it is presented the kinematic system responsible to move the Combiner (1) from display position to park position. The kinematic is actuated by one DC motor (7) that transmits the movement to a Main Gear (8), which in turn transmits that movement to a Secondary Gear (8.1). Both gears transmit the rotational movement, which causes the translation movement of the Combiner Support (6) where it is fixed the Combiner (1). The Combiner (1) is actuated by the contact of the gear feature with the combiner support groove. This contact allows the combiner movement from park position to display position and vice-versa. The movement direction of the Combiner (1) being dependent of the gear's rotation direction. The combiner movement is restricted by the DC Motor (7) and by the Chassis (9), which is responsible to guide the Combiner (1) during the movement.

Reference is made to Figure 4 were it is illustrated the kinematic components that are responsible to transform the electric energy supplied to the DC Motor (7) on movement, used to move the combiner from park position to display position, and from display position to park position, to open and close the Protective Cover (4), and to perform the Combiner (1) angular adjustment. When the Combiner (1) is in park position, as presented in Figure 2, the Protective Cover (4) is closed to protect the Combiner (1), optical and electric components. When the electric motor is actuated, the Combiner (1) starts to move to display position and the Combiner (1) is guided through the Chassis Grooves (9.1) and (9.2) and Combiner Support Pin Axis (6.2) and (6.3) (presented on Figure 3).

The Protective Cover Spring (10) that is linked from the Chassis (9) to the Protective Cover (4) is pulling and retaining the said Protective Cover (4) while the Combiner (1) moves from park position to display position. When the Combiner (1) reaches display position, the combiner support achieves the limit of the groove. In display position the kinematic allows the driver to perform the angular adjustment because the combiner support will rotate over the Combiner Support Pin Axis (6.2) (Figure 3).

The angular adjustment of the Combiner (1) is performed with the contact of the Main and Secondary Gears (8) and (8.1) with the Combiner Support (6) on display position.

Reference is made to Figure 5 were it is presented the Combiner Support Angular Features (6.5) and the Gear Angular Features (5.2) that are responsible for the Combiner (1) angular adjustment when in display position. During the gear rotation, the Gear Angular Features (5.2) are pressing the Combiner Support Angular Features (6.5) against the Adjustment Spring (11). The Adjustment Spring (11) is used in the Combiner (1) angular adjustment, retaining the said Combiner Support (6) under pressure and to push the combiner support to the chassis groove.

After achieving the display position, if the DC motor revert the movement direction, the Combiner (1) will start to move from display position to park position. During the park position movement, the Combiner Support (6.4) will be in contact with the Protective Cover Surface (4.2), which causes the movement of the cover until the DC Motor (7) stop. The Protective Cover (4) will be completely closed when the Combiner Support Pin Axis (6.2, 6.3) achieves the chassis groove limit.

Reference is made to Figure 6 were it is presented the flow chart of the kinematic system behavior. The kinematic system movement starts with the first step that is the synchronized movement of the protective cover and Combiner (1). After the protective cover stop, the Combiner (1) continues to move until it reaches the display position. In display position, it is possible to perform the Combiner (1) angular adjustment. When it is no longer needed the Combiner (1) in display position, the kinematic mechanism starts to move. When the combiner support contact with the protective cover, the protective cover will be actuated, and the movement will be synchronized with the Combiner (1), until it reaches the park position and the protective cover closes completely.

The kinematic system can be proved on a competitor product, if the combiner possesses a translation movement (vertical movement) from park position to display position. In case to change some dimensions such as the combiner dimensions or the volume available, it is possible to change the kinematic components dimensions (scaling) to apply to other competitor product. One advantage of this kinematic mechanism is to have all kinematic components assembled in the chassis, becoming a modular system. The kinematic system operation has already been proved with the construction of a functional prototype.

The concept presented in this document discloses the capability to induce translation movement to the Combiner (1) in order to move it from park position to display position, so the kinematic mechanism developed is suitable to be used in C-HUD car systems that requires a kinematic mechanism with the characteristics described before.

Claims

1.Kinematic System for Combiner Head-up-displays (C-HUD) characterized by a Top Housing

(2) and a Lower Housing

(3) comprising:

- a Combiner (1), responsible to show relevant information to the vehicle user;

- a Protective Cover (4), to protect said Combiner (1);

- a Chassis (9), which comprises all the kinematic parts of the system, comprising only one DC Motor (7), responsible for the movement of the Protective Cover (4), and simultaneously, the movement and angular adjustment of the Combiner (1), which by means of rotational movement transmitted to a Main Gear (8) transmits movement to a Secondary Gear

(8.1), wherein both gears in rotational movement cause translation movement of the Combiner Support (6) which moves along the Chassis Grooves (9.1 and 9.2) where the said Combiner (1) is fixed.

2.Kinematic System according to claim 1, wherein the DC Motor (7) is responsible for providing movement of the combiner (1) from the display position to park position and vice-versa, opening and closing the Protective Cover

(4), and performing the Combiner (1) angular adjustment when in display position.

3.Kinematic System according to any of the previous claims, wherein the movement direction of the Combiner (1) is dependent of the gear's rotation direction. 4.Kinematic System according to claim 1, wherein the Chassis (9) comprises a Protective Cover Spring (10) that is linked to the Protective Cover (4), pulling and retaining the said Protective Cover (4) in place while the Combiner (1) moves from park position to display position.

5.Kinematic System according to claim 1, wherein the Chassis (9) comprises an Adjustment Spring (11) used in angular adjustment of the Combiner (1), retaining the Combiner Support (6) under pressure pushing it to the Chassis Grooves (9.1 and 9.2).

6.Kinematic System according to claim 1, wherein the angular adjustment of the Combiner (1) is performed by Gear Angular Features (5.2) and Combiner Support Angular Features (6.5), when the said Combiner (1) is in display position .

7.Method of functioning of the Kinematic System for Combiner Head-up-displays (C-HUD) described in any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

- The combiner stays at the Display Position (16), giving information to the driver, which can perform the Combiner Angle Adjustment (17) to his specifications; - When the combiner is no longer needed in operation, the Combiner Starts the Retracting Movement (18);

- During this movement the Cover Starts to Move Synchronously with the Combiner (19), until both Cover and Combiner Reach the Park Position (20), thus Ending the Closing Movement (21) of the kinematic system.