Image projection system for vehicle interior

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle interior image projection system capable of expanding the width of the expression of an image projected from a projector. Provided is a vehicle interior image projection system (100) that is an image projection system for the interior of a vehicle, having a projector (1) that projects an image toward a projection target (2), the projector (1) being disposed so that the optical axis is inclined with respect to the surface of the projection target (2), and the projection region of the image on the projection target (2) based on the projector (1) is elliptical.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an image projection system for vehicle interiors. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, a lighting device is known that includes: a light guide that guides light emitted from a light source to an illumination surface inside a vehicle interior; and a pattern panel that has a predetermined pattern formed thereon, wherein light from the light guide passes through the pattern panel and projects onto the illumination surface the pattern (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-40194 Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, the lighting device described in Patent Document 1 simply projects the pattern of the pattern panel onto the irradiated surface, which has the disadvantage that the appearance of the projected image can easily become monotonous.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an image projection system for vehicle interiors that can expand the width of the representation of images projected from a projector.

[0006] In order to achieve the above objectives, one aspect of the present invention provides an image projection system for vehicle interiors as described below [1] to [5].

[0007] [1] An image projection system for vehicle interior, wherein,

[0008] The image projection system for vehicle interiors includes a projector that projects an image onto a projection object. The projector is configured such that its optical axis is tilted relative to the surface of the projection object, and the projection area of ​​the image on the projection object based on the projector is elliptical.

[0009] [2] Based on the image projection system for vehicle interior described in [1] above, wherein,

[0010] The angle between the optical axis of the projector and the surface of the projected object is greater than or equal to 5° and less than or equal to 80°.

[0011] [3] Based on the image projection system for vehicle interiors described in [1] above, wherein,

[0012] The image magnification of the projector at a projection distance of 400mm is greater than or equal to 50 times and less than or equal to 100 times.

[0013] [4] Based on any of the above-described [1] to [3] image projection systems for vehicle interiors, wherein,

[0014] The projector is located inside the car door, and the projection target is the door trim piece installed on the car door.

[0015] [5] Based on any of the above-described [1] to [3] image projection systems for vehicle interiors, wherein,

[0016] The projector is installed inside the dashboard or console, and the projection target is the vehicle floor.

[0017] The effects of the invention

[0018] According to the present invention, an image projection system for vehicle interiors is provided that can expand the width of the representation of images projected from a projector. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an image projection system for vehicle interiors according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle interior showing an example of the placement of a projector in a vehicle interior image projection system and an example of the location of its corresponding projection area.

[0021] Figure 3 (a) is a side view of a portion of the car door with the projector installed inside. Figure 3 (b) is therefore Figure 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the car door after being cut along section line AA.

[0022] Figure 4 (a) and (b) are oblique views of the projector involved in the embodiments of the present invention, viewed from different angles.

[0023] Figure 5 (a) is a side view of the projector according to the embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the light extraction side. Figure 5 (b) is therefore Figure 5 (a) shows a cross-sectional view of the projector after being cut by the cutting line BB.

[0024] Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of the projector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a vertical cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the pattern plate according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] [Implementation Method]

[0027] (Structure of an image projection system for vehicle interior)

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle interior image projection system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle interior image projection system 100 includes a projector 1 that projects an image onto a projection object 2. Regarding the vehicle interior image projection system 100, the projector 1 is configured such that its optical axis L is tilted relative to the surface of the projection object 2, and the projection area R of the image on the projection object 2 obtained by the projector 1 is elliptical.

[0029] Regarding the projector 1, light is emitted from the circular projection lens 221, which will be described later. Therefore, when the projector 1 is set to have its optical axis L orthogonal to the surface of the object being projected 2, the projection area R is approximately circular. Regarding the image projection system 100 for vehicle interiors, as described above, the projector 1 is set to have its optical axis L tilted relative to the surface of the object being projected 2, therefore the projection area R is elliptical.

[0030] Furthermore, the projection area R is the region encompassing the entire projected image, including both the bright and dark portions of the image represented by the pattern on the pattern plate 20 (described later), the portion illuminated by light transmitted through the light-transmitting portion of the pattern plate 20, and the portion not illuminated by light blocked by the light-shielding portion of the pattern plate 20. In other words, the projection area R is elliptical, independent of the content of the image represented by the pattern on the pattern plate 20.

