In-vehicle light-emitting display device

Abstract

To provide an in-vehicle light-emitting display device capable of three-dimensionally displaying an image, which can be structured to display the image in a plurality of patterns.SOLUTION: An in-vehicle light-emitting display device installed in a cabin of a vehicle includes a plurality of light guide bodies 10, and a plurality of light sources 11 for supplying light to inside the plurality of light guide bodies 10, wherein when being viewed from a position facing light-emitting surfaces 101 of the light guide bodies 10 positioned closest to an occupant space in the cabin, in the plurality of light guide bodies 10, the positions of the plurality of light guide bodies 10 overlap each other, each of the plurality of light guide bodies 10 has a pattern display region 104 for receiving supply of light from the light sources 11 and displaying a pattern 103 with light in at least a part thereof, and the pattern 103 displayed by the pattern display region 104 of the plurality of light guide bodies 10 is displayed at a position deviated in a longitudinal direction when being viewed from the occupant space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light-emitting display device for use in a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a stereoscopic image display device that displays a stereoscopic image using a light guide is known, and can be suitably applied to vehicle tail lamps and the like (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] According to the stereoscopic image display device described in Patent Document 1, the light guided into the light guide is emitted after its optical path is changed by an optical path changing section, and a stereoscopic image is formed in space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-144284 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the stereoscopic image display device described in Patent Document 1, due to its configuration, the stereoscopic image is only displayed in one pattern.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle light-emitting display device that can display images three-dimensionally and that can be configured to display images in multiple patterns. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides the following in-vehicle light-emitting display device.

[0008] [1] An in-vehicle light-emitting display device that is installed in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of light guides; and a plurality of light sources that supply light into the interiors of the plurality of light guides; when viewed from a position facing the light exit surface of one of the plurality of light guides that is closest to the passenger space in the passenger compartment, the positions of the plurality of light guides overlap; each of the plurality of light guides has a pattern display area in a part thereof that receives light from the light source and displays a pattern; and the pattern displayed by the pattern display area of ​​the plurality of light guides is displayed at a position shifted in the fore-and-aft direction as viewed from the passenger space. [2] The in-vehicle light-emitting display device according to [1] above, wherein the patterns of the plurality of light guides are illuminated at different times. [3] The in-vehicle light-emitting display device according to [1] or [2] above, wherein at least a portion of each of the patterns of the plurality of light guides is similar to each other. [4] The in-vehicle light-emitting display device described in [1] or [2] above, wherein at least some of the plurality of light guides have a plurality of pattern display areas that illuminate and display the pattern by receiving light from different light sources among the plurality of light sources. [5] The in-vehicle light-emitting display device described in [1] or [2] above, wherein the pattern display areas of the plurality of light guides do not overlap when viewed from a position facing the light exit surface of the light guide that is closest to the passenger space in the vehicle cabin. [6] The light-emitting display device for use in a vehicle according to [1] or [2] above, wherein the patterns of the plurality of light guides indicate the direction in which air is blown out from the register. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle light-emitting display device that can display images three-dimensionally and that can be configured to display images in multiple patterns. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the interior of a vehicle to which an in-vehicle light emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an instrument panel in which an in-vehicle light-emitting display device is incorporated below a register. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image formed by the in-vehicle light-emitting display device, which is visible from the passenger space. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of internal components of the in-vehicle light emitting display device according to the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining how the pattern is displayed three-dimensionally in a light-emitting manner by the pattern display area. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image visually recognized from the passenger space when one light guide includes three pattern display areas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An in-vehicle light emitting display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an image display device installed inside a vehicle, and is incorporated, for example, near a register (air conditioner outlet) on an instrument panel or near a steering wheel.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the interior of a vehicle to which an in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 is incorporated below a register 2 of an instrument panel 100. In this case, the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 is used, for example, to indicate the blowing direction of air blown out from the register 2.

[0013] Conventionally, vehicle occupants have had to visually confirm the air blowing direction from the position of a knob attached to the register for manually changing the air blowing direction, but the air blowing direction can be more clearly confirmed by using the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1. Furthermore, the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 also makes it possible to visually confirm the air blowing direction of an electronically controlled register that does not have a knob.

