Vehicle display device

Abstract

A vehicle display device (10) includes: a housing (11) including a wall portion provided with an opening portion (15) through which display light (L) of an image passes toward the outside; and an image display device (20) housed in the housing (11) and outputting display light (L) of an image. Further, the vehicle display device (10) includes a mirror (50) housed in the housing (11) and reflecting display light (L) of the image toward a reflector (WS) disposed in front of a vehicle occupant (D). At an edge portion (69) of an upper portion of the mirror (50), a frame portion (70) extending along the edge portion (69) and covering the edge portion (69) is arranged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to vehicle display devices. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology relating to a vehicle display device installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, also known as a head-up display device. The vehicle display device includes: a display (image display device) that generates and outputs display light; a reflector that reflects the display light emitted from the display towards a projection object (a reflector arranged in front of the occupant); and a housing that houses the display and the reflector. The vehicle display device is configured to allow the driver to visually recognize the displayed image as a virtual image by projecting the image displayed on the display onto the projection target (reflector) via the reflector or the like.

[0003] Citation List

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-140693. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Incidentally, in the aforementioned vehicle display device, at least one reflector (second reflector) is positioned within the housing to face the windshield that forms the projection target (reflector). Therefore, when external light, including sunlight, enters the housing of the vehicle display device through the wind section (opening), the external light illuminates the upper part of the reflector, and the light is reflected at the edge of the upper part of the reflector. Consequently, the reflected light may be displayed as an unpleasant virtual image on the vehicle's windshield.

[0007] This invention was made in view of the problems of the prior art. Furthermore, an object of this invention is to provide a vehicle display device that can suppress the display of unpleasant virtual images by avoiding light reflection from the upper edge of a reflector.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle display device includes: a housing comprising a wall portion having an opening through which display light of an image passes toward the outside; an image display device housed in the housing, which outputs display light of an image; and a reflector housed in the housing, which reflects the display light of the image toward a reflector disposed in front of an occupant. At the upper edge portion of the reflector, a frame portion extending along the edge portion and covering the edge portion is disposed.

[0009] According to the present invention, a vehicle display device can be provided that can suppress the display of uncomfortable virtual images by avoiding light reflection from the upper edge portion of the reflector. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a vehicle on which a vehicle display device according to this embodiment is mounted.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic configuration view showing an example of a vehicle display device according to this embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a concave mirror viewed from the front side.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the concave mirror viewed from below.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a concave mirror viewed from the back side.

[0015] Figure 6 This is the front view of a concave mirror.

[0016] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 The cross-sectional view taken from line AA in the diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The vehicle display device according to this embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the scale of the drawings is exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual scale.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle display device 10 according to this embodiment is a so-called head-up display device installed on a vehicle 100 such as an automobile. The vehicle display device 10 is arranged together with the instrument panel 103 in the dashboard 101 and displays a virtual image S in front of the eye point EP of the vehicle 100. The eye point EP is a position predetermined as the viewpoint position of the vehicle operator (driver D) sitting in the driver's seat.

[0019] A vehicle display device 10 is disposed inside the instrument panel 101 of a vehicle 100. An upper opening 101a is provided on the upper surface of the instrument panel 101. The vehicle display device 10 projects an image onto the windshield WS via the upper opening 101a. The windshield WS is a reflector disposed in front of the eye point EP of the vehicle 100. The windshield WS is, for example, semi-transparent, reflecting light incident from the vehicle display device 10 toward the eye point EP. The driver D perceives the image reflected by the windshield WS as a virtual image S. The virtual image S is perceived by the driver D as if it exists in front of the windshield WS.

[0020] like Figure 2As shown, the vehicle display device 10 according to this embodiment includes a housing 11, a display (image display device 20), a control unit 30, a drive unit 40, and a reflector 50.

[0021] For example, the housing 11 is obtained by forming a box shape from synthetic resin material and has an internal space 13 inside. The housing 11 houses and holds the aforementioned image display device 20, control unit 30, drive unit 40, and reflector 50 within the internal space 13. The housing 11 includes an opening 15 that communicates the exterior of the housing 11 with the internal space 13. The opening 15 is located on the upper wall of the housing 11 facing the windshield WS. Additionally, a cover 17 made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin material (e.g., acrylic resin) is provided on the upper wall of the housing 11 to close the opening 15. The vehicle display device 10 emits display light L of an image from the housing 11 through the opening 15 toward the windshield WS. The display light L is light emitted (output) from the image display device 20 and reflected by the reflector 50.

[0022] The control unit 30 is electrically connected to the image display device 20 and the drive unit 40, and controls their operation. The control unit 30 is configured with an IC chip or similar component and is powered by electricity obtained from the battery in the vehicle 100. Furthermore, the control unit 30 can be electrically connected to the electronic control unit (ECU) in the vehicle 100, and can perform signal transmission and reception with the ECU.