[0031] Regarding the image projection system 100 for vehicle interiors, the projector 1 uses a projection lens 221 to magnify and project the pattern of the pattern panel 20. The projector 1 is configured such that its optical axis L is tilted relative to the surface of the projection object 2. Therefore, the path difference from the projector 1 to the portion of the projection area R closest to and furthest from the projector 1 is increased. Thus, for example, even if the entire pattern of the pattern panel 20 is identical, the brightness difference between the portion of the projection area R closest to and furthest from the projector 1 is increased, enabling a gradient representation of brightness within the projection area R. Utilizing this effect, the image projection system 100 for vehicle interiors not only allows for simple projection of the pattern of the pattern panel 20 but also enables rich representations of projected images, such as gradient representations of the pattern gradually disappearing or gradually increasing in size.

[0032] To increase the path difference of light in the projection area R and thus improve visual confirmability based on brightness difference, it is preferable that the angle θ between the optical axis L of the projector 1 and the surface of the projection object 2 is less than or equal to 80°, more preferably less than or equal to 50°, and even more preferably less than or equal to 20°. Furthermore, to suppress pattern distortion of the projected image, it is preferable that the angle θ is greater than or equal to 5°.

[0033] Furthermore, to increase the light path difference in the projection area R and improve visual confirmation based on brightness difference, it is preferable that the image magnification of the projector 1 at a projection distance of 400mm is greater than or equal to 50 times. Additionally, to suppress the projected image from leaking out of the projection object 2 in the vehicle interior image projection system 100 setup described later, it is preferable that the image magnification is less than or equal to 100 times. Here, the image magnification of the projector 1 at a projection distance of 400mm refers to the ratio of the size of the image projected onto the screen to the size of the pattern on the pattern board 20 when the screen is placed perpendicular to the optical axis L at a distance of 400mm from the projection lens 221.

[0034] In addition, the projection distance, that is, the distance from the center of the projection lens 221 of the projector 1 to the center of the projection area R, is set to a range that will not cause the pattern of the projected pattern board 20 to be blurred, for example, a range greater than or equal to 100mm and less than or equal to 800mm.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle interior showing examples of the installation positions of the projector 1 of the image projection system 100 for vehicle interior, P1 to P6, and examples of the positions of the corresponding projection areas R, R1 to R6.

[0036] For example, as by Figure 2 As shown at position P1, the projector 1 is located inside the door 50, for example, inside the pocket-shaped part of the armrest, or inside the convex part at the front of the door (or near the connection with the dashboard 51 if it is the driver's side or passenger side door). Furthermore, for example, as by... Figure 2 As shown in position R1, the projected object 2 in this case is a door trim piece, and the projection area R is set on the surface of the trim panel on the upper part of the door, etc. Furthermore, in Figure 2 In this context, door 50 refers to the door on the driver's side, but it can also be the door on the passenger side or the door on the rear seat side. Thus, when door 50 is set as the object of projection 1 and the object of projection 2, it is preferable that the angle θ between the optical axis L of projector 1 and the surface of object 2 is greater than or equal to 10° and less than or equal to 20°.

[0037] Additionally, for example, as by Figure 2 As shown in position P2, the projector 1 is disposed inside the portion of the dashboard 51 near the center, for example, inside the portion above the console 52. Furthermore, for example, as by... Figure 2 As shown in position R2, in this case, the projection object 2 is the upper part of the console 52, and the projection area R is set on the surface of the upper panel of the console, etc.

[0038] Additionally, for example, as by Figure 2As shown at position P3, the projector 1 is installed inside the dashboard 51, for example, on the back side, side, or side of the air conditioning vent of the vehicle navigation system panel. Furthermore, for example, as by... Figure 2 As shown in position R3, in this case, the projection object 2 is the dashboard 51, and the projection area R is set on the surface of the trim panel in front of the passenger seat, etc.

[0039] Additionally, for example, as by Figure 2 As shown at position P4, the projector 1 is disposed inside the bathtub-shaped part 53 on the upper surface of the dashboard below the windshield, for example, inside the protrusion around the vehicle navigation system. Furthermore, for example, as by... Figure 2 As shown in position R4, the projection object 2 in this case is a bathtub-shaped piece 53, and the projection area R is set on the surface of its relatively flat part, etc.

