Image display device

Abstract

To provide a head-mounted type image display device that has good operability in adjusting the angle of a display unit and prevents displacement of the position of the display unit during observation.SOLUTION: A head-mounted type image display device has a mounting member that can be mounted on the head of a user; a display member that displays an image; a first hinge member that supports the display member relative to the mounting member rotatably around a rotation axis; and a second hinge member that supports the display member relative to the mounting member rotatably around the rotation axis. The first hinge member generates resistance torque to be resistance against an operation to rotate the display member relative to the mounting member, irrespective of the angle of the display member to the mounting member and the direction of rotation of the display member relative to the mounting member. The second hinge member generates urging torque for urging against an operation to rotate the display member in a first direction relative to the mounting member when the angle of the display member to the mounting member is within a predetermined range. In the predetermined range, the resistance torque is larger than the urging torque.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image display device, and more particularly to an angle adjustment mechanism when the image display device is attached to the user's head. [Background technology]

[0002] Head-mounted displays (HMDs) are known as image display devices worn on the head of a user or observer. Using an HMD, users can easily view images on a large screen and in stereoscopic view. For this reason, HMDs are used as devices that enable users to experience virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR).

[0003] An HMD for realizing MR has a camera unit for capturing images of a subject corresponding to the user's left and right eyes, and a display element such as a small LCD panel for superimposing and displaying the image captured by the camera unit on a 3DCG image created by a PC. The HMD also has a display optical system for enlarging the image displayed on the display element and projecting it to the user. Here, PC stands for Personal Computer, and 3DCG stands for Three Dimensional Computer Graphics.

[0004] In order for a user to enjoy a good image viewing experience using an HMD, it is necessary to be able to adjust the positions of the user's pupils, the display element, and the display optical system to appropriate positions. One such position adjustment mechanism is an angle adjustment mechanism provided on top of a display unit that includes a display element and a display optical system, and which can adjust the position by rotating the display unit around an axis parallel to the axis passing through the center of the user's left and right eyes. Some angle adjustment mechanisms can rotate the display unit above the user's field of view. HMDs with such angle adjustment mechanisms offer the convenience of not requiring the user to remove the HMD from their head when they want to view real space without using the HMD.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an HMD that uses a hinge member that makes rotation resistance torque uniform, allowing the position of the display unit to be adjusted appropriately. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-282377 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the prior art disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, as the weight of the entire display unit increases to improve the angle of view and optical performance, the rotation resistance torque of the hinge unit required to maintain the position of the display unit increases. When the rotation resistance torque increases, elastic deformation occurs in the display unit device body between the user's grip and the hinge unit when the user adjusts the position of the display unit by grasping a portion away from the hinge unit. Even if the user moves the display unit to a desired position, the elastic deformation may be released when the user releases their hand, causing the display unit to shift from the adjusted position. Furthermore, the operating force required to move the display unit increases, which may reduce usability. On the other hand, if the rotation resistance torque is reduced, the hinge unit may not be able to support the weight of the display unit when the user moves their head during observation and the position of the display unit changes, causing the display unit to shift from the desired position.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a head-mounted image display device that has good operability when adjusting the angle of the display unit and that is less likely to shift in position during observation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention includes: a wearing member that can be worn on the head of a user; a display member for displaying an image; a first hinge member that supports the display member rotatably around a rotation axis relative to the mounting member; a second hinge member that supports the display member rotatably around the rotation axis relative to the mounting member; A head-mounted image display device having: the first hinge member generates a resistance torque that resists an operation of rotating the display member relative to the mounting member, regardless of an angle of the display member relative to the mounting member and a rotation direction of the display member relative to the mounting member; the second hinge member generates a biasing torque that biases the display member against an operation of rotating the display member in a first direction relative to the mounting member when an angle of the display member relative to the mounting member is within a predetermined range; The image display device is characterized in that, in the predetermined range, the resistance torque is greater than the biasing torque. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a head-mounted image display device that has good operability when adjusting the angle of the display unit and that is less likely to shift in position during observation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the image display device 100 mounted on a head. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a display unit 300. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the connection portion 400. [Figure 4] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a torque hinge 500. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the bias hinge 600. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the state of the biasing hinge 600 when it rotates. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the image display device 100 flipped up. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram showing the angle adjustment range of the image display device 100. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same numbers are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a head-mounted image display device 100 according to this embodiment is worn on the head of a user H. The image display device 100 includes a wearing unit 200, which is a wearing member that can be worn on the head of the user H, and a display unit 300, which is a display member that displays an image to the user H. The display unit 300 is supported by the wearing unit 200 via a connecting unit 400, and the user H can look into the display unit 300 while wearing the image display device 100 on his or her head. Hereinafter, the surface of the display unit 300 that faces the user H when the user H wears the image display device 100 will be referred to as the rear surface, and the opposite surface facing the outside world will be referred to as the front surface.

