Optical system, image display device, and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to an optical system, an image display device and a vehicle, in the optical system, a virtual image of a target image is formed by the optical system, the optical system comprises an image generation unit and an optical part, the image generation unit is used for generating the target image, and the optical part is used for receiving and reflecting a light beam of the target image. According to the technical scheme, the virtual image positions of the target image generated in front of the windshield can be different, a driver can conveniently and clearly observe the virtual image, and the situation that the driver cannot clearly see the virtual image when the virtual image is blocked in front is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of head-up display devices, and in particular, to an optical system, an image display device, and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A head-up display system, abbreviated as HUD, was initially mainly applied in the aviation field. With the progress of society and the development of technology, it is now used in transportation. Its function is to directly and clearly display the driving information that the driver needs but is inconvenient to view in front of the driver's field of vision, enabling the driver to see without lowering the head or turning the head, thereby reducing the blind spot time during driving and reducing traffic accidents.

[0003] In the existing head-up display system, the virtual image position is fixed and cannot be adjusted according to road condition information. When there is an obstruction in front of the vehicle, the HUD image information will pass through the scenery and interfere with the driver's line of sight. Utility Model Content

[0004] The embodiments of this application provide an optical system that can change the virtual image position to at least partially solve the above technical problems.

[0005] To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of this application, an optical system for forming a virtual image of a target image is provided, including:

[0006] An image generation unit for generating a target image;

[0007] An optical element for receiving and reflecting the light beam of the target image;

[0008] Wherein, the image generation unit is movably arranged relative to the optical element to change the optical path of the light beam entering the optical element.

[0009] Optionally, the target image unit has a light source to generate the light beam of the target image, and the light beam enters the optical element.

[0010] Optionally, the image generation unit is rotatably arranged relative to the optical element to change the orientation of the light source relative to the optical element.

[0011] Optionally, the optical system further includes:

[0012] A rotation structure connected to the image generation unit;

[0013] The rotation structure includes:

[0014] A shaft body having a first axis;

[0015] Wherein, the image generation unit is configured to rotate around the first axis, so that the image generation unit has at least a first position and a second position relative to the optical element, and when the image generation unit is located at the first position or the second position, virtual images of the target image at different positions are generated in front of the windshield.

[0016] Optionally, the image generation unit further has a third position relative to the optical element;

[0017] When the image generation unit is located at the third position, a virtual image of the target image at a third virtual image position is generated in front of the windshield.

[0018] Optionally, the third virtual image position is located between the first virtual image position and the second virtual image position, and the first virtual image position is located on the side away from the windshield relative to the second virtual image position.

[0019] Optionally, the rotation structure further includes:

[0020] A prime mover, which is non-rotatably connected to the shaft body;

[0021] Wherein, the prime mover is adapted to rotate to drive the shaft body to rotate, so as to drive the image generation unit to rotate around the first axis.

[0022] Optionally, the optical element includes:

[0023] A first reflector and a second reflector;

[0024] The light beam is selectively directed towards one of the first reflector and the second reflector;

[0025] Wherein, the first reflector and the second reflector are located between the image generation unit and the windshield.

[0026] Optionally, the optical element further includes:

[0027] A third reflector and a fourth reflector;

[0028] Wherein, the light beam is selectively directed towards one of the third reflector and the fourth reflector, and one of the two reflectors reflects the light beam to the other of the two reflectors or to the first reflector.

[0029] Optionally, the first reflector and / or the second reflector and / or the third reflector and / or the fourth reflector is configured as a free-form surface reflector or a plane reflector.

[0030] Optionally, the optical system includes one image generation unit.

[0031] According to a second aspect of the present application, there is provided an image display device, comprising:

[0032] an optical system, which is the optical system as described above.

[0033] Optionally, the image display device at least includes a head-up display device.

[0034] According to a third aspect of the present application, there is also provided a vehicle, comprising: an image display device, which is the image display device as described above.

[0035] The beneficial effect of the present application is that it provides an optimization of the structure of the optical system, which is convenient for the driver to use.