[0040] Additionally, for example, as by Figure 2 As shown on position P5, the projector 1 is located inside the lower part of the dashboard 51, for example, inside the part in front of the driver's seat or the front passenger seat. Furthermore, for example, as by... Figure 2 As shown at position R5, in this case, the projection object 2 is the floor 54 under the feet of the driver and passenger, and the projection area R is set on the surface of the floor mat, etc. When the floor 54 under the feet of the driver and passenger is set as the projection object 2, it is preferable that the angle θ between the optical axis L of the projector 1 and the surface of the projection object 2 is greater than or equal to 40° and less than or equal to 50°. Furthermore, when the projector 1 is set on the lower side of the dashboard 51, the projection object 2 can be set on the side of the console 52 and the projection area R can be set on the surface of the console 52. In addition, when the floor 54 under the feet of the driver and passenger is set as the projection object 2, the projector 1 can be set inside the side of the console 52.

[0041] Additionally, for example, as by Figure 2 As shown on position P6, the projector 1 is located inside the rear portion of the console 52, for example, inside the rear panel of the console. Furthermore, for example, as by... Figure 2 As shown at position R6, in this case, the projection object 2 is the floor 55 under the feet of the person in the rear seat, and the projection area R is set on the upper surface of the protruding part behind the console 52, the surface of the floor mat, etc. When the floor 55 under the feet of the person in the rear seat is set as the projection object 2, it is preferable that the angle θ between the optical axis L of the projector 1 and the surface of the projection object 2 is greater than or equal to 40° and less than or equal to 50°. Furthermore, when the projector 1 is set inside the rear part of the console 52, the projection object 2 can be set as the ceiling 56 and the projection area R can be set on the surface of the ceiling 56.

[0042] In addition, the following methods can also be implemented: placing the projector 1 inside the pocket-shaped part on the lower side of the door and placing the projection area R on the inner surface of the pocket-shaped part at the lower part of the door (the door can be any of the driver's side door, passenger side door, or rear seat side door); placing the projector 1 inside the dashboard 51 and placing the projection area R on the surface of the A pillar; placing the projector 1 in front of the console box and placing the projection area R on the surface of the center tray; placing the projector 1 inside the A pillar or B pillar and placing the projection area R on the front part of the headliner; placing the projector 1 inside the B pillar or C pillar and placing the projection area R on the rear part of the headliner; and placing the projector 1 inside the B pillar and placing the projection area R on the surface of the upper trim panel of the rear seat door.

[0043] Figure 3 (a) is a side view of a portion of the door 50 with the projector 1 installed inside. Figure 3 (b) is therefore Figure 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the door 50 after being cut along section line AA.

[0044] exist Figure 3 In the examples shown in (a) and (b), the projector 1 is disposed inside the convex portion 501 of the trim panel near the connection between the door 50 and the dashboard 51. Furthermore, the projection area R is disposed in a relatively flat area 503 of the trim panel below the inner door handle 504. Light emitted from the projector 1 is directed into area 503 through the opening 502 provided in the convex portion 501. Figure 3 In the examples shown in (a) and (b), the angle θ between the optical axis L of the projector 1 and the surface of the region 503, which is the projection object 2, is about 10°.

[0045] (Structure of a projector)

[0046] Hereinafter, an example of the structure of the projector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0047] Figure 4 (a) and (b) are oblique views of the projector 1 involved in the embodiments of the present invention, viewed from different angles. Figure 5 (a) is a side view of the projector 1 as seen from the light extraction side. Figure 5 (b) is therefore Figure 5 (a) shows a cross-sectional view of the projector 1 after being cut by the cutting line BB. Figure 6 This is an exploded oblique view of projector 1.

[0048] The projector 1 includes: a light source 11 for emitting light; a pattern plate 20 having a pattern for projection; a first lens component 21 including a condenser lens 211 that focuses light emitted from the light source 11 and directs it toward the pattern plate 20; and a second lens component 22 including a projection lens 221 for projecting the pattern onto the pattern plate 20. The first lens component 21 and the second lens component 22 are fitted and fixed into the pattern plate 20 in a sealed manner within the first lens component 21 and the second lens component 22.

[0049] The light source 11 is a light-emitting element with an LED chip or the like. The light source 11 is mounted on the circuit board 10, and the connector 12, which is used to transmit power and signals to the light source 11, is connected to the circuit board 10.

[0050] The circuit board 10, on which the light source 11 is mounted, the first lens component 21, the second lens component 22, and the pattern plate 20 are housed in a housing 30 composed of components 30a, 30b, and 30c. The housing 30 has an opening 301 for extracting light from the projection lens 221, and an opening 302 for connecting a connector for an external device to the connector 12. The housing 30 is made of resins such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene (PP), and ABS.