[0014] The display unit 300 has, on the front side, photographing cameras 310L and 310R and an alignment camera 320. The imaging cameras 310L and 310R are stereo cameras that capture images of the user's surroundings, and the images captured by the imaging cameras 310L and 310R are displayed to the user H as images of real space through the lenses 330L and 330R (see FIG. 2). The alignment cameras 320L and 320R are stereo cameras that capture images of the user's surroundings, and extract feature points such as markers and object edges from the images captured by the alignment cameras 320L and 320R to obtain the position and orientation of the image display device 100.

[0015] In this embodiment, the imaging cameras 310L and 310R and the alignment cameras 320L and 320R are provided separately. Although the alignment cameras 320L and 320R are monochrome, they enable highly accurate and fault-tolerant alignment by utilizing a wide angle of view, a high shutter speed, a long baseline length, and the like. However, it is also possible to use only the images captured by the imaging cameras 310L and 310R to both acquire images to display and acquire alignment information. Instead of the alignment cameras 320L and 320R, a configuration may be used in which sensors using ultrasound or infrared rays (sensors that acquire distance information) are used to acquire alignment information.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display unit 300. The user H looks through the lenses 330L and 330R to observe the image displayed on the display element. The lenses 330L and 330R are display optical systems such as prisms and lenses that magnify and guide the image of a display element (not shown), such as an LCD or OLED, provided in the display unit 300. Here, LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display, and OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode. The user H can adjust the positions of the lenses 330L and 330R left and right to match the interpupillary distance. The lens 330R constitutes a first optical system provided at a position corresponding to the user H's right eye, and the lens 330L constitutes a second optical system provided at a position corresponding to the user H's left eye.

[0017] The display unit 300 includes a cable connection unit 340, allowing data communication of position information, images, and the like with an external PC or controller via a cable (not shown). Specifically, the image display device 100 first acquires a real-space image captured by the imaging cameras 310L and 310R. Then, as needed, it communicates with an external PC and acquires a virtual object image, such as a CG image, which is superimposed on the real-space image. Finally, the image generated by the superimposition process is displayed on a display element (not shown) and presented to the user H via the lenses 330L and 330R. Note that if the above process is performed sufficiently quickly, real-time image display to the user H is also possible. Specific use cases include development applications for evaluating parts without prototyping, training for rare disasters, and entertainment applications.

[0018] The display unit 300 includes a coupling unit 350 that can be coupled to the connection unit 400 .

[0019] 3 is a diagram showing mainly the connection unit 400 of the image display device 100. The image display device 100 has a torque hinge 500, which is a first hinge member that supports the display unit 300 rotatably about the rotation axis AX relative to the mounting unit 200. The image display device 100 also has a biasing hinge 600, which is a second hinge member that supports the display unit 300 rotatably about the rotation axis AX relative to the mounting unit 200.

[0020] The torque hinge 500 generates a rotation resistance torque that acts as resistance to the operation of rotating the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200, regardless of the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 and the rotation direction of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200.

[0021] The biasing hinge 600 is a rotational hinge that biases the display unit 300 in response to an operation of rotating the display unit 300 in a first direction relative to the mounting unit 200 when the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 is within a predetermined range. A biasing torque is generated. Here, the first direction is a direction in which the display unit 300 is brought closer to the eyes of the user H when the wearing unit 200 is worn by the user H. The direction indicated by the arrow R in Figs. 1 and 3 is the first direction.

[0022] The fixed member 410 connected to the mounting unit 200 and the movable members 420, 430 connected to the display unit 300 are connected via a torque hinge 500 and a bias hinge 600. The torque hinge 500 and the bias hinge 600 are provided coaxially with respect to the rotation axis AX, and the movable members 420, 430 and the display unit 300 are rotatable about (around) the rotation axis AX relative to the fixed member 410 and the mounting unit 200.

