Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America

Patrick M O'Connell

Edo Omanovic

David Kay Lambert

Fidelis Itsede

Prateek Sharma

A head up display arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an image source emitting a light field. A first freeform mirror is positioned to provide a first reflection of the light field. A generally concave second freeform mirror is positioned to receive the first reflection and provide a second reflection of the light field. The second reflection is reflected off of a windshield of the vehicle so as to be visible to a driver of the vehicle as a virtual image. The generally concave second freeform mirror includes a reflective surface having a shape such that the virtual image appears to be curved to the driver of the vehicle.

Curved virtual image for heads up display

A heads up display arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a rotatable mirror positioned to reflect a light field produced by a picture generation unit such that the light field is again reflected by a windshield of the motor vehicle and is then visible to a human driver of the motor vehicle as a virtual image. A stepper motor is coupled to the rotatable mirror and rotates the mirror. A stepper motor driver is coupled to the stepper motor and sets a torque of the stepper motor. A temperature sensor detects a temperature associated with the stepper motor. An electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor and to the stepper motor driver. The electronic processor transmits a signal to the stepper motor driver to set a target torque for the stepper motor. The target torque is dependent upon the detected temperature.

Temperature variable HUD motor control

A head up display arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a head up display producing a virtual image that is visible to a driver of the motor vehicle when he is sitting in a driver's seat and his eyes are above a first vertical level and below a second vertical level. An eye tracking system detects a vertical level of the eyes of the driver and transmits a height signal indicative of the detected vertical level of the eyes of the driver. A motorized seat height adjustment module adjusts a vertical level of the driver's seat. An electronic controller is communicatively coupled to the eye tracking system and to the motorized seat height adjustment module. The electronic controller controls the motorized seat height adjustment module based on the height signal to move the driver's eyes to a vertical position above the first vertical level and below the second vertical level.

Head-up display with automatic seat-height adjustment

A head up display arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a head up display module having a picture generation unit emitting a light field. A polarizing device is rotatable between at least a first rotational position and a second rotational position. The polarizing device receives the light field from the picture generation unit and emits the light field regardless of whether the polarizing device is in the first rotational position or the second rotational position. More of the light is emitted by the polarizer in a P-polarization state in the second rotational position than in the first rotational position. A windshield reflects the light field from the polarizing device such that the reflected light field is visible to a human driver of the motor vehicle as a virtual image.

Adjustable polarizer for head up displays

An example device includes a heads up display (HUD) to guide light towards a user in a vehicle. The device includes a HUD housing with a base plane and a stationary mirror mount on the HUD base. The device includes an adjustable mirror mount on the HUD base and an attachment slot disposed in the HUD housing, the attachment slot to accept a mounting tab. The attachment slot is shaped to accept either one of a predominantly vertical mounting tab and a predominantly horizontal mounting tab. The predominantly vertical mounting tab includes a first portion that projects horizontally from a sidewall of the HUD. The first portion includes a first end inserted into the attachment slot and a second end opposite the first end. A second portion is coupled perpendicularly to the second end of the first portion. The second end extends parallel to the sidewall of the HUD.

Heads up display housing

A head up display mirror holder arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a picture generation unit producing a light field. A mirror reflects the light field such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image. A mirror holder has two opposite ends and an activation feature. The two opposite ends are aligned along a rotational axis of the mirror. The mirror holder retains the mirror. Each of two bushings is coupled to a respective opposite end of the mirror holder. A calibration switch has minimum proximity to the activation feature of the mirror holder.

Rotationally adjustable head up display

Examples of the present disclosure relate to a device and system in a vehicle for guiding light towards a user. In an example, the device includes a heads up display (HUD) to guide light towards a user in a vehicle, the HUD. In an example, the device includes a HUD housing with a base plane and a stationary mirror mount on the HUD base. The example can include an adjustable mirror mount on the HUD base and an attachment slot disposed in the HUD housing, the attachment slot to accept a mounting tab, wherein the attachment slot is shaped to accept both of either a predominantly vertical mounting tab or a predominantly horizontal mounting tab.

A head up display arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a picture generation unit producing a light field. A digital micromirror device is positioned to reflect the light field. The digital micromirror device includes an array of mirrors each having an individually adjustable orientation. An electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the digital micromirror device and individually adjusts the orientation of each mirror such that the light field reflected by the digital micromirror device is visible to the driver as a virtual image.

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Novi, MI, United States of America

Patrick M O'Connell