Proximity detection device
By using reflective components in the proximity detection device to reflect and receive light, the problem of blind spot areas when shortening the detection distance is solved, the detection sensitivity is improved and the cost is reduced, and more comprehensive object proximity detection is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202011482712.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-12-19
- Filing Date
- 2020-12-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-12-16
AI Technical Summary
When the existing proximity detection device shortens the detection distance, it will generate blind spots that cannot be detected, resulting in user inability to input during operation, affecting user experience.
By installing a reflective member near the light emitting element and the light receiving element, partially reflected irradiated light is reflected to an inadequately accessible area, and a reflective member capable of receiving reflected light in a large range is installed near the light receiving element to eliminate blind spot areas.
It effectively eliminates undetectable areas, improves detection sensitivity, avoids misdetecting, and realizes a low-cost solution.
Smart Images

Figure CN113010036B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a proximity detection device for detecting whether an object approaches, and more particularly to a proximity detection device installed in an electronic device such as a touch panel display. Background Art
[0002] In recent years, as input or gesture input using touch panel displays has become practical, the number of vehicle-mounted displays equipped with proximity detection devices has increased. The proximity detection device uses, for example, infrared LEDs that emit infrared light and light-receiving elements such as photodiodes, irradiates an object with infrared light, and receives its reflected light to detect the approach of the object. For example, the electronic device of patent document 1 discloses the following proximity sensor: 4 infrared LEDs and 1 light-receiving element are arranged at the bottom of the display, or 2 infrared LEDs and 1 light-receiving element are arranged at the top of the display, and 2 infrared LEDs and 1 light-receiving element are arranged at the bottom. In addition, the display devices of patent documents 2 and 3 are provided with a proximity sensor at the bottom of the display, and when the proximity sensor detects the approach of the user's hand, the light emitting brightness of the display screen or the content of the display screen is changed, thereby improving visual recognition.
[0003] Prior Art Literature
[0004] Patent Literature
[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-218549
[0006] [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-191288
[0007] [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-216888 Summary of the invention
[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention
[0009] exist Figure 1 An example of a conventional proximity detection device is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a receiving component 2 for receiving four LEDs 1, LED 2, LED 3, LED 4 emitting infrared rays and a light receiving element PD is provided at the bottom of a touch panel display 1. LEDs 1 to LED 4 are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the horizontal direction, and a light receiving element PD is arranged near the center thereof.
[0010] like Figure 1 As shown in (B), if the user's operating object 4 approaches the display 1, the reflected light formed by the irradiation light 3 from the LED 2 being reflected by the operating object 4 is received by the light receiving element PD, and the approach of the operating object 4 is detected. Figure 2As shown in (A), in order to arrange LED1~LED4 and the light receiving element PD in the receiving part 2 at the bottom of the display 1 and form the detection area 5 on the front surface of the display 1, the irradiation direction of LED1~LED4, that is, the optical axis O, has to be set to an inclined direction gradually away from the surface of the display 1.
[0011] The display 1 having such a proximity detection function is generally mounted on the center console in the vehicle, but in the area of the display close to the driver's seat, it is sometimes necessary to adjust the detection distance to shorten it so as not to erroneously detect the driver's operation of the steering wheel or handle. Figure 2 (B) shows an example in which the output of infrared light from the LED is weakened in order to shorten the detection distance for the purpose of preventing false detection. Infrared light is irradiated in an oblique direction, so while the irradiation distance in the depth direction is shortened, the irradiation distance in the height direction is also shortened, resulting in an undetectable area (blind spot) 6 that cannot be detected because the light cannot reach the upper part of the display. In addition, in order to shorten the detection distance (that is, to weaken the detection capability), in addition to weakening the output of infrared light from the LED, there is also a method of increasing the detection threshold of the light receiving element PD, but the principle is the same.
[0012] Figure 3 (A) is a diagram schematically showing that when the detection distance of LED1 to LED4 is shortened, an undetectable blind spot (undetectable area 6) is generated in the upper part of the display screen of the display 1. Figure 3 (B) is a diagram schematically showing a case in which the detection distance of LED1 and LED2 on the driver's seat side is shortened only (the figure shows an example of left-hand drive) and the detection distance is gradually extended toward the passenger seat side, resulting in an undetectable area 6 on the upper part of the display 1 on the driver's seat side.