[0023] The rotation axis AX is parallel to a line L connecting the center CR of the lens 330R, which is the first optical system, and the center CL of the lens 330L, which is the second optical system, shown in Figure 2. When the mounting part 200 is mounted on the user H, the rotation axis AX is a line parallel to an axis passing through the centers of the left and right eyes of the user H, and is located above the lenses 330L and 330R. The movable members 420 and 430 are separated into left and right halves to allow for easy assembly, and are joined together with screws or the like after assembly.

[0024] Fig. 4(A) is a cross section of the first fixing part 520 taken along a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis AX. Fig. 4(B) is a cross section of the torque hinge 500 taken along a cross section AA including the rotation axis AX.

[0025] The torque hinge 500 has a first fixed portion 520 and a first rotating portion 510. The first fixed portion 520 is a sleeve-shaped member fixed to one of the mounting portion 200 and the display portion 300 (the mounting portion 200 in the first embodiment). The first rotating portion 510 is a member fixed to the other of the mounting portion 200 and the display portion 300 (the display portion 300 in the first embodiment) and supported by the first fixed portion 520 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis AX. The first rotating portion 510 is engaged with the movable member 420, and the first fixed portion 520 is engaged with the fixed member 410.

[0026] First rotating part 510 has shaft part 511 extending parallel to rotation axis AX, and first fixed part 520 has shaft hole 521 into which shaft part 511 is inserted. The outer diameter of shaft part 511 and the inner diameter of shaft hole 521 are sized to allow the outer peripheral surface of shaft part 511 to slide against the inner peripheral surface of shaft hole 521. In Example 1, the outer diameter of shaft part 511 has an interference with the inner diameter of shaft hole 521, and shaft part 511 is press-fit into shaft hole 521 in the direction of rotation axis AX to form torque hinge 500.

[0027] Rotational resistance torque T is generated by the torque generated by friction when the outer peripheral surface of shaft portion 511 inserted into shaft hole 521 slides against the inner peripheral surface of shaft hole 521. The friction can be adjusted by the contact length between shaft hole 521 of first fixed portion 520 and shaft portion 511 of first rotating portion 510, and thereby the rotational resistance torque can be adjusted.

[0028] Fig. 5(A) is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the biasing hinge 600. Fig. 5(B) is a side view of the biasing hinge 600.

[0029] The biasing hinge 600 has a second fixed portion 620, a second rotating portion 610, a moving portion 630, and a compression spring 640. The second fixed portion 620 is a member fixed to one of the mounting portion 200 and the display portion 300 (the mounting portion 200 in the first embodiment). The second rotating portion 610 is a member fixed to the other of the mounting portion 200 and the display portion 300 (the display portion 300 in the first embodiment), and is supported by the second fixed portion 620 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis AX. The second fixed portion 620 is engaged with the fixed member 410, and the second rotating portion 610 is engaged with the movable member 430.

[0030] The moving part 630 is prevented from rotating in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis AX relative to the second rotating part 610, and is supported so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis AX relative to the second fixed part 620 and movable in the axial direction parallel to the rotation axis AX relative to the second rotating part 610 and the second fixed part 620. The compression spring 640 is The pressing portion is disposed between the moving portion 630 and the second rotating portion 610 and generates a pressing force in a direction that presses the moving portion 630 against the second fixed portion 620.

[0031] The bias hinge 600 is assembled by inserting these components into the shaft portion 621 of the second fixing portion 620, and the end 627 of the shaft portion 621 is crimped to prevent it from coming off in the axial direction.

[0032] The anti-rotation structure of the moving part 630 is formed by engagement between a slit 611 provided in the cylindrical second rotating part 610 and a protrusion 660 provided in the moving part 630. The slit 611 is a notch extending in the axial direction from the end of the second rotating part 610 on the second fixed part 620 side. The slit 611 has a surface 680 that is perpendicular to the circumferential direction and parallel to the axial direction. The protrusion 660 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface 632 of the moving part 630 and has a surface 670 that is perpendicular to the circumferential direction and parallel to the axial direction. The circumferential size of the slit 611 and the circumferential size of the protrusion 660 are approximately equal. When the protrusion 660 is inserted axially into the slit 611, the surface 680 of the slit 611 abuts against the surface 670 of the protrusion 660, thereby restricting the moving part 630 from moving in the circumferential direction relative to the second rotating part 610.

