Head-up display device

Abstract

To provide a head-up display device having a novel display with different display distances from a driver.SOLUTION: A head-up display device 4 includes a first display 421 for displaying first information and a second display 422 for displaying second information that are disposed on an instrument panel C4 of a vehicle C, in which the first information and the second information are reflected on a windshield C3 and visually recognized by a driver D as a first virtual image V1 and a second virtual image V2. A first arrangement distance H1 being a distance from an outer surface C43 of the instrument panel C4 to the first display 421 is greater than a second arrangement distance H2 being a distance from the outer surface C43 to the second display 422. A first virtual image distance L1 being a distance from the windshield C3 to the first virtual image V1 is greater than a second virtual image distance L2 being a distance from the windshield C3 to the second virtual image V2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a head-up display device mounted on a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to present danger information around the host vehicle to the driver, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a case provided with a light source is installed inside the instrument panel, and image light is projected from the upper part of this case onto the front glass of the vehicle to present visible visual information to the driver as a virtual image. A head-up display device is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, although the head-up display device of Patent Document 1 provides visible information that spreads between the left and right A-pillars at the lower position of the front glass, the distance from the front glass to the virtual image is substantially the same, and the virtual image is displayed at substantially the same distance from the driver, so there is a problem that it lacks interest.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a head-up display device with a novel display having different display distances from the driver.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The head-up display device of the present invention has a first display 421 for displaying first information arranged on the instrument panel C4 of the vehicle C and a second display 422 for displaying second information, and reflects the first information and the second information on the windshield C3 so that the driver D can visually recognize them as a first virtual image V1 and a second virtual image V2. In the head-up display device 4, a first arrangement distance H1, which is the distance from the outer surface C43 of the instrument panel C4 to the first display 421, is larger than a second arrangement distance H2, which is the distance from the outer surface C43 to the second display 422, and a first virtual image distance L1, which is the distance from the windshield C3 to the first virtual image V1, is larger than a second virtual image distance L2, which is the distance from the windshield C3 to the second virtual image V2.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, based on the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the head-up display device of the present disclosure will be described using a head-up display device for a vehicle which is an automobile. The present disclosure relates to a head-up display device for a vehicle, and can be applied to, for example, a head-up display device for a vehicle mounted on a moving body equipped with an automobile, an agricultural machine, or a construction machine.

[0009] In addition, hereinafter, in order to facilitate the understanding of the configuration of the head-up display device, as shown in each figure, the direction that a driver sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle looks is defined as "front (Fr. in the figure)", and the opposite side is defined as "rear (Re. in the figure)". Also, the up-and-down direction (To., Bo. in the figure) corresponds to the up-and-down direction of the vehicle. Further, the left-and-right direction (L, R in the figure) corresponds to the left-and-right turning direction of the vehicle.

[0010] (First Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle C includes a driver's seat C1 on which the driver D sits, a passenger seat C2 adjacent to the driver's seat C1, a windshield (windshield) C3 of the vehicle C disposed in front of the driver D, an instrument panel (dashboard) C4 disposed in front of the driver D and at the lower part of the windshield C3, an A pillar C5 disposed on the left and right of the windshield C3, a steering wheel C6 disposed in front of the driver D, and side cameras C7 disposed at the positions of the conventional side mirrors on the left and right outside the vehicle C of the A pillar C5.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the instrument panel C4 includes a meter 1 disposed in front of the driver D, a car navigation system 2, a first head-up display device 3, and a second head-up display device 4.

[0012] The meter 1 is a well-known instrument device and is disposed on the instrument panel C4 behind the steering wheel C6 as seen from the driver D.

[0013] The car navigation system 2 is a well-known car navigation system and is arranged on the instrument panel C4 between the driver's seat C1 and the front passenger seat C2. The car navigation system 2 identifies and displays the current position of the vehicle C based on the GPS signal and time information received by the GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, and can provide route guidance to the destination of the vehicle C based on the current position of the vehicle C and the map information stored in the device.