[0051] The protrusions 305 on both sides of component 30b are engaged with the holes 304 in component 30a to fix components 30a and 30b. Similarly, the protrusions 307 on both sides of component 30c are engaged with the holes 306 in component 30a to fix components 30a and 30c. The circuit board 10 is held and fixed by components 30a and 30c.

[0052] The first lens component 21 includes: a condenser lens 211; a frame portion 212 having a box-shaped (e.g., cuboid) shape with one open surface; and a fixing portion 215 for fixing the first lens component 21 to the second lens component 22 and the component 30b of the housing 30. The condenser lens 211 is located in the surface of the frame portion 212 opposite to the open surface. The first lens component 21 is made of resins such as polycarbonate (PC) resin and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin.

[0053] The second lens component 22 includes: a projection lens 221; a frame portion 222 having a box-shaped (e.g., cuboid) shape with one open surface; and a fixing portion 225 for fixing the second lens component 22 to the first lens component 21 and the component 30b of the housing 30. The projection lens 221 is located in the surface of the frame portion 222 opposite to the open surface. The second lens component 22 is made of resin such as polycarbonate resin or polymethyl methacrylate resin.

[0054] In the projector 1, regarding the first lens component 21 and the second lens component 22, the opening surfaces of the frame portion 212 and the frame portion 222 face each other, and the edges of the opening surfaces of the frame portion 212 (end faces 213) and the opening surfaces of the frame portion 222 (end faces 223) are fixed in a state of tight contact throughout the entire circumference. Thus, the space of the pattern plate 20, including the inner sides of the first lens component 21 and the second lens component 22, is sealed. Furthermore, to improve the tightness, it is preferable to perform a grinding process on the end faces 213 and 223.

[0055] If the first lens component 21 and the second lens component 22 are made to fit tightly together, the portions 214 extending inward from the four corners of the inner space of the frame portion 212 and the portions extending inward from the four corners of the inner space of the frame portion 222 clamp and fix the four corners of the pattern plate 20 from the front and back.

[0056] The first lens component 21, the second lens component 22, and the pattern plate 20 are, for example, assembled into component 30b of housing 30 and fixed in a close-fitting state. Specifically, if the second lens component 22, the pattern plate 20, and the first lens component 21 are assembled into component 30b, the protrusion 226 of the fixing portion 225 of the second lens component 22 is inserted into the hole 216 provided in the fixing portion 215 of the first lens component 21. In addition, if the fixing portion 215 is inserted into component 30b, the protrusions 217 provided on both sides of the fixing portion 215 are engaged with the holes 303 provided in component 30b.

[0057] In the projector 1, the first lens component 21, the second lens component 22, and the pattern plate 20 are fixed in a close-fitting state, thus achieving high relative positioning accuracy between the condenser lens 211 included in the first lens component 21, the projection lens 221 included in the second lens component 22, and the pattern plate 20. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the projection image from becoming blurry due to relative misalignment of the condenser lens 211, the projection lens 221, and the pattern plate 20.

[0058] Furthermore, the internal spaces of the first lens component 21 and the second lens component 22 are sealed, thus preventing foreign objects such as dust from entering the area around the pattern plate 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign objects from being projected onto the image.

[0059] Figure 7 This is a vertical cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the pattern plate 20. The pattern plate 20 includes: a transparent substrate 201 that allows light from the light source 11 to pass through; and an opaque film 202 that prevents light from the light source 11 from passing through. The opaque film 202 has a predetermined opening pattern that forms the pattern of the pattern plate 20, and has a light-transmitting portion 203 as the opening and a light-blocking portion 204 as the unopened portion.

[0060] The projected image of the projector 1 consists of a region with higher brightness having a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the light-transmitting part 203, and a region with lower brightness having a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the light-blocking part 204.

[0061] In order to form a fine opening pattern on the opaque film 202 and to make the pattern on the pattern plate 20 fine, it is preferable to form the pattern on the opaque film 202 by metal etching. The opaque film 202 is formed on a transparent substrate 201 made of glass and is made of metal. By vapor deposition, a very thin (about 100 nm) opaque film 202 can be obtained, and the pattern can be formed with high precision by etching.

[0062] In this case, the opaque film 202 is, for example, a laminated film of an opaque film 202a made of CrO and an opaque film 202b made of Cr. Furthermore, for example, the thicknesses of the opaque film 202, opaque film 202a, and opaque film 202b are 1.1 mm, 8 nm, and 62 nm, respectively, and the planar dimensions of the patterned plate 20 are 8 mm × 8 mm.

