Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device capable of ensuring a display area while suppressing a deterioration in visibility of a scene ahead.SOLUTION: A display device 100 includes: a ceramic-formed part 11 provided in a lower end area of a windshield 1a of a vehicle 1; an adjacent part 12 provided in the windshield 1a so as to be adjacent to the ceramic-formed part 11; and a display unit 20 which is located inside a dashboard 1b of the vehicle 1 and emits light showing an image toward each of the ceramic-formed part 11 and the adjacent part 12. The adjacent part 12 is located between: a main part 1m, of the windshield 1a, for allowing a driver 2 to visually recognize a scene ahead of the vehicle 1; and the ceramic-formed part 11. The adjacent part 12 has a light transmittance which is lower than that of the main part 1m and higher than that of the ceramic-formed part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a display device, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a device that emits light representing an image toward a ceramic formation portion (a portion where black ceramic is formed) provided in the lower end region of a vehicle's windshield, thereby allowing the driver to view the image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-62085 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this type of display device, if the ceramic forming portion is expanded without taking any measures to ensure a display area for an image, there is a risk that the driver's visibility of the scenery ahead through the windshield will be reduced.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and has an object to provide a display device that can ensure a display area while suppressing a decrease in visibility of the scenery ahead. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the display device according to the present disclosure comprises: a ceramic formation provided in a lower end region of a vehicle windshield; a main portion of the windshield for allowing a driver of the vehicle to view a view ahead of the vehicle and an adjacent portion located between the main portion and the ceramic forming portion and provided on the windshield adjacent to the ceramic forming portion; a display unit located in a dashboard of the vehicle and emitting light representing an image toward the ceramic formation portion and the adjacent portion; The adjacent portion has a lower light transmittance than the main portion and a higher light transmittance than the ceramic forming portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure a display area while suppressing a decrease in visibility of the scenery ahead. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing application of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure to a vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a front view of a windshield for explaining an example of a formation range of an adjacent portion with respect to the ceramic formation portion according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a front view of a windshield for explaining an adjacent portion according to a modified example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of a windshield for explaining a first display content and a second display content according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1, the display device 100 according to this embodiment includes a ceramic-formed portion 11 and an adjacent portion 12 provided on a windshield 1a of a vehicle 1 (automobile), a display unit 20 that emits light (hereinafter, display light L) that displays an image toward the ceramic-formed portion 11 and the adjacent portion 12, and a cylindrical body 30. The display light L includes a first light L1 reflected by the ceramic-formed portion 11 and a second light L2 reflected by the adjacent portion 12.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the windshield 1a has a main portion 1m for allowing the driver 2 of the vehicle 1 to view the scenery ahead of the vehicle 1, a shading portion 1s provided along the outer edge of the windshield 1a, and an adjacent portion 12.

[0012] The light-shielding portion 1s is a portion of the windshield 1a that has light-shielding properties. The light-shielding portion 1s is a portion formed of black ceramic by baking paint, and is commonly called a black ceramic portion. For example, the light-shielding portion 1s is a portion formed of the ceramic in a solid coating.

[0013] The above-mentioned ceramic-formed portion 11 is a portion of the light-shielding portion 1s that is provided in the lower end region of the windshield 1a. In other words, the ceramic-formed portion 11 is located below the main portion 1m. The inner surface of the ceramic-formed portion 11 in the windshield 1a constitutes a reflective surface that reflects the display light L (first light L1) toward the driver 2. The light-shielding portion 1s may be provided on the inner surface of the windshield 1a (the surface facing the driver 2) or on the outer surface of the windshield 1a. In addition, when the windshield 1a is composed of a laminated glass of multiple pieces of glass, the light-shielding portion 1s may be provided inside the windshield 1a.

[0014] The adjacent portion 12 is located between the main portion 1m and the ceramic-formed portion 11, and is a portion provided on the windshield 1a adjacent to the ceramic-formed portion 11. The adjacent portion 12 is formed to have a lower light transmittance than the main portion 1m, but a higher light transmittance than the ceramic-formed portion 11. The adjacent portion 12 is configured to have a transmittance that is not as high as the main portion 1m, but is sufficient to allow the driver 2 to slightly see the scenery ahead of the vehicle 1. The transmittance of the adjacent portion 12 may be considered to be the average transmittance of the area in which the adjacent portion 12 is formed.

[0015] The adjacent portion 12 is formed by a portion of the windshield 1a on which a coating or film is formed so as to have a lower light transmittance than the main portion 1m. For example, the adjacent portion 12 is formed by applying a half-mirror coat or a half-mirror film to the windshield 1a. The adjacent portion 12 may also be formed by applying HR coating (High Reflection Coating) to the windshield 1a.