[0036] More specifically, some embodiments of the present application may produce the following specific beneficial effects:

[0037] In the optical system of the embodiments of the present application, a virtual image of a target image is formed by the optical system, including an image generation unit and an optical element. The image generation unit is used to generate the target image, and the optical element is used to receive and single-set the light beam of the target image, and the image generation unit is movably arranged relative to the optical element to change the optical path of the light beam entering the optical element. Through the above technical solution, it is possible to make the virtual image positions of the target image generated in front of the windshield different, which is convenient for the driver to clearly observe the virtual image and avoid the situation that the driver cannot see the virtual image clearly when the virtual image is blocked by an object in front.

[0038] Other features and advantages of the present application will be described in detail in the following specific implementation part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings according to these drawings without creative efforts.

[0040] In order to more fully understand the present application and its beneficial effects, the following will be described in conjunction with the drawings, where the same reference numerals in the following description represent the same parts.

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of virtual images at three virtual image positions generated by the image display device provided in the exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the optical path of an optical system provided with only a first reflector and a second reflector in the exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 3It is a schematic optical path diagram showing the simultaneous arrangement of a first mirror, a second mirror, a third mirror, and a fourth mirror provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 4 It is another schematic optical path diagram showing the simultaneous arrangement of a first mirror, a second mirror, a third mirror, and a fourth mirror provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0046] Description of reference numerals:

[0047] 100, optical system;

[0048] 110, image generation unit;

[0049] 120, optical component;

[0050] 121, first mirror; 122, second mirror; 123, third mirror; 124, fourth mirror;

[0051] 130, rotation structure; 131, shaft body;

[0052] 140, first position; 150, second position; 160, third position;

[0053] 170, light beam; 171, first light beam; 172, second light beam; 173, third light beam; 175, fifth light beam; 176, sixth light beam;

[0054] 200, eye; 300, first virtual image position; 400, second virtual image position; 500, third virtual image position; 600, windshield;

[0055] 10, vehicle. Detailed implementation manners

[0056] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0057] The head-up display device can be installed near the windshield. Assuming in this head-up display scenario, in front of the driver or the front passenger, outside the windshield, there are object A and object B.

[0058] The head-up display device can use the windshield or the glass, mirror, etc. near the windshield to image information such as the driving speed and driving direction outside the windshield, so that the driver can see this driving information without lowering the head or turning the head. In the following description of this application, the reflection unit is taken as an example of the windshield for illustration.

[0059] PGU refers to Picture Generation Unit, that is, the image generation unit, which is the core component of the HUD. Its main function is to generate the HUD output image, and it is composed of a light source, optical films and other optical components. The technical routes of PGU can be specifically divided into four types: TFT-LCD, DLP, LCOS, and MEMS. For different technical routes, their light sources and optical components are different.

[0060] The eye box refers to the statistical distribution range of the eyes in the vehicle body coordinates when the driver sits still in the driver's seat. In the design of AR-HUD, the eye box range is the area where the driver can receive a complete projected image no matter where the eyes move during driving.

[0061] The virtual image distance refers to the distance between two endpoints, with one endpoint being the position of the driver's eyes in the vehicle and the other endpoint being the virtual image plane where the virtual image is observed.

[0062] According to the first aspect of the present application, referring to Figures 1 to 4 , the present application provides an optical system 100 for forming a virtual image of a target image.

[0063] The optical system 100 includes an image generation unit 110 and an optical element 120.

[0064] Among them, the image generation unit 110 is used to generate a target image, and the optical element 120 is used to receive and reflect the light beam of the target image.

[0065] The image generation unit 110 is movably arranged relative to the optical element 120 to change the optical path of the light beam of the target image entering the optical element 120.

[0066] Through the above technical solution, movably arranging the image generation unit 110 relative to the optical element 120 can make the virtual image positions of the target image generated in front of the windshield 600 different, which is convenient for the driver to clearly observe the virtual image, obtain a good visual effect, meet the driver's use requirements, and avoid the situation that when there is an obstacle in front of the vehicle 10, the virtual image seen within the driver's eye box range is located on the obstacle, resulting in the driver being unable to see the virtual image clearly, which is beneficial to improving driving safety.

[0067] In some embodiments, the target image unit has a light source to generate the light beam of the target image, and the light beam enters the optical element 120.