[0023] The drive unit 40, for example, has a structure combining a motor and gears, configured to change (adjust) the reflection angle of the concave mirror 53 to the display light L, as described later. The drive unit 40 is connected to the control unit 30 and is driven according to a drive signal from the control unit 30. The drive unit 40 has a structure in which a gear (pinion) attached to the rotating shaft of the motor meshes with multiple teeth (racks) disposed on the opposite side of the reflective surface 53a of the concave mirror 53. When the drive unit 40 receives a drive signal from the control unit 30, it causes the rotating shaft of the motor to rotate. The power of the motor is transmitted to the concave mirror 53 through the meshing between the gear on the motor side and the teeth on the concave mirror 53 side. As a result, the concave mirror 53 rotates, and the reflection angle of the concave mirror 53 to the display light L is changed (adjusted).

[0024] A reflector 50 is arranged in the optical path of the display light L from the image display device 20 to the windshield WS, reflecting the display light L emitted from the image display device 20 toward the windshield WS. In this embodiment, the reflector 50 includes a plane mirror 51 and a concave mirror 53.

[0025] The plane mirror 51 has a reflective surface formed by a flat surface and is positioned facing the image display device 20. The plane mirror 51 conducts total internal reflection of the display light L emitted from the image display device 20 toward the concave mirror 53 through the reflective surface. A reflective layer can be formed on the reflective surface of the plane mirror 51 by means of vapor deposition or the like.

[0026] The concave mirror 53 includes a reflective surface 53a formed by a concave curved surface (or a convex curved surface), and is positioned at the opening 15 facing the housing 11, and is arranged in the optical path between the opening 15 of the housing 11 and the plane mirror 51. The concave mirror 53 causes the display light L reflected by the plane mirror 51 to undergo total internal reflection towards the windshield WS through the opening 15. A reflective layer can be formed on the reflective surface 53a by means of vapor deposition or the like.

[0027] The concave mirror 53 in this embodiment functions as a magnifying glass. In other words, the concave mirror 53 reflects and magnifies the displayed image, making the displayed image represented by the displayed light L after being reflected by the concave mirror 53 relatively larger than the displayed image represented by the displayed light L before being reflected by the concave mirror 53.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the concave mirror 53 is rotatably supported by the drive unit 40, which can change (adjust) the reflection angle of the display light L and the external light OL, including sunlight. Here, the external light OL is sunlight that enters the housing 11 through the opening 15. In this embodiment, the external light OL is focused by being reflected by the concave mirror 53, which functions as a magnifying glass, and guided toward the image display device 20 via the plane mirror 51.

[0029] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the concave mirror 53 of this embodiment includes a main body portion 60 formed in a generally rectangular shape in the front view, and is rotatable about an axis 61 extending along the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the main body portion 60 as a center of rotation. The main body portion 60 is integrally molded from, for example, a synthetic resin material. The main body portion 60 includes a first side surface 60a and a second side surface 60b. The first side surface 60a and the second side surface 60b are the left and right side surfaces facing the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the main body portion 60. The first side surface 60a and the second side surface 60b face opposite directions to each other.

[0030] An input shaft 63 is formed as a protrusion on the first side surface 60a. The input shaft 63 is a driven shaft that rotates by receiving the output torque of the motor of the drive unit 40. The input shaft 63 is, for example, formed as a cylinder with a circular cross-sectional shape. In addition, the input shaft 63 includes an engagement protrusion 65 protruding from the first side surface 60a. The engagement protrusion 65 is provided to prevent the input shaft 63 from disengaging from the motor side of the drive unit 40.

[0031] On the second side surface 60b, a supported shaft 67 is formed as a protrusion. The supported shaft 67 is arranged coaxially with the input shaft 63 and is rotatably supported by a bearing member, which is omitted in the figure. The supported shaft 67 is formed, for example, as a prism with a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0032] like Figures 3 to 7 As shown, to avoid reflection of external light OL at the upper edge portion 69 of the concave mirror 53, a frame portion (border portion 70) extending along and covering the edge portion 69 is arranged at the upper edge portion 69 of the concave mirror 53. The border portion 70 is integrally molded, for example, from a synthetic resin material and is mounted (fixed) to the upper part of the concave mirror 53.

[0033] The frame portion 70 includes: a first frame portion 71 extending along the length direction (left-right direction) of the concave mirror 53; and a pair of left and right second frame portions 73, 73 extending from the left and right ends of the first frame portion 71, respectively, and extending along the width direction (vertical direction) of the concave mirror 53. Additionally, the first frame portion 71 and the pair of left and right second frame portions 73, 73 each include a reflective surface-side frame portion 75 disposed in front of the reflective surface 53a of the concave mirror 53 (on the plane mirror 51 side). The frame portion 70 can be disposed only at locations where external light OL of the concave mirror 53 may impact, reflect, and cause influence. This suppresses the increase in weight and size of the concave mirror 53. In other words, the frame portion 70 can be disposed over the entire periphery of the front edge portion of the concave mirror 53, but compared to the case where the frame portion 70 is disposed over the entire periphery, limiting the frame portion 70 to be disposed only at the upper part of the concave mirror 53 suppresses the increase in weight and size of the concave mirror 53.