[0033] On the other hand, since surface 680 of slit 611 and surface 670 of convex portion 660 are parallel to the axial direction, moving portion 630 is movable in the axial direction relative to second rotating portion 610. Also, moving portion 630 is supported by shaft portion 621 of second fixed portion 620 so as to be rotatable about rotation axis AX. Therefore, moving portion 630 is rotatable integrally with second rotating portion 610 about rotation axis AX.

[0034] The second fixed portion 620 has a first sliding surface 626 including a first end surface 622 and a recessed end surface 623 perpendicular to the rotation axis AX, and a first inclined surface 624 inclined with respect to the rotation axis AX. The axial position of the first end surface 622 is closer to the second rotating portion 610 than the axial position of the recessed end surface 623. A convex portion range, which is the circumferential range in which the first end surface 622 is provided, does not overlap with a recessed portion range, which is the circumferential range in which the recessed end surface 623 is provided, and the circumferential range between the convex portion range and the recessed portion range is a first inclined surface range in which the first inclined surface 624 is provided. As a result, a recess 650 is formed in the end surface of a flange portion 625, which is provided at the end of the second fixed portion 620 opposite the second rotating portion 610, on the second rotating portion 610 side.

[0035] Convex portion 660 of moving portion 630 has second sliding surface 635 including second end surface 633 perpendicular to the rotation axis and second inclined surface 634 slidable on first inclined surface 624. Second sliding surface 635 is provided on the second fixed portion 620 side, and therefore faces first sliding surface 626 formed on flange portion 625 of second fixed portion 620 in the axial direction.

[0036] The first inclined surface 624 is configured by a surface whose axial distance from the moving part 630 increases along the rotation direction R of the moving part 630 relative to the second fixed part 620 when the display part 300 rotates in the first direction R relative to the mounting part 200.

[0037] When the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 is within a predetermined range, the second inclined surface 634 is pressed against the first inclined surface 624 by the pressing force of the compression spring 640. As a result, the second fixed unit 620 and the moving unit 630 slide together while the moving unit 630 is movable in the axial direction toward the second fixed unit 620 and rotatable circumferentially in a direction corresponding to the first direction R. A rotational biasing torque U is generated by the circumferential component of the reaction force that the second inclined surface 634, pressed against the first inclined surface 624, receives from the first inclined surface 624. In other words, when the moving unit 630 rotates in the first direction R from a state in which the first end surface 622 of the second fixed unit 620 and the second end surface 633 of the moving unit 630 are sliding against each other, the first inclined surface 624 and the second inclined surface 634 begin to abut against each other. At this time, the pressing force of the compression spring 640 causes the second inclined surface 634 to slide down the first inclined surface 624, so that a force acts to rotate the moving portion 630 in the first direction R.

[0038] When the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 is not within a predetermined range, the pressing force of the compression spring 640 presses the second end surface 633 against the first end surface 622. The moving unit 630 does not move in the axial direction, but slides against the second fixed unit 620 while being rotatable in the circumferential direction. At this time, friction occurs when the first end surface 622 slides against the second end surface 633, generating a friction torque F that acts as resistance against the operation of rotating the display unit 300 in the first direction R and the opposite direction.

[0039] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the state of the biasing hinge 600 when it rotates. Figs. 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c) are views of the biasing hinge 600 as viewed from the second rotating portion 610 in the axial direction, and Figs. 6(d), 6(e), and 6(f) are perspective views of the biasing hinge 600. A rotational biasing torque U is generated in the biasing hinge 600 when the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 is within a predetermined range. In Fig. 6(b), angle range X indicates the angle range of the second fixing portion 620 and the second rotating portion 610 that corresponds to this predetermined range.

[0040] 6(a) and 6(d) show a state where the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 is not within the predetermined range X. The recess 650 of the second fixed portion 620 and the protrusion 660 of the moving portion 630 are disengaged, the first end surface 622 and the second end surface 633 slide against each other, and no rotational biasing torque U is generated, but only friction torque F is generated.

