Vehicular projection device

Abstract

To provide a vehicular projection device capable of simultaneously displaying a plurality of pieces of information.SOLUTION: A vehicular projection device 1 includes: a projector 10 for emitting a display light beam; a spectroscopic element sheet 20 for dispersing the emitted display light beam into at least two light beams; and a side mirror unit 30 which is arranged outside a vehicle, which stores the projector 10 and the spectroscopic element sheet 20, and which has an emission port for emitting the dispersed display light beams to at least two different parts. The projector 10 emits the display light beam related to at least two images. The spectroscopic element sheet 20 disperses the display light beam for each display light beam related to at least the two images.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technology in which a vehicle is equipped with a projector to project necessary information and the like onto the inside and outside of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-006034 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Recently, the information required for vehicles has become more diverse, and the amount of information to be displayed has increased. In addition, the number of parts in vehicles has increased as vehicles are equipped with a variety of functions. Under these circumstances, there is a demand for efficient display of vehicle-related information outside the vehicle.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle projection device that can simultaneously display multiple pieces of information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the vehicle projection device disclosed herein includes a projector that emits display light, a spectroscopic element that splits the emitted display light into at least two lights, and an exterior structure that is arranged on the exterior side of the vehicle, houses the projector and the spectroscopic element, and has an exit port that emits the split display light to at least two different locations. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The vehicle projection device of the present disclosure can display a plurality of pieces of information simultaneously. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a projection example when the vehicle projection device according to the embodiment is mounted on a vehicle; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the side mirror unit in FIG. 1 . [Diagram 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram particularly showing the main body, projector, and light-splitting element sheet of the side mirror unit in FIG. 2; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a projector, a light-splitting element sheet, and a mirror member. [Diagram 5] 13 is another explanatory diagram conceptually showing the projector, the light-dispersing element sheet, and the mirror member. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment of a vehicle projection device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The vehicle projection device according to the present disclosure can be applied to any vehicle, such as an automobile, a motorcycle, an agricultural machine, a construction machine, etc. In this embodiment, an example in which the vehicle projection device is mounted on an automobile will be described.

[0010] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing an example of projection when a vehicle projection device 1 according to this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 2. As shown in FIG.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram in which the side mirror unit 30 in FIG. 1 is particularly enlarged.

[0012] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram particularly showing the main body 31 of the side mirror unit 30, the projector 10, and the light-splitting element sheet 20 in FIG.

[0013] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the projector 10, the dispersive element sheet 20, and the mirror member 35. As shown in FIG.

[0014] In the following description, "front", "rear", "up", "down", "right" and "left" follow the definitions of "Fr.", "Re.", "To.", "Bo.", "R" and "L" in Figures 1 to 3. "Front" is the traveling direction of the vehicle 2, and "rear" is the opposite direction to the traveling direction.

[0015] A vehicle projection device 1 (hereinafter referred to as "projection device 1") is mounted integrally with a right side mirror unit 30 (exterior vehicle structure, hereinafter referred to as "mirror unit 30") of a vehicle 2. The projection device 1 projects (displays) images at three different locations (at least two different locations), using a mirror member 35 of the mirror unit 30 and two locations on a road surface 5 as projection targets. The projection device 1 mainly includes a projector 10, a light-splitting element sheet 20, and the mirror unit 30.

[0016] The projector 10 is a single projector 10 housed in the internal space 32 of the mirror unit 30. The projector 10 emits display light PL related to an image to be displayed on a projection target. The projector 10 is a known projector 10 having a light source, an optical system, a display panel, a control circuit, and the like.

[0017] Specifically, the projector 10 has three light sources, particularly red, green, and blue. As shown in Fig. 3, the projector 10 emits display light PL diagonally from above diagonally downward, i.e., from front to back in the front-to-rear direction and from top to bottom in the up-down direction. As shown in Fig. 4, the projector 10 generates three images in different regions in the left-right direction in the display region of the projector 10, and emits display light PL related to these images. For example, the projector 10 emits display light PL related to three images, an image represented by green light LG, an image represented by red light LR, and an image represented by blue light LB, in that order from the right side (the outside of the vehicle 2).

