Vehicle display device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle display device capable of achieving direction indication display that can be easily viewed by a driver with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A vehicle display device 1 comprises: a display part 2 which is installed on the front side of a vehicle relative to a steering wheel 4 and is arranged such that a display screen 21 faces toward the rear side of the vehicle; and an electronic control unit 3 that controls the display state of the display part 2. The display part 2 includes a right display area DA-R and a left display area DA-L, each having a larger area than an area of a directional indication mark 21A that is used to notify the driver of the operational state of a direction indicator 5. The electronic control unit 3 changes each display state of the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L, according to the operational state of the direction indicator 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle display device.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in the passenger compartment of a vehicle such as an automobile, an indicator light for notifying the driver that the direction indicator provided in the vehicle is in an operating state is provided on the instrument panel of the dashboard. In a normal driving posture, the driver will check the indicator light on the instrument panel over the steering wheel. Since the steering wheel can be adjusted to a height preferred by the driver, depending on the height of the steering wheel and the driving posture, the indicator light on the instrument panel may fall into the driver's blind spot, or the sound of the direction indicator may be masked by surrounding sounds. As a conventional technique for dealing with such a situation, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automobile in which an indicator light for notifying the operating state of the direction indicator is provided at an appropriate position of the steering wheel or at an appropriate position inside the vehicle outside the circle of the steering wheel as viewed from the driver.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, with respect to the above conventional technology, there is a problem that the structure of the steering wheel and the like becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost increases because an indicator light for notifying the driver of the operating state of the direction indicator is newly provided at a location different from the instrument panel such as the steering wheel.

[0005] Originally, the arrangement of the direction indication display on the instrument panel is designed considering the position and shape of the steering wheel, the physique and posture of the driver, etc. However, for drivers with unexpected physiques and postures, the direction indication display on the instrument panel may be hidden behind the steering wheel. For example, when the driver is driving the vehicle in a forward-bending posture without relying on the seat back of the seat, the direction indication display that is in an easily visible position on the instrument panel in the normal driving posture will be hidden behind the steering wheel or the like. In such a forward-bending posture, it is also assumed that the driver's attention is not directed to the display on the instrument panel, so the direction indication display on the instrument panel is in a situation where it is more likely to be overlooked.

[0006] The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle display device capable of realizing a direction indication display that is easy for a driver to visually recognize with a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a display unit installed in front of the vehicle relative to the steering wheel of the vehicle, with a display screen capable of displaying information related to the running state of the vehicle arranged to face the rear of the vehicle, and a control unit for controlling the display state of the display unit. A vehicle display device is provided, which is configured such that a direction indication mark for notifying the driver of the operating state of a direction indicator provided in the vehicle is displayed on the display screen. In the display unit of this vehicle display device, a right display area having an area larger than the area of the direction indication mark is formed on the right side of the center in the left-right direction on the display screen, and a left display area having an area larger than the area of the direction indication mark is formed on the left side of the center in the left-right direction on the display screen. The control unit changes the display states of the right display area and the left display area respectively according to the operating state of the direction indicator.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the vehicle display device of the present invention, a direction indication display that is easy for the driver to visually recognize can be realized with a simple configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship among the display unit 2, the steering wheel 4, and the driver D. In each of the drawings described below, the direction of arrow Fr indicates the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the direction of arrow U indicates the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction, and the directions of arrow R and arrow L indicate the right side and the left side when looking at the front of the vehicle from the passenger compartment.

[0011] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and includes a display unit 2 that displays information regarding the driving state of the vehicle, and an electronic control unit (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) 3 that has a function of controlling the display state of the display unit 2. In the present embodiment, the electronic control unit 3 corresponds to the "control unit" of the present invention.

