Head-up display device

Abstract

[Task] To provide a head-up display device which can suppress the light condensing portion from becoming hot. [Solution] The head-up display device (10; 10A) comprises a first projection mechanism (20) that emits light, allowing the visual observer to perceive a real image; a second projection mechanism (30) that emits light, allowing the visual observer to perceive a virtual image; a reflector part (15) that reflects the light emitted by the first projection mechanism (20) and the second projection mechanism (30) toward the screen part (18); and a control part (19) that switches between a first mode in which the real image is projected onto the screen part (18) and a second mode in which the visual observer perceives the virtual image as if it were projected beyond the screen part (18). The reflector part (15) is provided so as to be pivotable.The control part (19) pivots the reflector part (15) in the second mode and thereby suppresses the formation of an area in the vicinity of the first projection mechanism (20) in which the external light is bundled.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a head-up display device. [Technical background]

[0002] The head-up display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can perform switching between a first mode in which the driver recognizes a real image projected on the windshield as a screen part and a second mode in which the driver recognizes a virtual image appearing in front of the windshield. [Prior art document][Patent document]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-070074 A [Summary of the invention][Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case of projecting a real image in a head-up display device as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the light projected from a backlight is condensed by a lens or the like before being emitted, and the emitted light rays are reflected by a mirror.

[0005] Assuming that the area where the light is concentrated is the light condensing area, once sunlight or other external light enters the vehicle interior, the external light travels in the opposite direction to the path taken by the light for projecting the real image. The energy of the external light is concentrated in the light condensing area, causing the light condensing area and the housing near the light condensing area to become hot. From the perspective of extending the service life of the head-up display device, it is desirable to be able to suppress the light condensing area from becoming hot.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of providing a head-up display device which can suppress heating of the light condensing region. [Means of solving the problem]

[0007] The head-up display device according to a first embodiment comprises a first projection mechanism that emits light, allowing the visual observer to perceive a real image, a second projection mechanism that emits light, allowing the visual observer to perceive a virtual image, a reflector part which is a mirror capable of reflecting the light emitted by the first projection mechanism and the second projection mechanism onto a screen part, a housing in which the first projection mechanism and second projection mechanism as well as the reflector part are housed, and a control part which carries out a change between a first mode in which the visually discerning person discerns the real image as if it were projected onto the screen part, and a second mode in which the visually discerning person discerns the virtual image as if it were projected beyond the screen part, wherein the reflector part is provided so as to be pivotable and wherein the control part, assuming that the area in which the external light is concentrated in the first mode is the light concentrating area, pivots the reflector part in the second mode and thereby suppresses the formation of an area in which the external light is concentrated in the vicinity of the first projection mechanism.

[0008] In the head-up display device according to a second embodiment, which can be subordinated to the first embodiment, the housing comprises a wall section partially enclosing the first projection mechanism, wherein the wall section is designed to bypass the light bundling area.

[0009] In the head-up display device according to a third embodiment, which can be subordinated to the first or second embodiment, A section of the housing that comes into contact with the light bundling area is protected by a material that is more heat-resistant than the remaining sections of the housing. [Advantages of the invention]

[0010] With the present invention, it is possible to provide a head-up display device that can suppress heating of the light condensing area. [Brief description of the drawings] [ Fig. 1] is a schematic diagram of the head-up display device according to Embodiment 1. [ Fig. 2] Fig. 2A is a view for explaining the first mode and Fig. Figure 2B is a view explaining the second mode. [ Fig. 3] Fig. 3A is a view describing the operation in the first mode and Fig. Figure 3B is a view describing the process in the second mode. [ Fig. 4] is a schematic diagram of the head-up display device according to Embodiment 2. [Embodiments of the invention]

[0011] The following is a description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this description, "left" and "right" refer to the left and right sides as viewed from the vehicle occupants, and "front" and "rear" refer to the front and rear sides as viewed from the vehicle's direction of travel. <Ausführungsbeispiel 1>

[0012] It will be Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows a head-up display device 10. The head-up display device 10 is provided, for example, in the front part of the vehicle compartment VI and serves to convey information to the driver Dr as the visual observer. The information conveyed to the driver Dr includes, for example, navigation to the destination, the vehicle speed, the gear position, the time, etc. The driver Dr is sometimes also referred to below as the visual observer Dr.

