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 In an interesting development, systems supplier, Johnson Con-trols has developed a head-up display with projected image for the Peugeot 5008 and the Peugeot 3008 model range. With this new Head Medium Display (HMD), the graphic information is projected on to a fold-out, transparent plastic polycarbonate pane in the driver’s field of vision that comes out via the hood. The pane is highly polished and has specific mechanical characteristics to prevent optical defects. Peugeot has thus, in collaboration with Johnson Controls, put high-priority information directly in the driver’s primary field of vision. The content and type of presentation (color and typeface) was defined by the automaker and engineered by Johnson Controls into a convenient and highly ergonomic system.
According to Achim Hosenfeld, Vice President and General Manager, Electronics Division Europe, Africa and South America at Johnson Controls, the new head-up display developed by his company is reminiscent of an aircraft cockpit. Interestingly, the display solution enables smart and vehicle-independent integration with perfectly coordinated visual elements – from the type of light to the display pane itself. The pane can be lowered or pulled out at the touch of a button and remains totally stable and vibration free in this position.
A vertically integrated ABN (Advanced Black Nematic) display delivers very high contrast and excellent legibility even in direct sunlight. The information shown on the monochrome display (orange in color) is reflected via a mirror onto the semi-transparent HMD lens by two LEDs, providing LCD backlighting with more than 4,000 cd/m˛ of brightness. The virtual image generated in this way is 51 mm x 110 mm in size and appears right where the driver of the vehicle is already looking: “at the road.” The path of the rays is calculated to ensure the focal point of the display appears around 1.80 m in front of the driver. No further accommodation is required by the eye. The information displayed, such as speed, cruise control and distance readings, is thus perceived much faster than on displays positioned outside the driver’s primary field of vision.
With this head-up solution, Johnson Controls decided on a flexible and cost-effective system rather than using the windshield as the reflection surface, since this is only suitable for display applications under certain conditions. For one thing, a special film must be applied to the glass to ensure sufficient reflection is achieved, and for another, windshields are subject to not inconsiderable production variations, which means the projection has to be individually adjusted for each pane to ensure the viewer receives satisfactorily homogenous data presentation. Such adjustments are time consuming and also costly. Furthermore, applying an additional film to the windshield results in additional manufacturing costs.
Johnson Controls based its design on the principle of projection on a pane and developed a system that requires no expensive or time consuming adjustments and does away with the need to coat the windshield. This unleashes considerable cost-saving potential. The compact construction of this “all-in-one” solution by Johnson Controls gives automakers great design freedom, both in terms of the interior design and the presentation options for the actual display. Moreover, the module’s integrated CAN interface ensures trouble-free electronic innovation, Johnson Controls developed and is now producing the seats, headliner, center information display and body controllers for the Peugeot 3008, 5-seater Crossover 3008 and 7-seater Minivan, Peugeot 5008. In the case of the Crossover model, the seats can be completely folded down to create a flat storage area the entire length of the vehicle. “We are pleased to be able to contribute to even more driving pleasure with these many products,” said Achim Hosenfeld.
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