[0068] The light source generates a light beam of the target image, enabling the target image to clearly enter the optical component 120 and be reflected.

[0069] In some embodiments, the image generation unit 110 is rotatably arranged relative to the optical component 120 to change the orientation of the light source relative to the optical component 120.

[0070] Reference Figures 1 to 4 , by adjusting the orientation of the light source relative to the optical component 120, the optical path of the light beam entering the optical component 120 is changed. This way of changing the light beam entering the optical component 120 is simple and direct, without the participation of extra components.

[0071] In some embodiments, in order to enable the image generation unit 110 to rotate relative to the optical component 120, the optical system 100 further includes a rotation structure 130.

[0072] The rotation structure 130 is connected to the image generation unit 110, and provides a rotational driving force to the image generation unit 110 by using the rotation structure 130.

[0073] The rotation structure 130 includes a shaft body 131, and the shaft body 131 rotates under the action of the driving force.

[0074] The shaft body 131 has a first axis, and the image generation unit 110 is configured to rotate around the first axis, so that the image generation unit 110 has at least a first position 140 and a second position 150 relative to the optical component 120. When the image generation unit 110 is located at the first position 140 or the second position 150, virtual images of the target image at different virtual image positions are generated in front of the windshield 600.

[0075] It should be noted that the first virtual image at the first virtual image position 300 and the second virtual image at the second virtual image position 400 are not displayed simultaneously, thus realizing the adjustment of the virtual image distance.

[0076] In some embodiments, the image generation unit 110 further has a third position 160 relative to the optical component 120. When the image generation unit 110 is located at the third position 160, a virtual image of the target image at the third virtual image position 500 is generated in front of the windshield 600.

[0077] That is, a third virtual image is formed at the third virtual image position 500, and the third virtual image is not displayed simultaneously with the first virtual image and the second virtual image either.

[0078] In some embodiments, the third virtual image position 500 is located between the first virtual image position 300 and the second virtual image position 400, and the first virtual image position 300 is located on the side away from the windshield 600 relative to the second virtual image position 400.

[0079] It should be noted that in this application, the first virtual image distance is the distance between the center of the eye box and the first virtual image located at the first virtual image position 300, the second virtual image distance is the distance between the center of the eye box and the second virtual image located at the second virtual image position 400, and the third virtual image distance is the distance between the center of the eye box and the third virtual image located at the third virtual image position 500.

[0080] Then, the first virtual image distance is greater than the third virtual image distance which is greater than the second virtual image distance.

[0081] In some embodiments, the rotating structure 130 further includes a prime mover.

[0082] The prime mover and the shaft body 131 are configured to form a non-rotating connection.

[0083] Wherein, the prime mover is adapted to rotate to drive the shaft body 131 to rotate, so as to drive the image generation unit 110 to rotate around the first axis.

[0084] The rotating structure 130 in this application may include one shaft body 131 or multiple shaft bodies 131, which is subject to the actual setting and will not be limited herein.

[0085] Alternatively, by displacing the shaft body 131, the position of the image generation unit 110 relative to the optical element 120 can be changed to change the optical path of the light beam entering the optical element 120.

[0086] In some embodiments, the optical system 100 includes one image generation unit 110.

[0087] Using one image generation unit 110 can form virtual images of the target image at three different positions at different times, making the entire optical system 100 simpler in structure and smaller in volume.

[0088] The optical system 100 adopts one image generation unit 110, which is a single-screen focusing display mode. The first virtual image position 300 is located at the far screen above the windshield 600, the second virtual image position 400 is at the near screen below the windshield 600, and the third virtual image position 500 is located between the two virtual image positions, allowing the driver's eyes 200 to adjust the virtual image distance according to the distance of the object in front, reducing the interference of the occluder on the virtual image display and improving the dizziness.

[0089] In this application, the corresponding first virtual image distance is generally 7 meters to 15 meters, the second virtual image distance is usually 2 meters to 3 meters, and the third virtual image distance is generally 4 meters to 6 meters.

