Projection-type display device for vehicle

Abstract

The utility model provides a projection type display device for a vehicle. It is possible to detect with a simple structure that an object is located on an emission surface with high precision. A display device (1) is provided with: a cover plate (52); infrared light sources (20, 30); and an infrared sensor (10). The infrared light source (30) is disposed on the side of the emission surface (52a) in the vehicle width direction (W) so as to be aligned with the infrared sensor (10) in the front-rear direction (F, R), and is provided so as to correspond to a position at which the height of the emission surface (52a) in the front-rear direction (F, R) is a first height. The infrared light source (20) and the infrared sensor (10) are located at positions facing each other across the emission surface (52a) in the vehicle width direction (W), and are provided so as to correspond to a position of a second height, which is lower than the first height, in the emission surface (52a).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a kind of projection display devices for vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] The head-up display device described in the above patent document 1 is provided with a light source that emits light, and a display portion that generates display light by the light, and makes the display light be reflected by a windshield, and displays a virtual image to a viewer.

[0003] LIST OF CITATIONS

[0004] PATENT DOCUMENT

[0005] Patent document 1: Japanese patent application publication No. 2023-73536 SUMMARY

[0006] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0007] In the structure described in the above patent document 1, in the case where an object falls on an emission surface that emits display light in the head-up display device, the display light is blocked by the object, and the display quality of the virtual image is reduced. Therefore, it is sought to detect the case where the object is located on the emission surface with high accuracy with a simple structure.

[0008] The utility model is completed in view of the above actual situation, and its purpose is to provide a kind of projection display devices for vehicle, which can detect the case where object is located on the emission surface with high accuracy with a simple structure.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEM

[0010] To achieve the above object, the projection display device for vehicle of the utility model,

[0011] It displays an image by projecting display light from an emission port to a projected member, and is provided with:

[0012] Cover plate, it has the emission surface that the height changes relative to the front and back direction of vehicle and towards the projected member emission display light, the cover plate is formed into the plate shape that encloses the emission port, and has the light transmittance that the display light is transmitted;

[0013] First and second infrared light sources, which respectively emit infrared light along the emission surface; and

[0014] Infrared sensor, it is configured to detect infrared light directly from the first infrared light source, and reflected infrared light after infrared light from the second infrared light source is reflected by an object on the emission surface,

[0015] The second infrared light source is arranged on the side of the emission surface in the width direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction, in alignment with the infrared sensor in the front-rear direction, and is disposed corresponding to a position in the emission surface in the front-rear direction at a second height lower than the first height.

[0016] The first infrared light source and the infrared sensor are located at positions opposite each other in the width direction across the emission surface, and are disposed corresponding to a position in the emission surface in the front-rear direction at a second height lower than the first height.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the present application, an object can be detected with high accuracy in a simple structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle equipped with a display device of one embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a display device of one embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a display device of one embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device of one embodiment of the present application, as viewed from the front.

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device of one embodiment of the present application, as viewed from the side.

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of a display device of one embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device of one embodiment of the present application, as viewed from the front.

[0026] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device of one embodiment of the present application, as viewed from the side.

[0027] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing a determination process of one embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 10 is a schematic view of a vehicle equipped with a head-up display device of a modified example of the present application.

[0029] Symbol Explanation

[0030] 1: Display device; 10: Infrared sensor; 20: First infrared light source; 30: Second infrared light source; 40: Control unit; 41: Display control unit; 42: Object detection unit; 50: Display; 51: Display panel; 52: Cover plate; 52a: Ejection surface; 53: Backlight; 60: Housing; 60a, 60b: Short sidewall; 60c, 60d: Long sidewall; 62, 63, 64: Infrared transmitting part; 71, 72, 73: Substrate; 75, 76: Cable; 100: Head-up display device; 120 130: Reflector; 160: HUD housing; 162: Cover component; 200: Vehicle; 201: Windshield; 202: Light-transmitting part; 203: Light-shielding part; 205: Instrument panel; 207: Ejector outlet; U: Upward direction; D: Downward direction; F: Forward direction; R: Rearward direction; W: Vehicle width direction; L: Display light; R1, R2: Infrared light; R2a: Reflected infrared light; S1, S2: Object; Se: Sensing signal; Th1: First threshold; Th2: Second threshold; Sp: Gap; Us: Viewer. Detailed Implementation

[0031] A projection-type display device for vehicles according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, a projection-type display device 1 for vehicles is mounted inside the dashboard 205 of a vehicle 200. The display device 1 projects display light L onto the windshield 201, which is the projected component, to display a projected image containing vehicle information such as vehicle speed in a manner that is viewable by a viewer Us. That is, the display device 1 is a windshield display (WSD) that projects display light L from the display panel 51 (described later) of the display device 1 directly onto the windshield 201.