[0013] If such an undetectable area 6 is generated, even if the user brings his hand close to the undetectable area 6 in order to operate an icon displayed in the undetectable area 6, the hand cannot be detected, resulting in an undesirable situation in which the user operation cannot be input.
[0014] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide a proximity detection device capable of eliminating an undetectable area.
[0015] Means for solving problems
[0016] The proximity detection device involved in the present invention uses a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that receives reflected light formed by the irradiation light from the light-emitting element being reflected by an object to detect the approach of an object, and includes: a first reflecting component that is installed in the vicinity of the light-emitting element in a manner that reflects a part of the irradiation light from the light-emitting element toward an area that is not fully reached by the irradiation light from the light-emitting element; and a second reflecting component that is installed in the vicinity of the light-receiving element in a manner that can receive the reflected light from the light-emitting element over a wide range.
[0017] In one embodiment, the light emitting element is an LED, and the first reflecting member is installed in a manner that reflects the irradiated light that is within a certain angle relative to the optical axis of the light emitting element and is directed toward a portion of the first reflecting member. In one embodiment, the second reflecting member is installed in a manner that receives the reflected light that is within a certain angle relative to the optical axis of the light receiving element and is directed toward a portion of the second reflecting member. In one embodiment, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are integrally installed around the electronic device. In one embodiment, the electronic device is a vehicle-mounted display device. In one embodiment, a plurality of the light emitting elements are installed near the electronic device, and the optical axes of the plurality of light emitting elements are inclined relative to the electronic device. The detection distance of the light emitting element on the driver's seat side of the electronic device is shorter than the detection distance of the light emitting element on the passenger seat side, and the first reflecting member is installed at least near the light emitting element on the driver's seat side. In one embodiment, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are installed at the lower part of the electronic device, the light emitting element irradiates toward the upper side of the electronic device, and the first reflecting member reflects a portion of the irradiated light of the light emitting element toward the upper side. In a certain embodiment, when a plurality of the light-emitting elements are arranged in the left-right direction at the lower part of the electronic device, a first reflective component with a limited width is respectively installed at the lower part of at least one of the light-emitting elements. In a certain embodiment, the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are respectively installed on the left and right of the electronic device, and the first and second reflective components are installed near the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of at least one of the left and right. In a certain embodiment, the proximity detection device further includes a receiving component for accommodating the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, in which a first space for accommodating the light-emitting element and the first reflective component and a second space for accommodating the light-receiving element and the second reflective component are formed, the light-emitting element is installed on the first surface of the first space, the first reflective component is installed on the second surface that forms a certain angle with the first surface, the light-receiving element is installed on the third surface of the second space, and the second reflective component is installed on the fourth surface that forms a certain angle with the third surface. In one embodiment, when the second surface and the fourth surface are at substantially the same height and the optical axis of the light emitting element and the optical axis of the light receiving element are at substantially the same height, the first reflecting member is mounted at a higher position than the second reflecting member.
[0018] Effects of the Invention
[0019] According to the present invention, by providing a first reflecting member that reflects a portion of the irradiated light toward an area that is not fully reached by the irradiated light from the light emitting element, the undetectable area can be eliminated at a low cost. Furthermore, by providing a second reflecting member in a manner that can receive reflected light from the light emitting element over a wide range, the undetectable area can be eliminated at a low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Figure 1 An example of a conventional proximity detection device is shown. Figure 1 (A) is the main view of the display. Figure 1 (B) is a diagram showing an example of detection of an operation object.
[0021] Figure 2 middle Figure 2 (A) is a diagram illustrating a detection area of a conventional proximity detection device. Figure 2 (B) is a diagram illustrating the occurrence of an undetectable area when the detection distance is shortened.
[0022] Figure 3 middle Figure 3 (A) is a diagram schematically showing the undetectable area generated when the overall detection distance is shortened. Figure 3 (B) is a diagram schematically showing an undetectable area generated when the detection distance on the driver's seat side is shortened.
[0023] Figure 4 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a light emitting unit of a proximity detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the function of a reflector of an LED according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 (A) shows an example of irradiation without a reflector. Figure 5 (B) shows an example of irradiation when a reflector is installed. Figure 5 (C) shows an irradiation example in which the mounting position of the reflector is raised.
[0025] Figure 6 middle Figure 6 (A) is a diagram illustrating the light distribution characteristics of LEDs. Figure 6 (B) is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the LED and the reflector when viewed from the front.