[0016] Fig. 3 shows adjacent portion 12 according to a modified example. The adjacent portion 12 in Fig. 3 shows an example in which the same material as ceramic-formed portion 11 is formed in slits (i.e., black ceramic is formed in slits by baking). Although not shown, as another modified example, adjacent portion 12 may be formed in which the same material as ceramic-formed portion 11 is formed in dots. Even with these modified examples, the average transmittance of the region in which adjacent portion 12 is formed can be made lower than the transmittance of main portion 1m and higher than the transmittance of ceramic-formed portion 11.

[0017] The inner surface of the adjacent portion 12 in the windshield 1a constitutes a reflective surface that reflects the display light L (second light L2) toward the driver 2. The adjacent portion 12 may be provided on the inner surface (surface facing the driver 2) of the windshield 1a, or on the outer surface of the windshield 1a. In addition, when the windshield 1a is composed of a laminated glass of multiple pieces of glass, the adjacent portion 12 may be provided inside the windshield 1a.

[0018] The display light L reflected by the ceramic forming portion 11 and the adjacent portion 12 proceeds toward the driver 2. By placing his / her viewpoint within the eye box 2a, the driver 2 can visually recognize a virtual image of the image represented by the display light L. To the driver 2, the image appears to be displayed on the ceramic forming portion 11 and the adjacent portion 12 (specifically, behind the ceramic forming portion 11 and the adjacent portion 12). The image shows, for example, various information related to the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as vehicle information). The vehicle information may include not only information about the vehicle 1 itself, but also external information about the vehicle 1, such as information about the surroundings of the vehicle 1. Details of the ceramic forming portion 11 and the adjacent portion 12 will be described later.

[0019] The display unit 20 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like, and is provided in the dashboard 1b (including the instrument panel) of the vehicle 1. The display unit 20 is capable of displaying an image showing vehicle information in an image display area 21. That is, the image display area 21 is a pixel formation area in the display unit 20, and is an area in which an image can be displayed. Display light L representing the image is emitted from the image display area 21 toward the windshield 1a (the ceramic formation portion 11 and the adjacent portion 12). The eye box 2a is optically determined by the relative positional relationship between the image display area 21 and the windshield 1a, and the shape of the portion (reflective surface) of the windshield 1a that receives the display light L.

[0020] Here, the first light L1 irradiated to the ceramic forming portion 11 and the second light L2 irradiated to the adjacent portion 12 may cooperate to display the same image or the same type of content. Furthermore, the first light L1 irradiated to the ceramic forming portion 11 and the second light L2 irradiated to the adjacent portion 12 may display different types of display content. An example in which the first light L1 and the second light L2 display different types of display content will be described later.

[0021] The cylindrical body 30 is formed, for example, by a part of the dashboard 1b, and passes the display light L emitted from the display unit 20 and directed toward the windshield 1a. That is, the cylindrical body 30 is located between the display unit 20 and the windshield 1a. The cylindrical body 30 may be a member that is combined with the dashboard 1b. The display unit 20 is located below the cylindrical body 30, and emits the display light L into the cylindrical body 30. The upper end of the cylindrical body 30 forms an opening 31, which is a portion from which the display light L is emitted from the dashboard 1b. The cylindrical body 30 is made of a light-absorbing material such as black, or is made by applying a surface treatment to reduce reflection. This makes it possible to suppress stray light, such as sunlight reflected after entering the cylindrical body 30 and the display light L reflected at a portion other than the ceramic forming portion 11, from reaching the eye box 2a.

[0022] The display device 100 also includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the display operation of the display unit 20. The control unit is composed of, for example, a microcontroller, and communicates with various electronic components such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle 1 to monitor various states of the vehicle 1. The control unit also generates an image to be displayed on the display unit 20 based on various states of the vehicle 1 and image data for drawing stored in a memory. The control unit is mounted on, for example, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) disposed in the dashboard 1b.

[0023] (Ceramic forming portion 11 and adjacent portion 12) Fig. 2 is a front view of the windshield 1a as seen from inside the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 2, the ceramic forming portion 11 is formed from the left end to the right end of the windshield 1a. For example, the display unit 20 can emit the display light L not only in a portion corresponding to the front of the driver's seat of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as the driver's seat corresponding portion), but also in a portion corresponding to the front of the passenger seat of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as the passenger seat corresponding portion), and can display an image represented by the display light L. The display unit 20 that realizes this may be composed of a single display, or may be composed of multiple displays arranged in the left-right direction.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper end of the ceramic forming portion 11 is formed so as to become lower as it moves away from an arbitrary highest position M (highest point) in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1. This prevents the main portion 1m of the windshield 1a from being narrowed more than necessary, so that even if the driver 2 moves his / her line of sight left or right, the visibility of the scenery ahead can be prevented from decreasing. Here, in FIG. 2, an example in which the ceramic forming portion 11 is symmetrical is shown, but the ceramic forming portion 11 may be configured to be asymmetrical left-right by setting the highest position M of the ceramic forming portion 11 at a portion of the ceramic forming portion 11 corresponding to the driver's seat. In order to ensure the driver 2's field of vision on the passenger's seat side, it is preferable to set the highest position M of the ceramic forming portion 11 not at the portion corresponding to the passenger's seat but on the driver's seat side rather than the center of the vehicle 1.

