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OEM & Tier
Automotive head-up windshield electronics display
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Head-up display solutions from 3M

Clear information that blends safely and seamlessly into the driving experience – that is the future of connected mobility. The windshield is the canvas. The head-up display (HUD) is the paintbrush. The art of automotive design includes driver alerts, turn-by-turn navigation and even augmented reality. Bringing it all together: the science of managing light and heat.

Today, images must remain clear and focused during day or night, across all driver profiles and at any viewing angle – even if the driver is wearing polarized sunglasses. Demand is also increasing for wider fields of view across the entire windshield. This means higher HUD volume and additional challenges in thermal management, durability and even electromagnetic interference (EMI). We are developing scientific answers to all these challenges, from the windshield down to the heat sink. Learn more below.

Light management

Diagram of 3M solutions for HUD light management

3M HUD light management

Get brighter, crisper imagery, wider fields of view and passenger experiences that are second to none. Achieve your most visionary HUD designs. Light management has been a 3M specialty for decades. Our reflective films enhance brightness and contrast while reducing distracting reflections – all without increasing energy consumption.

  • 3M™ Cold Mirror Film (CMF)

    The 3M™ Cold Mirror Film (CMF) blocks infrared (IR) light and half of visible wavelengths to 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.

    Featured solutions:

  • 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU (VRP)

    3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU (VRP) is a reflective polarizing film used in HUD applications to enhance the display while reducing heat buildup in and around the PGU assembly. Featuring a multilayer structure bonded with 3M™ Optically Clear Adhesive, VRP brightens the projected image while stopping undesired visible sunlight from passing back through the HUD assembly to the picture generating unit. It can also be placed behind the LCD to block extra light and heat generated by the LED.

    Featured solutions:

  • 3M 3-Film Solution

    Brighten your HUD and manage thermal load in one package. 3M offers a 3-film solution to help you enhance performance and reliability while extending TFT life. It includes the 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective Cover (VRC), 3M™ Cold Mirror Film (CMF) and 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU (VRP).

    VRC can be the first line of defense against sunlight. Located on the cover lens at the top of the HUD unit, this film employs reflective polarizing film technology to transmit one polarization state while reflecting the other, lowering temperature inside the unit. CMF bonds acts as a cold mirror to block infrared and a portion of the visible light to reduce solar irradiance. VRP guards against heat buildup inside the PGU assembly while brightening the display image. Placed behind or directly in front of the LCD, this film blocks undesired visible light and heat sources from projecting back through the HUD assembly to the PGU.

    Featured solutions:

    • Coming soon

Bonding

diagram of 3M solutions for display bonding

3M HUD bonding

Remove borders and push boundaries. Build strong, durable HUDs while hiding distracting bondlines. 3M can help you tackle today’s toughest design challenges in HUD bonding: the ever-growing mix of dissimilar substrates, curved surfaces, narrow, ultra-thin bond lines and more.

  • head up display dashboard inside of vehicle lit up
    Automotive Display Bonding Thought Leadership
  • head up display dashboard inside of vehicle lit up with orange screens and lights
    Bonding Solutions

Thermal management

diagram of 3M solutions for display thermal managment

3M HUD thermal management

Manage heat loads and protect valuable electronics in HUDs by reflecting sunlight and transferring heat from key components to heat sinks. Films from 3M protect every layer of the HUD, from the cover lens down to the PGU. All materials are flexible, conformable and can be easily die cut and applied with or without automated equipment.

  • 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective Cover (VRC)

    Keep your HUDs cool with 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective Cover (VRC). VRC is a multi-layer reflective polarizing mirror film laminated to a polycarbonate substrate. Through its polarizing mirror functionality, one polarization state is transmitted while the other is reflected. By reflecting half of visible ambient light, temperature in the HUD is reduced. VRC has been tested between 95°C and –40°C.

    Featured solutions:

  • 3M™ Cold Mirror Film (CMF)

    The 3M™ Cold Mirror Film (CMF) blocks infrared (IR) light and half of visible wavelengths to 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.

    Featured solutions:

  • 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU (VRP)

    3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU (VRP) is a reflective polarizing film used in HUD applications to enhance the display while reducing heat buildup in and around the PGU assembly. Featuring a multilayer structure bonded with 3M™ Optically Clear Adhesive, VRP can also be placed behind the LCD to block extra light and heat generated by the LED.

    Featured solutions:

  • 3M™ Thermal Interface Materials

    Control heat and direct it away from critical components. 3M offers a broad selection of flexible and compressible thermal interface materials. They are designed to provide efficient heat transfer paths and are ideal for HUD heat sink attachments

    Featured solutions:

  • 3M 3-Film Solution

    Brighten your HUD and manage thermal load in one package. 3M offers a 3-film solution to help you enhance performance and reliability while extending TFT life. It includes the 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective Cover (VRC), 3M™ Cold Mirror Film (CMF) and 3M™ Visible-Light Reflective PGU (VRP).

    VRC is the first line of defense against sunlight. Located on the cover lens at the top of the HUD unit, this film employs reflective polarizing film technology to transmit one polarization state while reflecting the other, lowering temperature inside the unit. CMF bonds to the cold mirror to block infrared and visible light and reduce solar irradiance. VRP guards against heat buildup inside the PGU assembly while brightening the display image. Placed behind the LCD, this film blocks undesired visible light and heat sources from projecting back through the HUD assembly to the PGU.

    Featured solutions:

    • Coming soon

EMI management

Diagram of 3M solutions for Electromagnetic interference in head up displays

3M HUD EMI management

Effective EMI management is core to HUD design, where clarity and readability are essential. Achieve clear, consistent electronic signals in the PGU across a broad range of frequencies with advanced EMI absorbers from 3M.

  • Sheets of 3M EMI Absorbers
  • 3M™ EMI Absorber

    EMI absorbers from 3M are engineered to block a broad spectrum of interference from internal sources in HUDs. Acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to a high magnetic-permeability composite made from polymeric resin and magnetic metal flake filler – ideal for absorbing noise and optimizing signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) around critical HUD components. The material is available in sheet form and can be easily die cut into complex shapes.

    Featured solutions:

Cushioning and damping

Diagram of 3M solutions for cushioning and damping in head up displays

3M HUD cushioning and damping solutions

HUDs must be functional, intuitive, aesthetic and – last but not least – durable. Secure delicate components with engineered cushioning foams from 3M. Foams are thin, lightweight and highly effective at absorbing vibration and shock. We’ll help protect your HUD against any and all bumps in the road.

  • Cushioning and damping materials for info displays
  • E-A-R™ Cushioning Foam

    Get advanced HUD cushioning and damping solutions from Aearo Technologies LLC, a 3M company. E-A-R™ Foams can absorb and dissipate vibration and impact energy without collapsing or bottoming out. This helps reduce load points, prevent flexing and keep all display screens intact. They help prevent screen flexing and cracking to protect valuable and delicate HUD components for the long haul.

    Featured solutions:

Image of three HUD displays with and without polarized sunglasses and 3M Windshield Combiner Film
See the difference for yourself.
CONTACT A 3M EXPERT

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