United States Patent
`Misaki et al.
`
`[19]
`
`[li] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,005,010
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`[75]
`
`[54] HEAD-UP DISPLAY FOR MOTOR
`VEHICLES
`Inventors: Takashi Misaki, Susono; Hitoshi
`Aoki, Numazu, both of Japan
`[73] Assignee: Yazaki Corporation, Japan
`[21] Appl. No.: 169,695
`[22] Filed:
`Mar. 18, 1988
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Mar. 18, 1987 [JP]
`Japan
`[51]
`Int. CI.'
`[52] U.S. CI
`
`[58] Field of Search...............
`
`62-038509
`G09G 3/02
`340/705; 340/980;
`350/174; 353/14
`340/705, 971, 980, 763,
`340/796, 97, 98; 353/11, 12, 13, 14, 61, 68;
`350/171, 174, 331 T, 331 R, 257, 407, 277, 279,
`276 R; 358/103, 109, 250; 73/178 R
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,151,411 4/1979 Derderian et al
`4,687,072 8/1987 Komuro
`4,711,544 12/1987 lino et al
`4,742,389 5/1988 Schiffman
`4,787,711 11/1988 Suzuki
`4,804,836 2/1989 lino
`4,831,366 5/1989 lino
`4,837,551 1/1989 lino
`4,886,328 12/1989 lino
`4,908,611 3/1990 lino .
`Primary Examiner—Alvin E. Oberley
`
`[56]
`
`350/407
`340/705
`353/14
`340/705
`350/174
`340/705
`340/705
`340/705
`340/705
`
`Assistant Examiner—M. Fatahi-Yar
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Wigman & Cohen
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`Disclosed herein is a head-up display for a motor vehi¬
`cle having a dashboard with a top surface, which com¬
`prises a projector enclosed in the dashboard, the projec¬
`tor including a light source, an object from which visual
`information is to be displayed and a lens, an aperture
`formed on the top surface of the dashboard which is
`covered by the lens or a transparent member for pre¬
`venting dust or the like from entering thereinto, a re¬
`flecting member provided in front of a driving seat on
`which light projected from the projector through the
`aperture is reflected to produce the image of the visual
`information thereon, and a reflection preventing mem¬
`ber for preventing the reflection of light entering from
`the outside of the vehicle on the lens of the projector or
`on the transparent member. An antireflection coating
`such as a black paint is applied on the upper surface of
`the reflection preventing member. The reflection pre¬
`venting member being shiftable between a first position
`in which the member covers the lens or the transparent
`member to close the aperture and a second position in
`which the member uncovers the lens or the transparent
`member to open the aperture. The reflection preventing
`member is shifted to the second position from the first
`position only when the head-up display is employed.
`Accordingly, it can prevent external light from being
`reflected on the lens or the transparent member toward
`eyes of the driver of the vehicle.
`
`11Gaims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`1? 12a
`
`ZZZZZ
`
` IPR2016-01869 Ex. 1009
`Broadsign International, LLC Petitioner
` 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`Sheet 1of 5
`
`5,005,010
`
`FIG.I
`PRIOR ART
`
`FIG.2
`PRIOR ART
`
`
` 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
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`5,005,010
`
`FIG.3
`
`2ZZZZ
`
`FIG.4(a)
`
`1a
`
`12a
`,
`12
`13f
`f 12a
`N M 13
`I
`/v//
`y *<///*
`y///ÿ Y
`a
`
`11
`
`FIG.41b)
`
`12a
`
`
` 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`5,005,010
`
`SIGNAL FROM DETECTOR 16
`
`FIG.5
`
`OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER
`
`ooMVERTOR
`
`INDICATION REQUEST
`SIGNAL
`
`PROJECTOR
`
`DRIVE
`MEANS
`
`DISPLY
`
`OPEN OR CLOSE
`OF VISORS
`
`FIG.6
`
`INDICATION
`REQUEST ON
`9
`
`LEVEL
`OF THE LIGHT FROM
`THE OUTSIDE ISOVER
`THE PREDETERMIN
`LEVEL ?
`
`VISORS ARE CLOSED
`
`VISORS ARE OPENED
`
`PROJECTOR ISTURND OFF PROJECTOR IS TURND ON
`
`
` 4
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
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`5,005,010
`
`FIG.7(a)
`
`FIG.7(b)
`
`20 12
`
`18
`
`
` 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 1991
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`Sheet 5 of 5
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`5,005,010
`5,005,010
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`FIG.8
`F|G.8
`
`--IT
`
`
`
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`m.-:-m" ,.-.
