Projection device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a projection device for a vehicle that can alleviate visual discomfort.SOLUTION: As shown in Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b), a projection device 1 for a vehicle is schematically configured to include a projection unit 2 that projects a projected image onto a projection region including an interruption portion 6 located on an inner side of a design surface 5 where the continuity of the design surface 5 is interrupted inside a vehicle cabin. This projection device 1 for a vehicle can alleviate visual discomfort.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As a conventional technology, there is known an interior lighting device for automobiles that includes a decorative member having a decorative part that is visible from inside the automobile, and a light irradiating part that irradiates light onto the decorative part, the light axis of which is shifted from a direction perpendicular to the general surface of the decorative part (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] This lighting device for automobile interiors is capable of expressing a deep, rich shape in the interior of the vehicle when lit, within the constraints of its shape. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6755246 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, some vehicle interior panels have been designed to have a unified overall appearance by combining multiple panels. However, these interior panels often have borders that create a visually unnatural appearance for occupants, and this visual discomfort cannot be alleviated by simply illuminating the decorative parts, as with conventional automotive interior lighting devices.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle projection device that can alleviate the visual discomfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle projection device including a projection unit that projects a projection image onto a projection area that includes an inner discontinuity of a design surface within a vehicle interior where the continuity of the design surface is discontinued. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the sense of visual discomfort can be alleviated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of the interior of a vehicle before a vehicle projection device according to an embodiment projects a projection image, and FIG. 1(b) is an example of the interior of the vehicle after the projection image is projected. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is an example of a block diagram of a vehicle projection device relating to an embodiment, Figure 2(b) is a diagram showing an example of a case where a pattern projection image of a projection image crosses over part of a discontinuity point, and Figure 2(c) is a diagram showing an example of a case where a pattern projection image of a projection image crosses over and also contains the discontinuity point. [Figure 3] 3(a) to 3(c) are diagrams showing examples of discontinuities according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) The vehicle projection device according to the embodiment is generally configured to include a projection unit that projects a projection image onto a projection area that includes an inner discontinuity of a design surface within the vehicle interior where the continuity of the design surface is discontinued.

[0011] This vehicle projection device projects a projection image at the point of disruption, so the projection image can alleviate the sense of incongruity at the point of disruption compared to when no projection image is projected.

[0012] [Embodiment Mode] (Overview of vehicle projection device 1) FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of the interior of a vehicle before a vehicle projection device according to an embodiment projects a projection image, and FIG. 1(b) is an example of the interior of the vehicle after the projection image is projected. FIG. 2(a) is an example of a block diagram of a vehicle projection device according to an embodiment, FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing an example of a case where a pattern projection image of a projection image crosses a part of a discontinuity point, and FIG. 2(c) is a diagram showing an example of a case where a pattern projection image of a projection image crosses a discontinuity point and also includes the discontinuity point. FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c) are diagrams showing examples of discontinuity points according to an embodiment. Note that in each diagram according to the embodiments described below, the ratios and shapes between figures may differ from the actual ratios and shapes. Also, in FIG. 2(a), arrows indicate the flow of main signals and information. An overview of the vehicle projection device 1 will be described below.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the vehicle projection device 1 is generally configured to include a projection unit 2 that projects a projection image onto a projection area including an interruption point 6 inside the design surface 5 where the continuity of the design surface 5 is interrupted within the vehicle cabin.

[0014] 2(a), the projection unit 2 of the present embodiment is configured to include, but is not limited to, a first projector 21 and a second projector 22. The first projector 21 projects a first projection image 20a onto a first projection area 23a. The second projector 22 projects a second projection image 20b onto a second projection area 23b.

[0015] The discontinuity points 6 are the parting points between the multiple panels that form the design surface 5. As an example, the discontinuity points 6 in this embodiment are a first parting point 61 and a second parting point 62, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b). The first projector 21 projects a first projection image 20a onto a first projection area 23a that includes the first parting point 61. The second projector 22 projects a second projection image 20b onto a second projection area 23b that includes the second parting point 62.

[0016] 2(b) and 2(c), the projected image 20 has a pattern projected image 24, and an outline 25 of the pattern projected image 24 crosses at least the discontinuity point 6. The projected image 20 in this embodiment is a first projected image 20a or a second projected image 20b.

[0017] As an example, as shown in Figures 2(b) and 2(c), the shaded portion of this projected image 20 is the pattern projected image 24. In other words, the pattern projected image 24 is an image formed by projecting a pattern, and makes the discontinuity 6 less noticeable. The periphery 26 of the pattern projected image 24 is an area without a pattern. The solid line surrounding the shaded portion of this pattern projected image 24 is the outline 25.

[0018] 2(b) and 2(c) is the cut-off portion between the first panel 10 and the second panel 11. The first design 102 of the first panel 10 and the second design 111 of the second panel 11 have a unified design.