[0041] 6(b) and 6(e) show a state in which the display unit 300 has rotated further in the first direction R than in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(d), and the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 has entered the predetermined range X. The first inclined surface 624 of the second fixed portion 620 and the second inclined surface 634 of the moving portion 630 begin to come into contact with each other, and a rotational biasing torque U in a direction that rotates the moving portion 630 in the first direction R begins to be generated by the pressing force of the compression spring 640.

[0042] 6(c) and 6(f) show a state in which the display unit 300 has rotated further in the first direction R than in FIGS. 6(b) and 6(e), and the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 is not within the predetermined range X. The abutment between the first inclined surface 624 of the second fixed portion 620 and the second inclined surface 634 of the moving portion 630 ends, and the recessed portion 650 of the second fixed portion 620 and the protruding portion 660 of the moving portion 630 engage with each other. In this state, the recessed portion end surface 623 and the second end surface 633 slide against each other, and no rotational biasing torque U is generated, but only friction torque F is generated.

[0043] The rotational biasing torque U can be adjusted by the elastic force (spring constant) of the compression spring 640 and the angles of the first inclined surface 624 of the second fixed portion 620 and the second inclined surface 634 of the movable portion 630. The predetermined range X within which the rotational biasing torque U is generated can be adjusted by the shapes of the first inclined surface 624 and the second inclined surface 634, and therefore the shapes of the convex portion 660 and the concave portion 650. In the embodiment, the convex portion 660 and the concave portion 650 are block-shaped, but the convex portion and the concave portion may also be hemispherical. Furthermore, although an example has been shown in which the first inclined surface 624 and the second inclined surface 634 are flat, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are not limited to flat surfaces as long as they have a slidable shape, and may be curved surfaces, for example.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the display unit 300 of the image display device 100 is flipped up. In FIG. 7, the display unit 300 indicated by a dashed line indicates the position of the display unit 300 when the user H views an image. While the user H is viewing an image on the display unit 300, for example, if the user H wants to check the real space in front of him / her without looking at the display unit 300, the display unit 300 can be moved upward (in the direction of the arrow) in the field of view of the user H about the rotation axis AX. In this embodiment, this operation is referred to as flipping up. In FIG. 7, the display unit 300 indicated by a solid line indicates the position of the display unit 300 in a flipped-up state.

[0045] In the first embodiment, the display unit 300 is attached to the mounting unit 200 when the display unit 300 is in the flip-up state. 6(a) and 6(d). At this time, the force for maintaining the position of the display unit 300 is generated by the combined torque of the rotation resistance torque T of the torque hinge 500 and the friction torque F generated between the first end surface 622 and the second end surface 633 of the biasing hinge 600. In the first embodiment, when the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 is not within the predetermined range X, the combined torque of the rotation resistance torque T and the friction torque F is greater than the rotation torque generated by the weight of the display unit 300. This makes it possible to maintain the position of the display unit 300. The rotation torque generated by the weight of the display unit 300 changes depending on the posture of the user H. Taking into consideration posture changes such as when the user H moves his / her head while the display unit 300 is flipped up, it is advisable to set a margin for the rotation torque generated by the weight of the display unit 300, which is the sum of the rotation resistance torque T and the friction torque F.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the angle adjustment range of the display unit 300 of the image display device 100 relative to the mounting unit 200. The appropriate viewing position of the display unit 300 may vary depending on the head shape and mounting position of the user H. The predetermined range X in which the rotational biasing torque U is generated in the biasing hinge 600 is preferably set to include the angular range in which the appropriate viewing position of the display unit 300 can be achieved. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the first direction R, which is the direction of the rotational biasing torque U of the biasing hinge 600, is the direction in which the display unit 300 is brought closer to the eyes of the user H when the user H is wearing the mounting unit 200. In FIG. 8, position B of the display unit 300, indicated by a solid line, is the position in the predetermined range X where the display unit 300 is farthest from the user H, and position C of the display unit 300, indicated by a dashed line, is the position in the predetermined range X where the display unit 300 is closest to the user H. When the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 is within a predetermined range X, the biasing hinge 600 is in the state shown in Figures 6(b) and 6(e). When the display unit 300 is farther from the user H than position B, the biasing hinge 600 is in the state shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(d), and when the display unit 300 is closer to the user H than position C, the biasing hinge 600 is in the state shown in Figures 6(c) and 6(f).

