Image projection system

Abstract

To provide an image projection system for projecting an image to a design surface on a front side of a vehicular decorative panel from a rear side that can suppress cost even when the design surface to which an image is projected is a large size.SOLUTION: An image projection system 1 includes: a vehicular decorative panel 10; and a projector 20 disposed on a rear side of the vehicular decorative panel 10. The projector 20 includes: a pattern plate 21 having a pattern for projection; a light source 22 for emitting light to the pattern plate 21; and a projection lens 23 for projecting the pattern while enlarging the pattern. The projector 20 forms an image by projecting the pattern that is enlarged on a design surface 13 on a front side of the vehicular decorative panel 10 from the rear side of the vehicular decorative panel 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image projection system used in a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a decorative molded article used for automotive parts or the like, in which a predetermined pattern appears on a design surface by irradiating light from the back side (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The decorative molded article described in Patent Document 1 includes an insert film having a light-transmitting portion and a light-shielding portion adjacent thereto. When irradiated with light from a light source from the back side, the pattern of the light-transmitting portion of the insert film is displayed on the design surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the decorative molded article described in Patent Document 1, when the size of the design surface on which the pattern is displayed is large, accordingly, it is necessary to increase the area of an expensive insert film on which processing for forming the light-transmitting portion and the light-shielding portion is performed, or to increase the number of light-emitting elements as a light source, resulting in an increase in cost.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an image projection system that projects an image from the back side to the design surface on the front side of a vehicle decorative panel, and that can suppress costs even when the size of the design surface on which the image is projected is large.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides the following image projection system to achieve the above object.

[0008] [1] An image projection system comprising a vehicle decorative panel and a projector disposed on the back side of the vehicle decorative panel, the projector having a pattern plate having a projection pattern, a light source for irradiating the pattern plate with light, and a projection lens for magnifying and projecting the pattern, the projector projecting the magnified pattern from the back side of the vehicle decorative panel onto the design surface on the front side of the vehicle decorative panel to form an image. [2] The image projection system according to [1] above, including a plurality of the projectors having different patterns on the pattern plate. [3] The image projection system according to [1] above, wherein the projector irradiates each of a plurality of regions of the pattern plate with the light and is provided with a mechanism for projecting a plurality of different patterns onto the design surface at the same or different timings. [4] The image projection system according to [2] or [3] above, wherein a plurality of different patterns are sequentially projected onto the design surface to change the image over time. [5] The image projection system according to [2] or [3] above, wherein when each of a plurality of different patterns is projected, a fade-in and a fade-out are performed, and the timing at which each of the plurality of different patterns is projected overlaps in part with the timing at which the patterns projected before and after it are projected. [6] The image projection system according to any one of [1] to [3] above, wherein at least one of the angle and the distance of the projector with respect to the vehicle decorative panel changes over time. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided an image projection system that projects an image from the back side to the design surface on the front side of a vehicle decorative panel, and can provide an image projection system in which costs can be suppressed even when the size of the design surface on which the image is projected is large. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0010]

Figure 1

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Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Figures 1(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams generally showing the configuration of an image projection system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image projection system 1 includes a vehicle decorative panel 10 and a projector 20 disposed on the back side of the vehicle decorative panel 10.

[0012] The projector 20 projects an image from the back side of the vehicle decorative panel 10 onto the design surface 13 on the front side of the vehicle decorative panel 10. As shown in Figures 1(a) and (b), the size of the image formed on the design surface 13 changes depending on the angle and distance of the projector 20 with respect to the vehicle decorative panel 10.

[0013] In the image projection system 1, according to the size of the vehicle decorative panel 10, the angle and distance of the projector 20 with respect to the vehicle decorative panel 10 can be set, and an image of a desired size can be formed on the design surface 13.