[0033] The windshield 201 has a light-transmitting portion 202 and a light-shielding portion 203. The light-transmitting portion 202 is the part from which a viewer Us inside the vehicle can view the actual scene outside the vehicle. The light-shielding portion 203 is located at the lower end of the light-transmitting portion 202 and is formed in the area of ​​the windshield 201 on the side of the dashboard 205. The light-shielding portion 203 is formed by black ceramic printing. The display device 1 projects display light L onto the light-shielding portion 203 and displays a projected image against the background of the light-shielding portion 203.

[0034] Specifically, an outlet 207 is formed on the instrument panel 205 opposite to the windshield 201. The display device 1 is mounted in the instrument panel 205 such that the display light L passes through the cylindrical outlet 207.

[0035] Objects S1 and S2 placed on the dashboard 205 may fall into the emission outlet 207 due to inertial forces (including inertial forces generated by the acceleration accompanying the vehicle 200 (including collisions and vibrations caused by accidents), gravity whose direction changes with the vehicle's posture, etc.). The display device 1 is configured to determine whether objects S1 and S2 are located on the emission surface 52a of the emitted display light L.

[0036] In the following description, the forward direction F, the rearward direction R, the upward direction U, the downward direction D, and the left and right directions (i.e., the vehicle width direction) are defined based on the viewpoint of the viewer Us.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the display device 1 includes an infrared sensor 10, a first infrared light source 20, a second infrared light source 30, a control unit 40, a display 50, a housing 60, substrates 71, 72, and 73, and cables 75 and 76.

[0038] like Figure 4 As shown, the display 50 includes a display panel 51, a cover plate 52, and a backlight 53. The display panel 51, the cover plate 52, and the backlight 53 are rectangular plates that are longer in the vehicle width direction W, and are stacked in the vertical directions U and D.

[0039] The display panel 51 is a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) type liquid crystal panel. Under the control of the control unit 40, the display panel 51 displays an image containing vehicle information such as vehicle speed. When displaying an image, the display panel 51 receives illumination light from the backlight 53, thereby emitting display light L representing the image.

[0040] The backlight 53 is located at a position D below the display panel 51 and illuminates the display panel 51 under the control of the control unit 40.

[0041] The cover plate 52 is located on the upper surface (image display surface) of the display panel 51 and is made of a light-transmitting resin or glass material. The upper surface of the cover plate 52 is the emission surface 52a through which the display light L from the display panel 51 passes and exits. Figure 1 As shown, the ejection surface 52a is the surface of the display device 1 that is exposed relative to the projected component (windshield 201). The ejection outlet 207 is located on the outer periphery of the ejection surface 52a. The ejection outlet 207 is formed as a cylindrical internal space that extends along the vertical directions U and D.

[0042] The injection surface 52a is a plane, specifically a rectangular plane that is longer in the vehicle width direction W in this example, and is uniformly inclined relative to the front-rear directions F and R. Specifically, the injection surface 52a is inclined in the direction downwards D as it moves forward in the front direction F. That is, the height of the injection surface 52a decreases as it moves forward in the front direction F. The injection surface 52a is formed along the vehicle width direction W.

[0043] Furthermore, not limited to this embodiment, the injection surface 52a may also be inclined relative to the vehicle width direction W. In this case, for example, the injection surface 52a may also be inclined in a direction D that moves downward toward the outer side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction W.

[0044] Furthermore, the ejection surface 52a may also be tilted in the direction of downward movement D as it moves toward the rearward direction R toward the ejection surface 52a.

[0045] The housing 60 is formed in the shape of a frame (in this example, a rectangular frame) from a light-shielding resin or metal, and is formed to surround the display panel 51, the cover plate 52 and the backlight 53.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 60 includes a pair of short sidewall portions 60a and 60b and a pair of long sidewall portions 60c and 60d. The pair of short sidewall portions 60a and 60b extend along the longitudinal directions F and R, respectively, and are located opposite each other in the vehicle width direction W. The pair of long sidewall portions 60c and 60d are longer than the short sidewall portions 60a and 60b, extend along the vehicle width direction W, and are located opposite each other in the longitudinal directions F and R.