[0063] When a pattern is formed on an opaque metal film 202 deposited on a transparent substrate 201 made of glass, the minimum width of the patterned opaque film 202 (the minimum width of the light-blocking portion 204 on which the light-transmitting portion 203 is formed on both sides) can be set to be greater than or equal to 1 μm and less than 10 μm, or more precisely, greater than or equal to 1 μm and less than or equal to 5 μm.

[0064] Furthermore, if the pattern on the pattern plate 20 contains a portion that is finer than the resolution of the projection lens 221, this fine portion will not be imaged in the projected image where the focus is already aligned. Specifically, in the projected image, the boundary between the brighter area formed by the light-transmitting portion 203 and the lower-brightness area formed by the light-blocking portion 204 cannot be visually confirmed, and the brighter and lower-brightness areas are mixed together. Areas with a brightness between the aforementioned brightness levels (brightness lower than the brightness of the imaged brighter area but higher than the brightness of the imaged lower-brightness area) can be visually confirmed.

[0065] That is, by utilizing the fine details in the unresolved projection image contained in the pattern of the pattern plate 20, the brightness between the portion formed by the light-transmitting portion 203 and the portion formed by the light-blocking portion 204 can be represented in the projection image.

[0066] Furthermore, the structure of the pattern plate 20 is not limited to Figure 7The structure shown is as follows. For example, the plate can be used as a pattern plate 20, which has a light-transmitting portion made of a transparent resin that allows light from the light source 11 to pass through and is formed as a plane on one side, and a light-shielding portion formed by an inclined surface that is inclined relative to the plane. Regarding the light-shielding portion of the pattern plate 20, light is blocked by total internal reflection of light on the inclined surface.

[0067] (Effects of the implementation method)

[0068] In the vehicle interior image projection system 100 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the projector 1 magnifies and projects the pattern of the pattern plate 20 using the projection lens 221. Furthermore, the projector 1 is positioned such that the optical axis L is tilted relative to the surface of the projection object 2. Therefore, the path difference from the projector 1 to the portion of the projection area R near the projector 1 and the portion of the projection area R far from the projector 1 increases, and the width of the representation related to the brightness of the projected image expands. Thus, not only can the pattern of the pattern plate 20 be easily projected, but a rich representation of the projected image can also be achieved.

[0069] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the structural elements of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0070] Furthermore, the above embodiments do not limit the invention as described in the claims. Additionally, it should be noted that not all features described in the embodiments are essential to the methods used to solve the problems of the invention.

[0071] Explanation of the label

[0072] 1 Projector

[0073] 2 Projection Objects

[0074] 50 doors

[0075] 51 Dashboard

[0076] 52 console

[0077] 100 Image projection system for vehicle interiors

[0078] 221 projection lens

Claims

1. An image projection system for vehicle interiors, wherein, The image projection system for vehicle interiors includes a projector that projects images onto a projection object. The projector is configured such that its optical axis is tilted relative to the surface of the object being projected. The projection area of ​​the image on the projected object obtained by the projector is elliptical. The projector includes: a light source; and a pattern board having a pattern for projection. And a projection lens, which is used to project the pattern onto the pattern plate. The pattern plate has an opening pattern comprising a light-transmitting portion and a light-blocking portion, and includes fine details exceeding the resolution of the projection lens. The brightness gradient is represented in the projection area by utilizing the path difference caused by the tilt of the optical axis relative to the projection object and the fine details contained in the pattern that are not resolved in the focused projection image. By utilizing the fine details that are not resolved in the focused projection image, the brightness of the portion formed by the light-transmitting portion and the brightness of the portion formed by the light-blocking portion are represented in the projection image.

2. The image projection system for vehicle interiors according to claim 1, wherein, The angle between the optical axis of the projector and the surface of the projected object is greater than or equal to 5° and less than or equal to 80°.

3. The image projection system for vehicle interiors according to claim 1, wherein, The image magnification of the projector at a projection distance of 400mm is greater than or equal to 50 times and less than or equal to 100 times.

4. The image projection system for vehicle interiors according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The projector is installed inside the car door. The projected object is the door trim piece installed on the car door.

5. The image projection system for vehicle interiors according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The projector is installed inside the dashboard or console. The projected object is the vehicle's floor.

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