Head-up display device

Abstract

The present invention provides a head-up display device capable of suppressing a light-focusing region from becoming high-temperature. The head-up display device (10; 10A) is provided with: a first projection means (20) that emits light such that a visual observer recognizes a real image; a second projection means (30) that emits light such that a visual observer recognizes a virtual image; a mirror unit (15) that reflects light emitted from the first projection mechanism (20) and the second projection mechanism (30) toward the screen unit (18); and a control unit (19) that switches between a first mode in which a real image is projected on the screen unit (18) and a second mode; and a second mode in which the visual observer recognizes that a virtual image is projected in front of the screen section (18). The mirror section (15) is provided so as to be swingable. In the second mode, the control unit (19) swings the mirror unit (15) and suppresses the generation of an area where the external light is condensed in the vicinity of the first projection mechanism (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a head-up display device. Background Art

[0002] The head-up display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can switch between a first mode in which the driver recognizes a real image projected onto a windshield serving as a screen portion and a second mode in which the driver recognizes a virtual image in front of the windshield.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-70074 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In a head-up display device such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, when projecting a real image, light projected from a backlight is sometimes condensed using a lens or the like and then emitted, and the emitted light is reflected by a reflector.

[0008] When the area where light is concentrated is used as the light-collecting area, when external light such as sunlight enters the vehicle cabin, the external light travels in a direction opposite to the path of the light used to project the real image. This concentration of external light energy in the light-collecting area causes the light-collecting area and the housing near the light-collecting area to heat up. To extend the life of the head-up display device, it is desirable to suppress the temperature of the light-collecting area.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a head-up display device capable of suppressing the temperature of a light-collecting region from increasing.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] A head-up display device according to a first aspect includes:

[0012] a first projection mechanism that projects light in such a manner that a visual observer recognizes a real image;

[0013] a second projection mechanism that projects light in such a manner that a visual observer recognizes a virtual image;

[0014] a reflector portion serving as a mirror capable of reflecting light emitted from the first projection mechanism and the second projection mechanism toward the screen portion;

[0015] a housing housing the first projection mechanism, the second projection mechanism, and the reflective mirror; and

[0016] a control unit that switches between a first mode in which a visual observer recognizes that a real image is projected on the screen unit and a second mode in which a visual observer recognizes that a virtual image is projected in front of the screen unit,

[0017] The reflector portion is configured to be able to swing.

[0018] When the area where external light is focused is set as the focusing area in the first mode, the control unit swings the reflective mirror unit in the second mode to suppress the generation of the area where external light is focused near the first projection mechanism.

[0019] In the head-up display device of the second aspect which can be subordinate to the first aspect,

[0020] The housing includes a wall portion surrounding a portion of the first projection mechanism,

[0021] The wall portion is formed to avoid the light-collecting area.

[0022] In a head-up display device of a third embodiment that can be classified into the first embodiment or the second embodiment,

[0023] A portion of the housing that contacts the light-collecting region is protected by a material having higher heat resistance than other portions.

[0024] Effects of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a head-up display device capable of suppressing the temperature of the light-collecting region from increasing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 This is a diagram schematically showing a head-up display device according to the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 2A is a diagram illustrating the first mode, Figure 2 2B is a diagram illustrating the second mode.

[0028] Figure 3 3A is a diagram illustrating the effect of the first mode. Figure 3 FIG3B is a diagram illustrating the operation of the second mode.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a diagram schematically showing a head-up display device according to a second embodiment.

[0030] Explanation of symbols

[0031] 10, 10A: head-up display device; 15: second reflector portion (reflector portion); 17, 17A: housing; 17w: wall portion; 18: screen portion; 19: control portion; 20: first projection mechanism; 30: second projection mechanism; CA: focusing area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, left and right refer to left and right based on the vehicle's occupants, and front and back refer to front and back based on the vehicle's traveling direction.

[0033] <Example 1>

[0034] Reference Figure 1 .exist Figure 1 1 shows a head-up display device 10. The head-up display device 10 is installed, for example, at the front of the vehicle interior VI and is used to transmit information to the driver Dr, who is a visual observer. The information transmitted to the driver Dr includes, for example, navigation information to the destination, vehicle speed, gear position, time of day, etc. Hereinafter, the driver Dr may also be referred to as the visual observer Dr.