[0012] The display unit 2 is installed in front of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel 4 of the vehicle. The steering wheel 4 is an annular component for the driver D of the vehicle to operate a steering mechanism (not shown), and the traveling direction of the vehicle is adjusted by rotating it left and right. The display unit 2 has a display screen 21 capable of displaying information regarding the driving state of the vehicle, and the display screen 21 is arranged so as to face the rear of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the display unit 2 is provided at a position in front of the driver's seat in an instrument panel (not shown) provided in the front part of the vehicle interior. That is, the driver D seated in the driver's seat can visually recognize various information displayed on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 through the steering wheel 4 (FIG. 2).

[0013] In the present embodiment, the display unit 2 is a liquid crystal display, but is not limited thereto, and may be an organic EL display or the like. The display unit 2 is connected to the electronic control unit 3 via a display drive circuit (not shown). The display unit 2 is driven by the display drive circuit according to a control signal output from the electronic control unit 3, and various information including the driving state of the vehicle is displayed on the display screen 21.

[0014] Among the various types of information displayed on the display screen 21, there is a direction indication mark 21A for notifying the driver D of the operating state of the direction indicator 5 provided on the vehicle. The direction indication mark 21A in the present embodiment is composed of, for example, a right arrow mark 21A-R and a left arrow mark 21A-L. Note that the direction indication mark 21A may be a common mark for both the left and right. The direction indicator 5 is a safety component for indicating the relevant direction to the surroundings when the vehicle makes a right turn, a left turn, or changes its course, and a plurality of them are provided symmetrically on the front and rear of the vehicle. The direction indicator 5 is also used as a hazard warning lamp by flashing both the left and right sides simultaneously in an emergency.

[0015] The operation or stop of the direction indicator 5 is switched by the electronic control unit 3 when the vehicle occupant operates the direction indicator switch 6 or the hazard switch 7. Also, the direction indicator 5 activated by operating the direction indicator switch 6 during a right or left turn is automatically switched to stop when the rotation of the steering wheel 4 returns from the turning direction to the straight-ahead direction. The direction indication marks 21A (right arrow mark 21A-R and left arrow mark 21A-L) displayed on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 have their respective display states controlled in conjunction with the operation or stop of the direction indicator 5 by the electronic control unit 3.

[0016] On the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 in the present embodiment, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1, a right display area DA-R, a left display area DA-L, and a central display area DA-C are formed. The right display area DA-R is arranged on the right side of the center in the horizontal direction on the display screen 21 and has an area larger than the area of the right arrow mark 21A-R. The display position of the right arrow mark 21A-R is included in the right display area DA-R. The left display area DA-L is arranged on the left side of the center in the horizontal direction on the display screen 21 and has an area larger than the area of the left arrow mark 21A-L. The display position of the left arrow mark 21A-L is included in the left display area DA-L. The central display area DA-C is arranged at the center in the horizontal direction on the display screen 21. The right display area DA-R is arranged adjacent to the right side of the central display area DA-C, and the left display area DA-L is arranged adjacent to the left side of the central display area DA-C. That is, in the present embodiment, the entire display screen 21 is divided into three parts in the horizontal direction, and three continuously arranged display areas in the horizontal direction are formed. However, as will be described later, it is only necessary to know the direction in which the display state changes (flashes) according to the operating state of the direction indicator 5, so the display area does not necessarily have to be divided into three parts and may be divided into two parts on the left and right.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows an example of each display state of the right display area DA-R, the left display area DA-L, and the central display area DA-C formed on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 in the present embodiment. Here, a display example of the display unit 2 assuming an electric vehicle will be described. However, the vehicle is not limited to an electric vehicle.

[0018] In the display example of FIG. 3, the central display area DA-C is configured to display information 21B including the traveling speed of the vehicle. Further, the right display area DA-R is configured to display information 21C regarding the remaining battery level in addition to the right arrow mark 21A-R arranged near the center of the upper end portion. Furthermore, the left display area DA-L is configured to display information 21D regarding navigation in addition to the left arrow mark 21A-L arranged near the center of the upper end portion. In addition, at the lower end portion of the display screen 21, other information regarding the state of the vehicle (such as battery charge percentage, outside air temperature, trip meter, driving mode, etc.) is displayed across the right display area DA-R, the central display area DA-C, and the left display area DA-L. Note that the information displayed in the central display area DA-C, the right display area DA-R, and the left display area DA-L is not limited to the above example.

