Head-up display device

Abstract

To provide a highly durable head-up display device capable of maintaining a combiner in a fixed position over an extended period.SOLUTION: An HUD device 1 includes a display 20 that emits display light, a combiner 30 that displays an image when the display light is projected thereon, a holder 40 that holds the combiner 30 and keeps the combiner 30 upright, and a top cover 50 provided on an upper end portion of the holder 40, and having a latch portion 511 that latches on an upper end of the combiner 30 from a side opposite a projection side of the combiner 30 where the display light is projected, thereby holding the upper end of the combiner 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a head-up display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Some head-up display devices project display light emitted from a display onto a projection member provided in the device itself, rather than onto a windshield provided in a vehicle.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a head-up display device that includes a projection member that changes between a stored state and a used state by moving in and out of the instrument panel of a vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-164823 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the head-up display device described in Patent Document 1, the display light emitted from a display located inside the instrument panel is reflected to the driver behind the projected member, so the projected member is shaped like a plate that slopes upward and backward.

[0006] To increase the durability of such projectiles, it is conceivable to have them held in a holder located on the instrument panel. However, because the projectiles are shaped like plates that tilt backward as they go up, if the holder does not hold the projectiles sufficiently, the projectiles will fall over.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a highly durable head-up display device that can keep a projection member in a fixed position for a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the head-up display device of the present invention comprises: an indicator that emits an indicator light; a projection member that displays an image by projecting the display light; a holder that holds the projection member and makes the projection member stand up; a top cover provided at an upper end portion of the holder and having a hook portion that hooks onto an upper end of the projection member from a side of the projection member opposite to a projection side onto which the display light is projected, thereby holding the upper end of the projection member; Equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the configuration of the present invention, the projection target member can be kept in a fixed position for a long period of time, resulting in a highly durable head-up display device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a head-up display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle equipped with a head-up display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a head-up display device according to an embodiment, viewed from the rear side of a vehicle and diagonally from above left. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a head-up display device according to an embodiment, viewed from above and in front of a vehicle. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a head-up display device according to an embodiment, showing a cross section when the head-up display device is cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a head-up display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of region VII shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, a head-up display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the specification, the terms "front, rear, left, right, top, bottom" refer to the front, rear, left, right, top, bottom of a vehicle in which the head-up display device is installed.

[0012] A head-up display device (hereinafter referred to as HUD device) according to an embodiment is a device that is installed in a vehicle and projects display light that displays an image, for example, an image including information about the vehicle (such as vehicle speed and navigation information; hereinafter referred to as vehicle information), onto a projection member. In this HUD device, in order to make the projection member less likely to tip over and increase the durability of the device itself, a top cover that hooks onto the upper end of the projection member and prevents the projection member from tipping over is provided on a holder that holds a combiner.

[0013] The configuration of the HUD device will be described below using an example in which the projection target member is a combiner. First, the overall configuration of the HUD device will be described with reference to Figs.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the HUD device 1 includes a case 10, a display 20, and a combiner 30.

[0015] Case 10 is formed in a box shape to accommodate components therein. An opening 11 is formed in the box of case 10, and case 10 is placed on instrument panel 3 of vehicle 2 with opening 11 facing upward. In addition, opening 11 is covered with a dustproof cover 12 made of a colorless and transparent material to prevent foreign matter from entering. A display 20 is accommodated in case 10 to emit display light LT from opening 11 through dustproof cover 12.

[0016] The display device 20 has a backlight 21 that emits light to generate display light LT, and a liquid crystal panel 22 that adjusts the degree of light transmission of the backlight 21 to generate the display light LT that displays an image.

[0017] The backlight 21 is composed of, for example, a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The backlight 21 is turned on based on a command signal output by a microcomputer (not shown), and emits light at a brightness based on the command signal when turned on. A liquid crystal panel 22 is disposed above the backlight 21, and the backlight 21 illuminates the liquid crystal panel 22 when turned on.

[0018] The liquid crystal panel 22 is configured, for example, by a transmissive TFT (Thin Film Transistor) liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel 22 has a display section in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix, and is controlled by a driver (not shown) to change the light transmittance of each pixel. The liquid crystal panel 22 is irradiated by the backlight 21 described above, and adjusts the light transmittance for each pixel to generate display light LT containing an image. The liquid crystal panel 22 is disposed with its panel surface facing upward, and emits the generated display light LT upward as shown in FIG. 1. As a result, the display device 20 emits the display light LT upward from the opening 11 of the case 10 through the dustproof cover 12. A combiner 30 is provided above the case 10, and as a result, the display light LT is incident on the combiner 30.