[0013] The head-up display device 10 comprises a first projection mechanism 20 which emits light with which the visually discerning person Dr perceives a real image, a first reflector part 12 which reflects the light emitted by the first projection mechanism 20, a second projection mechanism 30 which emits light with which the visually discerning person Dr perceives a virtual image, a half-mirror part 14 which reflects the light reflected by the first reflector part 12 and transmits the light emitted by the second projection mechanism 30, a second reflector part 15 (reflector part 15) which further reflects the light reflected by the half-mirror part 14 or transmitted through the half-mirror part 14, a second reflector holder 16 (reflector holder 16) which pivotably holds the second reflector part 15, a housing 17 in which the first projection mechanism 20, the first reflector part 12, the second projection mechanism 30,the half-mirror part 14 and the second reflector part 15 are housed, and a screen part 18, onto which the light reflected by the second reflector part 15 falls and the real image is projected.

[0014] The head-up display device 10 further includes a control part 19. The control part 19 can perform the switching between the first mode, in which the visual recognizer Dr recognizes the real image as if it were projected onto the screen part 18, and the second mode, in which the visual recognizer Dr recognizes the virtual image as if it were projected beyond the screen part 18.

[0015] The first projection mechanism 20 includes, for example, a first light source 21 formed of a light-emitting diode, and a first display part 22 that transmits the light emitted from the first light source 21 and is formed of a TFT (Thin Film Transistor).

[0016] It will be Fig. 2A. The first projection mechanism 20 is arranged at a position farther from the screen portion 18 than the focal length F1. This means that the length of the light path from the screen portion 18 to the first projection mechanism 20 is longer than the focal length F1 of the screen portion 18.

[0017] It will be Fig. 1. The switching on and off of the first light source 21 and the image displayed on the first display part 22 are controlled by the control part 19.

[0018] The first reflector part 12 is, for example, a full mirror mounted in the housing 17. The reflection surface of the first reflector part 12 can be flat or a convex or concave curved surface. The light emitted by the first projection mechanism 20 is reflected by the first reflector part 12 toward the half-mirror part 14.

[0019] The second projection mechanism 30 includes, for example, a second light source 31 formed of a light-emitting diode, and a second display part 32 that transmits the light emitted from the second light source 31 and is formed of a TFT (Thin Film Transistor).

[0020] The second display part 32 is arranged at an angle to the optical axis of the light emitted by the second light source 31. This inclination allows the virtual image to be placed in an image plane inclined relative to the road surface. The second display part 32 can also be arranged perpendicular to the optical axis, just like the first display part 22.

[0021] It will be Fig. 2B. The second projection mechanism 30 is arranged at a position closer than the focal length F2 from the screen portion 18. This means that the length of the light path from the screen portion 18 to the second projection mechanism 30 is shorter than the focal length F2 of the screen portion 18.

[0022] It will be Fig. 1. The switching on and off of the second light source 31 and the image displayed on the second display part 32 are controlled by the control part 19.

[0023] The half-mirror part 14 is formed from a half-mirror. Part of the light reflected by the first reflector part 12 is reflected by the front surface of the half-mirror part 14 toward the second reflector part 15. Part of the light emitted by the second projection mechanism 30 is transmitted through the half-mirror part 14 from the rear surface of the half-mirror part 14 toward the second reflector part 15.

[0024] The second reflector part 15 is formed, for example, from a solid mirror. The reflection surface of the second reflector part 15 can be flat or a convex or concave curved surface. The light emitted by the first projection mechanism 20 and reflected by the half-mirror part 14, and the light emitted by the second projection mechanism 30 and transmitted through the half-mirror part 14, are reflected by the second reflector part 15 toward the screen part 18.

[0025] The second reflector mount 16 includes a motor (not shown). Activating the motor causes the second reflector mount 16 to pivot, and the second reflector portion 15, which is supported by the second reflector mount 16, also pivots. The direction in which the second reflector mount 16 points is controlled by the control portion 19.

[0026] The housing 17 may be formed from any material, e.g., metal, plastic, etc. The housing 17 may also be formed from a combination of multiple parts, or a one-piece piece, such as a molded part or the like, may be used.

[0027] A wall-like wall section 17w is formed in the interior of the housing 17, dividing the interior space. The first projection mechanism 20 is surrounded by the wall section 17w.