[0047] When the angle of the display unit 300 with respect to the mounting unit 200 is within the predetermined range X, the force required for the user H to grip the display unit 300 with his / her hand and move it in a direction closer to his / her face is a force to resist a torque obtained by subtracting the rotational biasing torque U from the rotational resistance torque T. Therefore, the user H can fine-tune the angle of the display unit 300 with a force smaller than the force required to resist the rotational resistance torque T. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the rotational resistance torque T is greater than the rotational biasing torque U. Therefore, when the angle of the display unit 300 with respect to the mounting unit 200 is within the predetermined range X, the display unit 300 is prevented from moving uncontrollably due to the rotational biasing torque U of the biasing hinge 600. In the first embodiment, when the angle of the display unit 300 with respect to the mounting unit 200 is within the predetermined range X, the rotational resistance torque T is set to be greater than the sum of the rotational biasing torque U and the rotational torque generated by the weight of the display unit 300. This allows the position of the display unit 300 to be reliably maintained when the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 is within a predetermined range X. The rotation torque generated by the weight of the display unit 300 varies depending on the position of the display unit 300 and the posture of the user H. Therefore, in order to more reliably maintain the position of the display unit 300, it is advisable to set the rotation resistance torque T and the rotation biasing torque U based on the maximum rotation torque that can be generated by the weight of the display unit 300.

[0048] Furthermore, when the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 is within a predetermined range X, the force required to move the display unit 300 in a direction away from the face of the user H is a force to resist the torque that is the sum of the rotation resistance torque T and the rotation biasing torque U. As a result, the operation to move the display unit 300 in a direction closer to the face of the user H is light, and the operation to move it in a direction away from the face of the user H is heavy. Therefore, the operability of the operation to move the display unit 300 by a small angle, such as when the user H adjusts the display unit 300 to an appropriate position, is improved. Since the operation to adjust the display optical system to a position where it is best viewed from the flipped-up state of the display unit 300 is light, the adjustment can be made quickly. In addition, the force generated in the display unit 300 Since elastic deformation such as bending is reduced, it is possible to reduce the phenomenon in which the elastic deformation of the display unit 300 is released and the display unit 300 moves when the user H removes his / her hand from the display unit 300 after adjusting the position of the display unit 300. Furthermore, when the angle of the display unit 300 with respect to the attachment unit 200 is within the predetermined range X, the display unit 300 is less likely to move in a direction away from the user H. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display unit 300 from moving unintentionally when, for example, the user H looks down while viewing an image, and it is possible to provide a comfortable viewing experience.

[0049] When the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 when the display unit 300 is in a predetermined position set as a position that can face the eyes of the user H with the mounting unit 200 worn by the user is defined as a reference angle, the predetermined range X may be a range centered on the reference angle. Note that the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 can be defined as the angle between a line connecting the rotation axis AX and the center of gravity G of the display unit 300 and a line connecting the rotation axis AX and a predetermined point H of the mounting unit 200 in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis AX. Note that the definition of the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 is not limited to this example.

[0050] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the reference angle can be determined as the angle of the display unit 300 relative to the mounting unit 200 when a line connecting the rotation axis AX and the center of gravity of the display unit 300 is parallel to the vertical when the mounting unit 200 is worn by a user H facing forward. In this case, a model of the physique and bone structure of an average user can be used as the user H. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the display unit 300 to a position where the image is clearly visible, in accordance with individual differences in head shape. For example, when the predetermined range X is 30 degrees, the range is set to -15° to +15° around the reference angle. That is, the predetermined range X can be set so that the display unit 300 is 15 degrees away from the user H's face and 15 degrees toward the user H's face.

[0051] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiments, the torque hinge 500 is provided with the first fixed portion 520 on the mounting portion 200 and the first rotating portion 510 on the display portion 300. However, the first rotating portion 510 may be provided on the mounting portion 200 and the first fixed portion 520 on the display portion 300. Similarly, the bias hinge 600 is provided with the second fixed portion 620 on the mounting portion 200 and the second rotating portion 610 on the display portion 300. However, the second rotating portion 610 may be provided on the mounting portion 200 and the second fixed portion 620 on the display portion 300.