`
`
`
`x 1
`
`7
`
`
` 6
`
`

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`1
`
`5,005,010
`
`HEAD-UP DISPLAY FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to a head-up display for motor
`vehicles, in particular to a head-up display having a
`projector enclosed ina dashboard of a motor vehicle, in
`which an image of an object is projected through an
`aperture provided at the top of the dashboard onto a
`reflecting member such as a front windshield provided
`in front of the driver's seat of the motor vehicle,
`whereby a driver can observe the visible information of
`the image produced thereon.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Referring now to the drawings in FIGS. 1and 2, the
`structures of two types of conventional head-up dis¬
`plays are explained.
`FIG. 1shows the basic structure of one of these con¬
`ventional head-up displays, which has a projector 5
`enclosed in a dashboard 1arranged in front of the driv¬
`er's seat. The dashboard 1has an aperture la provided
`at the top of the dashboard 1.The projector 5 comprises
`a light source 2, a liquid crystal display 3, and a lens 4
`covering the aperture la . In the projector 5, an image
`of the liquid crystal display 3 is projected onto the front
`windshield serving as the reflecting member 7 through
`the aperture la, and a driver 9 can observe a virtual
`image 6 produced in front of the front windshield 7.
`FIG.2 shows the basic structure of the other conven¬
`tional head-up display. Inthis head-up display, a projec¬
`tor 5 is also enclosed in a dashboard 1which has an
`aperture la provided at the top thereof. The aperture la
`is covered by a transparent cover 11. Although the
`projector 5 is formed as a unit type, the internal struc¬
`ture thereof is in common with that of the head-up
`display shown in FIG. 1. The unit type projector 5 is
`mounted with rotation capabilities with respect to an
`axis 10 inthe dashboard 1, so that it is possible to adjust
`the position of the image 6 on the front windshield 7 so
`as to reflect the visual image to a position where the
`eyes of a driver 9 are normally directed during opera¬
`tion of the vehicle.
`Inthese conventional head-up displays, the aperture
`la formed on the top of the dashboard 1is either cov¬
`ered by a lens 4, as in FIG. 1, or by the transparent
`cover 11as in FIG. 2 for protecting the lens 4 or for
`preventing dust from entering into the projector com¬
`partment.
`Inthe apertures la of boththese structures, however,
`the surfaces of the lens 4 and the transparent cover 11
`are usually formed by mirror grinding methods inorder
`to improve the display performance. Therefore, there
`was the problem that the visibility of the driver is im¬
`paired by the reflection of external light entered from
`the outside, such as sunlight, on the surface of the lens
`4 or the transparent cover 11 not only in the employ¬
`ment of the head-up display but also in the unemploy¬
`ment thereof.
`Inorder to overcome this problem, one can conceiv¬
`ably apply antireflection treatment, such as creating fine
`irregularities or masking, to the surface of the lens 4 or
`the transparent cover 11. However, such antireflection
`treatment has, a disadvantage in that it also reduces the
`quantity of projected light available for display, thereby
`deteriorating the display capability of the head-up dis¬
`play.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
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`25
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`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Accordingly, one of the main objectives of the pres¬
`ent invention is to provide a head-up display which can
`prevent the reflection of external light from the trans¬
`parent member such as a lens or transparent cover with¬
`out reducing the quantity of projected light from the
`projector.
`Another objective of the present invention is to pro¬
`vide a head-up display which can prevent dust from
`entering into the projector and also protect the lens
`from intensive light from the outside.
`Still another objective of the present invention is to
`provide a head-up display which can protect an indica¬
`tion device, such as a liquid crystal display, in the pro¬
`jector from intensive light from the outside.
`Inorder to achieve the above objectives, the head-up
`display for motor vehicles having a dashboard with a
`top surface thereof according to the present invention
`comprises a transparent member provided on the top
`surface of the dashboard, means for projecting an image
`of visual information through said transparent member,
`and said projecting means being enclosed in said dash¬
`board, reflection means for producing the image of the
`visual information thereon, and means for preventing
`reflection of light entering from the outside of said
`vehicle on said transparent member, said reflection
`preventing means being shiftable between a first posi¬
`tion covering said transparent member and a second
`position uncovering said transparent member.