[0019] The combiner 30 is made of resin whose interior is colored black, for example, polycarbonate colored black with carbon black. The combiner 30 is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate. As shown in FIG. 1, the combiner 30 is held by a holder 40, thereby standing on the case 10. Specifically, the holder 40, which is slightly inclined toward the rear B, is provided on the front and upper surface of the case 10. The combiner 30 is attached to the rear B surface of the holder 40. As a result, the combiner 30 stands on the dust cover 12 of the opening 11 with its plate surface inclined toward the rear B. The plate surface is inclined toward the driver's seat of the vehicle 2 behind the windshield 5 shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the combiner 30 reflects the display light LT and allows the reflected light to reach the driver 4 (also referred to as a user) sitting in the driver's seat behind the rear B. As a result, the image of the display light LT is visually recognized by the driver 4.

[0020] In such a HUD device 1, the combiner 30 tilts rearward as it goes upward, and therefore, if the holder 40 does not hold the combiner 30 sufficiently, the combiner 30 will fall over. Therefore, in the HUD device 1, to prevent the combiner 30 from falling over and causing damage to the device itself, the holder 40 is provided with a top cover 50 that holds the upper end of the combiner 30.

[0021] Next, the configurations of the holder 40 and the top cover 50 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 7. In the following description, the configuration of the holder 40 will be described first, and then the configuration of the top cover 50 will be described.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the holder 40 has a front cover portion 41 with a slope that slopes upward toward the rear B, a left side wall portion 42 that extends from the left end of the front cover portion 41 rearward B beyond the combiner 30 and covers the left side L, and a right side wall portion 43 that extends from the right end of the front cover portion 41 rearward B beyond the combiner 30 and covers the right side R.

[0023] The dust cover 12 described above is formed in a rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction oriented left-right in a top view. The front cover portion 41 is disposed on the front end of the dust cover 12 and extends left-right along the front side of the rectangular dust cover 12 in a top view, and also extends diagonally rearward and upward. This forms the inclined surface described above on the dust cover 12. The left side wall portion 42 is disposed on the left end of the dust cover 12 and extends forward-backward along the left side of the rectangular dust cover 12 in a top view, and also extends upward. The right side wall portion 43 is disposed on the right end of the dust cover 12 and extends forward-backward along the right side of the rectangular dust cover 12 in a top view, and also extends upward. With this arrangement, the upper space of the dust cover 12 is surrounded by the front cover portion 41, the left side wall portion 42, and the right side wall portion 43. Only the rear side of the upper space of the dust cover 12 is open to allow the display light LT to pass through.

[0024] Furthermore, a combiner 30 is attached to the above-mentioned inclined surface of the front cover portion 41 of the holder 40, that is, the inner wall, in order to reflect the display light LT.

[0025] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the front cover portion 41 has a plurality of, specifically two, through-holes 411 (also simply referred to as holes) with a rectangular cross section. The combiner 30 has a rectangular shape with opposite sides not parallel to each other. As a result, although not shown, the combiner 30 is disposed with its lower end portion tilted to the left and right when viewed from the front F. Each through-hole 411 is formed at a position along the lower end portion of the combiner 30.

[0026] In contrast, the combiner 30 has a plurality of protrusions 311 for fitting into the through holes 411, as shown in FIGS.

[0027] The protrusions 311 are provided at the lower end portion of the combiner 30. The shape of the protrusions 311 is a flat, rectangular plate that protrudes downward. The number of the protrusions 311 is the same as the number of the through holes 411 in the front cover portion 41, and the protrusions 311 are positioned so as to overlap the through holes 411 in the front cover portion 41 in the front-rear direction. The size of the protrusions 311 is small enough to be able to be inserted into the through holes 411 in the front cover portion 41. Each of the protrusions 311 is inserted into a corresponding one of the through holes 411. As a result, each of the protrusions 311 is fitted into a corresponding one of the through holes 411. As a result, the lower end portion of the combiner 30 is fixed to the front cover portion 41.

[0028] Furthermore, a portion of the surface on the front F side of the combiner 30 is fixed to a front cover portion 41. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the front cover portion 41 has an outer shell portion 412 that defines the outer shape of the front cover portion 41, and a plurality of flat portions 413 provided at the tips of convex portions that protrude rearward from the outer shell portion 412. The flat portions 413 are formed on the same plane to support the flat plate-shaped combiner 30.

[0029] The combiner 30 is attached to the flat surfaces 413 while in contact with them (for this reason, the flat surfaces 413 are also referred to as attached portions). More specifically, the combiner 30 is attached to the flat surfaces 413 with adhesive tape. As described above, the protrusions 311 of the combiner 30 are fitted into the through-holes 411 of the front cover 41, thereby fixing the lower end portion of the combiner 30 to the front cover 41. Additionally, the orientation of the plate surfaces of the combiner 30, specifically the tilt direction, is determined by the attachment of the combiner 30 to the flat surfaces 413. Furthermore, the attachment in this manner fixes the middle portion of the combiner 30 to the front cover 41. As a result, the combiner 30 is held by the front cover 41 and is prevented from falling over or coming off.