[0090] In some other examples, without considering reducing the overall volume of the optical system 100, two image generation units 110 can also be provided, and both of the two image generation units 110 are arranged facing the optical element 120, and both of the two image generation units 110 are also movably arranged relative to the optical element 120, and virtual images can be formed at multiple virtual image positions.

[0091] In some embodiments, the optical element 120 includes a first mirror 121 and a second mirror 122.

[0092] The light beam 170 of the target image is selectively directed towards one of the first mirror 121 and the second mirror 122.

[0093] Wherein, the first mirror 121 and the second mirror 122 are located between the image generation unit 110 and the windshield 600, and the light beam is reflected to the windshield 600 by the mirrors.

[0094] Reference Figure 2 , when only the first mirror 121 and the second mirror 122 are provided, under the drive of the rotation structure 130, the image generation unit 110 is rotated to face the first mirror 121. At this time, the image generation unit 110 is located at the first position 140, and the first light beam 171 of the target image generated by the image generation unit 110 enters the first mirror 121, and then the first mirror 121 reflects the first light beam 171 to the second mirror 122, and the second mirror 122 reflects the first light beam 171 to the windshield 600, and the driver's eyes 200 observe the first virtual image at the first virtual image position 300.

[0095] Reference Figure 2 , when only the first mirror 121 and the second mirror 122 are provided, under the drive of the rotation structure 130, the image generation unit 110 is rotated to face the second mirror 122. At this time, the image generation unit 110 is located at the second position 150, and the second light beam 172 of the target image generated by the image generation unit 110 enters the second mirror 122, and then the second mirror 122 reflects the second light beam 172 to the windshield 600, and the driver's eyes 200 observe the second virtual image at the second virtual image position 400.

[0096] It should be noted that the first mirror 121 and the second mirror 122 are arranged opposite to each other and are located between the image generation unit 110 and the windshield 600.

[0097] And the optical path of the folded first light beam 171 is greater than the optical path of the second light beam 172.

[0098] In some embodiments, the optical element 120 further includes a third mirror 123 and a fourth mirror 124.

[0099] Among them, the light beam of the image generation unit 110 is selectively directed towards one of the third mirror 123 and the fourth mirror 124, and one of the two mirrors reflects the light beam to the other of the two mirrors or to the first mirror 121.

[0100] Reference Figures 3 to 4 , the third mirror 123 and the fourth mirror 124 are arranged between the first mirror 121 and the second mirror 122.

[0101] Reference Figure 4 , when the first mirror 121, the second mirror 122, the third mirror 123 and the fourth mirror 124 are arranged simultaneously, driven by the rotating structure 130, the image generation unit 110 faces the third mirror 123. At this time, the image generation unit 110 is located at the third position 160, and the third light beam 173 of the target image generated by the image generation unit 110 enters the third mirror 123, and then the third mirror 123 reflects the third light beam 173 to the first mirror 121. The first mirror 121 reflects the third light beam 173 to the second mirror 122, and then the second mirror 122 reflects the third light beam 173 to the windshield 600, so as to observe the third virtual image at the third virtual image position 500.

[0102] Reference Figure 3 , when the first mirror 121, the second mirror 122, the third mirror 123 and the fourth mirror 124 are arranged simultaneously, driven by the rotating structure 130, the image generation unit 110 faces the fourth mirror 124. At this time, the image generation unit 110 is located at the second position 150, and the fifth light beam 175 of the target image generated by the image generation unit 110 enters the fourth mirror 124, and then the fourth mirror 124 reflects the fifth light beam 175 to the third mirror 123. The third mirror 123 reflects the fifth light beam 175 to the first mirror 121, and then the first mirror 121 reflects the fifth light beam 175 to the second mirror 122. The second mirror 122 reflects the fifth light beam 175 to the windshield 600, so as to observe the first virtual image at the first virtual image position 300.

[0103] Reference Figure 3 , when the first mirror 121, the second mirror 122, the third mirror 123 and the fourth mirror 124 are arranged simultaneously, the image generation unit 110 faces the first mirror 121. At this time, the image generation unit 110 is located at the first position 140, and the sixth light beam 176 of the target image generated by the image generation unit 110 enters the first mirror 121, and then the first mirror 121 reflects the sixth light beam 176 to the second mirror 122. The second mirror 122 reflects the sixth light beam 176 to the windshield 600, so as to observe the second virtual image at the second virtual image position 400.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first mirror 121, the second mirror 122, the third mirror 123, and the fourth mirror 124 are configured as free-form mirrors or planar mirrors.