`Inaccordance with the head-up display of the present
`invention having the above structure, since there is
`provided the reflection preventing means which is shift-
`able between the first position covering said transparent
`member and the second position uncovering said trans¬
`parent member, it will prevent intensive light from the
`outside from being reflected on the transparent mem¬
`ber. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the reflection of
`the intensive light which impairs the vision of the driver
`on the transparent member.
`Furthermore, the reflection preventing means may be
`constructed so as to enable the transparent member to
`be covered when intensive light enters into the projec¬
`tor, so that it becomes possible to protect the lens in the
`projector from such intensive light. Furthermore, with
`the provision of the reflection preventing means, it also
`becomes possible to prevent dust and other small parti¬
`cles from entering into the projector. Moreover, since
`the reflection preventing means is provided on the dash¬
`board, the structure of the projector is not affected by
`the provision of
`the reflection preventing means,
`thereby allowing compactification of the apparatus to
`be attained.
`These and the other objects, features and advantages
`of the present invention will be more apparent from the
`following description of preferred embodiments, taken
`in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
`which:
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1is a schematic diagram showing one type of
`conventional head-up display for motor vehicles;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing another type
`of conventional head-up display for motor vehicles;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the first em¬
`bodiment of the present invention;
`FIGS. 4(a) and (b) are explanatory drawings for ex¬
`plaining the operation of the reflection preventing
`
`
` 7
`
`

`
`5,005,010
`
`-j
`
`j
`
`1
`
`j
`
`\
`
`j
`
`ÿ
`
`A
`
`A
`
`i_ L-
`
`a' 35
`
`4
`3
`FIG. 5 shows a control system for the reflection
`means of the first embodiment, in which FIG. 4(a)
`preventing means 12 (FIG. 3). For example, the visors
`shows a condition in which the head-up display is em-
`12a are first located at their horizontal positions to close
`ployed and FIG. 4(b) shows a condition in which the
`the aperture la, as shown in FIG. 4(b). Then, an indica-
`head-up display is not employed.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the control system 5 tion request signal is inputted to the controller 15 in-
`eluding a central processing unit (CPU), the drive
`for operating the reflection preventing means
`means 14 is actuated by a signal outputted from the
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram explaining the operation of
`CPU 15, and then each visor 12a is rotated with respect
`the control system.
`1° the support axis 13 and turned to its vertical position,
`FIGS. 7(a) and (b) are explanatory drawings of the
`second embodiment, in which FIG.7(a) shows a condi- 1° thereby opening the aperture la. Simultaneously, the
`indication signal is also sent to the projector 5 (FIG. 3)
`tion in which the head-up display is employed and FIG.
`from the CPU 15, which activates the liquid crystal
`1(b) shows a condition in which the head-up display is
`display and the light source in the projector 5 in order
`not employed
`information from the liquid crystal
`project visual
`FIG. 8 is a overhead view of the second embodiment.
`15 display onto the front windshield 7 serving as the re-
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`fleeting member. As a result, a driver can observe the
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`visible information 6 (FIG. 1) produced on the front
`windshield 7. When the projector 5 is turned off, an
`Referring now to the drawings, the embodiments of
`indication request signal is sent to the CPU 15 to drive
`the present invention are described as follows.
`FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment of the present 20 the dnve means 14 which then turns the visors 12a to
`;heir honzontal positions thereby closing the aperture
`invention. Inthe drawing, the numeral 1denotes a dash-
`.
`ÿ ,own ln .
`board 1of a motor vehicle. Inthe dashboard 1, there is
`,
`Ineaddlt10"' lf '"tejisitive light enters into the projec-
`provided a projector 5 which is rotatably mounted on
`an axis 10. The projector 5 comprises a light source, a ,, torf5 fr°m th5°uts,de dunng the operation of the pro-
`... 4l.
`,
`* ,
`25 lector 5 or if the quantity of reflected light from the
`... i ._ ,
`r
`r -4.1.
`~
`,n4l. j
`liquid crystal display and a lens and so forth (not
`/
`*
`.
`v
`i?
`transparent member 11is large, a detector 16, which is
`.(cid:127)
`_
`j *
`*
`fT,T>s -
`shown), as described in conjunction with the conven-
`.
`®
`..
`...
`r r
`provided inside the projector 5 or outside thereof for
`,
`, .
`« (cid:127)
`tional head-up display of FIG. 2.
`The ÿ h ÿ a«
`. A
`\ .