[0035] The head-up display device 10 includes: a first projection mechanism 20 that emits light so that a visual observer Dr recognizes a real image; a first reflector portion 12 that reflects the light emitted from the first projection mechanism 20; a second projection mechanism 30 that emits light so that the visual observer Dr recognizes a virtual image; a half mirror portion 14 that reflects the light reflected by the first reflector portion 12 and transmits the light emitted from the second projection mechanism 30; a second reflector portion 15 (mirror portion 15) that further reflects the light reflected by the half mirror portion 14 or transmits the light transmitted by the half mirror portion 14; a second mirror support portion 16 (mirror support portion 16) that swingably supports the second mirror portion 15; a housing 17 that accommodates the first projection mechanism 20, the first reflector portion 12, the second projection mechanism 30, the half mirror portion 14, and the second reflector portion 15; and a screen portion 18 that is illuminated by the light reflected by the second reflector portion 15 and projects a real image.

[0036] The head-up display device 10 further includes a control unit 19. The control unit 19 can switch between a first mode in which the viewer Dr perceives a real image projected on the screen unit 18 and a second mode in which the viewer Dr perceives a virtual image projected in front of the screen unit 18.

[0037] The first projection mechanism 20 includes, for example, a first light source 21 composed of a light emitting diode and a first display unit 22 composed of a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) that transmits light emitted from the first light source 21 .

[0038] Reference Figure 2 The first projection mechanism 20 is arranged at a position farther than the focal distance F1 from the screen unit 18 . That is, the length of the optical path from the screen unit 18 to the first projection mechanism 20 is longer than the focal distance F1 from the screen unit 18 .

[0039] Reference Figure 1 The on / off of the first light source 21 and the image displayed on the first display unit 22 are controlled by the control unit 19 .

[0040] The first reflector 12 is, for example, a total reflection mirror fixed inside the housing 17. The reflective surface of the first reflector 12 may be a flat surface or a convex or concave surface. Light emitted from the first projection mechanism 20 is reflected by the first reflector 12 toward the half mirror 14.

[0041] The second projection mechanism 30 includes, for example, a second light source 31 composed of a light emitting diode and a second display unit 32 composed of a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) that transmits light emitted from the second light source 31 .

[0042] The second display unit 32 is arranged obliquely relative to the optical axis of the light emitted from the second light source 31. By being arranged obliquely, the virtual image can be formed on an imaging surface that is inclined relative to the road surface. In addition, similar to the first display unit 22, the second display unit 32 can also be arranged perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0043] Reference Figure 2 The second projection mechanism 30 is arranged at a position closer than the focal distance F2 from the screen unit 18. That is, the length of the optical path from the screen unit 18 to the second projection mechanism 30 is shorter than the focal distance F2 from the screen unit 18.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 The turning on / off of the second light source 31 and the image displayed on the second display unit 32 are controlled by the control unit 19 .

[0045] The half mirror section 14 is formed of a half mirror. A portion of the light reflected from the first reflector section 12 is reflected from the front of the half mirror section 14 toward the second reflector section 15. Furthermore, a portion of the light emitted from the second projection mechanism 30 is transmitted through the half mirror section 14 from the rear thereof and reaches the second reflector section 15.

[0046] The second reflector unit 15 is formed, for example, of a total reflection mirror. The reflective surface of the second reflector unit 15 may be a flat surface or a convex or concave curved surface. Light emitted from the first projection mechanism 20 and reflected by the half mirror unit 14, and light emitted from the second projection mechanism 30 and transmitted through the half mirror unit 14, are reflected by the second reflector unit 15 toward the screen unit 18.

[0047] The second mirror support 16 includes a motor (not shown). The motor operates to swing the second mirror support 16 and the second mirror unit 15 supported by the second mirror support 16 also swings. The direction in which the second mirror support 16 points is controlled by the control unit 19.

[0048] The housing 17 can be made of any material such as metal or resin. In addition, the housing 17 can be made of a combination of multiple parts or a single piece such as a molded product.

[0049] A wall portion 17w is formed in the housing 17 to partition the interior. The first projection mechanism 20 is surrounded by the wall portion 17w.