[0014] The image projection system 1 may have a mechanism for changing at least one of the angle and distance of the projector 20 with respect to the vehicle decorative panel 10 over time. By changing at least one of the angle and distance of the projector 20 with respect to the vehicle decorative panel 10 over time, the size, shape, sharpness, etc. of the image formed on the design surface 13 can be changed over time, and a dynamic expression can be achieved.

[0015] When changing the angle or distance of the projector 20 with respect to the vehicle decorative panel 10 over time, for example, the projector 20 is rotated and moved by a mechanism using an actuator or the like.

[0016] The vehicle decorative panel 10 includes, for example, a plate-shaped base material 11 and a surface layer 12 on the base material 11. The base material 11 and the surface layer 12 are made of a material that is transparent to the visible light emitted by the projector 20, such as a material such as an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate (PC) resin. The base material 11 may contain a diffusing material for diffusing light, such as fine particles such as inorganic particles or polymer particles.

[0017] For the surface layer 12, depending on the location where the vehicle decorative panel 10 is applied, etc., for example, a skin such as synthetic leather, genuine leather, or fabric, a decorative film, a resin panel, or a coating film is used.

[0018] The surface layer 12 may be colorless or colored, and may also be decorated with a pattern such as a wood grain pattern. When the surface layer 12 is decorated, even when the projector 20 is not projecting an image, the pattern decorated on the surface layer 12 can be visually recognized when light from the outside of the vehicle decorative panel 10, such as external light, irradiates the surface layer 12.

[0019] The design surface 13 is the surface on which the design of the vehicle decorative panel 10 is applied, that is, the surface of the vehicle decorative panel 10. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), when the surface layer 12 is provided on the outermost surface of the vehicle decorative panel 10, the surface of the surface layer 12 becomes the design surface 13.

[0020] Figs. 2(a) and 2(b) are a perspective view and a vertical cross-sectional view of a projector 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The projector 20 includes a pattern plate 21 having a pattern for projection, a light source 22 that irradiates the pattern plate 21 with light, and a projection lens 23 that enlarges and projects the pattern of the pattern plate 21. The projector 20 preferably further includes a condenser lens 24 that condenses the light emitted from the light source 22 and sends it to the pattern plate 21.

[0021] The pattern plate 21, the substrate 25 on which the light source 22 is mounted, the projection lens 23, and the condenser lens 24 are housed in a housing 26 composed of components 26a, 26b, and 26c. The housing 26 has an opening 261 for taking out the light from the projection lens 23 and an opening 262 for connecting a connector of an external device to the connector of the substrate 25.

[0022] In the projector 20, based on a control signal output from a control unit that controls the projector 20, a light-emitting element included in the light source 22 emits light. The light emitted from the light source 22 and passing through the portion having the pattern of the pattern plate 21 is emitted from the projector 20 through the projection lens 23 and passes through the vehicle decorative panel 10. As a result, an image formed by enlarging the pattern of the pattern plate 21 is projected onto the design surface 13.

[0023] The control unit of the projector 20 is, for example, a microcomputer composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs operations, processing, etc. on the acquired data according to a stored program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) which are semiconductor memories. For example, a program for the operation of the control unit is stored in this ROM. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing operation results and the like. The control unit may be included inside the projector 20, for example, on the substrate 25, or may be included outside the projector 20, for example, in an in-vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit). According to the present invention, it is also possible to provide an image projection system including the vehicle decorative panel 10, the projector 20, and the control unit of the projector 20 included in the in-vehicle ECU and the like.

[0024] The control unit of the projector 20 can control the light emission operation of the light source 22, for example, according to an instruction from an occupant via a switch or the like, or a change in the operating state of the vehicle such as the start or unlocking of the drive device.

[0025] The projector 20 that forms an image to be projected using the pattern plate 21 is much smaller in size compared to a general projector, and thus is suitable for being incorporated into the image projection system 1 as a vehicle decorative part. The size of the projector 20 (the size of the housing 26) is, for example, 10 to 35 mm × 10 to 35 mm × 20 to 40 mm. Also, the planar size of the pattern plate 21 is, for example, 5 to 10 mm × 5 to 10 mm.