`,is inputted t0 the CPu15
`detecting the quantity of external light and outputting a
`tionÿ V
`.
`i
`j
`The dash board 1has an aperture la on the top sur-
`gi
`face thereof. On the unders.de of the aperture la, there 3Q fier md ÿ a
`lifled si
`is provided a transparent member such as a transparent
`h an A/D converter. By this signal, the drive
`th
`cover 11for preventing dusts from entering the projec-
`means u also actuated tQ move the visors 12fl t0 their
`tor 5, which covers the aperture la. The transparent
`horizontal positions, thereby closing the aperture la.
`cover 11is formed of a synthetic resin such as acryl and
`Therefore, it is possible to protect the indication device
`has a U-shape m cross sectional thereof as shown in the 35 sucjj ÿ tj,e ijqUjd crystal display from this intensive
`drawing. The upper surface of the transparent cover 11
`light and to prevent the reflection of light from the
`is formed by mirror grinding method. The transparent
`transparent member 11which can impair the vision of
`cover 11is attached on the underside of the dashboard
`tjje drjver
`la with some distance therebetween. In the drawing,
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the operation of the
`the numeral 7 denotes a front windshield as reflection 40 cpu 15. At first, it is decided whether an indication
`means, on which an image of visual information in the
`request signal is on or off. When the signal is on, then
`liquid crystal display is produced.
`the process is advanced to the next step and then it is
`Reflection preventing means 12 for light coming
`decided whether level of the light from the outside is
`from the outside is provided in the aperture la. The
`predetermined level or not. When the level of
`over
`reflection preventing means 12 comprises a plurality of 45 the light from the outside is under the predetermined
`visors 12a.Eachof the visors 12a is pivotably supported
`level, then the visors 12 are rotated to their vertical
`by a support rod 13 which is mounted between the
`positions to open the aperture la and simultaneously the
`opposite edges of the aperture la. On the upper surface
`projector 5 is turned on. On the other hand, when the
`of each visor 12a, reflection preventing treatment such
`indication request signal is off, the visors 12 are turned
`as fine irregularities or black paint is applied. Each of 50 to their horizontal positions to close the aperture la and
`the visors 12a can be pivotally turned between their
`simultaneously the projector 5 is turned off. Inaddition,
`horizontal and vertical positions with respect to the top
`when the level of the light from the outside is over the
`surface of the dashboard 1. As a result, the visors 12a
`predetermined level, then the visors 12 are also turned
`completely close the aperture la when rotated to their
`to their horizontal positions to close the aperture la and
`horizontal position and fully open the aperture la when 55 simultaneously the projector 5 is turned ofT.
`rotated to their vertical position.
`FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the
`FIG. 4 (a) and (b) show operations of the visors 12.
`present invention. Inthis embodiment, a reflection pre-
`When the projector 5 is in operation, the visors 12a are
`venting means 12 comprises a sheet of a flexible plate
`rotated to their vertical positions to open the aperture
`like member or a flexible sheet like member having an
`la, as shown in FIG. 4(a). On the other hand, when the 60 substantially square shape, and the upper surface
`projector 5 is not in operation or when visual informa-
`thereof is coated with an antireflection coating such as
`tion from the object is not required, then the visors 12a
`fine irregularities or black paint. Said plate like member
`are turned to their horizontal positions to close the
`12has a sliding door structure which can move between
`aperture la, as shown in FIG. 4(b). The visors 12a are
`a first position in which the plate like member 12 covers
`actuated by drive means 14 (FIG. 3). The details of the 65 and closes the aperture la and a second position in
`drive means 14 are omitted because the drive means 14
`which the plate like member 12 slides under the top
`surface of the dashboard and opens the aperture la.
`is an ordinary mechanism which comprises a motor,
`Specifically, on the underside of the dashboard 1, a pair
`drive gears, driven gears, and so forth.
`
`
` 8
`
`(cid:127)
`

`
`5,005i
`
`35
`
`5
`of guide rails 17are provided along the opposite sides of
`the aperture la, respectively. On the opposite sides of
`the plate like member 12 there is provided a plurality of
`pins 18, respectively. The pins 18 of each side of the
`plate like member 12 are slidably engaged with each 5
`guide rail 17, respectively. A belt 21, which is intercon¬
`nected between a pulley attached to a rotating shaft of
`a motor 19 and a pulley 20, is coupled to the pins 18 of
`one side of the plate like member 12. Accordingly, the
`rotational force of the motor 19 is transmitted to the 10
`pins 18 by means of belt 21, so that the plate like mem¬
`ber 12 can be moved between the first position and the
`second position in accordance with the movement of
`the pins 18 which are moved by the rotational force of
`the motor 19.The controlling mechanism for the move- 15
`ment of the plate like member 12 as the reflection pre¬
`venting means is same as that of the first embodiment.