[0050] The screen portion 18 can be constituted by, for example, a windshield that partitions the front portion of the vehicle compartment VI.

[0051] The control unit 19 can be provided inside or outside the housing 17. The control unit 19 can supply power to the light sources 21 and 31, the display units 22 and 32, and the second reflector support unit 16. The control unit 19 controls the turning on and off of the light sources 21 and 31, the images displayed on the display units 22 and 32, and the angle of the second reflector support unit 16.

[0052] Reference Figure 2 2A. Figure 2 FIG2A shows the head-up display device 10 in the first mode. In the first mode, the control unit 19 illuminates the first light source 21, displays a predetermined image on the first display unit 22, and keeps the second reflector support 16 stationary in the first mode position. Consequently, the second reflector unit 15 also points in the predetermined direction. The control unit 19 de-energizes the second light source 31 and the second display unit 32.

[0053] Light emitted from the first light source 21 passes through the first display unit 22 and is reflected by the first mirror 12 toward the half mirror 14. Light reflected by the surface of the half mirror 14 toward the second mirror 15 is reflected from the second mirror 15 toward the screen 18.

[0054] The image projected on the screen unit 18 is switched by switching the image displayed on the first display unit 22. The viewer Dr can obtain information by visually observing the real image projected on the screen unit 18.

[0055] Reference Figure 1. In the first mode, the light passing through the first display portion 22 is focused to one point and then diffused, and is reflected by the first reflector portion 12. On the other hand, sometimes external light such as sunlight enters the vehicle compartment VI from outside the vehicle. The external light entering the interior of the outer shell 17 is reflected by the second reflector portion 15, the semi-transparent and semi-reflective mirror portion 14, and the first reflector portion 12. The external light reflected in the first reflector portion 12 is focused to one point and diffused. The focused area can be referred to as a focusing area CA that focuses external light in the first mode. The wall portion 17w is formed to avoid the focusing area CA. The focusing area CA is roughly the same as the area that focuses the light emitted from the first light source 21.

[0056] When changing from the first mode to the second mode, the control unit 19 rotates the second mirror support 16 to terminate power supply to the first light source 21 and the first display unit 22. The control unit 19 also powers the second light source 31 and the second display unit 32.

[0057] Reference Figure 2 2B. Figure 2 FIG2B shows the head-up display device 10 in the second mode. In the second mode, the control unit 19 illuminates the second light source 31, displays a predetermined image on the second display unit 32, and keeps the second reflector support 16 stationary in the second mode position. Consequently, the second reflector unit 15 also points in the predetermined direction. The control unit 19 de-energizes the first light source 21 and the first display unit 22.

[0058] Light emitted from the second light source 31 passes through the second display portion 32 and reaches the half mirror portion 14. Light passing through the half mirror portion 14 from the back surface thereof is reflected from the second reflecting mirror portion 15 toward the screen portion 18.

[0059] The viewer Dr recognizes that an image is projected in front of the screen unit 18. The virtual image recognized by the viewer Dr is switched by switching the image displayed on the second display unit 32. The viewer Dr can obtain information by visually observing the virtual image.

[0060] When changing from the second mode to the first mode, the control unit 19 rotates the second mirror support 16 to terminate power supply to the second light source 31 and the second display unit 32. The control unit 19 also powers the first light source 21 and the first display unit 22.

[0061] The head-up display device 10 described above is summarized.

[0062] Reference Figure 3The head-up display device 10 includes: a first projection mechanism 20 that emits light in a manner such that the visual observer Dr recognizes a real image (see 2A); a second projection mechanism 30 that emits light in a manner such that the visual observer Dr recognizes a virtual image (see 2B); a second reflector portion 15 (reflector portion 15) that acts as a mirror and can reflect the light emitted from the first projection mechanism 20 and the second projection mechanism 30 toward the screen portion 18; a housing 17 that accommodates the first projection mechanism 20, the second projection mechanism 30, and the second reflector portion 15; and a control portion 19 that switches the first mode (see Figure 3 3A) and the second mode (refer to Figure 3 3B), in the first mode, the visual observer Dr recognizes that a real image is projected on the screen portion 18; in the second mode, the visual observer Dr recognizes that a virtual image is projected in front of the screen portion 18.