[0019] 2(b) is an example in which the outline 25 crosses over a part of the discontinuity point 6. FIG. 2(c) is an example in which the outline 25 crosses over and includes the discontinuity point 6. These discontinuity points 6 are difficult for occupants to see because the pattern projection image 24 is projected onto them and they shine more intensively than other parts.

[0020] The projection unit 2 projects a projection image having a design different from the design 50 on the design surface 5. In this embodiment, the first projector 21 projects a first pattern projection image 24a having a design different from the design 50. The second projector 22 projects a second pattern projection image 24b having a design different from the design 50.

[0021] As a modified example, the projection unit 2 may be configured to project a pattern projection image that has the same design as the design of the projection target and that overlaps with the design of the projection target.

[0022] 1(a) and 1(b), the design surface 5 of this embodiment is, for example, the surface indicated by diagonal lines, and is configured to include a first design surface 51 on the upper part of the door trim 820 of the right door 82, a second design surface 52 on the upper part of the door trim 830 of the left door 83, and a third design surface 53 of the instrument panel 84. The design surface 5 forms a unified design 50 with the first design surface 51 to the third design surface 53. Note that a first parting portion 61 and a second parting portion 62 are generated between the first design surface 51 and the third design surface 53, and between the second design surface 52 and the third design surface 53, and these first parting portion 61 and second parting portion 62 are discontinuity portions 6 where the continuity of the design surface 5 is interrupted.

[0023] In addition, since the first parting point 61 also extends toward the right pillar 85, the first projector 21 projects the first projection image 20a onto the first projection area 23a that includes part of the right pillar 85. Furthermore, since the second parting point 62 also extends toward the left pillar 86, the second projector 22 projects the second projection image 20b onto the second projection area 23b that includes part of the left pillar 86.

[0024] As an example, the vehicle projection device 1 is roughly configured to include a projection unit 2, a communication unit 3, and a control unit 4, as shown in FIG. 2(a).

[0025] (Configuration of projection unit 2) As shown in FIGS. 1(a) to 2(b), the first projector 21 of the projection unit 2 is disposed on the ceiling 87 on the driver's seat 80 side. The second projector 22 is disposed on the ceiling 87 on the passenger seat 81 side. The location of the projection unit 2 is not limited to the ceiling 87, but may be any location that can project a projection image onto the first viewing area 61 and the second viewing area 62. The projection unit 2 may be configured, for example, so that the first projector 21 is disposed on the right pillar 85 to project the first projection image 20a onto the first viewing area 61, and the second projector 22 is disposed on the left pillar 86 to project the second projection image 20b onto the second viewing area 62.

[0026] The first projector 21 projects a first projection image 20a onto a first parting point 61 between the first design surface 51 and the third design surface 53. The second projector 22 projects a second projection image 20b onto a second parting point 62 between the second design surface 52 and the third design surface 53.

[0027] The first parting point 61 is mainly the parting portion between the right door 82 and the instrument panel 84. The second parting point 62 is mainly the parting portion between the left door 83 and the instrument panel 84. In this way, the first parting point 61 and the second parting point 62 become the discontinuity points 6 when forming the design 50 that has continuity from the right door 82 to the instrument panel 84 and the left door 83.

[0028] (Configuration of communication unit 3) The communication unit 3 is configured to exchange signals, information, and the like with the on-board device 7 connected thereto using a communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network) or LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

[0029] The in-vehicle device 7 is, for example, a switch device, a display device, or a vehicle control device mounted on the vehicle 8. The in-vehicle projection device 1 starts and stops projection and switches projection patterns based on operations on the switch device or operations on icons displayed on the display device. The in-vehicle projection device 1 of this embodiment starts and stops projection based on an instruction signal S1 output from the in-vehicle device 7.

[0030] (Configuration of control unit 4) The control unit 4 is, for example, a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data, and semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, a program for operating the control unit 4. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results and the like.

[0031] The control unit 4 outputs a control signal S2 to the first projector 21 and outputs a control signal S3 to the second projector 22 based on the instruction signal S1 input via the communication unit 3. The first projector 21 and the second projector 22 project a first projection image 20a onto the first projection area 23a and project a second projection image 20b onto the second projection area 23b based on the control signals S2 and S3.

[0032] (Regarding point 6) As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the discontinuity 6 may be at least one of a step 63 formed on the design surface and a groove 64 formed on the design surface.

[0033] FIG. 3(a) shows a case where the discontinuity point 6 is a step 63. As an example, this step 63 is formed in the first panel 10. A first design 102 is provided on a first design surface 100 on the right side of FIG. 3(a). A second design 103 is provided on a second design surface 101 on the left side of FIG. 3(a), which is located higher than the first design surface 100. The first design 102 and the second design 103 are configured as a unified design 104.