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image represented by the green light LG is a first road surface image 41 projected on the road surface 5 to the right of the vehicle 2. The first road surface image 41 is information for viewers outside the vehicle, such as pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, and passengers of other vehicles around the vehicle 2, and is an image that calls attention to an arrow indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 and the width of the vehicle 2. The image represented by the blue light LB is a second road surface image 42 projected on the road surface 5 to the right of the vehicle 2 at a location different from the location where the first road surface image 41 is displayed. The second road surface image 42 is displayed at a position behind the vehicle 2 in the front-rear direction and closer to the vehicle 2 in the left-right direction than the first road surface image 41. The second road surface image 42 is an image for viewers outside the vehicle, similar to the first road surface image 41, and is displayed in front of the door of the vehicle 2, for example, and is a message such as "Welcome!!" for those who are about to board the vehicle 2. The image expressed by the red light LR is a mirror image 43 projected onto the mirror member 35 of the mirror unit 30. The mirror image 43 is displayed at the right end position in the left-right direction of the mirror member 35 of the mirror unit 30, and is information or the like that draws attention of a viewer inside the vehicle, that is, the driver 3 of the vehicle 2. The mirror image 43 is an image that draws attention, for example, to the presence of an overtaking vehicle or the approach of another vehicle when backing into a parking space.

[0019] The spectroscopic element sheet 20 (spectroscopic element) is a diffraction grating made of a sheet-like member. The spectroscopic element sheet 20 is disposed, for example, behind the lens of the projector 10, either integrally with the projector 10 or supported via a gap, as shown in FIG. 4. The spectroscopic element sheet 20 has a refractive layer 21, a transmissive layer 22, and a light-shielding layer 23.

[0020] The refractive layer 21 refracts the display light PL emitted from the projector 10 for each color (wavelength) of light and transmits the light, thereby splitting the display light PL into three light beams (at least two light beams). In this embodiment, the refractive layer 21 splits the display light PL into three components: green light LG, blue light LB, and red light LR. The refraction angles of the green light LG, blue light LB, and red light LR are designed according to the location where an image related to the green light LG, blue light LB, and red light LR is projected. The refractive layer 21 may be composed of a single layer capable of splitting a plurality of colors, or may be composed of three layers provided with a layer that splits the light for each color.

[0021] Specifically, the refraction angle of the refraction layer 21 is set so that the green light LG is irradiated toward the road surface 5 on which the first road surface image 41 is displayed. Also, the refraction angle of the refraction layer 21 is set so that the blue light LB is irradiated toward the road surface 5 on which the second road surface image 42 is displayed. Furthermore, the refraction angle of the refraction layer 21 is set so that the red light LR is irradiated to the mirror member 35 on which the mirror image 43 is displayed.

[0022] The transmissive layer 22 transmits the green light LG, blue light LB, and red light LR that are refracted by and transmitted through the refractive layer 21, as well as other display light PL that travels straight without being refracted by the refractive layer 21. The light-shielding layer 23 is formed on the transmissive layer 22 by, for example, printing with ink of a light-shielding color. The light-shielding layer 23 blocks the green light LG, blue light LB, and red light LR that travel straight without being refracted by the refractive layer 21. In other words, the light-shielding layer 23 blocks the green light LG, blue light LB, and red light LR that are transmitted at angles other than the original refraction angles at a required position so that they are not visible.

[0023] In addition, as long as the green light LG, blue light LB, and red light LR transmitted at angles other than the original refraction angles are not visible, the light blocking layer 23 may be replaced with a diffusion layer 36 that diffuses these lights.

[0024] The mirror unit 30 is a rearview mirror disposed on the exterior side of the vehicle 2. The mirror unit 30 mainly includes a main body 31 and a mirror member 35.

[0025] The main body 31 has an internal space 32 that houses therein the projector 10, the dispersive element sheet 20, and the necessary structures for driving the mirror unit 30. As shown in Fig. 3, the main body 31 has a green light exit port 33 and a blue light exit port 34 for emitting the green light LG and the blue light LB. The green light exit port 33 and the blue light exit port 34 are covered by, for example, a transparent member to prevent the inside from being viewed and to prevent dust and moisture from entering.

[0026] The mirror member 35 is a half mirror that reflects light on the outer surface of the mirror unit 30 and transmits light on the inner surface. As shown in FIG. 4, the mirror member 35 has a diffusion layer 36 on the inner surface. The diffusion layer 36 mainly diffuses red light LR related to the mirror image 43 to make it visible to the viewer. Note that the mirror member 35 may have a mask layer 38 in addition to the diffusion layer 36, as shown in FIG. 5. The mask layer 38 is a printed layer in which an area having the same shape as the mirror image 43 displayed on the mirror member 35 is whited out. The mask layer 38 masks the light related to the mirror image 43. In this case, the red light LR of the projector 10 does not need to be light related to the mirror image 43, and the design of the mirror image 43 can be formed in the mask layer 38.