[0014] In Figure 1, the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 is provided in combination with a register 2 installed in front of the passenger seat 3b, but it may also be provided in combination with a register installed in another location, for example, in front of the driver's seat 3a or above the rear seat.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an instrument panel 100 in which the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 is incorporated below a register 2. As shown in FIG.

[0016] The in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 comprises a plurality of light guides 10, a plurality of light sources 11 (described later) that supply light to the inside of the plurality of light guides 10, a housing 12 that houses these, and a light-transmitting member 13 provided at an opening of the housing 12 on the passenger space side of the vehicle.

[0017] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of light guides 10 include three light guides 10a to 10c.

[0018] The light guide 10 is made of, for example, a transparent resin such as an acrylic resin, or glass. The light guide 10 is typically in the form of a plate, but may be in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped or rod-like shape with a certain degree of thickness, as long as it is possible to arrange a pattern display region 104 including irregularities 105 such as lens cuts, which will be described later. From the viewpoints of miniaturizing the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 and the degree of freedom in arranging the irregularities 105, it is preferable that the light guide 10 be in the form of a plate.

[0019] The light-transmitting member 13 is a plate- or film-like transparent member made of a material that transmits light emitted from the multiple light guides 10, for example, a transparent resin such as an acrylic resin. The light-transmitting member 13 is not essential to the configuration of the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1, but it is preferable to use the light-transmitting member 13 in order to protect the light guides 10 (for example, to prevent fingerprints or other stains from adhering to the light guides 10 and disrupting the imaging of the pattern 103, which will be described later), and to make it difficult to see the internal structure of the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1, including the light guides 10, from the outside.

[0020] Hereinafter, of the surfaces of the light guides 10, the surface that faces the passenger space inside the vehicle and from which light is mainly emitted will be referred to as a light emitting surface 101, and the surface on the opposite side will be referred to as a back surface 102.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image visually recognized from the passenger space and formed by the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of internal components of the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Each of the plurality of light guides 10 is supplied with light from a light source 11. In the example shown in Fig. 4, light guide 10a is supplied with light from light sources 11a and 11b, light guide 10b is supplied with light from light sources 11c and 11d, and light guide 10c is supplied with light from light sources 11e and 11f.

[0023] The light source 11 is a light emitting device including a light emitting element such as an LED element, etc. The light emitted from the light source 11 enters the inside of the light guide 10 from the side surface of the light guide 10, as shown in FIG.

[0024] Each of the plurality of light guides 10 has, in a part thereof, a pattern display area 104 (104a to 104f) that receives light from the light source 11 and displays the pattern 103 (103a to 103f) three-dimensionally by emitting light.

[0025] 3 and 4, light guide 10a has pattern display region 104a that receives light from light source 11a and illuminates pattern 103a, and pattern display region 104b that receives light from light source 11b and illuminates pattern 103b. Light guide 10b also has pattern display region 104c that receives light from light source 11c and illuminates pattern 103c, and pattern display region 104d that receives light from light source 11d and illuminates pattern 103d. Light guide 10c also has pattern display region 104e that receives light from light source 11e and illuminates pattern 103e, and pattern display region 104f that receives light from light source 11f and illuminates pattern 103f.

[0026] The pattern display area 104 is an area on the back surface 102 where irregularities such as lens cuts are provided to reflect and emit light propagating inside the light guide to the outside in a pattern corresponding to the illuminated and displayed pattern 103. After being supplied from the light source 11 to the light guide 10, the light is reflected by the irregularities such as lens cuts provided on the back surface 102 and emitted from the light emitting surface 101, causing the pattern 103 to be illuminated and displayed three-dimensionally.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining how the pattern 103 is illuminated and displayed three-dimensionally by the pattern display area 104. As shown in Fig. 5, light reflected by a plurality of predetermined irregularities 105 provided on the back surface 102 and emitted to the outside intersects at predetermined points in the air, forming light-emitting points 106 in the air that act as pseudo light sources. By arranging the plurality of irregularities 105 so that such light-emitting points 106 are lined up in the air in a predetermined pattern, the pattern 103 is formed in the air as a three-dimensional image.

