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Head-up display solutions from 3M
The future of connected mobility: clear, critical information that blends safely and seamlessly into the driving experience. The windscreen is the canvas. The head-up display (HUD) is the paintbrush. The art of automotive design includes driver alerts, turn-by-turn navigation, even augmented reality. Connecting it all together: the science of managing light and heat. 3M is here to help.
Everywhere you look, something amazing is happening
Since the first HUDs, 3M has been helping ensure that displays are effective at any time of day or night. Now images must remain clear and focused across all driver profiles, tall or short, at any viewing angle, even if the driver is wearing polarised sunglasses. Demand is also increasing for wider fields of view across the entire windscreen. This means higher HUD volume, and related challenges in thermal management, durability and even electromagnetic interference (EMI).
We are using science to develop answers to all of these challenges, from the windscreen itself all the way down to the heat sink. Learn more below.
3M HUD light management
Technology. Vision. Power. Enhance your head-up display designs in so many ways: brighter, crisper imagery, wider fields of view without significant heat and passenger experiences that are second to none.
3M HUD Bonding
Reliable adhesive bonds take on a whole new meaning in HUDs, where dust covers must stand up to light, heat and motion over the long term. 3M can help.
3M HUD Thermal Management
3M materials can help extend your capabilities for reducing heat loads in HUDs. Reflect solar heat. Circulate heat generating light. Direct heat from HUD components to heat sinks. And more.
3M HUD EMI Management
Reduce electromagnetic interference to enable clear, consistent electronic signals in the PGU.
3M HUD cushioning and damping
Engineered cushioning foams protect your peace of mind. They absorb impact energy and keeping it from damaging sensitive electronics like PGUs, LED panels and PCBs.
Safely expand your view
As demand for HUDs increase, so does the need for a wider field of view – which has traditionally been limited by in-windscreen glazing PVB wedge solutions. Now there’s an alternative. 3M™ Windscreen Combiner Film can help you increase the field of view and virtually eliminate secondary images to safely display critical driver information.
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3M™ Windscreen Combiner Film (3M WCF)
In place of the standard PVB wedge, 3M WCF forms a seamless flat layer between layers of windscreen glass. It virtually eliminates secondary images. It opens up the entire windscreen as a canvas for HUD displays.
The film also uses p-polarised light. When the film is used in the windscreen and the HUD picture generating unit (PGU) is configured to project P-Pol light, vehicle occupants no longer need to remove standard S-Pol-blocking sunglasses to read HUD information. That’s great news for designers concerned about safety in HUD design.
Keep cool from the top down
Brighter, more automotive cockpit designs can lead to higher exposure to the sun. Demand for more - and more powerful - onboard electronics can lead to added heat buildup from within.
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Film solutions for HUD thermal management
3M™ Cold Mirror Film (3M CMF)
This solution transmits infrared (IR) light and half of the visible wavelengths and can reduce solar irradiance in the HUD by as much as 40%. Reduced solar irradiance equals reduced heat - and longer life for HUD components from its LCD and the PGU inside to its frames and covers outside.3M™ Visible-Light Reflective Cover (3M VRC)
Designed specifically to control light entering the cover lens at the top of the HUD unit, this film is a front-line defender against solar light entering the HUD. The film reflects and controls a portion of the visible light for reduced heat within the HUD unit. It can augment the effectiveness of other 3M films throughout the HUD.3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU (3M VRP)
This film is designed to help protect against heat buildup, inside the PGU assembly and out. It can be placed behind the LCD to block extra light and heat generated by the LED. It can also be used to also enhance the reflection of visible solar light entering from above the PGU.
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TIM solutions for HUD thermal management
3M™ Thermally Conductive Interface Pads
Part of a broad selection of thermal interface materials (TIMs), these flexible, compressible pads are designed to provide efficient heat transfer paths, allowing for the effective control and direction of heat away from critical components. Our range of thermally conductive interface pads is ideal for heat sink attachment for head up displays.
Efficiently increase brightness
Central to truly distinctive head up displays is the effective control of light. 3M has light control down to a science - and down to simple, lightweight film technology that’s easy to incorporate.
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Some brilliant ideas for controlling light
3M™ Cold Mirror Film (3M CMF)
This turnkey solution is designed to replace traditional cold mirrors. 3M CMF reflects liquid crystal display (LCD) images and delivers light at >90% reflectance of one polarisation state and true color replication. It also transmits light of the wrong polarisation state. The result: less visible light creating heat on the PGU.3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU (3M VRP)
3M™ VRP can maximise the use of light throughout the HUD. Placed between the liquid crystal display and the PGU, this film enhances the reflection of visible solar light entering the head up display and blocks extra light from the light-emitting diode (LED).
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Get longer lasting, higher performing HUDs
High temperature is not the only thing that can impact HUD durability and performance. Shock and vibration as well as electromagnetic interference can affect the HUD operations and reliability. 3M delivers a range of solutions for securing and protecting HUD PGUs, printed circuit boards, LED panels and other critical components so that you can keep your HUD units performing longer and better.
Want to talk to a 3M expert about your Head-Up Display design challenges?