[0028] The screen part 18 can, for example, be formed from a windshield that separates the front part of the vehicle compartment VI. The screen part 18 can also be formed from a combiner supported by the housing 17.

[0029] The control part 19 can be provided inside the housing 17 or outside the housing 17. The control part 19 can supply power to the light sources 21 and 31, the display parts 22 and 32, and the second reflector holder 16. The control part 19 controls the switching on and off of the light sources 21 and 31, the images displayed on the display parts 22 and 32, and the angle of the second reflector holder 16.

[0030] It will be Fig. 2A. Fig. Figure 2A shows the head-up display device 10 in the first mode. In the first mode, the control part 19 turns on the first light source 21, displays a predetermined image on the first display part 22, and holds the second reflector bracket 16 in the first mode position. This also causes the second reflector part 15 to point in the predetermined direction. The control part 19 does not supply power to the second light source 31 and the second display part 32.

[0031] The light emitted by the first light source 21 passes through the first display part 22 and is reflected by the first reflector part 12 toward the half-mirror part 14. The light reflected by the surface of the half-mirror part 14 toward the second reflector part 15 is reflected by the second reflector part 15 toward the screen part 18.

[0032] The image projected onto the screen portion 18 changes as the image displayed on the first display portion 22 changes. The visually discerning person Dr can obtain the information by visually discerning the real image projected onto the screen portion 18.

[0033] It will be Fig. 1. In the first mode, the light that passed through the first display part 22 is condensed at one point, then scattered, and reflected by the first reflector part 12. In addition, external light, such as sunlight, possibly penetrates into the vehicle compartment VI from outside the vehicle. The external light that has penetrated into the housing 17 is reflected by the second reflector part 15, the half-mirror part 14, and the first reflector part 12. The external light reflected by the first reflector part 12 is condensed and scattered in one area. This light condensing area may be referred to as a light condensing area CA in which the external light is condensed in the first mode. The wall portion 17w is formed to bypass the light condensing area CA. The light condensing area CA approximately corresponds to the area in which the light emitted by the first light source 21 is condensed.

[0034] When changing from the first mode to the second mode, the control part 19 rotates the holder 16 of the second reflector and stops the power supply to the first light source 21 and the first display part 22. At the same time, the control part 19 supplies power to the second light source 31 and the second display part 32.

[0035] It will be Fig. 2B. Fig. Figure 2B shows the head-up display device 10 in the second mode. In the second mode, the control part 19 turns on the second light source 31, displays a predetermined image on the second display part 32, and holds the second reflector bracket 16 in the second mode position. This also causes the second reflector part 15 to point in the predetermined direction. The control part 19 does not supply power to the first light source 21 and the first display part 22.

[0036] The light emitted from the second light source 31 passes through the second display part 32 and reaches the half-mirror part 14. The light that has passed through the half-mirror part 14 from the back of the half-mirror part 14 is reflected by the second reflector part 15 toward the screen part 18.

[0037] The visually discerning Dr perceives the image as if it were projected in front of the screen part 18. The virtual image perceived by the visually discerning Dr changes in the same way as the image displayed on the second display part 32 changes. The visually discerning Dr can obtain the information by visually discerning the virtual image.

[0038] When switching from the second mode to the first mode, the control part 19 rotates the holder 16 of the second reflector and stops the power supply to the second light source 31 and the second display part 32. At the same time, the control part 19 supplies power to the first light source 21 and the first display part 22.

[0039] The following is a summary of the head-up display device 10 described above.

[0040] It will be Fig. 3. The head-up display device 10 comprises a first projection mechanism 20 that emits light, with which the visually discerning person Dr perceives a real image (see 2A); a second projection mechanism 30 that emits light, with which the visually discerning person Dr perceives a virtual image (see 2B); a second reflector part 15 (reflector part 15), which is a mirror that can reflect the light emitted by the first projection mechanism 20 and the second projection mechanism 30 onto a screen part 18, a housing 17 in which the first projection mechanism 20 and the second projection mechanism 30 as well as the second reflector part 15 are housed; and a control part 19 that controls switching between a first mode (see Fig. 3A), in which the visually discerning Dr recognizes the real image as if it were projected on the screen part 18, and a second mode (see Fig. 3B), in which the visually discerning Dr perceives the virtual image as if it were projected beyond the screen part 18.