[0052] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) a wearing member that can be worn on the head of a user; a display member for displaying an image; a first hinge member that supports the display member rotatably around a rotation axis relative to the mounting member; a second hinge member that supports the display member rotatably around the rotation axis relative to the mounting member; A head-mounted image display device having: the first hinge member generates a resistance torque that resists an operation of rotating the display member relative to the mounting member, regardless of an angle of the display member relative to the mounting member and a rotation direction of the display member relative to the mounting member; the second hinge member generates a biasing torque that biases the display member against an operation of rotating the display member in a first direction relative to the mounting member when an angle of the display member relative to the mounting member is within a predetermined range; In the predetermined range, the resistance torque is greater than the biasing torque. Image display device. (Configuration 2) The image display device according to configuration 1, wherein when the angle of the display member relative to the mounting member is within the predetermined range, the resistance torque is greater than the combined torque of the biasing torque and the rotational torque generated by the weight of the display member. (Configuration 3) 3. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the first direction is a direction in which the display member is brought closer to the user's eye when the wearing member is worn by the user. (Configuration 4) The display member is a first optical system provided at a position corresponding to the right eye of the user; a second optical system provided at a position corresponding to the left eye of the user; and 4. The image display device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the rotation axis is parallel to a line connecting the center of the first optical system and the center of the second optical system. (Configuration 5) The first hinge member a first fixing portion fixed to one of the mounting member and the display member; a first rotating portion fixed to the other of the mounting member and the display member and supported by the first fixed portion so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis; and the first rotating portion has a shaft portion extending parallel to the rotation axis, the first fixing portion has a shaft hole into which the shaft portion is inserted, an outer diameter of the shaft portion and an inner diameter of the shaft hole are sized to allow an outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion and an inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole to slide against each other; 5. The image display device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the resistance torque is torque generated by friction when the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion slides against the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole. (Configuration 6) 6. The image display device according to configuration 5, wherein the outer diameter of the shaft portion has an interference with the inner diameter of the shaft hole. (Configuration 7) The second hinge member a second fixing portion fixed to one of the mounting member and the display member; a second rotating portion fixed to the other of the mounting member and the display member and supported by the second fixed portion so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis; a moving section that is prevented from rotating in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis relative to the second rotating section, that is supported rotatably around the rotation axis relative to the second fixed section, and that is movable in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis relative to the second rotating section and the second fixed section; a pressing portion that generates a pressing force in a direction that presses the moving portion against the second fixed portion; and the second fixing portion has a first sliding surface including a first end surface perpendicular to the rotation axis and a first inclined surface inclined with respect to the rotation axis, the moving portion has a second sliding surface facing the first sliding surface in the axial direction, the second sliding surface including a second end surface perpendicular to the rotation axis and a second inclined surface slidable on the first inclined surface, the first inclined surface is configured by a surface whose distance in the axial direction from the moving part increases along a rotation direction of the moving part relative to the second fixed part when the display member rotates in the first direction relative to the mounting member, When the angle of the display member relative to the mounting member is within the predetermined range, the second inclined surface is pressed against the first inclined surface by the pressing force of the pressing portion, and the moving portion moves in the axial direction. the second fixed portion and the movable portion slide relative to each other in a state in which the movable portion is movable in a direction approaching the second fixed portion and rotatable in the circumferential direction in a direction corresponding to the first direction, The image display device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the biasing torque is a torque generated by the circumferential component of the reaction force that the second inclined surface pressed against the first inclined surface receives from the first inclined surface. (Configuration 8) When the display member is at a predetermined position set as a position that can face the eye of the user in a state where the wearing member is worn by the user, the angle of the display member with respect to the wearing member is defined as a reference angle, The image display device according to Configuration 7, wherein the predetermined range is a range centered on the reference angle. (Configuration 9) 9. The image display device according to configuration 8, wherein the predetermined range is a range of −15° to +15° centered around the reference angle. (Configuration 10) When the angle of the display member relative to the mounting member is not within the predetermined range, the second end surface is pressed against the first end surface by the pressing force of the pressing portion, and the second fixed portion and the moving portion slide against each other in a state in which the moving portion does not move in the axial direction and is rotatable in the circumferential direction, An image display device described in any one of configurations 7 to 9, wherein, when the angle of the display member relative to the mounting member is not within the specified range, the combined torque of the resistance torque and the friction torque generated by friction when the first end surface and the second end surface slide is greater than the rotational torque generated by the weight of the display member itself. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 100: Image display device, 200: Mounting unit, 300: Display unit, 500: Torque hinge, 600: Bias hinge