[0105] Each reflection mechanism in the present application folds and reflects the light beam, and uses two mirrors to fold the light beam, so that the overall spatial layout of the optical system 100 is compact and occupies a small volume.

[0106] According to a second aspect of the present application, there is provided an image display device, including an optical system 100, which is the optical system 100 described above. The image display device has all the beneficial effects of the above optical system, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0107] In some embodiments, the image display device at least includes a head-up display device.

[0108] The head-up display device in the present application can adjust the position of the virtual image generated by the target image according to the obstacles in front of the vehicle. The adjustment of the virtual image distance of the head-up display device, that is, the head-up display device can achieve single-screen focusing display.

[0109] According to a third aspect of the present application, with reference to Figure 5 , there is also provided a vehicle 10, including: an image display device, which is the image display device described above.

[0110] The vehicle 10 has all the beneficial effects of the above image display device, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0111] The vehicle 10 may be a fuel vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, a new energy vehicle, etc., and the present application does not make specific limitations thereto.

[0112] In the description of the present application, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0113] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of the respective embodiments have their own emphases. For the parts not detailed in a certain embodiment, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0114] The embodiments, implementation manners and related technical features of the present application can be combined and replaced with each other without conflict.

[0115] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application and do not impose any formal restrictions on the present application. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and decorations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present application without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present application still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims

1. An optical system for forming a virtual image of a target image; characterized in that: include: An image generating unit, used for generating a target image; An optical component, used for receiving and reflecting the light beam of the target image; Wherein, the image generating unit is movably arranged relative to the optical component to change the optical path of the light beam entering the optical component.

2. The optical system according to claim 1, characterized in that The target image unit has a light source for generating a light beam of the target image, and the light beam enters the optical member.

3. The optical system according to claim 2, characterized in that The image generating unit is rotatably arranged relative to the optical component to change the orientation of the light source relative to the optical component.

4. The optical system according to claim 3, characterized in that Also includes: a rotating structure connected to the image generating unit; The rotating structure comprises: A shaft body having a first axis; Wherein, the image generating unit constitutes a rotation around the first axis so that the image generating unit has at least a first position and a second position relative to the optical component, and when the image generating unit is located at the first position or the second position, a virtual image of the target image at a different virtual image position is generated in front of the windshield.

5. The optical system according to claim 4, characterized in that The image generating unit also has a third position relative to the optical element; When the image generating unit is located at the third position, a virtual image of the target image at a third virtual image position is generated in front of the windshield.

6. The optical system according to claim 4, characterized in that The third virtual image position is located between the first virtual image position and the second virtual image position, and the first virtual image position is located on a side away from the windshield relative to the second virtual image position.

7. The optical system according to claim 4, characterized in that The rotating structure further comprises: A prime mover, which is connected to the shaft body to prevent rotation; The driving member is suitable for rotating to drive the shaft body to rotate, so as to drive the image generating unit to rotate around the first axis.

8. The optical system according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that: The optical component comprises: a first reflector and a second reflector; The light beam is selectively directed toward one of a first reflector and a second reflector; Wherein, the first reflector and the second reflector are located between the image generating unit and the windshield.

9. The optical system according to claim 8, characterized in that The optical element further comprises: a third reflector and a fourth reflector; The light beam is selectively directed toward one of the third reflector and the fourth reflector, and one of the reflectors reflects the light beam to the other reflector or to the first reflector.

10. The optical system according to claim 9, characterized in that The first reflector and / or the second reflector and / or the third reflector and / or the fourth reflector are configured as free-form surface reflectors or plane reflectors.

11. The optical system according to claim 9, characterized in that The optical system comprises an image generating unit.

12. An image display device, characterized in that: include: The optical system is the optical system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The image display device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The image display device at least includes a head-up display device.

14. A vehicle, characterized in that: include: The image display device is the image display device according to claim 12 or 13.

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