[0028] 3 and 4, the illumination range L of the light source 11 in the light guide 10 (the range through which the light emitted from the light source 11 and entered the light guide 10 mainly passes) is indicated by a dashed line. In order to display the pattern 103 in three dimensions, the pattern display area 104 (the irregularities 105 such as lens cuts included in the pattern display area 104) is provided within the illumination range L of the light source 11.

[0029] The multiple light guides 10 are arranged so as to overlap when viewed from the passenger space. Specifically, the multiple light guides 10 are arranged so as to overlap when viewed from a position facing the light exit surface 101 of the light guide 10 that is closest to the passenger space. For example, if the light exit surface 101 of the light guide 10 that is closest to the passenger space is flat, the multiple light guides 10 are arranged so as to overlap when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the light exit surface 101 of the light guide 10 that is closest to the passenger space.

[0030] The light guides 10 are arranged such that their light exit surfaces 101 face the passenger space inside the vehicle. Light emitted from the light exit surface 101 of each of the light guides 10 passes through the other light guides 10 located on the passenger space side and the light-transmitting member 13, and is extracted to the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1. As a result, the patterns 103 displayed by the pattern display regions 104 of the light guides 10 can be seen from the passenger space.

[0031] The light guides 10 are typically plate-shaped and are arranged parallel to one another, with the light exit surfaces 101 of the light guides 10 facing the same direction.

[0032] Since the light guides 10 are arranged offset in the front-rear direction as viewed from the passenger space, the patterns 103 displayed by the pattern display areas 104 of the light guides 10 are displayed at positions offset in the front-rear direction as viewed from the passenger space. Note that the "front-rear direction as viewed from the passenger space" refers to the front-rear direction of the line of sight when facing the object (the light guides 10 and the patterns 103) in the passenger space.

[0033] In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, patterns 103a and 103b displayed by light guide 10a are displayed at the back, patterns 103c and 103d displayed by light guide 10b are displayed in the center, and patterns 103e and 103f displayed by light guide 10c are displayed at the front.

[0034] In this way, the multiple patterns 103 appear to be shifted in the front-to-back direction, thereby forming a more three-dimensional image.

[0035] It is preferable that the light guides 10 are spaced apart from one another with an air layer between them. In this case, light is refracted at the interface between the light guides 10 and the air layer, allowing the pattern 103 to be displayed more clearly.

[0036] Furthermore, when it is desired to independently illuminate and display the patterns 103 of multiple pattern display areas 104 included in one light guide 10, one light source 11 is used for one pattern display area 104, and multiple pattern display areas 104 are not included within the illumination range L of one light source 11.

[0037] 3 and 4, in light guide 10a, in order to independently illuminate and display patterns 103a and 103b, only pattern display region 104a is included in the illumination range of light source 11a, and only pattern display region 104b is included in the illumination range of light source 11b. Similarly, in light guide 10b, in order to independently illuminate and display patterns 103c and 103d, only pattern display region 104c is included in the illumination range of light source 11c, and only pattern display region 104d is included in the illumination range of light source 11d. In light guide 10c, in order to independently illuminate and display patterns 103e and 103f, only pattern display region 104e is included in the illumination range of light source 11e, and only pattern display region 104f is included in the illumination range of light source 11f.

[0038] In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, handles 103a, 103c, and 103e indicate that air is being blown out from register 2 to the left, and handles 103b, 103d, and 103f indicate that air is being blown out from register 2 to the right.

[0039] That is, when air is blown out from the register 2 to the left, the light sources 11a, 11c, and 11e are turned on to illuminate the patterns 103a, 103c, and 103e, and when air is blown out from the register 2 to the right, the light sources 11b, 11d, and 11f are turned on to illuminate the patterns 103b, 103d, and 103f.

[0040] In this way, when at least some of the multiple light guides 10 have multiple pattern display areas 104 that emit light to display patterns 103 when supplied with light from different light sources 11 among the multiple light sources 11, images can be displayed three-dimensionally in multiple patterns.