[0027] Next, the operation of the projection device 1 when projecting an image will be described.

[0028] The projector 10 generates a first road surface image 41, a second road surface image 42, and a mirror image 43 using green light LG, blue light LB, and red light LR, respectively, and emits display light PL associated with these images.

[0029] The dispersive element sheet 20 disperses the display light PL by refracting the green light LG relating to the first road surface image 41, the blue light LB relating to the second road surface image 42, and the red light LR relating to the mirror image 43 contained in the display light PL at the required angles.

[0030] Most of the green light LG is refracted toward the green light outlet 33 of the main body 31, and is emitted from the green light outlet 33 toward the road surface 5. As a result, the green light LG is projected onto the road surface 5 and diffused on the road surface 5, and the first road surface image 41 is visually recognized by a viewer outside the vehicle.

[0031] Most of the blue light LB is refracted toward the blue light outlet 34 of the main body 31, and is emitted from the blue light outlet 34 toward the road surface 5. As a result, the blue light LB is projected onto the road surface 5 and diffused on the road surface 5, and the second road surface image 42 is visually recognized by a viewer outside the vehicle.

[0032] Most of the red light LR is refracted toward the mirror member 35, diffused by the diffusion layer 36, and emitted from the mirror member 35. As a result, a mirror image 43 is projected onto the outer surface of the mirror member 35 and is visually recognized by a viewer.

[0033] Moreover, the green light LG, blue light LB, and red light LR that are not refracted by the refractive layer 21 of the spectral element sheet 20 travel straight through the refractive layer 21, transmit through the transmissive layer 22, and are then blocked by the light-shielding layer 23. As a result, the remaining display light PL that is not split is unlikely to be visible to viewers inside or outside the vehicle.

[0034] Such a projection device 1 can simultaneously project multiple pieces of information to different locations by housing the projection device 1 having one projector 10 in a structure outside the vehicle. This allows the number of parts and costs of the projection device 1 to be reduced without increasing the number of projectors 10 even when multiple projection contents or projection locations are required. Furthermore, even outside the vehicle where the locations for installing the projector 10 are limited, the projector can be suitably installed without using new members by utilizing the vehicle exterior structure.

[0035] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0036] For example, although an example of projecting three images has been shown, two or more images may be displayed. The color, content, and projection location of the display light PL relating to the images are merely examples and are not limited thereto. For example, the location where the projection device 1 is disposed is the right side mirror unit 30 of the vehicle 2, but it may be the left side mirror unit. Also, the projection device 1 may be formed (integrally) within other exterior structures such as the grille or bumper of the vehicle 2. The projection location may be the vehicle body in addition to the mirror member 35 and the road surface 5. For example, the first road surface image 41 and the second road surface image 42 are projected at different locations, but by setting the refraction angles to be close to each other, they may be projected at the same location. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Vehicle projection device (projection device) 2 Vehicles 3. Driver 5 Road surface 10. Projectors 20 Spectroscopic element sheet (spectroscopic element) 21 Refractive Layer 22 Transparent layer 23 Light blocking layer 30 Side mirror unit (mirror unit, exterior structure) 31 Main unit 32 Interior Space 33 Output port for green light 34 Output port for blue light 35 Mirror material 36 Diffusion Layer 38 Mask Layer LB blue light lg green light LR red light PL stands for Light

Claims

1. a projector that emits display light; a spectroscopic element that splits the emitted display light into at least two lights; an exterior structure disposed on the exterior side of the vehicle, housing the projector and the spectroscopic element, and having an exit port for emitting the spectroscopic display light to at least two locations.

2. the projector emits the display light relating to at least two images; The vehicle projection device according to claim 1 , wherein the spectroscopic element separates the display light into the display light related to the at least two images.

3. the exterior structure is a side mirror unit, 2 . The vehicle projection device according to claim 1 , wherein the emission port emits each of the split display lights toward at least two locations: a mirror member of the side mirror unit, a road surface, and a vehicle body.

4. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1 , wherein the light separating element is disposed downstream of the projector and is integrated with the projector.

Images