[0019] FIG. 4 shows an example of when the driver D views the display screen 21 (FIG. 3) of the display unit 2 as described above through the steering wheel 4. Note that in FIG. 4, only the annular portion (rim) of the steering wheel 4 is illustrated, and illustration of other portions (hub, spokes, etc.) is omitted.

[0020] The arrangement of various information displayed on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 is designed in consideration of the position and shape of the steering wheel 4, the physique and posture of the driver D, the front-rear position of the seat cushion, and the angles of the seat back (backrest) and headrest as described above. However, for a driver D with an unexpected physique or posture, as shown in FIG. 4, when viewed from that driver D, the direction indicator marks 21A (right arrow mark 21A-R and left arrow mark 21A-L) on the display screen 21 may be hidden behind the steering wheel 4, and the driver D may not be able to visually recognize the direction indicator marks 21A. That is, depending on the relative positional relationship between the height setting of the steering wheel 4, the physique and posture of the driver D, the front-rear position of the seat cushion, and the angles of the seat back (backrest) and headrest, etc., the direction indicator marks 21A displayed on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 may enter the blind spot of the driver D.

[0021] As described above, when the driver D cannot visually recognize the direction indicator mark 21A, there is a possibility that the vehicle may continue to run with the direction indicator 5 operating even after a right or left turn or a course change is completed. That is, when making a right or left turn or changing the course, even if the driver D operates the direction indicator switch 6 in the turning direction to activate the direction indicator 5 and then turns the steering wheel 4 in the turning direction and returns it to its original position, the direction indicator 5 may not automatically stop. In such a case, if the driver D notices that the operation of the direction indicator 5 continues by looking at the direction indicator mark 21A displayed on the display unit 2, the driver D will operate the direction indicator switch 6 at that time to stop the direction indicator 5.

[0022] However, if the direction indicator mark 21A enters the blind spot of the driver D and the driver D does not notice that the operation of the direction indicator 5 continues, the vehicle will continue to run with the direction indicator 5 operating. Such a situation where the driver forgets to stop the direction indicator 5 may also occur in the same way when the driver D operates the hazard switch 7 to activate the left and right direction indicators 5 in an emergency and then stops the left and right direction indicators 5. If the above situation occurs during the running of the vehicle, it may cause confusion among surrounding drivers and pedestrians. Also, if the vehicle is stopped, it may induce battery depletion. For this reason, it is required to devise a display method for notifying the driver D of the operating state of the direction indicator 5.

[0023] Therefore, in the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment, the electronic control unit 3 is configured to change the display states of the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 according to the operating state of the direction indicator 5, respectively.

[0024] When the direction indicator switch 6 is operated to the right, the electronic control unit 3 controls the driving state of each direction indicator 5 so that the direction indicator 5 arranged on the right side of the vehicle operates (flashes at a required cycle), and the direction indicator 5 arranged on the left side stops. At this time, the electronic control unit 3 changes (flashes) the display of the right arrow mark 21A-R on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 in synchronization with the flashing timing of the right side direction indicator 5, and at the same time, changes (flashes) the display state of the entire right display area DA-R.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows an example when the driver D views the display unit 2 through the steering wheel 4 when the right side direction indicator 5 is in an operating state. In the example of FIG. 5, the right display area DA-R changes (flashes) in synchronization with the flashing timing of the right side direction indicator 5. In the present embodiment, it is set so that a portion that does not interfere with the visibility of information such as characters, rather than the entire right display area DA-R, flashes. This is a measure to avoid affecting the visibility of information such as characters due to the flashing.