[0047] The housing 60 includes infrared transmitting portions 62, 63, and 64, which serve as windows through which infrared light partially passes. The infrared transmitting portions 62, 63, and 64 are inserted into holes extending through the walls 60a to 60d of the housing 60 along their thickness direction. The infrared transmitting portions 62, 63, and 64 allow infrared light to pass through in the thickness direction of the portions, enabling the infrared light to move between the internal and external spaces of the housing 60.

[0048] Infrared transmitting portion 62 is located at the rearward end of short sidewall portion 60a in the direction R. Infrared transmitting portion 63 is located at the forward end of short sidewall portion 60a in the direction F. Infrared transmitting portion 64 is located at the forward end of short sidewall portion 60b in the direction F. Infrared transmitting portions 63 and 64 are located at opposite positions in the vehicle width direction W.

[0049] The first infrared light source 20 is an emitter that emits infrared light toward the infrared sensor 10. The first infrared light source 20 is located outside the housing 60 and at a position opposite the infrared-transmitting portion 64. The first infrared light source 20 is located at a position opposite the infrared sensor 10 in the vehicle width direction W. The first infrared light source 20 is mounted on the substrate 72. The substrate 72 is electrically connected to the substrate 71 via the electric cable 76.

[0050] The infrared-transmitting object detection system is constituted by the first infrared light source 20 and the infrared sensor 10. The infrared-transmitting object detection system determines the presence or absence of an object based on whether or not infrared light from the infrared light source is blocked by the object. The infrared-transmitting object detection system has a long detection distance and high detection position accuracy. Furthermore, with respect to an opaque object, detection can be performed regardless of the shape, color, or material, such as a thin plate. Moreover, the infrared-transmitting object detection system has the feature of being strong in preventing dirt and dust from adhering to the light-emitting portion (infrared light source) and the light-receiving portion (infrared sensor).

[0051] The second infrared light source 30 is an emitter that emits infrared light. The second infrared light source 30 is located outside the housing 60 and at a position opposite the infrared-transmitting portion 62. The second infrared light source 30 is located at the rear direction R of the infrared sensor 10.

[0052] The infrared-reflecting object detection system is constituted by the second infrared light source 30 and the infrared sensor 10. The infrared-reflecting object detection system determines the presence or absence of an object based on whether or not infrared light from the infrared light source is reflected by the object. The infrared-reflecting object detection system can be configured with the second infrared light source 30 and the infrared sensor 10 on only one side of the display 50 in the vehicle width direction W, and thus does not occupy space. Furthermore, the infrared-reflecting object detection system has the feature of being able to detect an object even with respect to a transparent object, as long as the object is a reflecting object, without the need for optical axis alignment. Note that the reflection herein includes not only regular reflection but also diffuse reflection.

[0053] The directivity of the infrared light emitted by the first infrared light source 20 is set to be higher than the directivity of the infrared light emitted by the second infrared light source 30. That is, the directivity angle of the infrared light emitted by the first infrared light source 20 is set to be a smaller angle than the directivity angle of the infrared light emitted by the second infrared light source 30.

[0054] The infrared sensor 10 is a light receiver that receives infrared light. The infrared sensor 10 is located outside the housing 60 and at a position opposite the infrared-transmitting portion 63. The infrared sensor 10 senses the light intensity of the received infrared light and outputs a sensed signal Se to the control portion 40.

[0055] As Figure 4As shown, the infrared sensor 10 is located at the same height as the first infrared light source 20 in the vertical directions U and D, and is located at a lower position D than the second infrared light source 30. The infrared sensor 10 and the first infrared light source 20 are located at positions corresponding to the lower end (in the direction of gravity) of the emission surface 52a, which is inclined in the longitudinal directions F and R. The lower end of the emission surface 52a is an area where objects on the emission surface 52a tend to accumulate due to the inertial force of the vehicle 200, etc.

[0056] The second infrared light source 30 and the first height H1 in the emission surface 52a whose height varies in the front-rear directions F and R (refer to) Figure 5 The positions of the infrared sensor 10 and the first infrared light source 20 are correspondingly set. Furthermore, the second height H2 (referring to the first height H1) of the emission surface 52a, which varies in height in the front-rear directions F and R, is lower than the first height H1. Figure 5 The positions of the first height H1 and the second height H2 are set accordingly. The first height H1 is located near the highest position in the injection surface 52a. The second height H2 is located near the lowest position in the injection surface 52a.