[0014] The first head-up display device 3 is arranged inside the instrument panel C4 between the windshield C3 and the steering wheel C6. The first head-up display device 3 is a well-known head-up display (HUD) consisting of a light source 31 made of an LED (chip-type light-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode), a display 32 that displays an image and generates image light by the light of the light source 31, a reflecting member 33 made of a plane mirror or a concave mirror that magnifies and reflects the image light, a circuit board 34 that controls these components, and a case 35 that houses these components.

[0015] The display 32 is, for example, a full-color liquid crystal display panel of the TFT (Thin Film Transistor) type driven by an active matrix driving method. The display 32 displays an image in the negative mode (the display image is translucent when lit and light-blocking when turned off, and the background of the image is light-blocking both when lit and when turned off). The display 32 is formed in a long rectangular plate shape in the left-right direction.

[0016] The first head-up display device 3 emits image light from the light-transmitting part of the case 35. The first head-up display device 3 projects and reflects the image light from the first opening C41 of the instrument panel C4 to the light-transmitting part C31 of the windshield C3, and allows the driver D to visually recognize a virtual image V1 with the background being the actual scenery. The virtual image V1 is visually recognized as being located 4 m ahead of the driver D.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the second head-up display device 4 is disposed forward of the first head-up display device 3 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle C, and is disposed within the instrument panel C4 between the windshield C3 and the first head-up display device 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the second head-up display device 4 is disposed along the vicinity of the lower side of the windshield C3 so as to connect between the lower portions of the left and right A-pillars C5. That is, the second head-up display device 4 is disposed so as to be continuous in front of the driver's seat C1 and in front of the passenger seat C2.

[0018] The second head-up display device 4 is a head-up display including a light source 41 composed of LEDs, a display 42 that displays an image and generates image light by the light of the light source 41, a circuit board 43 that controls these, and a case 44 that houses these. Similar to the display 32, the display 42 is a full-color liquid crystal display panel of the TFT type.

[0019] The second head-up display device 4 projects and reflects image light from the second opening C42 of the instrument panel C4 to the opaque portion C32 of the windshield C3, and allows the driver D to visually recognize it as a virtual image V2 with a black background. The opaque portion C32 is an opaque portion made of a light-shielding color such as black made of black ceramics or the like. The opaque portion C32 is formed for the purpose of preventing deterioration of the adhesive that fixes the windshield C3 to the vehicle C due to sunlight, concealing the adhesive, and improving the design. The virtual image V2 is visually recognized as being located 1 m to 2 m ahead of the driver D.

[0020] When the start switch of the vehicle C (for example, an IGN (ignition) switch) is in the ON state or when the vehicle C starts to run, the first head-up display device 3 and the second head-up display device 4 display the virtual image V1 and the virtual image V2.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5, the second head-up display device 4 includes, as a display 42, a first display 421, a second display 422, and a third display (second display) 423. The first display 421, the second display 422, and the third display 423 are arranged at substantially the same position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle C.

[0022] The first display 421 displays first information. The second display 422 displays second information. The third display 423 displays third information (second information). The virtual image V2 includes a first virtual image V21, a second virtual image V22, and a third virtual image (second virtual image) V23 that are visually recognized by the driver D from the image light generated according to the first display 421, the second display 422, and the third display 423.

[0023] The first virtual image V21 displays the vehicle speed as the first information. The second virtual image V22 displays the engine speed, the range of the shift lever, and the remaining fuel as the second information. The third virtual image V23 displays an image of the diagonally rearward of the vehicle C taken by the side camera C7 as the third information.

[0024] Note that the first information, the second information, and the third information may be, for example, ODO / TRIP, fuel consumption, outside air temperature, navigation (travel direction) information, active cruise control display, traffic signs (speed limit, lane information, stop, overtaking prohibited, entry prohibited, etc.), warnings for notifying the proximity to surrounding vehicles, overtaking vehicle warnings, lane departure warnings, side brake displays, seat belt warnings, other driving-related information, incoming call notifications for phones and emails, text information such as music, radio, and TV, and the current time.