[0030] Furthermore, by attaching the combiner 30 to the flat surface portion 413, heat is less likely to be transmitted from the outer shell portion 412. In detail, in the front cover portion 41, the multiple flat surface portions 413 are separated rearward from the outer shell portion 412, so that heat insulation spaces (also referred to as second heat insulation spaces in the claims) 414 are formed between the outer shell portion 412 and the combiners 30 attached to the respective flat surface portions 413. As a result, heat is less likely to be transmitted from the outer shell portion 412, which is easily heated by exposure to external light, to the combiner 30. As a result, the front cover portion 41 prevents deformation and deterioration of the combiner 30 due to heat, thereby increasing the durability of the combiner 30.

[0031] 7, with the protrusions 311 of the combiner 30 fitted into the through-holes 411 of the front cover portion 41 and attached to the flat portion 413, the combiner 30 protrudes above the front cover portion 41. As a result, the upper end of the combiner 30 is positioned above the front cover portion 41. A top cover 50 is provided on the front cover portion 41 to support the upper end of the combiner 30.

[0032] 3 and 4, the top cover 50 has a shape in which a plate is bent in a generally U-shape. To explain its configuration in detail, the top cover 50 has an eave portion 51 that extends upward and rearward along the front surface of the front cover portion 41 of the holder 40 to cover the upper end portion of the front cover portion 41, a left side surface portion 52 that is provided at the left end of the eave portion 51 and covers the upper end portion of the left side wall portion 42 of the holder 40, and a right side surface portion 53 that is provided at the right end of the eave portion 51 and covers the upper end portion of the right side wall portion 43 of the holder 40.

[0033] The left side surface portion 52 and the right side surface portion 53 are formed in a flat plate shape and are attached to the left side wall portion 42 and the right side wall portion 43 of the holder 40. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the left side surface portion 52 is fixed to the left side wall portion 42 of the holder 40 by a claw portion 421 provided on the left side wall portion 42 of the holder 40 engaging with the inner wall of a through hole 521 formed in the left side wall portion 52. Similarly, although not shown, the right side surface portion 53 is fixed to the right side wall portion 43 of the holder 40 by a claw portion provided on the right side wall portion 43 of the holder 40 engaging with the inner wall of a through hole formed in the right side surface portion 53. With this configuration, the left side surface portion 52 and the right side surface portion 53 sandwich the left side wall portion 42 and the right side wall portion 43 of the holder 40. The left side surface portion 52 and the right side surface portion 53 are also attached to the left side wall portion 42 and the right side wall portion 43. As a result, the left side surface portion 52 and the right side surface portion 53 are positioned so that the eaves portion 51 covers the upper end portion of the front cover portion 41 .

[0034] 7, the eaves portion 51 extends further upward and rearward B than the upper end of the outer shell portion 412 of the front cover portion 41 of the holder 40. As a result, the eaves portion 51 reaches above the upper end of the combiner 30. The eaves portion 51 is bent obliquely downward above the upper end of the combiner 30 to form a hook-shaped hook portion 511 in cross section.

[0035] The hooking portion 511 hooks onto the upper end of the combiner 30. As a result, the hooking portion 511 hooks onto the upper end of the combiner 30 and fixes the upper end of the combiner 30. As a result, the upper end of the combiner 30 is prevented from falling or coming off the front cover portion 41.

[0036] Although not shown, the left side surface portion 52 and the right side surface portion 53 of the top cover 50 sandwich and hold the upper end portion of the combiner 30 from the left and right directions (note that, due to this configuration, the left side surface portion 52 and the right side surface portion 53 are also referred to as sandwiching portions). In this way, the top cover 50 prevents the upper end of the combiner 30 from falling over or coming off.

[0037] The combiner 30 protrudes above the front cover portion 41, and the top cover 50 covers the front cover portion 41 from the front F side and extends to the upper end of the combiner 30. As a result, a gap is provided between the combiner 30 and the eaves portion 51 of the top cover 50. This gap makes it difficult for heat to be transferred from the eaves portion 51, which is easily heated by external light, to the combiner 30. In other words, this gap functions as a heat-insulating space (also referred to as a first heat-insulating space in the claims) 512. With this configuration, the top cover 50 prevents deformation and deterioration of the combiner 30 due to heat, thereby increasing its durability.

[0038] In this way, the holder 40 and the top cover 50 fix the combiner 30, thereby preventing the combiner 30 from falling over and increasing its durability.

[0039] As described above, in the HUD device 1 according to the embodiment, the top cover 50 is provided at the upper end portion of the holder 40, and has a hook portion 511 that hooks onto the upper end of the combiner 30 from the front F, which is the side opposite to the projection side where the display light LT is projected, to hold the upper end of the combiner 30. This makes it difficult for the combiner 30 to fall backward B. As a result, the HUD device 1 can keep the combiner 30 in a fixed position for a long period of time. This makes the HUD device 1 highly durable.