[0034] The first design surface 100 has a different height from the second design surface 101, and a step 63 is formed therein, partially interrupting the continuity of the design 104. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the step 63 is much larger than the height of the convex portions such as grain formed as the first design 102 and the second design 103. By projecting the projection image 20 onto the step 63, the vehicle projection device 1 can make the step 63 less noticeable and reduce the visual discomfort of the design 104 caused by the step 63.

[0035] FIG. 3(b) shows a case where the discontinuity point 6 is a groove 64. A first design 102 is provided on the first design surface 100 on the right side of FIG. 3(b). A second design 103 is provided on the second design surface 101 on the left side of FIG. 3(b). The first design 102 and the second design 103 are configured as a unified design 104. A groove 64 is formed between the first design surface 100 and the second design surface 101. The groove 64 may completely divide one surface into the first design surface 100 and the second design surface 101, or may be provided in a part of the surface.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 3(b), this groove 64 interrupts the continuity of the design 104. As shown in Fig. 3(b), the groove 64 is formed to be much deeper than the depth of the recesses formed as the first design 102 and the second design 103. By projecting the projection image 20 onto the groove 64, the vehicle projection device 1 can make the groove 64 less noticeable and reduce the visual discomfort caused by the groove 64 in the design 104.

[0037] FIG. 3(c) shows an example where the discontinuity 6 is a parting point 65 with a step. This discontinuity 6 creates a step and a parting between the first panel 10 and the second panel 11. The first panel 10 has a first design 102 consisting of recesses and projections formed on the first design surface 100. The second panel 11 has a second design 111 consisting of recesses and projections formed on the second design surface 110. The first design 102 and second design 111 form a unified design 105.

[0038] The continuity of the design 105 is interrupted at the edge 65. Therefore, the vehicle projection device 1 projects the projection image 20 onto the edge 65, thereby making the edge 65 with a step less noticeable and reducing the visual discomfort of the design 105 caused by the edge 65.

[0039] (Effects of the embodiment) The vehicular projection device 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the sense of visual discomfort. Specifically, the vehicular projection device 1 projects the first projection image 20a onto the first cut-off portion 61 and the second projection image 20b onto the second cut-off portion 62. Therefore, compared to a case where this configuration is not adopted, the first cut-off portion 61 and the second cut-off portion 62 become less noticeable, and the sense of visual discomfort can be reduced.

[0040] The discontinuity 6 gives the occupant a visual sense of incongruity that is greater than the texture, unevenness, or surface roughness of the design surface that the design surface has. The vehicle projection device 1 projects the first projection image 20a and the second projection image 20b by concentrating light on the first discontinuity 61 and the second discontinuity 62, thereby alleviating the visual sense of incongruity.

[0041] The vehicle projection device 1 projects the first projection image 20a and the second projection image 20b so as not to impair the continuity of the first design 510, the second design 520, and the third design 530, thereby improving the sense of unity of the design 50 compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0042] The vehicle projection device 1 illuminates the first cut-off point 61 and the second cut-off point 62 with the first projection image 20a and the second projection image 20b, thereby directing the occupants' attention to the first projection image 20a and the second projection image 20b rather than the discomfort caused by the discontinuity point 6, thereby reducing the visual discomfort compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0043] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. These novel embodiments and modifications may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1...vehicle projection device, 2...projection unit, 3...communication unit, 4...control unit, 5...design surface, 6...disruption point, 7...vehicle-mounted device, 8...vehicle, 10...first panel, 11...second panel, 20...projected image, 20a...first projected image, 20b...second projected image, 21...first projector, 22...second projector, 23a...first projection area, 23b...second projection area, 24...pattern projection image, 24a...first pattern projection image, 24b...second pattern projection image, 25...contour, 26...surroundings, 50...design, 51-53...first design surface to third design surface, 61...first view Cutting portion, 62...second trimming portion, 63...step, 64...groove, 65...trimming portion, 80...driver's seat, 81...passenger seat, 82...right door, 83...left door, 84...instrument panel, 85...right pillar, 86...left pillar, 87...ceiling, 100...first design surface, 101...second design surface, 102...first design, 103...second design, 104...design, 105...design, 110...second design surface, 111...second design, 510...first design, 520...second design, 530...third design, 820...door trim, 830...door trim

Claims

1. A projection device for a vehicle, comprising a projection unit that projects a projection image onto a projection area including an inner discontinuity of a design surface within a vehicle interior where the continuity of the design surface is discontinued.

2. The discontinuity is at least one of a step formed on the design surface and a groove formed on the design surface. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1 .

3. The discontinuity is a parting point between a plurality of panels that form the design surface, 3. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The projected image has a pattern projected image, and the outline of the pattern projected image spans at least the discontinuity portion.

4. The vehicle projection device according to claim 3.

5. The projection unit projects the projection image having a design different from the design of the design surface.

5. The vehicle projection device according to claim 4.

Images