[0041] In particular, Fig. 3B. The control part 19 pivots the second reflector part 15 in the second mode, thereby suppressing the formation of an area near the first projection mechanism 20 in which the external light is concentrated.

[0042] By suppressing the formation of an area in which the external light is condensed near the first projection mechanism 20, a head-up display device 10 can be provided that can suppress the housing 17 from becoming hot near the light condensing area CA.

[0043] Preferably, the housing 17 includes a wall portion 17w that encloses a portion of the first projection mechanism 20. The wall portion 17w is formed to bypass the light condensing area CA, which is the area where the external light is condensed in the first mode. This suppresses heat from being trapped in the housing 17 near the light condensing area CA and the housing 17 near the light condensing area CA from becoming hot in the first mode. <Ausführungsbeispiel 2>

[0044] The following is an explanation of Embodiment 2 of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0045] It will be Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows the head-up display device 10A according to the embodiment 2, which is similar to the above-described Fig. 1. In the head-up display device 10A according to Embodiment 2, a heat-resistant member 41 is provided at a portion of the housing 17A adjacent to the light condensing region CA. The remaining basic structure is common to that of the head-up display device 10 according to Embodiment 1. The same reference numerals are used for those parts identical to those in Embodiment 1, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0046] The heat-resistant member 41 is fixed to a general part of the housing 17A. The heat-resistant member 41 may also be provided integrally with the general part of the housing 17A by two-color molding or the like.

[0047] The heat-resistant component 41 is formed from a component that is more heat-resistant than, for example, the material forming the remaining parts of the housing 17A. High heat resistance is usually correlated with a higher melting temperature. Therefore, a material with a higher melting temperature than that of the housing 17A can be selected for the heat-resistant component 41.

[0048] Specifically, this means: The general part of the housing 17A can be made of ABS plastic and the heat-resistant component 41 of polycarbonate plastic, or the general part of polypropylene plastic and the heat-resistant component 41 of epoxy plastic; or the general part of polycarbonate plastic and the heat-resistant component 41 of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Furthermore, magnesium alloys, polyamide-imides, etc., can be used for the heat-resistant component 41.

[0049] The head-up display device 10A described above also achieves the predetermined advantages that the head-up display device 10 described in embodiment 1 (see Fig. 1) was achieved.

[0050] Furthermore, a portion of the housing 17 with which the light converging region CA comes into contact is preferably protected by a material (heat-resistant member 41) that has higher heat resistance than the remaining portions. This suppresses heat from being trapped in the light converging region CA and the light converging region CA becoming hot in the first mode.

[0051] The individual embodiments can also be combined as desired. In the head-up display device 10 of Fig. 1 can, for example, be the Fig.4 may be attached to the portion below the light condensing region CA of the housing 17. Furthermore, the portion of the housing 17 below the light condensing region CA may be concavely shaped so as to be spaced apart from the light condensing region CA. As long as the effect and effects of the present invention are achieved, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. [Industrial applicability]

[0052] The head-up display device according to the invention is suitable for installation in passenger cars. [List of reference symbols] 10, 10A Head-up display device 15 Second reflector part (reflector part) 17, 17A housing, 17w wall section 18 Screen part 19 Control unit 20 First projection mechanism 30 Second projection mechanism CA light bundling area QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2011-070074 A

[0003]

Claims

[1] Head-up display device, having a first projection mechanism that emits light, allowing the visual observer to perceive a real image, a second projection mechanism that emits light, allowing the visual observer to perceive a virtual image, a reflector part which is a mirror capable of reflecting the light emitted by the first projection mechanism and the second projection mechanism onto a screen part, a housing in which the first projection mechanism and second projection mechanism as well as the reflector part are housed, and a control part which switches between a first mode in which the visually discerning person discerns the real image as if it were projected onto the screen part and a second mode in which the visually discerning person discerns the virtual image as if it were projected beyond the screen part, wherein the reflector part is provided so as to be pivotable and wherein the control part, assuming that the area in which the external light is concentrated in the first mode is the light concentrating area, pivots the reflector part in the second mode and thereby suppresses the formation of an area in which the external light is concentrated in the vicinity of the first projection mechanism. [2] Head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a wall portion partially enclosing the first projection mechanism, and wherein the wall section is formed so as to bypass the light bundling area. [3] The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the housing contacting the light condensing area is protected by a material that is more heat-resistant than the remaining portions of the housing.

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