[0034] Furthermore, an anti-reflective portion 77, subjected to an anti-reflective treatment to suppress light reflection, is formed on the outer surface of the frame portion 70. In this embodiment, the anti-reflective portion 77 is formed in the frame portion 70 at a position that does not contact the concave mirror 53 and is visible in appearance. The anti-reflective portion 77 can be formed on all outer surfaces, including the outer surface that contacts the concave mirror 53, and can be formed at least on the upper surface 70a and the front surface 70b (see [link]). Figure 7 As an example of the aforementioned anti-reflective treatment, various other types of treatments that suppress light reflection on the outer surface of the frame portion 70 can be employed, such as embossing or coating. Note that... Figures 3 to 6 The part that has undergone anti-reflective treatment (anti-reflective part 77) is represented by dotted shadows.

[0035] In addition, such as Figure 7As shown, the inner side of the frame portion 70 (the distal surface 75a of the reflective surface side frame portion 75) is inclined relative to the upper surface 70a of the concave mirror 53, so that external light OL does not directly illuminate the distal surface 75a. In other words, the distal surface 75a of the reflective surface side frame portion 75 is formed as an inclined surface that slopes upward from the front side (plane mirror 51 side) of the concave mirror 53 to its rear side (the side opposite to the plane mirror 51 side). Therefore, within the driving range of the concave mirror 53 changing the reflection angle, the reflection of external light OL at the inner side of the frame portion 70 (at the distal surface 75a of the reflective surface side frame portion 75) can be suppressed.

[0036] As described above, according to one aspect of this embodiment, the vehicle display device 10 includes a housing 11, which includes a wall portion having an opening 15 through which image display light L passes outwardly, and an image display device 20 housed within the housing 11 and outputs image display light L. Furthermore, the vehicle display device 10 includes a reflector 50 (concave mirror 53) housed within the housing 11 and reflecting the image display light L towards a reflector (windshield WS) positioned in front of the vehicle occupant (driver D). At the upper edge 69 of the reflector 50 (concave mirror 53), a frame portion (border portion 70) extending along and covering the edge 69 is arranged.

[0037] A frame portion 70 is arranged above the concave mirror 53, covering the upper edge portion 69 of the concave mirror 53, where external light OL, including sunlight, may illuminate. This prevents reflection of external light OL at the upper edge portion 69 of the concave mirror 53. In other words, the frame portion 70 is arranged at the upper edge portion 69 of the concave mirror 53. This suppresses the display of unpleasant virtual images S caused by reflection of external light OL at the upper edge portion 69 of the concave mirror 53. Therefore, satisfactory display quality of the vehicle display device 10 can be ensured.

[0038] As described above, according to this embodiment, a vehicle display device 10 can be provided that can prevent the reflection of light (external light OL) at the upper edge portion 69 of the reflector 50 (concave mirror 53), thereby suppressing the display of uncomfortable virtual images S.

[0039] In the vehicle display device 10, in order to suppress light reflection, an anti-reflective portion 77 with an anti-reflective treatment can also be formed on the outer surface of the frame portion (frame portion 70).

[0040] An anti-reflective portion 77 with an anti-reflective treatment is formed on the outer surface of the frame portion 70. Therefore, the frame portion 70 configured in this way can effectively suppress the reflection of external light OL at the outer surface of the frame portion 70.

[0041] In the vehicle display device 10, as an anti-reflective treatment, an embossing treatment or coating can be applied to the anti-reflective parts.

[0042] An anti-reflective portion 77, which has been embossed or coated as an anti-reflective treatment, is formed on the outer surface of the frame portion 70. Therefore, the frame portion 70 configured in this way can effectively suppress the reflection of external light OL at the outer surface of the frame portion 70.

[0043] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-209367 (filed on December 12, 2023) are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0044] The foregoing has described several embodiments of the present invention, but these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Those embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0045] List of reference numerals

[0046] 10 Vehicle display devices

[0047] 11. Shell

[0048] 15 Opening section

[0049] 20 Image Display Devices

[0050] 50 reflector

[0051] 53 Concave mirror

[0052] 69 edge section

[0053] 70 border section

[0054] 77 Anti-reflective components

[0055] 100 vehicles

[0056] Driver D

[0057] L display light

[0058] WS windshield

Claims

1. A vehicle display device, comprising: A housing, comprising a wall portion having an opening through which the light for displaying an image passes outward; An image display device, which is housed in the housing and outputs the display light of the image; as well as A reflector, housed within the housing, reflects the displayed light of the image toward a reflector positioned in front of the vehicle occupants. in, At the upper edge of the reflector, a frame portion is arranged that extends along and covers the edge portion.

2. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein, An anti-reflective portion with an anti-reflective treatment is formed on the outer surface of the frame portion to suppress light reflection.

3. The vehicle display device according to claim 2, wherein, As an anti-reflective treatment, the anti-reflective portion is subjected to embossing or coating.

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