[0057] When there is no object between the infrared sensor 10 and the first infrared light source 20, the infrared sensor 10 directly receives the infrared light R1 (refer to) from the first infrared light source 20. Figure 6 , Figure 7 ).

[0058] Infrared sensor 10 indirectly receives infrared light R2 from second infrared light source 30 (refer to...) Figure 3 , Figure 4 The reflected infrared light R2a after being reflected by object S1 (refer to) Figure 3 , Figure 4 ).

[0059] like Figure 2 As shown, the infrared sensor 10 and the second infrared light source 30 are mounted on a common substrate 71. The substrate 71 is electrically connected to the substrate 73 of the mounting control unit 40 via a cable 75.

[0060] The control unit 40 consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GDC (Graphics Display Controller). The control unit 40 includes a display control unit 41 for controlling the display 50 and an object determination unit 42 for determining whether there is an object on the emission surface 52a.

[0061] The object determination section 42 performs control to cause the infrared light sources 20, 30 to emit infrared light Rl, R2 at different times, and receives the sensing signal Se from the infrared sensor 10. The object determination section 42 determines the presence or absence of an object on the basis of the received sensing signal Se. This determination process will be described later.

[0062] When it is determined by the object determination section 42 that there is no object on the emission surface 52a, the display control section 41 displays an image containing vehicle information such as a vehicle speed on the display panel 51.

[0063] When it is determined by the object determination section 42 that there is an object on the emission surface 52a, the display control section 41 displays a warning image on the display panel 51. This warning image contains information such as the presence of an object on the emission surface 52a, or a request to perform inspection at an automobile dealer. This warning image can also be displayed together with the image containing vehicle information. This warning image can also be displayed only when the ignition switch of the vehicle 200 is on.

[0064] Next, the determination process of the object determination section 42 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Figure 9 The determination process is repeatedly executed during the display of an image on the display panel 51.

[0065] First, the object determination section 42 causes the first infrared light source 20 to emit infrared light Rl (step S101).

[0066] Then, the object determination section 42 determines on the basis of the sensing signal Se from the infrared sensor 10 whether there is an object between the infrared sensor 10 and the first infrared light source 20 on the emission surface 52a (step S102).

[0067] In this step S102, as shown in Figures 3 to 5 When the infrared light Rl from the first infrared light source 20 is blocked by the object S2 and the infrared light Rl cannot be received via the infrared sensor 10, the object determination section 42 determines that there is an object S2 between the infrared sensor 10 and the first infrared light source 20 on the emission surface 52a (step S102; Yes).

[0068] When the object determination section 42 determines that there is an object S2 (step S102; Yes), the display control section 41 displays a warning image on the display panel 51 (step S103), and ends the determination process.

[0069] On the other hand, returning to step S102, as shown in Figure 2As shown, when the infrared light Rl from the first infrared light source 20 is received via the infrared sensor 10, the object determination portion 42 determines that there is no object between the infrared sensor 10 on the emission surface 52a and the first infrared light source 20 (Step S102; No). More specifically, the object determination portion 42 determines that there is no object when the light intensity of the infrared light indicated by the sensing signal Se is the first threshold value Thl or more. The first threshold value Thl is set to a signal intensity between the reception signal intensity of the direct infrared light Rl from the first infrared light source 20 in the infrared sensor 10 and the reception signal intensity of the infrared light Rl when the infrared light Rl is blocked by an object in the infrared sensor 10.

[0070] When the object determination portion 42 determines that there is no object S2 (Step S102; No), the second infrared light source 30 is caused to emit the infrared light R2 (Step S104).

[0071] Then, the object determination portion 42 determines whether there is an object on the emission surface 52a on the basis of the sensing signal Se from the infrared sensor 10 (Step S105).

[0072] In this Step S105, as shown in Figures 3 to 5 When the reflected infrared light R2a after the infrared light R2 from the second infrared light source 30 is reflected by the object Sl is received via the infrared sensor 10, the object determination portion 42 determines that there is the object Sl on the emission surface 52a (Step S105; Yes). More specifically, the object determination portion 42 determines that there is the object on the emission surface 52a when the light intensity of the infrared light indicated by the sensing signal Se is the second threshold value Th2 or more.