[0026] FIGS. 3(a) and (b) are vertical cross-sectional views of a pattern plate 21a and a pattern plate 21b, which are respectively one form of the pattern plate 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The pattern plate 21a shown in Fig. 3(a) includes a transparent substrate 211 that transmits light from the light source 22 and an opaque film 212 that does not transmit light from the light source 22. The opaque film 212 has a predetermined opening pattern that constitutes the pattern of the pattern plate 21a, and has a light transmission portion 213 that is an opening and a light shielding portion 214 that is a portion that does not open.

[0028] The image formed on the design surface 13 by the projector 20 is composed of a high-brightness region having a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the light transmission portion 213 and a low-brightness region having a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the light shielding portion 214.

[0029] In order to form a fine opening pattern in the opaque film 212 and make the pattern of the pattern plate 21a fine, it is preferable to form a pattern in the opaque film 212 made of metal formed on the transparent substrate 211 made of glass by metal etching. By forming a metal film by vapor deposition, a very thin (about 100 nm) opaque film 212 can be obtained, and a pattern can be formed accurately by etching. In this case, the opaque film 212 is composed of, for example, a laminated film of a lower layer film made of CrO and an upper layer film made of Cr.

[0030] When forming a pattern in the opaque film 212 made of metal formed on the transparent substrate 211 made of glass, the minimum width of the patterned opaque film 212 (the minimum width of the light shielding portion 214 formed with the light transmission portions 213 on both sides) can be 1 μm or more and less than 10 μm, and more precisely, 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less.

[0031] The pattern plate 21b shown in Fig. 3(b) is made of a transparent resin that transmits light from the light source 22, and on one surface, has a light transmission portion 217 composed of a flat surface 215 and a light shielding portion 218 composed of an inclined surface 216 that is inclined with respect to the flat surface.

[0032] The light shielding portion 218 shields the light from the light source 22 by utilizing the total internal reflection of light on the inclined surface 216. Therefore, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 216 is preferably set to an angle such that the light incident perpendicularly to the handle plate 21b undergoes total internal reflection. For example, when the handle plate 21b is made of polycarbonate (refractive index 1.6), total internal reflection occurs when the incident angle is 38.7° or more, and when it is made of polymethyl methacrylate (refractive index 1.5), total internal reflection occurs when the incident angle is 41.8° or more. For this reason, almost no light is transmitted through the light shielding portion 218 formed by the inclined surface 216.

[0033] The image projected onto the design surface 13 by the projector 20 is composed of a high-brightness region having a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the light transmission portion 217 and a low-brightness region having a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the light shielding portion 218.

[0034] The handle plate 21b is formed by subjecting a plate-shaped resin molded product to microfabrication. Therefore, compared with the handle plate 21a that requires complicated processes such as vapor deposition of a metal film, formation of a resist pattern by photolithography, and etching, the handle plate 21b can be formed at a low cost.

[0035] The light shielding portion 218 is provided with protrusions formed on the inclined surface 216. The protrusions formed by the inclined surface 216 are, for example, linear protrusions having a triangular cross-section formed by two opposing inclined surfaces 216, or protrusions in the shape of a polygonal pyramid formed by three or more inclined surfaces 216. When the height of the protrusions is limited due to factors such as the transferability during the molding of the handle plate 21b (for example, 30 μm or less), a plurality of protrusions with a low height may be arranged continuously to ensure the area of the light shielding portion 218.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the configuration of the image projection system 1 when including a plurality of projectors 20 with different handles of the handle plate 21. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the image projection system 1 includes three projectors 20, namely projectors 20a, 20b, and 20c.

[0037] A plurality of projectors 20, such as projectors 20a, 20b, and 20c, have pattern plates 21 with different patterns, and each can project a pattern onto the same area of the design surface 13. Therefore, by switching the projector 20 that projects the pattern among projectors 20a, 20b, and 20c, the image formed on the design surface 13 can be changed. Then, a plurality of different patterns can be sequentially projected onto the design surface 13 to change the image over time.

