US-12619072-B2 - Image-generating device

Abstract

An image-generating device is disclosed. The image-generating device includes a light source configured to emit a light beam, a reflector configured to reflect the light beam toward an array of elements with variable transmittance, and a protective cover for the array of elements with variable transmittance attached to the array of elements with variable transmittance. The device includes a main housing configured to be attached to a support of the light source. The light source and the reflector are clamped between the support and the main housing attached to the support. The array of elements with variably transmittance are clamped between the main housing and the protective cover attached to the main housing.

Inventors

• Ayoub BEN NACHOUANE
• LAURENT DELPIERRE

Assignees

• VALEO COMFORT AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20220928

Priority Date

20211028

Claims (14)

1. 1 . An image-generating device comprising: a light source configured to emit a light beam; a reflector configured to reflect the light beam toward an array of elements with variable transmittance; and a protective cover for the array of elements with variable transmittance attached to the array of elements with variable transmittance, wherein the device comprises a main housing configured to be attached to a support of the light source, wherein the reflector is disposed within the main housing, such that the reflector and the main housing are in direct contact with an electronic board of the light source, wherein the light source and the reflector are clamped between the support and the main housing attached to the support, wherein the array of elements with variable transmittance are clamped between the main housing and the protective cover attached to the main housing.
2. 2 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the main housing comprises outer centering grooves, wherein the protective cover comprises centering tabs each configured to be inserted into a corresponding outer centering groove.
3. 3 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a collimator is placed in the main housing and clamped between the reflector and an inner surface of the main housing.
4. 4 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an outer face of the main housing comprises a housing configured to receive a collimator, wherein the collimator is clamped between the main housing and the array of elements with variable transmittance.
5. 5 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the main housing comprises centering grooves, the reflector comprising centering tabs that are produced on its outer surface and are each configured to be inserted into a corresponding inner centering groove.
6. 6 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a heat sink clamped between the main housing and the array of variable transmittance elements.
7. 7 . The device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein a face of the main housing comprises a plurality of centering pins, wherein the heat sink is configured to be clamped around the centering pins.
8. 8 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the main housing is made of a material exhibiting thermal conductivity that is greater than or equal to 20 W·m −1 ·K −1 .
9. 9 . The device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the wall of the main housing comprises a plurality of fins.
10. 10 . The device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the main housing is coupled to a forced-convection cooling module.
11. 11 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the main housing is attached to the support by means of a screw.
12. 12 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the protective cover is attached to the main housing by clipping.
13. 13 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the protective cover is attached to the main housing by means of a screw.
14. 14 . A head-up display comprising an image-generating device as claimed in claim 1 .

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the technical field of display systems, notably to the technical field of image projection systems. The invention more specifically relates to an image-generating device and a head-up display comprising such a device and notably adapted for use in a motor vehicle. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND In the above field, a head-up display is a device for displaying driving assistance information in the field of view of the driver. To this end, head-up displays comprise an image-generating device, for example, a light source coupled to an array of elements with variable transmittance, for example, a liquid-crystal display (LCD), and an optical system for transmitting images to a partially transparent strip, for example, in order for the driver to be able to see the images without looking away from the road. In order to generate a good quality image, the head-up displays comprise numerous optical (reflector, collimator), thermal (dissipator) and mechanical elements, which can be complex to assemble. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to overcome the aforementioned problem of the prior art, a head-up display is proposed that allows simple assembly of its various constituent elements. According to one aspect of the invention, an image-generating device is proposed comprising a light source configured to emit a light beam, a reflector configured to reflect the light beam toward an array of elements with variable transmittance, and a protective cover for the array of elements with variable transmittance attached to the array of elements with variable transmittance, characterized in that the device comprises a main housing configured to be attached to a support of the light source, with the light source and the reflector being clamped between the support and the main housing attached to the support, the array of elements with variable transmittance being clamped between the main housing and the protective cover attached to the main housing. Attaching the parts of the device by clamping advantageously allows the number of attachment elements to be reduced and therefore simplifies the assembly of the device. According to one embodiment, the outer surface of the main housing comprises outer centering grooves, with the protective cover comprising centering tabs each configured to be inserted into a corresponding outer centering groove. Thus, by virtue of the centering grooves, the alignment of the elements of the device with one another is ensured, which further simplifies the assembly of the device. According to one embodiment, the reflector is configured to be inserted into the main housing, with a collimator being placed in the main housing and being clamped between the reflector and an inner surface of the main housing. According to one embodiment, an outer face of the main housing comprises a housing configured to receive a collimator, with the collimator being clamped between the main housing and the array of elements with variable transmittance. According to one embodiment, the inner surface of the main housing comprises centering grooves, with the reflector comprising centering tabs that are produced on its outer surface and are each configured to be inserted into a corresponding inner centering groove. According to one embodiment, the device comprises a heat sink clamped between the main housing and the array of variable transmittance elements. According to one embodiment, a face of the main housing comprises a plurality of centering pins, with the heat sink being configured to be clamped around the centering pins. According to one embodiment, the main housing is made of a material exhibiting thermal conductivity that is greater than or equal to 20 W·m−1·K−1. Thus, it is possible to dispense with an additional heat sink, which allows the spatial requirement of the device to be reduced. According to one embodiment, the wall of the main housing comprises a plurality of fins. According to one embodiment, the main housing is coupled to a forced-convection cooling module. According to one embodiment, the main housing is attached to the support by means of a screw. According to one embodiment, the protective cover is attached to the housing by clipping. According to one embodiment, the protective cover is attached to the housing by means of a screw. According to another aspect, a head-up display is proposed, notably for a motor vehicle, comprising an image-generating device according to the invention. Of course, the various features, alternative embodiments and embodiments of the invention can be associated with one another in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In addition, various other features of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying description that is provided with reference to the drawings, which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention, and in which: FIG. 1 schemati