[0025] Here, a reference point previously determined in the vehicle 1 as a position corresponding to the viewpoint or head of the driver 2, a horizontal axis that is a horizontal axis passing through the reference point, and a virtual axis that is inclined downward by a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal axis with the reference point as the center are considered. In this case, the upper end of the ceramic forming portion 11 is set with a position corresponding to the intersection of the virtual axis and the windshield 1a as the upper limit. This reference point is, for example, the "V2 point" indicating the "reference coordinate for the design seat back angle" described in Annex JA of the Automotive Safety Glass Test Method (JIS R3212:2015) in the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). For example, the predetermined angle, which is the angle of the virtual axis with respect to the horizontal axis, is 5°.

[0026] Depending on the transmittance of the adjacent portion 12 (for example, when the adjacent portion 12 is formed of the same material as the ceramic-formed portion 11 as in the modified example described above), the upper end of the adjacent portion 12 is also set with the position corresponding to the intersection of the virtual axis and the windshield 1a as the upper limit. Also, the reference point is not limited to "point V2" as defined in the JIS, and may be appropriately determined according to the laws and regulations of the country and region in which the vehicle 1 and the display device 100 are used.

[0027] In this embodiment, as described above, the adjacent portion 12 has a lower light transmittance than the main portion 1m and a higher light transmittance than the ceramic forming portion 11. This allows the driver 2 to see the scenery ahead of the vehicle 1 to some extent through not only the main portion 1m of the windshield 1a but also the adjacent portion 12 that can display an image by being irradiated with the second light L2. Therefore, the display device 100 can ensure a display area while suppressing a decrease in visibility of the scenery ahead.

[0028] Furthermore, when viewed from a position (hereinafter referred to as the ideal viewpoint position) that is predetermined as the ideal viewpoint of the driver 2, the adjacent portion 12 may be larger than the ceramic forming portion 11. This allows the driver 2 to more easily view the scenery ahead, and reduces the sense of oppression that may be felt by the driver 2. The ideal viewpoint position may be the aforementioned "point V2," or an arbitrary position determined based on point V2 (for example, coordinates shifted a predetermined amount from point V2), or an arbitrary position in the eye box 2a that is optically determined (for example, the center of the eye box 2a).

[0029] (An example in which the first light L1 and the second light L2 represent different types of display content) From here on, an example will be described in which the first light L1 and the second light L2 represent different types of display content. The first display content C1 shown in Fig. 4 is an example of an image represented by the first light L1, and the second display content C2 is an example of an image represented by the second light L2. In Fig. 4, the upper end of the adjacent portion 12 is indicated by a dashed line. Figs. 2 to 4 show the windshield 1a when the vehicle 1 is a left-hand drive vehicle (LHD: Left-Hand Drive).

[0030] The first display content C1 is, for example, a content that meets the requirements of the Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) and is required to be displayed in the vehicle 1. The first display content C1 in FIG. 4 is an example that represents a vehicle speed. The second display content C2 is, for example, a content that does not meet the requirements of the ASIL. The second display content C2 in FIG. 4 is an example that represents an ambient display. That is, the first display content C1 has a predetermined display priority higher than the second display content C2. This display priority is predetermined in the above-mentioned control unit that controls the display operation of the display unit 20. The first light L1 representing the first display content C1 and the second light L2 representing the second display content C2 may be emitted from an integrated display or may be emitted from separate displays. In any case, these displays are included in the display unit 20.

[0031] As described above, the adjacent portion 12 has a lower light transmittance than the main portion 1m, and a higher light transmittance than the ceramic-formed portion 11. This means that an image displayed in the adjacent portion 12 has a lower contrast and is less visible than an image displayed in the ceramic-formed portion 11. By utilizing this characteristic, the display device 100 may display a first display content C1 having a higher display priority in the ceramic-formed portion 11, and a second display content C2 having a lower display priority than the first display content C1 in the adjacent portion 12.