[0025] One first display 421 is arranged substantially at the center between the left and right A-pillars C5 in the left-right direction of the vehicle C. One third display 423 is arranged at each of the left and right ends in the left-right direction. One second display 422 is arranged between the first display 421 and the third display 423.

[0026] The first display 421 is arranged such that its display surface is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the outer surface C43 of the instrument panel C4. The first display 421 is arranged at a depth of a first arrangement distance H1, which is the distance from the outer surface C43 to the first display 421.

[0027] The third display 423 is arranged such that its display surface is substantially horizontal, substantially parallel to the display surface of the first display 421, and substantially parallel to the outer surface C43. The third display 423 is arranged at a depth of a third arrangement distance H3, which is the distance from the outer surface C43 to the third display 423. The first arrangement distance H1 is greater (deeper) than the third arrangement distance H3.

[0028] The second display 422 is arranged with its display surface inclined so as to connect the display surfaces of the first display 421 and the third display 423 having different heights. The second display 422 is arranged at a depth of a second arrangement distance H2, which is the distance from the outer surface C43 to the second display 422. The first arrangement distance H1 is arranged to be greater than the second arrangement distance H2. The second arrangement distance H2 is greater than the third arrangement distance H3.

[0029] The second arrangement distance H2 varies depending on the display surface. The second arrangement distance H2 is such that the side closer to the first display 421 is closer to the first arrangement distance H1, and the side closer to the third display 423 is closer to the third arrangement distance H3. That is, the second arrangement distance H2 gradually decreases (gradually approaches the outer surface C43) as it moves away from the first display 421.

[0030] The virtual image V2 is located at a greater distance from the front glass C3 as the distance from the outer surface C43 to the display surface increases. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a first virtual image distance L1, which is the distance from the outer surface of the front glass C3 to the first virtual image V21, is greater than a second virtual image distance L2, which is the distance from the front glass C3 to the second virtual image V22, and a third virtual image distance L3, which is the distance from the front glass C3 to the third virtual image V23. The first virtual image distance L1 is located 2 m ahead of the driver D. The third virtual image distance L3 is located 1.5 m ahead of the driver D.

[0031] The second virtual image distance L2 is greater than the third virtual image distance L3. For the second virtual image distance L2, the side of the first virtual image V21 is closer to the first virtual image distance L1, and the side of the third virtual image V23 is closer to the third virtual image distance L3. That is, the second virtual image distance L2 gradually decreases as it moves away from the first virtual image V21 (gradually approaches the front glass C3). The second virtual image distance L2 is located 1.5 m to 2 m ahead of the driver D.

[0032] By being formed in this way, the second head-up display device 4 can display a plurality of virtual images V2 with different display distances from the front glass C3, and can provide a novel-looking display to the driver D.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the first virtual image V21 and the two second virtual images V22 have three consecutive continuous images (continuous information) Va. The continuous image Va is, for example, an image that extends linearly in the left-right direction of the vehicle C. The continuous image Va is darker in display brightness and has a thinner line width (smaller) when displayed as the first virtual image V21 than when displayed as the second virtual image V22. The driver D feels that in the continuous image Va, the portion with a darker display brightness and a thinner line width is displayed farther away, and the portion with a brighter display brightness and a thicker line width is displayed closer.

[0034] By being formed in this way, the continuous image Va emphasizes the sense of distance of the display distance from the front glass C3, and can provide a novel-looking display to the driver D.

[0035] (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The same parts and equivalent parts as those in the above-described first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the second head-up display device 4 had a plurality of displays 42. However, in the present disclosure, the display 52 is formed by integrating the first display 421, the second display 422, and the third display 423 into a curved shape.

[0037] The display 52 is arranged to extend along the vicinity of the lower edge of the front glass C3 so as to connect between the lower parts of the left and right A-pillars C5. Both ends 521 of the display 52 are arranged near the outer surface C43 of the instrument panel C4, and the central part 522 is formed in a concave curved shape so as to be the deepest from the outer surface C43.