[0063] Especially refer to Figure 3 3B. The control unit 19 swings the second reflective mirror unit 15 in the second mode to suppress the generation of a region where external light is focused near the first projection mechanism 20 .

[0064] By suppressing the generation of a region where external light is focused near the first projection mechanism 20 , it is possible to provide the head-up display device 10 that can suppress the housing 17 from becoming hot near the focused region CA.

[0065] Preferably, the housing 17 includes a wall portion 17w that surrounds a portion of the first projection mechanism 20. The wall portion 17w is formed to avoid the light-collecting area CA, which is the area where external light is collected in the first mode. This prevents heat from accumulating in the housing 17 near the light-collecting area CA, and also prevents the housing 17 from becoming hot near the light-collecting area CA in the first mode.

[0066] <Example 2>

[0067] Next, Example 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0068] Reference Figure 4 .exist Figure 4 The head-up display device 10A of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. Figure 1 denoted accordingly. In the head-up display device 10A of Example 2, a heat-resistant member 41 is provided in a portion of the housing 17A adjacent to the light-collecting area CA. The rest of the basic structure is the same as that of the head-up display device 10 of Example 1. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in Example 1, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0069] The heat-resistant member 41 is bonded to the general portion of the housing 17A. Alternatively, the heat-resistant member 41 may be integrally provided on the general portion of the housing 17A by two-color molding or the like.

[0070] Heat-resistant member 41 is formed, for example, from a material having a higher heat resistance than the material forming the other parts of outer shell 17A. Heat resistance generally correlates with melting temperature. Therefore, the material of heat-resistant member 41 can be selected to have a higher melting temperature than the material of outer shell 17A.

[0071] Specifically, the general portion of the housing 17A can be made of ABS resin, and the heat-resistant member 41 can be made of polycarbonate resin, or the general portion can be made of polypropylene resin, or the heat-resistant member 41 can be made of epoxy resin, or the general portion can be made of polycarbonate resin, and the heat-resistant member 41 can be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, magnesium alloy, polyamide-imide, or the like can be used for the heat-resistant member 41.

[0072] The head-up display device 10A described above also realizes the head-up display device 10 described in the first embodiment (see Figure 1 ) to achieve the prescribed effect.

[0073] In addition, the portion of the housing 17 that contacts the light-concentrating area CA is preferably protected by a material having higher heat resistance (heat-resistant member 41) than other portions. This can prevent heat from accumulating in the light-concentrating area CA and prevent the light-concentrating area CA from becoming hot even in the first mode.

[0074] In addition, each embodiment can also be combined appropriately. Figure 1 In the head-up display device 10, it is also possible to attach a cover to the portion below the light-collecting area CA of the housing 17. Figure 4 The heat-resistant member 41 shown. In addition, the portion below the light-concentrating area CA of the housing 17 may be formed into a concave shape so as to be away from the light-concentrating area CA. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments as long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved.

[0075] Industrial applicability

[0076] The head-up display device of the present invention is suitable for being mounted on a passenger vehicle.

Claims

1. A head-up display device, characterized in that: have: a first projection mechanism that projects light in such a manner that a visual observer recognizes a real image; a second projection mechanism that projects light in such a manner that a visual observer recognizes a virtual image; a reflector portion serving as a mirror capable of reflecting light emitted from the first projection mechanism and the second projection mechanism toward the screen portion; a housing housing the first projection mechanism, the second projection mechanism, and the reflective mirror; and a control unit that switches between a first mode in which a visual observer recognizes that a real image is projected on the screen unit and a second mode in which a visual observer recognizes that a virtual image is projected in front of the screen unit, The reflector portion is configured to be able to swing. When the area where external light is focused is set as the focusing area in the first mode, the control unit swings the reflective mirror unit in the second mode to suppress the generation of the area where external light is focused near the first projection mechanism.

2. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein: The housing includes a wall portion surrounding a portion of the first projection mechanism, The wall portion is formed to avoid the light-collecting area.

3. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein: A portion of the housing that contacts the light-collecting region is protected by a material having higher heat resistance than other portions.

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