[0032] Here, the second display content C2 includes at least one of an ambient display, a predetermined dark place exclusive content, and a TBT (Turn-By-Turn) display. The ambient display is a display for notifying the driver 2 of predetermined information by at least one of an emitting color and an emitting manner such as a shape or a pattern. The dark place exclusive content is any content that is displayed under the control of the control unit when the control unit specifies that the vehicle 1 is in a dark place (nighttime, inside a tunnel, etc.) based on an output from an illuminance sensor (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 1. As the dark place exclusive content, for example, a display content by a night vision (nighttime night vision device) that visualizes an object by irradiating an object with infrared rays can be adopted. Note that the dark place exclusive content may be any content that is difficult to see or does not need to be displayed during the day, but is sufficiently visible to the driver 2 in a dark place. The TBT display is a type of user interface for a route guidance (navigation) system, and is an icon such as an arrow that indicates the direction of travel at an intersection, etc.

[0033] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and drawings, and can be modified (including the deletion of components) as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0034] The display device 100 described above can be described from the following viewpoints A and B.

[0035] (A1) A display device according to aspect A of the present disclosure, a ceramic formation provided in a lower end region of a vehicle windshield; a main portion of the windshield for allowing a driver of the vehicle to view a view ahead of the vehicle and an adjacent portion located between the main portion and the ceramic forming portion and provided on the windshield adjacent to the ceramic forming portion; a display unit located in a dashboard of the vehicle and emitting light representing an image toward the ceramic formation portion and the adjacent portion; The adjacent portion has a lower light transmittance than the main portion and a higher light transmittance than the ceramic forming portion.

[0036] (A2) In the display device according to A1, When viewed from a position predetermined as an ideal viewpoint of the driver, the adjacent portion is larger than the ceramic forming portion.

[0037] (A3) In the display device according to A1 or A2, The adjacent portion is a portion of the windshield on which a coating or film is formed so as to have a lower light transmittance than the main portion.

[0038] (A4) In the display device according to A1 or A2, The adjacent portion is a portion of the windshield in which the same material as the ceramic forming portion is formed in the form of dots or slits.

[0039] (B1) A display device according to aspect B of the present disclosure, a ceramic formation provided in a lower end region of a vehicle windshield; a main portion of the windshield for allowing a driver of the vehicle to view a view ahead of the vehicle and an adjacent portion located between the main portion and the ceramic forming portion and provided on the windshield adjacent to the ceramic forming portion; a display unit that is located in a dashboard of the vehicle and emits a first light representing a first display content toward the ceramic forming portion and emits a second light representing a second display content of a type different from the first display content toward the adjacent portion; The adjacent portion has a lower light transmittance than the main portion and a higher light transmittance than the ceramic forming portion.

[0040] (B2) In the display device according to B1, The first display content has a predetermined display priority higher than that of the second display content.

[0041] (B3) In the display device according to B1 or B2, The second display content includes at least one of an ambient display, a predetermined content exclusively for dark places, and a TBT (Turn-By-Turn) display.

[0042] (B4) In the display device according to any one of B1 to B3, The adjacent portion is a portion of the windshield on which a coating or film is formed so as to have a lower light transmittance than the main portion.

[0043] (B5) In the display device according to any one of B1 to B3, The adjacent portion is a portion of the windshield in which the same material as the ceramic forming portion is formed in the form of dots or slits.

[0044] In the above description, descriptions of well-known technical matters have been omitted as appropriate in order to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure.

[0045] Various embodiments and modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. The above-described embodiments are for the purpose of explaining the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the scope of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 100…Display device 1. Vehicle 1a…windshield, 1b…dashboard 1m: main part, 1s: light shielding part, 11: ceramic forming part, 12: adjacent part 2...Driver, 2a...Eye box 20: display unit; 21: image display area 30: Cylindrical body; 31: Opening L…Display light L1: first light, C1: first display content L2: Second light, C2: Second display content M…Highest position

Claims

1. a ceramic formation provided in a lower end region of a vehicle windshield; a main portion of the windshield for allowing a driver of the vehicle to view a view ahead of the vehicle and an adjacent portion located between the main portion and the ceramic forming portion and provided on the windshield adjacent to the ceramic forming portion; a display unit located in a dashboard of the vehicle and emitting light representing an image toward the ceramic formation portion and the adjacent portion; The adjacent portion has a lower light transmittance than the main portion and a higher light transmittance than the ceramic forming portion. Display device.

2. When viewed from a position predetermined as an ideal viewpoint of the driver, the adjacent portion is larger than the ceramic forming portion. The display device according to claim 1 .

3. The adjacent portion is a portion of the windshield on which a coating or film is formed so as to have a lower light transmittance than the main portion. The display device according to claim 1 .

4. The adjacent portion is a portion of the windshield in which the same material as the ceramic forming portion is formed in a dot or slit shape. The display device according to claim 1 .

Images