[0026] Figure 7 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a light receiving unit of a proximity detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Figure 8 middle Figure 8 (A) is a diagram illustrating the light receiving characteristics of a light receiving element. Figure 8 (B) is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the light receiving element and the reflecting mirror when viewed from the front.
[0028] Fig. 9 middle Fig. 9(A) is a diagram showing the difference in detection sensitivity between the position directly below the LED and the position between the LEDs. Fig. 9 (B) is a diagram for explaining a method of compensating detection sensitivity at a position between LEDs.
[0029] Fig.10 It is a diagram for explaining the effect of the proximity detection device involved in the embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] Fig.11 It is a figure which shows and explains the proximity detection device which concerns on another Example of this invention.
[0031] Description of reference numerals:
[0032] 1: Display
[0033] 2: Containment Components
[0034] 3: LED light
[0035] 4: Operation Object
[0036] 5: Detection area
[0037] 6: Unable to detect area
[0038] 100: Reflector
[0039] 102: Height adjustment component (bias component)
[0040] 110: Reflector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] Next, the embodiments of the present invention are described. In one embodiment, the proximity detection device of the present invention includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element that receives reflected light reflected from an object irradiated by the light emitted by the light emitting element, and optically detects whether an object is approaching. The light emitting element is, for example, a directional light emitting diode or a laser diode, and the light receiving element is a photodiode or a phototransistor. One or more light emitting elements and one or more light receiving elements are integrally installed on the periphery of an electronic device, etc., to detect the approach of the user's operating object to the electronic device. When the approach of the user's operating object is detected, the electronic device performs an action corresponding to it. The electronic device equipped with the proximity detection device is not particularly limited, and for example, it is an electronic device such as a display that uses the approach of the user's operating object as user input.
[0042] [Example]
[0043] Next, the proximity detection device involved in the embodiment of the present invention is described. The proximity detection device of this embodiment is configured by arranging an LED that emits infrared light and a light receiving element that receives infrared light at the bottom of a touch panel display. The touch panel display detects the approach of a user's operating object (such as a finger, etc.) and performs display control corresponding to the detection (such as displaying a menu screen or displaying the next screen, etc.).
[0044] When a touch panel display is installed on the center console of a car, it is sometimes required to shorten the detection distance on the driver's seat side in order to prevent erroneous detection of the driver's driving operation. Figure 2 (B) or Figure 3 As shown, an undetectable area (blind spot) is generated in the upper part of the display. In this embodiment, in order to suppress the generation of such an undetectable area, a reflector is arranged on the lower side of the front surface of the LED so that part of the light irradiated from the LED is reflected to the area in the upper part of the display that may become the undetectable area. At the same time, a reflector is also arranged on the lower side of the front surface of the light receiving element, so that the reflected light from the user's operation object can be received more effectively in a wide range.
[0045] Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of a light emitting portion including an LED of this embodiment is shown. Figure 4 As shown in (A), a recess 20 for accommodating an LED or the like is formed in a receiving component 2 integrally installed at the lower part of the display 1. The recess 20 is, for example, rectangular and has a bottom surface 22, a side surface 24 adjacent to the bottom surface 22, and an upper surface 26 adjacent to the side surface 24. An LED is mounted on the side surface 24 via a circuit substrate not shown in the figure. The LED irradiates infrared light L from the open surface of the recess 20. In order to make the description easier to understand, the optical axis O of the LED is shown as horizontal, but it should be noted that in reality, Figure 2 As shown in (A), the optical axis O is set to be inclined relative to the flat surface (display screen) of the display, and a detection area is formed in front of the display screen of the display. In addition, the open surface of the recessed portion 20 is covered by a cover that transmits infrared light.
[0046] A reflector 100 for reflecting a part of the irradiation light L of the LED is installed on the bottom surface 22 of the recess 20. The reflector 100 is, for example, a flat reflector (plane mirror). The reflector 100 is located on the lower side of the front surface of the LED, and reflects a part of the light irradiated downward from the LED upward to generate reflected light L1. The reflected light L1 irradiates the upper part of the display that the irradiation light of the LED does not fully reach due to the shortened detection distance, thereby suppressing the generation of an undetectable area. The size and position of the reflector 100 are appropriately adjusted so that the reflected light L1 fully irradiates the area that may become the undetectable area.