[0038] Also, when projecting each of a plurality of different patterns by a plurality of projectors 20, it is preferable to perform fade-in and fade-out, and the timing at which each of the plurality of different patterns is projected overlaps partly with the timing at which the pattern projected before and after that is projected. For example, when projecting patterns in the order of projectors 20a, 20b, and 20c, the timing at which the pattern of projector 20a is projected overlaps partly with the timing at which the pattern of projector 20b is projected, and the timing at which the pattern of projector 20b is projected overlaps partly with the timing at which the pattern of projector 20c is projected. In this case, the image formed on the design surface 13 can be changed more smoothly. When performing fade-in and fade-out of the pattern projection, the emission intensity of the light source 22 is gradually increased and decreased.

[0039] Also, by projecting different patterns by a plurality of projectors 20 at the same timing, the patterns can be overlapped to form a complex image. Further, the emission colors of the light sources 22 of the plurality of projectors 20 may be made different to form a multicolor image.

[0040] In the above example, three projectors, projectors 20a, 20b, and 20c, are used as the plurality of projectors 20, but the number of projectors 20 is not particularly limited.

[0041] A control unit that controls the timing of projecting patterns of a plurality of projectors 20, for example, is included in an in-vehicle ECU mounted on the vehicle 9, and a control signal from the control unit is sent to the plurality of projectors 20 via a cable harness.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a projector 30 that can irradiate each of a plurality of regions having different patterns on a pattern plate 21 with light and project a plurality of different patterns at the same or different timings. The projector 30 includes a pattern plate 31 having a pattern for projection, light sources 32a, 32b, 32c that irradiate the pattern plate 31 with light, and projection lenses 33a, 33b, 33c that enlarge and project the pattern of the pattern plate 31.

[0043] The pattern plate 31 has three different regions 311, 312, and 313 of the pattern. The light emitted from the light sources 32a, 32b, and 32c is irradiated onto the regions 311, 312, and 313 of the pattern plate 31, respectively. The light that has passed through the regions 311, 312, and 313 is projected by the projection lenses 33a, 33b, and 33c, respectively. The projector 30 preferably further includes condenser lenses 34a, 34b, and 34c that condense the light emitted from the light sources 32a, 32b, and 32c and send it to the regions 311, 312, and 313 of the pattern plate 31.

[0044] In the image projection system 1, the projector 30 can be used instead of the projector 20. In the projector 30, by switching the light-emitting light source among the light sources 32a, 32b, and 32c, the region of the pattern plate 31 irradiated with light is switched among the regions 311, 312, and 313, whereby different patterns can be projected onto the design surface 13 at different timings to change the image. Then, a plurality of different patterns can be sequentially projected onto the design surface 13 to change the image over time.

[0045] Also, when projecting each of a plurality of different patterns by the projector 30, it is preferable to perform fade-in and fade-out, and the timing at which each of the plurality of different patterns is projected overlaps partly with the timing at which the pattern projected before and after that is projected. For example, when projecting the patterns in the order of the pattern in the region 311 of the pattern plate 31, the pattern in the region 312, and the pattern in the region 313, the timing at which the pattern in the region 311 is projected overlaps partly with the timing at which the pattern in the region 312 is projected, and the timing at which the pattern in the region 312 is projected overlaps partly with the timing at which the pattern in the region 313 is projected. In this case, the image formed on the design surface 13 can be changed more smoothly. When performing fade-in and fade-out of the projection of the pattern, the emission intensities of the light sources 32a, 32b, and 32c are gradually increased and decreased.

[0046] Also, by projecting different patterns by the projector 30 at the same timing, it is also possible to form a complicated image by overlapping the patterns. Further, the emission colors of the light sources 32a, 32b, and 32c of the projector 30 may be made different to form a multicolor image.