[0026] By controlling the display state of the right display area DA-R by the electronic control unit 3, even if the right arrow mark 21A-R enters a blind spot, the driver D can recognize that the right side direction indicator 5 is operating by seeing that the right display area DA-R changes (flashes) at a required cycle. Note that it is not necessary for the entire right display area DA-R to flash, and it is sufficient if a part of the display area flashes. In order to prevent the flashing from being too bright and interfering with the visibility of the display of important information such as the tail light, it is better not to flash the entire display area.

[0027] Further, when the direction indicator switch 6 is operated to the left, the electronic control unit 3 controls the driving state of each direction indicator 5 such that the direction indicator 5 disposed on the left side of the vehicle operates (flashes at a required cycle), and the direction indicator 5 disposed on the right side stops. At this time, the electronic control unit 3 changes (flashes) the display of the left arrow mark 21A-L on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 in synchronization with the flashing timing of the left direction indicator 5, and at the same time, changes (flashes) the display state of the entire left display area DA-L.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows an example of the display unit 2 when the driver D views it through the steering wheel 4 with the left direction indicator 5 in an operating state. In the example of FIG. 6, the left display area DA-L changes (flashes) in synchronization with the flashing timing of the left direction indicator 5. By controlling the display state of the left display area DA-L by the electronic control unit 3, even if the left arrow mark 21A-L enters a blind spot, the driver D can recognize that the left direction indicator 5 is operating by seeing that the left display area DA-L changes (flashes) at a required cycle.

[0029] Furthermore, when the hazard switch 7 is operated, the electronic control unit 3 controls the driving state of each direction indicator 5 such that the direction indicators 5 disposed on both the left and right sides of the vehicle operate (flash at a required cycle), that is, operate as an emergency flasher (hazard lamp). At this time, the electronic control unit 3 changes (flashes) the display of the right arrow mark 21A-R and the left arrow mark 21A-L on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 in synchronization with the flashing timing of the direction indicators 5 on both the left and right sides, and at the same time, changes (flashes) the display state of the right display area DA-R and the display state of the left display area DA-L, respectively.

[0030] FIG. 7 shows an example of how the driver D sees the display unit 2 when the direction indicators 5 on both the left and right sides are in the operating state through the steering wheel 4. In the example of FIG. 7, in synchronization with the blinking timing of the direction indicators 5 on both the left and right sides, the right display area DA-R changes (blinks) in the same manner as in the case of FIG. 5 described above, and the left display area DA-L changes (blinks) in the same manner as in the case of FIG. 6 described above. By controlling the display states of the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L by such an electronic control unit 3, even if one or both of the right arrow mark 21A-R and the left arrow mark 21A-L are in a blind spot, the driver D can recognize that the direction indicators 5 on both the left and right sides are operating by seeing that the display states of the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L change (blink) at a required cycle.

[0031] Note that when the direction indicator switch 6 and the hazard switch 7 are not operated, in this embodiment, the electronic control unit 3 causes the information 21B including the vehicle speed to be displayed in the central display area DA-C on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2, the information 21C regarding the remaining battery level to be displayed in the right display area DA-R, and the information 21D regarding navigation to be displayed in the left display area DA-L. When the driver D sees the display unit 2 controlled by such an electronic control unit 3 through the steering wheel 4, the display state is the same as in the example of FIG. 4 described above.

[0032] Next, the effects of the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment will be described. As described above, in the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment, a right display area DA-R having an area wider than the area of the direction indicator mark 21A (right arrow mark 21A-R) is formed on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 on the right side of the center in the horizontal direction, and a left display area DA-L having an area wider than the area of the direction indicator mark 21A (left arrow mark 21A-L) is formed on the left side of the center in the horizontal direction of the display screen 21. Then, according to the operating state of the direction indicator 5, the display control of the display unit 2 by the electronic control unit 3 is performed so that the display states of the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L change (blink) respectively.