`Inaccordance with the second embodiment, there is
`the additional advantage that the structure of the reflec¬
`tion preventing means 12 becomes simpler than that of 20
`the first embodiment, since the reflection preventing
`means 12comprises a plate like member. Further, while
`in the structure of the first embodiment the images of
`the support rods may obstruct the projected visual in-
`formation, in the structure of this embodiment there is
`no fear of such obstruction.
`It will become apparent from the foregoing descrip¬
`tion that the head-up display of the present invention
`has a number of advantages, some of which have been 3Q
`described above. Also, obvious modifications and varia¬
`tions can be made to the head-up display of the present
`invention without departing from the scope of the in¬
`vention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not
`limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A head-up display for a motor vehicle having a
`dashboard with a top surface which is provided with an
`aperture, which comprises:
`a transparent member provided within said aperture 40
`in said top surface of said dashboard;
`means for projecting an image of visual information
`through said transparent member provided in said
`aperture, said projecting means being enclosed in
`said dashboard;
`reflection means for producing the image of the vi¬
`sual information thereon; and
`means for preventing reflection of light entering from
`the outside of said vehicle on said transparent mem¬
`ber, said reflection preventing means being associ- 50
`ated with said aperture and shiftable between a first
`position covering said transparent member by clos¬
`ing said aperture and a second position uncovering
`said transparent member by opening said aperture.
`2. A head-up display as claimed in claim 1, wherein 55
`said head-up display further comprises means for shift¬
`ing said reflection preventing means between said first
`and second positions.
`
`45
`
`6
`3. A head-up display as claimed in claim 2, wherein
`said reflection preventing means is shifted to said sec¬
`ond position from said first position by said shifting
`means only when said head-up display is employed.
`4. A head-up display as claimed in claim 3, wherein
`said head-up display further comprises control means
`for controlling the shift of the reflection preventing
`means and the operation of said projecting means, and
`said control means comprises means for generating
`output signals connected with a central processing unit
`wherein said central processing unit is operated by indi¬
`cation request signals inputted by said means for gener¬
`ating an indication request signal and output signals for
`operating said projecting means and for driving said
`shifting means.
`5. A head-up display as claimed in claim 4, wherein
`said reflection preventing means is shifted to said first
`position from said second position by said shifting
`means when intensive light enters from the outside into
`said projecting means or when the quantity of the re¬
`flected light on said transparent member is too large
`during the employment of said head-up display.
`6. A head-up display as claimed in claim 5, wherein
`said control means further comprises a sensor for de¬
`tecting the quantity of light entering into said projecting
`means or reflected on said transparent member and said
`sensor being outputting a signal in accordance with the
`quantity of the detected light, and said signal is inputted
`into said central processing unit, then said central pro¬
`cessing unit outputs a signal for shifting said reflection
`preventing means from said second position to said first
`position.
`7. A head-up display as claimed in claim 1, wherein
`said reflection preventing means comprises at least one
`visor means having an upper surface and located above
`said transparent member, and an antireflection coating
`being applied on said upper surface.
`8. A head-up display as claimed in claim 7, wherein
`said antireflection coating includes a black paint.
`9. A head-up display as claimed in claim 7, wherein
`said antireflection coating includes fine irregularities.
`10. A head-up display as claimed in claim 7, wherein
`said visor means comprises a plurality of visors pivot-
`ally mounted on said aperture, in which in said first
`position said visors are adjusted to be directed horizon¬
`tally to said top surface of said dashboard and close said
`aperture and in said second position said visors are
`adjusted to be directed vertically to said top surface of
`said dashboard and to open said aperture.
`11. A head-up display as claimed in claim 7, wherein
`said visor means comprises a flexible plate-like member,
`in which in said first position said plate-like member
`covers said transparent member and closes said aperture
`and in said second position said plate-like member slid-
`ingly moves under the upper surface of the dashboard
`to uncover said transparent member and open said aper¬
`ture.
`*****
`
`65
`
`
` 9