[0038] The display 52 displays an image similar to that of the display 42. That is, the virtual image V3 displays an image of the diagonally rearward of the vehicle C taken by the side camera C7 near both ends 521, displays the vehicle speed at the central part 522, and displays the engine speed, the range of the shift lever, and the remaining fuel between both ends 521 and the central part 522.

[0039] The virtual image V3 has a greater distance from the front glass C3 as the display surface of the display 52 is deeper from the outer surface C43. The virtual image V3 displays the vehicle speed farthest away as seen from the driver D, and displays the image of the diagonally rearward of the vehicle C closest. The virtual image V3 is displayed such that the display distance from the front glass C3 changes smoothly from the image displayed at both ends 521 to the image displayed at the central part 522.

[0040] In the first embodiment, the continuous image Va was interrupted between the first virtual image V21 and the second virtual image V22. However, in the present disclosure, it is displayed as one continuous image.

[0041] By being formed in this way, the second head-up display device 4 can display a virtual image V3 with a smoothly different display distance from the front glass C3 and without interruption, providing a novel-looking display to the driver D.

[0042] (Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The same parts and equivalent parts as those in the above-described first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and described.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7, while the first display 421 of the first embodiment displays a two-dimensional image, the first display 621 of the present embodiment displays a three-dimensional image using a lenticular lens. The display surface of the second display 422 of the first embodiment was disposed obliquely, but in the second display 622 of the present embodiment, the display surface is disposed substantially parallel to the display surface of the first display 621. The third display (second display) 623 of the present embodiment corresponds to the third display 423 of the first embodiment. The second display 622 and the third display 623 display two-dimensional images.

[0044] By being formed in this way, the second head-up display device 4 can display a display with a long display distance from the front glass C3 in three dimensions, a display with a short display distance in two dimensions, and provide a novel-looking display to the driver D.

[0045] (Fourth Embodiment) A fourth embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The same parts and equivalent parts as those in the above-described third embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and described.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the third embodiment, the second head-up display device 4 had three types of displays (the first display 621, the second display 622, and the third display 623) from the outer surface C43 to the display surface. However, in the present disclosure, the second head-up display device 4 has two types of displays (the first display 721 and the second display 722) from the outer surface C43 to the display surface.

[0047] In the present disclosure, there are two first displays 721 and one second display 722. The second display 722 is disposed substantially in front of the driver's seat C1 and the steering wheel C6. If the center line passing through the center in the left - right direction of the steering wheel C6 of the driver's seat C1 is line DC, the center position in the left - right direction of the second display 722 substantially coincides with line DC. The first displays 721 are disposed one on each side of the second display 722.

[0048] The first arrangement distance H1 of the first display 721 is deeper than the second arrangement distance H2 of the second display 722, and the first virtual - image distance L1, which is the distance from the outer surface of the windshield C3 to the first virtual image V21, is greater than the second virtual - image distance L2, which is the distance from the windshield C3 to the second virtual image V22.

[0049] Thereby, the driver D visually recognizes the second virtual image V22 substantially in front of the driver's seat C1, and visually recognizes the first virtual image V21 as being displayed to the left and right of the second virtual image V22 and farther away from the second virtual image V22.

[0050] The second virtual image V22 is displayed specifically for vehicle information (such as the vehicle speed, shift - lever range, remaining fuel, active - cruise - control display, traffic signs, etc.) that is particularly important for driving as the second information.

[0051] The first virtual image V21, as the first information, displays, for example, a geometric image Vb in which three bar images with rectangles arranged side - by - side horizontally are arranged vertically in three rows, and the rectangles are shifted outward more as they go up, forming a stepped shape. Further, in the geometric pattern Vb, the rectangles become smaller and the brightness also decreases as they go up. By being formed in this way, the geometric image Vb emphasizes the sense of distance of the display distance from the windshield C3 and can provide a novel - looking display to the driver D.