[0033] According to the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, even if the direction indicator mark 21A displayed on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 is hidden behind the steering wheel 4, the display states of the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L, which are wider than the direction indicator mark 21A, change (blink) according to the operating state of the direction indicator 5, so that the operating state of the direction indicator 5 can be notified to the driver D. Since the display states of the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L can be easily controlled by the electronic control unit 3, it is possible to avoid the complication of the configuration such as the steering wheel as in the above-described conventional technology. Therefore, the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment can realize a direction indication display that is easy for the driver D to visually recognize with a simple configuration without adding parts. As a result, it is possible to prevent forgetting to turn off the direction indicator 5 and the emergency blinker (hazard lamp), making it easier to ensure safety with surrounding vehicles during driving, and also suppressing battery drain during parking.

[0034] In addition, in the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment, a central display area DA-C for displaying information 21B including the traveling speed of the vehicle is formed at the center in the horizontal direction on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2, and a right display area DA-R and a left display area DA-L are arranged adjacent to the right and left of the central display area DA-C, respectively. Then, in synchronization with the blinking timing of the direction indicator 5, the display control of the display unit 2 by the electronic control unit 3 is performed so that the display states of the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L change (blink) respectively. As a result, even if the direction indication mark 21A is hidden behind the steering wheel 4, the display states in the range excluding the central display area DA-C on the display screen 21 of the display unit 2 change (blink) in synchronization with the blinking timing of the direction indicator 5, so that it becomes difficult for the driver D to overlook the direction indication display. Therefore, the operating state of the direction indicator 5 can be notified to the driver D.

[0035] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical idea of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L are arranged adjacent to the right and left of the central display area DA-C (dividing the display screen 21 into three in the horizontal direction) has been described. However, the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L may be arranged with a space between them on the left and right of the central display area DA-C, respectively. Alternatively, without forming the central display area DA-C, the display screen 21 may be divided into two at the center in the horizontal direction to form the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L are respectively formed from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the display screen 21 has been shown. However, the right display area DA-R and the left display area DA-L may be respectively formed only in a part in the vertical direction of the display screen 21 (for example, the central part, etc.). In this regard, it is also possible to form the right display area DA-R only in the right arrow mark 21A-R and its periphery, and to form the left display area DA-L only in the left arrow mark 21A-L and its periphery, and to change each display state according to the operating state of the direction indicator 5. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to notify the driver D of the operating state of the direction indicator 5 in the same manner as in the case of the above-described embodiment.

Explanation of Signs

[0037] 1…Vehicle display device 2…Display unit 3…Electronic control unit (control unit) 4…Steering wheel 5…Direction indicator 6…Direction indicator switch 7…Hazard switch 21…Display screen 21A…Direction indication mark 21A-L…Left arrow mark 21A-R…Right arrow mark 21B…Information including traveling speed 21C…Information regarding battery remaining amount 21D…Information regarding navigation D…Driver DA-C…Central display area DA-L…Left display area DA-R…Right display area

Claims

1. A display unit installed in front of the vehicle relative to the steering wheel of the vehicle, with a display screen capable of displaying information regarding the driving state of the vehicle arranged to face the rear of the vehicle, and a control unit for controlling the display state of the display unit, in a vehicle display device configured such that a direction indication mark for notifying the driver of the operating state of a direction indicator provided in the vehicle is displayed on the display screen, wherein the display unit has a right display area with an area larger than the area of the direction indication mark formed on the right side of the center in the left - right direction on the display screen, and a left display area with an area larger than the area of the direction indication mark formed on the left side of the center in the left - right direction on the display screen, and the control unit is characterized by changing the display states of the right display area and the left display area respectively according to the operating state of the direction indicator.

2. The display unit has a central display area for displaying information including the driving speed of the vehicle formed at the center in the left - right direction on the display screen, the right display area is arranged adjacent to the right of the central display area, and the left display area is arranged adjacent to the left of the central display area, and the control unit is characterized by changing the display states of the right display area and the left display area respectively in synchronization with the blinking timing of the direction indicator, according to Claim 1 of the vehicle display device described above.

Images