[0073] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 When the reflected infrared light R2a after the infrared light R2 from the second infrared light source 30 is reflected by the object Sl is received by the infrared sensor 10, the light intensity of the reflected infrared light R2a detected by the infrared sensor 10 is the second threshold value Th2 or more.

[0074] The second threshold value Th2 is set to a signal intensity between the reception signal intensity of the reflected infrared light R2a after the infrared light R2 from the second infrared light source 30 is reflected by the object Sl in the infrared sensor 10 and the reception signal intensity of the reflected infrared light from the second infrared light source 30 reflected by each side wall portion, the infrared light incident via the windshield 201 in the infrared sensor 10.

[0075] When the object determination portion 42 determines that there is the object Sl (Step S105; Yes), the display control portion 41 displays a warning image on the display panel 51 (Step S103), and ends the determination processing.

[0076] On the other hand, returning to step S105, when the light intensity of the infrared light represented by the sensing signal Se after the infrared light R2 is emitted from the second infrared light source 30 is less than the second threshold Th2, the object determination unit 42 determines that there is no object on the emission surface 52a (step S105; no), maintains the display of the image containing vehicle information, and ends the determination process.

[0077] When objects S1 and S2 are located on the ejection surface 52a, due to the inertial force of the vehicle 200, objects S1 and S2 can move back and forth along the front-rear directions F and R on the ejection surface 52a.

[0078] For example, such as Figures 6 to 8 As shown, when the spherical object S1 is located at the end of the emission surface 52a in the forward direction F, the infrared light R1 from the first infrared light source 20 passes through the gap Sp between the outer peripheral surface of the object S1, the short sidewall portion 60b, and the emission surface 52a (see reference). Figure 8 Therefore, in this state, it is impossible to determine that object S1 is located on the ejection surface 52a by combining the first infrared light source 20 and the infrared sensor 10. On the other hand, it is impossible to determine that object S1 is located on the ejection surface 52a by combining the infrared light source 30 and the infrared sensor 10. However, when object S1 moves backward in the direction R on the ejection surface 52a due to the inertial force of the vehicle 200, etc., as... Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the spherical object S1 is located at the rear end of the ejection surface 52a in the direction R. In this state, as described above, the object S1 is determined to be located at the ejection surface 52a by the combination of the second infrared light source 30 and the infrared sensor 10.

[0079] In addition, for example, such as Figures 6 to 8 As shown, when a small object S2 is located at the rearward end of the ejection surface 52a and near the short sidewall portion 60b, it may be difficult to determine that the object S2 is located on the ejection surface 52a using the combination of the second infrared light source 30 and the infrared sensor 10. However, when the object S2 moves forward in the direction F on the ejection surface 52a due to the inertial force of the vehicle 200, etc., as... Figures 3 to 5 As shown, object S2 is located at the end of the ejection surface 52a in the forward direction F. In this state, as described above, the combination of the first infrared light source 20 and the infrared sensor 10 determines that object S2 is located on the ejection surface 52a. Through the combination of the first infrared light source 20 and the infrared sensor 10, even a thin object S2 or an object S2 located near the short sidewall portions 60a and 60b can be detected with high precision.

[0080] (Effect)

[0081] Based on the above-described embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

[0082] (1) As one example of a projection display device for a vehicle, a display device 1 displays an image by projecting display light L from an emission port 207 toward a windshield 201 that is one example of a projection target member. The display device 1 includes a cover plate 52 having an emission surface 52a whose height with respect to a front-rear direction F, R of a vehicle 200 changes and from which the display light L is emitted toward the windshield 201, the cover plate 52 being formed as a plate that encloses the emission port 207 and having a light-transmitting property that transmits the display light L, first and second infrared light sources 20, 30 that respectively emit infrared light R1, R2 along the emission surface 52a, and an infrared sensor 10 configured to be able to detect the infrared light R1 that directly reaches from the first infrared light source 20 and the reflected infrared light R2a that is reflected by an object S1 on the emission surface 52a after the infrared light R2 from the second infrared light source 30. The second infrared light source 30 is disposed on a side of the emission surface 52a in a vehicle width direction W that is orthogonal to the front-rear direction F, R in a manner that the infrared sensor 10 is aligned in the front-rear direction F, R, and is provided in correspondence with a position in the emission surface 52a in the front-rear direction F, R at which a height is a first height H1. The first infrared light source 20 and the infrared sensor 10 are located at positions opposite each other in the vehicle width direction W with the emission surface 52a interposed therebetween, and are provided in correspondence with a position in the emission surface 52a in the front-rear direction F, R at which a height is a second height H2 that is lower than the first height H1.