Claims

1. a wearing member that can be worn on the head of a user; a display member for displaying an image; a first hinge member that supports the display member rotatably around a rotation axis relative to the mounting member; a second hinge member that supports the display member rotatably around the rotation axis relative to the mounting member; A head-mounted image display device having: the first hinge member generates a resistance torque that resists an operation of rotating the display member relative to the mounting member, regardless of an angle of the display member relative to the mounting member and a rotation direction of the display member relative to the mounting member; the second hinge member generates a biasing torque that biases the display member against an operation of rotating the display member in a first direction relative to the mounting member when an angle of the display member relative to the mounting member is within a predetermined range; The image display device is characterized in that, in the predetermined range, the resistance torque is greater than the biasing torque.

2. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein when the angle of the display member relative to the mounting member is within the specified range, the resistance torque is greater than the combined torque of the biasing torque and the rotational torque generated by the weight of the display member.

3. The image display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first direction is a direction in which the display member is brought closer to the user's eyes when the wearing member is worn by the user.

4. The display member is a first optical system provided at a position corresponding to the right eye of the user; a second optical system provided at a position corresponding to the left eye of the user; and 3. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation axis is parallel to a line connecting the center of the first optical system and the center of the second optical system.

5. The first hinge member a first fixing portion fixed to one of the mounting member and the display member; a first rotating portion fixed to the other of the mounting member and the display member and supported by the first fixed portion so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis; and the first rotating portion has a shaft portion extending parallel to the rotation axis, the first fixing portion has a shaft hole into which the shaft portion is inserted, an outer diameter of the shaft portion and an inner diameter of the shaft hole are sized to allow an outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion and an inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole to slide against each other; 3. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the resistance torque is a torque generated by friction when the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion slides against the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole.

6. The image display device according to claim 5 , wherein the outer diameter of the shaft portion has an interference with the inner diameter of the shaft hole.

7. The second hinge member a second fixing portion fixed to one of the mounting member and the display member; The display member is fixed to the other of the mounting member and the display member, and is rotatable around the rotation axis. a second rotating portion supported by the second fixed portion; a moving section that is prevented from rotating in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis relative to the second rotating section, that is supported rotatably around the rotation axis relative to the second fixed section, and that is movable in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis relative to the second rotating section and the second fixed section; a pressing portion that generates a pressing force in a direction that presses the moving portion against the second fixed portion; and the second fixing portion has a first sliding surface including a first end surface perpendicular to the rotation axis and a first inclined surface inclined with respect to the rotation axis, the moving portion has a second sliding surface facing the first sliding surface in the axial direction, the second sliding surface including a second end surface perpendicular to the rotation axis and a second inclined surface slidable against the first inclined surface, the first inclined surface is configured by a surface in which a distance in the axial direction from the moving part increases along a rotation direction of the moving part relative to the second fixed part when the display member rotates in the first direction relative to the mounting member, When the angle of the display member relative to the mounting member is within the predetermined range, the second inclined surface is pressed against the first inclined surface by the pressing force of the pressing portion, and the second fixed portion and the moving portion slide relative to each other in a state in which the moving portion is movable in the axial direction in a direction approaching the second fixed portion and is rotatable in the circumferential direction in a direction corresponding to the first direction, 3. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing torque is a torque generated by a circumferential component of a reaction force that the second inclined surface, pressed against the first inclined surface, receives from the first inclined surface.

8. When the display member is at a predetermined position set as a position that can face the eye of the user in a state where the wearing member is worn by the user, the angle of the display member with respect to the wearing member is defined as a reference angle, The image display device according to claim 7 , wherein the predetermined range is a range centered around the reference angle.

9. 9. The image display device according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined range is a range of −15° to +15° centered around the reference angle.

10. When the angle of the display member with respect to the mounting member is not within the predetermined range, the second end surface is pressed against the first end surface by the pressing force of the pressing portion, and the second fixed portion and the moving portion slide against each other in a state in which the moving portion does not move in the axial direction and is rotatable in the circumferential direction, 8. The image display device according to claim 7, wherein when the angle of the display member relative to the mounting member is not within the predetermined range, the sum of the resistance torque and the friction torque generated by friction when the first end surface and the second end surface slide is greater than the rotational torque generated by the weight of the display member itself.

Images