[0047] In the above example, the projector 30 has a configuration for projecting three different patterns, but the number of patterns that the projector 30 can project is not particularly limited. The projector 30 includes a pattern region, a light source, a condenser lens, a projection lens, etc. of the pattern plate 31 in a number corresponding to the number of patterns to be projected.

[0048] The control unit that controls the timing etc. of projecting a plurality of patterns of the projector 30 may be included inside the projector 30, for example, on the substrate 35, or may be included outside the projector 30, for example, in the in-vehicle ECU.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the interior of a vehicle 9 in which the image projection system 1 is mounted. The image projection system 1 can be attached to components such as the door trim 91 of the driver's seat 90a and the passenger seat 90b side doors, the door trim 93 of the rear seat 92 side doors, and the instrument panel 94. In FIG. 6, an example of the area where the image projection system 1 is attached is shown shaded in gray.

[0050] The design surface 13 of the vehicle decorative panel 10 of the image projection system 1 becomes a part of the surface of the component to which the image projection system 1 is attached. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a part of the surfaces of the door trim 91, the door trim 93, and the instrument panel 94 becomes the design surface 13 of the vehicle decorative panel 10.

[0051] In addition, the image projection system 1 may be attached to other positions than the above attachment positions, for example, the upper surface portion or side surface portion of the console box, or the middle portion of the instrument panel (the portion located beside the air conditioner outlet).

[0052] In addition, the image projection system 1 is not limited to the interior of the vehicle and can also be used for exterior parts such as a lighting grill. When the image projection system 1 is used for a lighting grill, for example, the base material 11 of the vehicle decorative panel 10 is made of polycarbonate containing a diffusing material, and the surface layer 12 is made of a coating film such as a hard coat.

[0053] When the image projection system 1 is used for a part with relatively more space for installing the projector 20, such as the instrument panel 94 or the lighting grill, the degree of freedom in setting the angle and distance of the projector 20 with respect to the vehicle decorative panel 10 is high, and it is suitable for forming a projection image of a desired size.

[0054] (Effects of the Embodiment) In the image projection system 1 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the angle and distance of the projector 20 with respect to the vehicle decorative panel 10 are set according to the size of the vehicle decorative panel 10, and an image of a desired size can be formed on the design surface 13. Therefore, even when the size of the design surface 13 on which the image is projected is large, the cost can be suppressed.

[0055] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Further, the components of the above-described embodiments can be arbitrarily combined without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0056] Also, the above-described embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. It should be noted that not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential means for solving the problems of the invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0057] 1 Image projection system 10 Vehicle decorative panel 13 Design surface 20, 30 Projector 21, 31 Pattern plate 311, 312, 313 Region 22, 32a, 32b, 32c Light source 23, 33a, 33b, 33c Projection lens

Claims

1. A vehicle decorative panel, A projector disposed on the back side of the vehicle decorative panel, Comprising, The projector has a pattern plate having a pattern for projection, a light source for irradiating the pattern plate with light, and a projection lens for magnifying and projecting the pattern, The projector projects the magnified pattern from the back side of the vehicle decorative panel onto the design surface on the front side of the vehicle decorative panel to form an image, An image projection system.

2. Including a plurality of the projectors having different patterns on the pattern plate, The image projection system according to Claim 1.

3. The projector is provided with a mechanism for irradiating each of a plurality of regions of the pattern plate with the light and projecting a plurality of different patterns onto the design surface at the same or different timings, The image projection system according to Claim 1.

4. Sequentially projecting a plurality of different patterns onto the design surface to change the image over time, The image projection system according to Claim 2 or 3.

5. When projecting each of a plurality of different patterns, fading in and fading out are performed, and the timing at which each of the plurality of different patterns is projected partially overlaps with the timing at which the patterns projected before and after it are projected, The image projection system according to Claim 2 or 3.

6. At least one of the angle and the distance of the projector with respect to the vehicle decorative panel changes over time, The image projection system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

Images