[0083] According to this configuration, the number of infrared sensors 10 can be fewer than the number of infrared light sources 20, 30, and thus the configuration can be simplified.

[0084] In addition, an object on the emission surface 52a is likely to be located between the first infrared light source 20 at a low height and the infrared sensor 10. Thus, a high-precision infrared-transmitting object detection system constituted by the combination of the first infrared light source 20 and the infrared sensor 10 can be effectively utilized.

[0085] (2) The first infrared light source 20 emits infrared light having a higher directivity than the infrared light from the second infrared light source 30.

[0086] According to this configuration, by combining the infrared light sources 20, 30 having different directivities, the characteristics of the above-described infrared-transmitting and infrared-reflecting types can be combined and the disadvantages can be compensated for each other.

[0087] Furthermore, the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the drawings. It can be appropriately changed (including deletion of constituent elements) within a range not changing the gist of the present application. Hereinafter, one example of a modification will be described.

[0088] (Modified Example)

[0089] In the above embodiment, the display device 1 projects the display light L to the light-shielding portion 203 of the windshield 201, but is not limited thereto, and can project the display light L to the light-transmitting portion 202 of the windshield 201. In this case, the projected image can overlap the real scene.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the light-shielding portion 203 in the windshield 201 can be omitted.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the display device 1 can project the display light L to a dedicated combiner.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the object determination portion 42 can receive vehicle speed information from the outside and determine whether or not there is an object on the emission surface 52a in consideration of the vehicle speed. The object determination portion 42 can, for example, add a case where a change in vehicle speed, that is, an inertial force or the like becomes a predetermined value or more to one of the determination conditions of the presence of an object on the emission surface 52a. The predetermined value can be set to an inertial force or the like with which an object on the instrument panel 205 can fall into the emission port 207.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the infrared light-transmitting portions 62, 63, 64 can be condenser lenses that condense the transmitted infrared light.

[0094] The substrates 71, 72, 73 in the above embodiment can be omitted.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the infrared light sources 20, 30 and the infrared sensor 10 can be mounted on a control substrate on the lower side of the display 50. In this case, a light guide member can be provided between the infrared light sources 20, 30 and the infrared sensor 10 and the side of the emission surface 52a.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the first infrared light source 20 emits infrared light having higher directivity than the infrared light from the second infrared light source 30, but is not limited thereto, and can emit infrared light having lower directivity than the infrared light from the second infrared light source 30 or the same directivity as the infrared light from the second infrared light source 30.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the number of the second infrared light sources 30 in the infrared reflection-type object detection system is one, but a plurality of second infrared light sources 30 can be provided. For example, a plurality of (for example, two) second infrared light sources 30 can be arranged in the front-rear direction F, R along the outer surface of the short side wall portion 60a. Further, the directivity and wavelength characteristics of each infrared light source can be the same or different. Further, the threshold value for determination can be set individually for each infrared light source. Further, in one detection operation, the light emission control can be performed for a plurality of infrared light sources, or the time-division light emission control can be performed.

[0098] The infrared sensor 10 and the second infrared light source 30 are disposed on both sides of the emission surface 52a in the vehicle width direction W, but can be disposed on both sides of the emission surface 52a in the front-rear direction F, R.

[0099] The infrared light transmitting portions 62, 63, 64 in the above-described embodiments can also be formed as light guide members. Further, the infrared light transmitting portions 62, 63, 64 can also be omitted. In this case, through-holes through which infrared light passes the housing 60 are formed.

[0100] In the above-described embodiments, the emission surface 52a of the cover plate 52 directly opposes the projected member (windshield 201), but is not limited thereto, and a cover member formed in a plate shape of a light-transmissive resin or glass can be provided between the display panel 51 and the projected member. The infrared sensor 10 and the infrared light sources 20, 30 can also be disposed so as to be able to determine whether or not an object exists on the emission surface of the cover member that opposes the projected member.

