Patent Application
20190227313
It is known from the state of the art how to project information in the field of sight of a user, such as, for example, a driver or a pilot, by means of a head-up display, or HUD.
One common arrangement of a HUD employs a combiner to merge a background image with a projected image to present a virtual image to a viewer that appears to overlie the background image. Such combiners are commonly movable to adjust the position of the virtual image and to accommodate, for example, viewers of different heights, HUDS also commonly provide for the combiner to be moved to a storage position when not in use, and for a cover to enclose the combiner in the storage position. In this way, the combiner can be protected from damage, such as from dust and UV light that could otherwise cause damage. Covers for head-up displays generally comprise one or two pieces that slide or rotate into position over the combiner. Such covers must usually be custom designed for each HUD application (e.g. different shapes and sizes for different vehicles). They require a relatively large amount of space to store and a relatively large amount of free space to accommodate motion between the different positions, covering or uncovering the combiner.
Furthermore, head-up display covers must accommodate several different operational parameters and considerations including ease of manufacturing, gaps between components, noise (i.e. resistance to vibrations), and the ability to withstand misuse loads, such as weight being placed upon the cover.
A head-up display unit having a segmented cover is disclosed. The head-up display unit includes a housing having an upper surface defining an aperture to an interior space and holding a combiner. The segmented cover is movable between a closed position covering the aperture and an opened position uncovering the aperture to allow the combiner to protrude therethrough. The combiner may be movable between a storage position within the housing and an operational position extending through the aperture.
The segmented cover includes a plurality of flaps of rigid material, each having a generally rectangular elongated profile and a generally rectangular cross-section. The flaps are disposed adjacent to one another with the elongated profiles running in parallel. A flexible connection extends between adjacent ones of the flaps to allow the segmented cover to be rolled cylindrically into the opened position. The flaps of the segmented cover define an inner surface facing the interior space of the housing with the segmented cover in the closed position. The flaps also have an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The inner surface each of the plurality of flaps may include a rib extending transversely therefrom. The ribs may be integrally formed with the flaps of rigid material.
In one example embodiment, the flexible connection includes a first layer of flexible material affixed to the outer surface of the flaps and defining a smooth exterior surface of the segmented cover. The first layer of flexible material may be overmolded onto the outer surface of the flaps.
In another example embodiment, the flexible connection includes a second layer of flexible material affixed to the inner surface of the flaps. The second layer of flexible material may be overmolded onto the inner surface of the flaps.
In yet another example embodiment, the flexible connection includes a webbing of flexible material affixed between adjacent ones of the flaps. The webbing of flexible material may be overmolded between adjacent ones of the flaps of the segmented cover. The webbing of flexible material may not contact the inner surface or the outer surface of the flaps.
An opening mechanism may be included to move the segmented cover from the closed position to the opened position. The opening mechanism may include a first spool attached to a first end of the segmented cover for pulling the segmented cover to the opened position.
A closing mechanism may be included to move the segmented cover to the closed position. The closing mechanism may include a second spool attached to a second end of the segmented cover for pulling the segmented cover to the opened position.
The head-up display unit having a segmented cover of the subject disclosure provides for several advantages over head-up display units of the prior art. It provides fix a reduced packaging size and for improved ability to withstand misuse force, to minimize gaps, and to prevent noise from vibrations. Furthermore, it can be more easily adapted to different configurations for different applications by, for example, using more or fewer flaps or by changing the shape of an overmolding, while keeping functional mechanical changes to a minimum.
A method of constructing a segmented cover for a head-up display unit is also provided. The method includes the steps of molding a plurality of flaps of a rigid material, with each of the flaps having a generally rectangular elongated shape; aligning the plurality of flaps parallel to one another; overmolding a flexible material on the plurality of flaps to form a flexible connection between adjacent ones of the flaps; removing the plurality of flaps from the overmolding as a segmented cover; and mounting the segmented cover to a housing of the head-up display unit.
According to an aspect, the step of overmolding a flexible material on the plurality of flaps to form a flexible connection between adjacent ones of the flaps may also include affixing the flexible material on the outer surface of the flaps. This aspect is illustrated in the embodiment of
According to an another aspect, the step of overmolding a flexible material on the plurality of flaps to form a flexible connection between adjacent ones of the flaps may further include affixing the flexible material on the inner surface of the flaps. The step of overmolding a flexible material on the plurality of flaps to form a flexible connection between adjacent ones of the flaps may also include affixing the flexible material on the inner surface of the flaps and between the ribs thereof. This aspect is illustrated in the embodiment of
According to yet another aspect, the step of overmolding a flexible material on the plurality of flaps to form a flexible connection between adjacent ones of the flaps may include affixing the flexible material between the sides of the flaps. This aspect is illustrated in the embodiment of
Further details, features and advantages of designs of the invention result from the following description of embodiment examples in reference to the associated drawings.
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a head-up display unit 20 having a segmented cover 22 is disclosed. As shown in the cut-away views of
The combiner 32 is movable between a storage position within the housing 24, as shown in
As shown in
The segmented cover 22 is movable by sliding along a track 42 between a closed position covering the aperture 28, as shown in
As best shown in
The segmented cover 22 includes a plurality of flaps 60 of rigid material. As best shown in
As shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
A method 100 of constructing a segmented cover 22 for a head-up display unit 20 is also provided. The method 100 includes 102 molding a plurality of flaps 60 of a rigid material, with each of the flaps 60 having a generally rectangular elongated shape. The flaps 60 are preferably molded from a plastic or thermoplastic material, although other materials such as metal or wood may be used.
The method 100 also includes 104 aligning the plurality of flaps 60 parallel to one another. In other words, placing the flaps 60 in alignment as shown in FIGS, 3 and 4, with the longest dimension being parallel to the longest dimension of the other flaps 60.
The method 100 may also include 106 overmolding a flexible material on the plurality of flaps 60 to form a flexible connection 66, 68, 70 between adjacent ones of the flaps 60. This flexible connection 66, 68, 70 between adjacent ones of the flaps 60 therefore connects the flaps 60 together to allow the segmented cover 22 to move as a single unit. As shown in
As illustrated in the embodiment shown in
As illustrated in the embodiment shown in
As illustrated in the embodiment shown in
As illustrated in the embodiment shown in
The method 100 may also include 108 removing the plurality of flaps 60 from the overmolding as a segmented cover 22. After the step of 106 overmolding a flexible material on the plurality of flaps 60, the flexible material should be allowed to set by cooling and/or by chemical action before being subjected to excessive forces that could cause it to be damaged. In other words, a time delay may be required after overmolding the segmented cover 22 before it is removed from the overmolding and/or before it is mounted in the housing 24 of the head-up display unit 20.
The method 100 may also include 110 mounting the segmented cover 22 to a housing 24 of the head-up display unit 20. The step of 110 mounting the segmented cover 22 to the housing 24 may include placing the segmented cover 22 within a track 42, which guides the segmented cover 22 in predetermined locations in both the closed position covering the aperture 28, as shown in
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims.
