Head-up display combiner positioning and locking system

1. A combiner positioning system for a head-up display, the system comprising:

a carrier including a combiner and an axle for the head-up display;

a camwheel engaging the carrier and moving the combiner between a first position and a second position; and

a locking element engaging the camwheel to permit movement of the locking element between an engaged position and a disengaged position,

wherein in the engaged position the locking element engages a portion of the axle and rigidly holds the axle against lateral movement and allows rotation of the axle; and,

wherein in the disengaged position the locking element does not engage the portion of the axle and does not restrain the axle from moving laterally.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

wherein the locking element urges the axle into a recess and rigidly holds the axle in the recess when the combiner is in the second position, wherein rigidly holding the axle in the recess increases a resonance frequency of the positioning system.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the locking element is configured to exert a spring force for holding the axle in the second position.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking element is shaped as a lever comprising a lever axle about which the locking element rotates between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lateral movement comprises lateral movement of an axis of the axle along a guide element and the guide element defines a path along which the axle of the carrier laterally moves between the first position and the second position.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the guide element is contained within a housing.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the guide element is a slot in the housing.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the guide element is a rail protruding from the housing.

9. A method for positioning a combiner for a head-up display, the method comprising:

moving a carrier between a first position and a second position responsive to a camwheel, wherein the carrier includes a combiner and an axle;

engaging a locking element with the camwheel to permit movement of the locking element between an engaged position and a disengaged position; and

engaging a portion of the axle with the locking element,

wherein in the engaged position the locking element engages a portion of the axle and rigidly holds the axle against lateral movement and allows rotation of the axle; and,

wherein in the disengaged position the locking element does not engage the portion of the axle and does not restrain the axle from moving laterally.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

urging the axle extending from the carrier into a recess with the locking element; and

rigidly holding the axle in the recess when in the second position, wherein rigidly holding the axle in the recess increases a resonance frequency of the positioning system.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein a spring force is used to hold the axle in the second position.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

rotating the carrier and combiner about an axis defined by the axle extending from the carrier when in the second position.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

disengaging the locking element from the axle portion of the carrier; and

moving the carrier from the second position to the first position.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the locking element is shaped as a lever comprising a lever axle about which the locking element rotates between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein a guide element defines a path along which the axle of the carrier moves between the first position and the second position.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the guide element is contained within a housing.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the guide element is a slot in the housing.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the guide element is a rail protruding from the housing.