[0040] The top cover 50 also includes a left side surface portion 52 and a right side surface portion 53 that sandwich the upper end of the combiner 30. This makes it more difficult for the combiner 30 to tip over. Because the top cover 50 more firmly holds the upper end of the combiner 30, the combiner 30 is less likely to break, and the durability of the HUD device 1 is high.

[0041] The combiner 30 has a protrusion 311 at its lower end portion, and the protrusion 311 is inserted into a through-hole 411 formed in the front cover portion 41 of the holder 40. As a result, the protrusion 311 engages with the inner wall of the through-hole 411, so that the lower end portion of the combiner 30 is securely fixed to the front cover portion 41 and the combiner 30 is unlikely to peel off from the front cover portion 41.

[0042] Furthermore, a heat insulating space 512 is provided between the eaves portion 51 of the top cover 50 and the combiner 30. Also, a heat insulating space 414 is provided between the outer shell portion 412 of the front cover portion 41 of the holder 40 and the combiner 30. As a result, heat is less likely to be transferred from the eaves portion 51 and the outer shell portion 412, which are easily heated by external light, etc., to the combiner 30. Therefore, the combiner 30 is less likely to deform or peel off, and the durability of the HUD device 1 is high.

[0043] Although the head-up display device according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0044] For example, in the above embodiment, the combiner 30 has a rectangular shape with non-parallel opposite sides, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the combiner 30 may be any projection member that displays an image when the display light LT is projected onto it. In this case, the projection member may be plate-shaped, i.e., plate-shaped. Therefore, the shape of the combiner 30 is arbitrary as long as this condition is satisfied. For example, the combiner 30 may be rectangular.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the combiner 30 has two protrusions 311, but the number of protrusions 311 is arbitrary. For example, the number of protrusions 311 may be one. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the protrusion 311 is inserted into a through hole 411 formed in the front cover portion 41 of the holder 40 and engages with the inner wall thereof. However, it is sufficient that the protrusion 311 is inserted into a hole in the front cover portion 41 and engages with the inner wall of the hole, and as a result, the through hole 411 may be replaced with a hole that does not penetrate through.

[0046] In the embodiment, the display 20 has a liquid crystal panel 22, but instead of the liquid crystal panel 22, it may have a dial plate on which symbols, letters, etc. indicating vehicle information are displayed. The display 20 may emit display light LT including images of the symbols, letters, etc. on the dial plate by illuminating the dial plate with the backlight 21. Alternatively, the display 20 may have the dial plate in addition to the liquid crystal panel 22, and generate the display light LT by illuminating the liquid crystal panel 22 and the dial plate with the backlight 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 HUD device 2 vehicles 3. Instrument panel 4. Driver 5 Windshield 10 cases 11 Aperture 12 Dustproof cover 20 Display 21 Backlight 22 LCD panel 30 Combiner 40 Holder 41 Front cover 42 Left side wall 43 Right side wall 50 Top cover 51 Eaves 52 Left side part 53 Right side part 311 Protrusion 411 Through hole (hole) 412 Outer Wall 413 Plane section 414 Insulation space (second insulation space) 421 Claw 511 Latch part 512 Insulation space (first insulation space) 521 Through hole B Back F forward L left side R right side LT stands for Light

Claims

1. an indicator that emits an indicator light; a projection member that displays an image by projecting the display light; a holder that holds the projection member and makes the projection member stand up; a top cover provided at an upper end portion of the holder and having a hook portion that hooks onto an upper end of the projection member from a side of the projection member opposite to a projection side onto which the display light is projected, thereby holding the upper end of the projection member; Equipped with Head-up display device.

2. the projection member is plate-shaped, the top cover further includes a clamping portion that clamps the projection target member from both ends of the plate of the projection target member, The head-up display device according to claim 1 .

3. the projection member has a protrusion that protrudes from a lower end of the projection member, the holder has a hole into which the protrusion is inserted and into which the protrusion is engaged on an inner wall; The head-up display device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the projection member protrudes above the upper end surface of the holder, the top cover covers the upper end surface of the holder from the side opposite to the projection side and extends to the hook portion that hooks onto the upper end of the projection target member, a first heat insulating space is provided between the top cover and a portion of the projection member that protrudes above the upper end surface of the holder; The head-up display device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the holder is provided on the side of the projection member opposite the projection side, and has an outer shell portion that covers the projection member, and an attachment portion that is provided at the tip of a protrusion that protrudes from the outer shell portion toward the projection member, and that comes into contact with a portion of the projection member and to which the portion is attached; A second heat insulating space is provided between the outer shell and the projection target. The head-up display device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images