[0052] In addition, the geometric image Vb normally emits light in white, but may emit light in green when the running - fuel - consumption state is good, or may emit light in a warning color such as red or orange when the distance (inter - vehicle distance) from a following vehicle approaching from the left - right rear of the vehicle C becomes less than a predetermined distance.

[0053] By being formed in this way, the second head-up display device 4 can emphasize and provide the driver D with vehicle information important for driving by displaying it at a position close to the driver D.

[0054] The first display 721 is disposed below the second display 722 and a part of the end portion is disposed on the back side of the second display 722, so that in the normal direction of the display surface of the first display 721, a part of the end portion overlaps the second display 722 by a width G. The width G is the outer peripheral edge portion of both the first display 721 and the second display 722, and is a non-display area outside the display area for displaying an image.

[0055] By being formed in this way, in the front view of the driver D, the lateral separation distance between the first virtual image V21 and the second virtual image V22 becomes small, so that a good-looking display can be provided to the driver D.

[0056] (Modification example) In addition, although the head-up display device of the present invention has been described by taking the configuration of the above-described embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention in other configurations.

[0057] For example, the second head-up display device 4 may project and reflect image light to the light-transmitting portion C31 of the front glass C3 to allow the virtual image V2 to be visually recognized in front of the driver D.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0058] 1 Meter 2 Car navigation system 3 First head-up display device 31 Light source 32 Display 33 Reflective member 34 Circuit board 35 Case 351 Transmissive portion 4 Second Head-up Display Device 41 Light Source 42 Display 421 First Display 422 Second Display 423 Third Display (Second Display) 43 Circuit Board 44 Case 52 Display 521 Both Ends 522 Central Portion 621 First Display 622 Second Display 623 Third Display (Second Display) 721 First Display 722 Second Display C Vehicle C1 Driver's Seat C2 Passenger Seat C3 Windshield C31 Transparent Portion C32 Opaque Portion C4 Instrument Panel C41 First Opening C42 Second Opening C5 A-pillar C6 Steering Wheel C7 Side Camera D Driver DC Line G Width H1 First Arrangement Distance H2 Second Arrangement Distance H3 Third Arrangement Distance L1 First Virtual Image Distance L2 Second Virtual Image Distance L3 Third Virtual Image Distance (Second Virtual Image Distance) V1 Virtual Image V2 Virtual Image V3 Virtual Image V21 First Virtual Image (First Virtual Image) V22 Second Virtual Image (Second Virtual Image) V23 Third Virtual Image (Second Virtual Image) Va Continuous Image (Continuous Information) Vb Geometric Image

Claims

1. A head-up display device having a first display for displaying first information and a second display for displaying second information, both disposed on an instrument panel of a vehicle, wherein the first information and the second information are reflected by a windshield and visually recognized by a driver as a first virtual image and a second virtual image, wherein a first arrangement distance, which is a distance from an outer surface of the instrument panel to the first display, is greater than a second arrangement distance, which is a distance from the outer surface of the instrument panel to the second display, and a first virtual image distance, which is a distance from the windshield to the first virtual image, is greater than a second virtual image distance, which is a distance from the windshield to the second virtual image.

2. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the first virtual image and the second virtual image are arranged along a lower edge of the windshield.

3. The head-up display device according to claim 2, wherein the first virtual image and the second virtual image are arranged in an opaque area of the windshield.

4. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the second arrangement distance gradually decreases as the distance from the first display increases.

5. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the second virtual image is arranged to the left and right of the first virtual image and displays an image of a diagonally rearward area of the vehicle.

6. The second virtual image is arranged substantially in front of the driver's seat, and the head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the first virtual image is arranged to the left and right of the second virtual image.

7. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the first virtual image displays a three-dimensional image and the second virtual image displays a two-dimensional image.

8. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the first display and the second display are integrally formed in a curved shape.

9. having continuous information continuous with the first virtual image and the second virtual image, wherein the continuous information is displayed darker or smaller for the first virtual image than for the second virtual image.

10. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the first display and the second display are arranged such that a part thereof overlaps in a normal direction of a display surface of the first display.

Images