[0047] Figure 4 (B) shows an example in which the mounting position of the reflector 100 is further raised toward the optical axis O. An offset component 102 having a certain height is mounted on the bottom surface 22, and the reflector 100 is mounted thereon. However, the offset component 102 is not required, and the reflector 100 may also be set to a thickness including the thickness of the offset component 102. By bringing the reflector 100 closer to the optical axis O, the reflector 100 reflects strong light near the optical axis O, and the irradiation light L2 to the blind spot can be enhanced.
[0048] Figure 5 (A) is an example of irradiation with an LED without a reflector, and shows that irradiation to the upper part of the display 1 is insufficient only by direct light from the LED. Figure 5 (B) is as follows Figure 4 FIG. 1A shows an example of LED illumination when the reflector 100 is mounted, and shows that the reflected light L1 by the reflector 100 illuminates the upper part of the display 1 . Figure 5 (C) is as follows Figure 4 The irradiation example when the position of the reflector 100 is raised in the optical axis direction as shown in (B) shows that the reflected light L2 by the reflector 100 is irradiated to the front end portion of the user operation object 4 operating the upper part of the display 1. In this way, the reflector 100 improves the detection sensitivity of the area where the irradiation light is insufficient, while the detection sensitivity of the required detection range of the center or lower part of the display 1 is not deteriorated.
[0049] exist Figure 6 (A) shows an example of the light distribution characteristics of an LED. Generally speaking, the light distribution characteristics of an LED are strongest in the optical axis direction (0°) and become weaker as it moves away from the optical axis. The angle at which the irradiation intensity becomes half of the optical axis direction is called the half-value angle. In this embodiment, an LED with a half-value angle of 10° to 30° is used, and a relatively strong irradiation light within the half-value angle is reflected by a reflector 100.
[0050] Figure 6 (B) illustrates the relative positional relationship between the LED and the reflector 100 as viewed from the front. Width Wa is the width of the reflector 100, distance Ha is the distance from the optical axis O of the LED to the surface of the reflector 100, and irradiation light L3 is the irradiation light at the half-value angle of the LED. By adjusting the width Wa and the distance Ha, the reflector 100 reflects the strong irradiation light within the half-value angle of the LED, and directs the reflected light L3 toward an insufficiently irradiated area that may become a blind spot, thereby enhancing the irradiation. The distance Ha of the reflector 100 is as follows: Figure 4 (B) can be adjusted by using a biasing member 102.
[0051] Figure 7A schematic cross-sectional view of the light receiving part including the light receiving element of the present embodiment is shown. As shown in the figure, a recess 20 similar to that of the light emitting element is formed in the receiving part 2, a light receiving element PD is mounted on the side surface 24 via a circuit substrate, etc., and a reflector 110 is mounted on the bottom surface 22. The light receiving element PD receives the reflected light R reflected by the user's operating object 4 via the open surface (or the transparent cover) of the recess 20. In addition, the reflector 110 is located on the lower side of the front surface of the light receiving element PD, so that the light receiving element PD receives a wide range of light. For example, the reflected light R1 represents the light reflected by the reflector 110 to the light receiving element PD, and is the reflected light that would not be received by the light receiving element PD if there is no reflector 110. In addition, in order to make the description easier to understand, the optical axis O of the light receiving element PD is represented as horizontal, but it should be noted that in reality, the optical axis O is set to be inclined relative to the flat surface (display screen) of the display in the same manner as the optical axis of the LED.
[0052] exist Figure 8 (A) shows an example of the light receiving characteristics of the light receiving element PD. Generally speaking, the half-value angle of the light receiving characteristics of the light receiving element PD is larger than that of the LED, so there is no need to raise the position of the reflector 110. On the contrary, it is more effective to configure a reflector with a large reflection surface at a low position so as to receive a wide range of reflected light.
[0053] Figure 8 (B) illustrates the relative positional relationship between the light receiving element PD and the reflector 110 observed from the front direction. The width Wb is the width of the reflector 110, the distance Hb is the distance from the optical axis O of the light receiving element PD to the surface of the reflector 110, and the reflected light R2 is the reflected light at the half-value angle of the light receiving element PD. By adjusting the width Wb and the distance Hb, the reflector 110 receives strong reflected light within the half-value angle of the light receiving element PD, and can also effectively receive reflected light from areas that may become blind spots. If the bottom surface of the recess that accommodates the LED and the bottom surface of the recess that accommodates the light receiving element PD are at the same height, the distance Hb of the reflector 110 is greater than the distance Ha of the reflector 100. However, the configuration in which the bottom surfaces of the light emitting element and the light receiving element are made to be the same height is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.
