Automotive head-up display

US4973139A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Hughes Aircraft Company · US

Inventors

• Martin Weinhrauch · Calabasas, US
• John Ferrer · Mason, US
• Mao-Jin Chern · Rancho Palos Verdes, US
• Ronald G. Hegg · Los Angeles, US
• Matthew J. Van Leeuwen · Los Angeles, US
• Steven A. Stringfellow · Waterford Township, US
• William J. Wainwright · Rancho Palos Verdes, US
• Harry J. King · Calabasas, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 7, 1989
• Grant date: Nov 27, 1990
• Expiry date: Apr 7, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B2027/0194
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A vehicle head-up instrument display including a light emitting image source for producing imaging illumination, optical apparatus for directing the imaging illumination to the inside surface of a vehicle windshield, and a combiner comprising a portion of the windshield or a coating applied to the windshield partially reflects the imaging illumination to produce a virtual image viewable by the driver. The image source and optical apparatus are enclosed in a housing having an elliptical cylindrical transparent cover for transmitting the imaging illumination to the windshield and for directing sunlight and skylight reflections therefrom away from the driver's eyes.