[0101] As this modification, for example, as shown in Figure 10 Fig. 12, a head-up display (HUD) device 100 as a vehicle projection-type display device is provided with a HUD housing 160, a cover member 162, a display 50, and mirrors 120, 130. The mirrors 120, 130 are optical relays that guide display light L from the display 50 to a projected member. The HUD housing 160 houses the display 50 and the like, and an opening portion is formed at a position opposing the windshield 201. The opening portion is embedded with the cover member 162 of a light-transmissive resin that transmits the display light L. The cover member 162 is in a plate shape that is inclined in the front-rear direction F, R and curved in a concave shape. The infrared sensor 10 and the infrared light sources 20, 30 are disposed so as to be able to determine whether or not an object exists on the emission surface (upper surface) of the cover member 162. The cover member 162 can also be lowest near the center in the front-rear direction F, R, and in this case, the infrared sensor 10 and the first infrared light source 20 can be disposed on the cover member 162, and the second infrared light source 30 can be disposed on both sides of the cover member 162 in the front-rear direction F, R.

[0102] Further, the emission surface can be formed at the same height in the vehicle width direction W, but can also be formed at different heights in the vehicle width direction W. In this case, the infrared sensor 10 and the first infrared light source 20 can be disposed at a position that is lowest in the front-rear direction F, R and the vehicle width direction W.

[0103] In the above embodiments, the display device 1 is of the type that has a liquid crystal panel, but as long as it has a structure with an emitting surface that emits display light L, it can be of any type, or it can be of the type that uses an organic EL panel, MEMS (Micro ElectroMechanical Systems) or DMD (Digital Micromirror Device).

[0104] In the determination process of the above embodiment, the emission order of infrared light R1 and R2 can also be reversed.

[0105] In the above embodiment, an example is shown whereby, when the object determination unit 42 determines that there is no object on the injection surface 52a, the display control unit 41 displays an image containing vehicle information such as vehicle speed on the display panel 51. However, even when the object determination unit 42 determines that there is no object on the injection surface 52a, the display control unit 41 can maintain the display even after a warning image has just been displayed.

[0106] For example, an object located on the ejection surface 52a may sometimes be displaced due to inertial forces caused by the movement of the vehicle 200. Therefore, even if the object detection unit 42 determines that there is no object on the ejection surface 52a, there is a possibility that the object is only temporarily outside the detection range.

[0107] Therefore, even if the object determination unit 42 determines that there is no object on the ejection surface 52a, the display control unit 41 can maintain the display even if a warning image has just been displayed.

[0108] In particular, this possibility increases when the vehicle 200 is in motion, so the control that just displayed the warning image can also be maintained only when the vehicle 200 is in motion (i.e., except when temporarily stopped or when parked for a long time).

[0109] In such a case, it is also possible that... Figure 9 Before step S103 in the flowchart shown, the object determination unit 42 holds the determination result indicating the presence of object S2, and the display control unit 41 performs the step of determining whether to display a warning image or whether to change the display status of the previous warning image.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the object determination unit 42 determines whether there is an object on the emission surface 52a. However, the object determination unit 42 may also determine the presence or absence of an object based on the results of multiple light intensity measurements. Performing multiple light intensity measurements (i.e., increasing the number of samplings) reduces the possibility of misjudgment caused by interference, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination result.

Claims

1. A projection-type display device for vehicles, which displays images by projecting display light from an outlet onto a projected component, characterized in that, Possessing: a cover plate having an emission surface whose height varies with respect to a front-rear direction of a vehicle and which emits the display light toward the projected component, the cover plate being formed in a plate shape that encloses the emission port and having a light-transmitting property that transmits the display light; first and second infrared light sources that respectively emit infrared light along the emission surface; and an infrared sensor configured to be able to detect infrared light that directly reaches from the first infrared light source and reflected infrared light that is reflected by an object on the emission surface after infrared light from the second infrared light source, the second infrared light source is disposed on a side of the emission surface in a width direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction in a manner that the second infrared light source and the infrared sensor are aligned in the front-rear direction, and is provided in correspondence with a position in the emission surface in the front-rear direction whose height is a first height, the first infrared light source and the infrared sensor are located at positions opposite each other in the width direction across the emission surface, and are provided in correspondence with a position in the emission surface in the front-rear direction whose height is a second height lower than the first height.

2. The vehicle projection display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first infrared light source emits infrared light having a directivity higher than that of the infrared light from the second infrared light source.

Images