[0054] In addition, due to the light distribution characteristics of LEDs, the detection sensitivity is high directly under the LEDs, and the detection sensitivity is low at the gaps between LEDs because the illumination intensity is weak. Fig. 9This situation is shown in (A). Near the optical axis of LED1, LED2, and LED3, the illumination is strong, and the detection sensitivity is good (○) until the detection distance Da, but the illumination is weak at the position between the LEDs. Although the detection sensitivity is good until the detection distance Db (Db<Da), the detection sensitivity becomes low (X) if the distance is exceeded. For example, when the user's operating object 4 is swiped along the arrow S, the detection may become unstable.
[0055] Such unevenness of light distribution characteristics is particularly significant in the lower part of the detection range (lower part of the display) where the distance from the LED is short. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to compensate for the unevenness of the detection distances Da and Db, the width Wa of the reflector 100 configured for the LED is narrowed so that the light directed downward passes from the left and right sides of the reflector 100. As a result, the amount of irradiated light for detection directly below the LED due to the reflector 100 is reduced, while on the other hand, the light passing from the left and right sides of the reflector 100 is increased. Fig. 9 The difference between the detection distance Da' (Da' is slightly shorter than Da: Da'<Da) shown in (B) and the detection distance Dc becomes smaller (the detection distances become equal), and the detection sensitivity of the gap between the LEDs is compensated.
[0056] Fig.10 (A) and (B) are diagrams for explaining the effect of the proximity detection device of this embodiment, corresponding to Figure 3 (A) and (B). Figure 3 As described in (A) of FIG. 1 , if the detection distance of LED1 to LED4 is shortened to prevent false detection, an undetectable area 6 is generated in the upper part of the display 1. Fig.10 As shown in (A), the upper part of the display 1 which may become the undetectable area 6 is illuminated by the reflector 100 carried by LED1~LED4, and the reflector 110 carried by the light receiving element PD receives a wide range of reflected light from the operation object, so that the undetectable area 6 can be eliminated.
[0057] In addition, as in Figure 3 As described in (B) of FIG. 1 , since the detection distance of LED1 and LED2 on the driver's seat side is shortened, an undetectable area 6 is generated in the upper part of the driver's seat side of the display 1. In this embodiment, Fig.10 As shown in (B), at least the upper part of the driver's seat side of the display 1 which may become the undetectable area 6 is illuminated by the reflector 100 carried by the LED 1, and a wide range of reflected light from the operation object is received by the reflector 110 carried by the light receiving element PD, so that the undetectable area 6 can be eliminated.
[0058] Generally, in order to eliminate the blind spot which is an undetectable area, an optical system and a processing IC are required for detecting it. However, in this embodiment, by using an inexpensive reflecting mirror, the same level of performance can be achieved simply and at low cost.
[0059] Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged at the lower part of the display 1, but the installation position of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit for proximity detection is restricted by the design requirements including the vehicle body, and is not limited to being arranged at the lower part of the display. Fig.11 As shown in (A), housing components 2 are installed on the left and right of the display 1, and a light emitting unit (LED and reflector) and a light receiving unit (light receiving element and reflector) are installed there.
[0060] In such a configuration, if the detection distance on the driver's seat side is to be shortened, Fig.11 As shown in (B), the detection distance of the LED on the driver's seat side (this example assumes that the car is left-handed) is reduced (the irradiation light is reduced), but in this example, since the irradiation light from the LED is irradiated in an oblique direction, the irradiation distance in the depth direction is shortened and the irradiation distance in the horizontal direction is also shortened. As a result, an undetectable area (blind spot) 6 is generated near the center of the display 1.
[0061] In this embodiment, the LED is also provided on the lower side of the front surface. Figure 4 As shown in (A) or (B), the reflector 100 is configured, and the center of the display 1 that may become the undetectable area is illuminated with the reflected light 7 of the reflector 100. As a result, the detection sensitivity near the center of the display 1 is improved, and the undetectable area can be eliminated. In this embodiment, the reflectors 100 and 110 are respectively applied to the LED and the light receiving element configured on the driver's seat side, and the reflector is not required to be installed on the LED and the light receiving element on the passenger seat side.
