IP Library Granted Patent US 11,860,362
Granted Patent B2
US 11,860,362 · App. 16/670,452 · Granted Jan 2, 2024

Hud mirror holder and image positional accuracy design

Inventors: Fidelis Itsede (Acworth, GA); John Austin (Fayetteville, GA); Duane Lucero (Senioa, GA)
Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
G02B27/0149B60K35/00B60R11/0229G02B7/1821B60K2370/1529B60K2370/92G02B2027/0159
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,860,362
App. No.
16/670,452
Granted
Jan 2, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

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.

Claims (40)

1. A head up display mirror holder arrangement for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

a calibration switch;

a picture generation unit configured to produce a light field;

a mirror configured to reflect the light field such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image;

a rotatable mirror holder having two opposite ends and an activation feature, the two opposite ends being aligned along a rotational axis of the mirror, the mirror holder being configured to retain the mirror, the activation feature being configured to actuate the calibration switch by rotation of the mirror holder, the activation feature of the mirror holder having a cylindrical shape centered along the rotational axis of the mirror, wherein, while the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image, the calibration switch has a maximum distance from the activation feature of the mirror holder, the maximum distance being less than one millimeter.

2. A head up display mirror holder arrangement for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

a calibration switch;

a picture generation unit configured to produce a light field;

a mirror configured to reflect the light field such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image;

a rotatable mirror holder having two opposite ends and an activation feature, the two opposite ends being aligned along a rotational axis of the mirror, the mirror holder being configured to retain the mirror, the activation feature being configured to actuate the calibration switch by rotation of the mirror holder, the activation feature of the mirror holder having a cylindrical shape centered along the rotational axis of the mirror, wherein,

while the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image, the calibration switch has a maximum distance from the activation feature of the mirror holder, the maximum distance being less than one millimeter, and

wherein the calibration switch and the activation feature of the mirror holder are separated by an angle of less than five degrees when the calibration switch is at the maximum distance from the activation feature of the mirror holder.

3. A head up display mirror holder arrangement for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

a picture generation unit configured to produce a light field;

a mirror configured to reflect the light field such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image;

a mirror holder having an activation feature and two opposite ends, the two opposite ends being aligned along a rotational axis of the mirror, the mirror holder being configured to retain the mirror;

a first bushing and a second bushing, each said bushing being coupled to a respective said opposite end of the mirror holder;

a bracket configured to couple the first bushing to a housing, the bracket including a mechanical stop configured to limit rotation of the mirror relative to the bracket; and

a calibration switch, wherein the activation feature of the mirror holder is configured to actuate the calibration switch by rotation of the mirror holder, wherein, while the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image, the calibration switch has a maximum distance from the activation feature, the maximum distance being less than 0.8 millimeter.

4. The head up display mirror holder arrangement of claim 3 wherein the calibration switch and the activation feature of the mirror holder are separated by an angle of less than 3.5 degrees when the calibration switch is at the maximum distance from the activation feature of the mirror holder.

5. The head up display mirror holder arrangement of claim 3 wherein the activation feature of the mirror holder has a cylindrical shape centered along the rotational axis of the mirror.

6. The head up display mirror holder arrangement of claim 3 further comprising a self-centering feature between the mirror holder and the second bushing.

7. The head up display mirror holder arrangement of claim 3 wherein each of the mirror holder and the second bushing has a respective conical contact surface, the conical contact surfaces interfacing with each other.

8. A head up display mirror holding method for a motor vehicle, said method comprising:

producing a light field;

reflecting the light field such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image;

retaining the mirror by use of a mirror holder;

rotating the mirror holder to a position where an activation feature of the mirror holder is at a maximum distance from a switch, the activation feature and the switch always being separated by a distance that is less than or equal to the maximum distance while the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image, the maximum distance being less than one millimeter;

rotating the mirror holder to reduce the distance between the activation feature and the switch until the activation feature actuates the switch; and

in response to the actuation of the switch, transmitting a feedback signal to calibrate and record the rotational position of the mirror holder in a memory device.

9. The head up display mirror holding method of claim 8 wherein the maximum distance is less than 0.6 millimeter.

10. The head up display mirror holding method of claim 8 further comprising:

coupling a bushing to the mirror holder; and

providing a self-centering feature between the mirror holder and the bushing.

11. The head up display mirror holding method of claim 10 wherein each of the mirror holder and the bushing has a respective conical contact surface, the conical contact surfaces interfacing with each other.

12. The head up display mirror holding method of claim 8 wherein the switch and the activation feature of the mirror holder are separated by an angle of less than four degrees when the switch is at the maximum distance from the activation feature of the mirror holder.

13. The head up display mirror holding method of claim 8 wherein the activation feature of the mirror holder has a cylindrical shape centered along a rotational axis of the mirror.

14. The head up display mirror holding method of claim 8 further comprising:

coupling a bushing to the mirror holder; and

coupling the bushings to a housing by use of a bracket, the bracket including a mechanical stop that limits rotation of the mirror relative to the bracket.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 72222 FRAME 267. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC.
Reel/Frame 072930/0871 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC
Reel/Frame 072222/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2019
From: ITSEDE, FIDELIS; AUSTIN, JOHN; LUCERO, DUANE
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS COMPANY OF AMERICA, DIVISION OF PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
Reel/Frame 050883/0290 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62756783 · Nov 7, 2018
Related Publication 20200142191A1 · May 7, 2020