[0062] In the above embodiment, 4 LEDs and 1 light receiving element are arranged at the bottom of the display, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. That is, the number of LEDs and the number of light receiving elements are arbitrary, and the positions of the LEDs and light receiving elements are arbitrary. In addition, in the above embodiment, an example of installing the proximity detection device on the display is shown, but the proximity detection device of the present invention can also be installed on electronic devices other than the display. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example of installing the LED and the light receiving element in the recess of the receiving component is shown, but this is an example, and the installation method of the LED and the light receiving element is arbitrary. In addition, the shape of the recess is not limited to a rectangle in which the bottom surface, the side surface and the upper surface are orthogonal, and it can also be a shape in which these surfaces intersect at any angle, and it can also be a shape other than a rectangle. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a flat reflector (plane mirror) is illustrated as the reflector 100, 110, but if the same effect can be obtained by focusing or diffusing the irradiated light of the LED, it can also be a concave reflector or a convex reflector.
[0063] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention described in the claims.
Claims
1. A proximity detection device, using a light emitting element and a light receiving element for receiving reflected light formed when irradiated light from the light emitting element is reflected by an object, to detect the approach of an object, comprising: a first reflecting member installed near the light emitting element so as to reflect a part of the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting element toward a region where the irradiation light from the light emitting element does not fully reach; and The second reflecting member is installed near the light receiving element so as to receive reflected light from the light emitting element in a wide range. The proximity detection device further includes a receiving component for receiving the light emitting element and the light receiving element, wherein a first space for receiving the light emitting element and the first reflecting component and a second space different from the first space for receiving the light receiving element and the second reflecting component are formed in the receiving component. The light emitting element is mounted on a first surface of the first space, and the first reflecting member is mounted on a second surface that forms a certain angle with the first surface. The light receiving element is mounted on the third surface of the second space, and the second reflecting member is mounted on the fourth surface which forms a certain angle with the third surface. The first reflecting component is a reflecting mirror, The second reflecting component is a reflecting mirror, and the light receiving element receives the irradiated light from the light emitting element, which is reflected by the object and reflected toward the light receiving element by the reflecting mirror serving as the second reflecting component, and the reflected light would not be received by the light receiving element if there was no reflecting mirror serving as the second reflecting component.
2. The proximity detection device according to claim 1, The light emitting element is an LED, and the first reflecting member is mounted so as to reflect the irradiation light which is within a certain angle with respect to the optical axis of the light emitting element and is directed toward a part of the first reflecting member.
3. The proximity detection device according to claim 2, The certain angle relative to the optical axis of the light emitting element is a half-value angle.
4. The proximity detection device according to claim 3, The second reflecting member is mounted so as to receive a portion of reflected light that is within a certain angle with respect to the optical axis of the light receiving element and that is directed toward the second reflecting member.
5. The proximity detection device according to claim 4, The certain angle with respect to the optical axis of the light receiving element is a half-value angle.
6. The proximity detection device according to claim 1, The light emitting element and the light receiving element are integrally mounted on the periphery of an electronic device.
7. The proximity detection device according to claim 6, The electronic device is a vehicle-mounted display device.
8. The proximity detection device according to claim 7, A plurality of the light emitting elements are installed near the electronic device, and the optical axes of the plurality of light emitting elements are inclined relative to the electronic device. The detection distance of the electronic device by the light emitting element on the driver's seat side is shorter than the detection distance by the light emitting element on the passenger's seat side, and the first reflecting member is installed at least near the light emitting element on the driver's seat side.
9. The proximity detection device according to claim 8, The light emitting element and the light receiving element are mounted on a lower portion of an electronic device. The light emitting element irradiates upward of the electronic device, and the first reflecting member reflects a portion of the irradiated light of the light emitting element upward.
10. The proximity detection device according to claim 9, When a plurality of the light emitting elements are arranged in the left-right direction at the lower portion of the electronic device, a first reflecting member having a limited width is attached to the lower portion of at least one of the light emitting elements.
11. The proximity detection device according to claim 8, The light emitting element and the light receiving element are mounted on the left and right sides of the electronic device, respectively, and the first and second reflecting members are mounted near at least one of the light emitting element and the light receiving element on the left and right sides, respectively.
12. The proximity detection device according to claim 1, When the second surface and the fourth surface are at the same height and the optical axis of the light emitting element and the optical axis of the light receiving element are at the same height, the first reflecting member is mounted at a higher position than the second reflecting member.
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