[0041] Furthermore, the shapes of the patterns 103a, 103c, and 103e are similar to each other, and by displaying them with their positions slightly shifted, movement can be expressed. Similarly, the shapes of the patterns 103b, 103d, and 103f are similar to each other, and by displaying them with their positions slightly shifted, movement can be expressed. In this way, when expressing movement of the pattern 103, it is preferable that the patterns 103 of the multiple light guides 10 are similar to each other.

[0042] The same effect can be obtained even if portions of the patterns 103 of the plurality of light guides 10 are similar to each other. That is, it is sufficient if at least portions of the patterns 103 of the plurality of light guides 10 are similar to each other. For example, only the V-shaped portions on the upper surfaces of the arrows of the patterns 103a, 103c, and 103e may be similar to each other, and the thickness of the arrows may change sequentially.

[0043] Furthermore, rather than simultaneously illuminating the patterns 103a, 103c, and 103e, the patterns 103a, 103c, and 103e are illuminated in this order with a time lag, which makes it possible to more effectively express movement. Similarly, rather than simultaneously illuminating the patterns 103b, 103d, and 103f, the patterns 103b, 103d, and 103f are illuminated in this order with a time lag, which makes it possible to more effectively express movement. In this way, when expressing movement in the patterns 103, it is preferable that the patterns 103 of the multiple light guides 10 are illuminated with a time lag.

[0044] When the timing of displaying the patterns 103 is changed among the multiple light guides 10, it is preferable that the pattern display regions 104 of the multiple light guides 10 do not overlap when viewed from a position facing the light exit surface 101 of the light guide 10 that is closest to the passenger space. If the light exit surface 101 of the light guide 10 that is closest to the passenger space is flat, it is preferable that the pattern display regions 104 of the multiple light guides 10 do not overlap when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the light exit surface 101 of the light guide 10 that is closest to the passenger space. This is because if the pattern display regions 104 of the multiple light guides 10 overlap, light emitted from the pattern display region 104 of the light guide 10 located at the back side will enter the pattern display region 104 of the light guide 10 located at the front side, causing the patterns 103 of the multiple light guides 10 to be illuminated and displayed simultaneously.

[0045] The plurality of light sources 11 are connected to a control unit that controls the light emitting operation (on, off, change in brightness, etc.) of each of the plurality of light sources 11, and emit light upon receiving a light emitting instruction signal from the control unit.

[0046] The control unit is, for example, a microcomputer composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to a stored program, and semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, programs for operating the control unit. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results, etc.

[0047] The control unit may be included inside the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1, for example, on a board housed in the housing 12, or may be included outside the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1, for example, in an on-board ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0048] The control unit can control the light-emitting operation of multiple light sources 11 in response to, for example, instructions from vehicle occupants via an input unit such as a switch, detection information from on-board cameras and sensors, and changes in the vehicle's operating state such as starting or unlocking the drive unit.

[0049] For example, when the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 is used in combination with an electrically controlled cash register 2, the control unit controls the operation of the actuator that drives the fins of the register 2 and the light source 11 of the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 in accordance with instructions on the direction in which air is blown out from an input unit such as a touch panel installed around the register 2.

[0050] When the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 is used in combination with a register 2 that manually adjusts the air blowing direction, the air blowing direction is determined by, for example, detecting the movement of a knob for adjusting the angle of the fins with a sensor, and the control unit controls the operation of the light source 11 of the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 according to the determined air blowing direction.

[0051] The number of light guides 10 included in the in-vehicle light emitting display device 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more, but three or more is preferable in order to effectively express a three-dimensional effect.

[0052] Furthermore, the number of pattern display areas 104 included in one light guide 10 is not limited and may be one, but as mentioned above, if there are two or more, images can be displayed three-dimensionally in multiple patterns.

[0053] 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image visually recognized from the passenger space when three pattern display regions 104 are included in one light guide 10. Patterns 103g to 103i are displayed by light guide 10a, patterns 103j to 103l are displayed by light guide 10b, and patterns 103m to 103o are displayed by light guide 10c.

[0054] In the example shown in FIG. 6, handles 103g, 103j, and 103m indicate that air is being blown out from register 2 to the left, handles 103h, 103k, and 103n indicate that air is being blown out from register 2 to the center, and handles 103i, 103l, and 103o indicate that air is being blown out from register 2 to the right.

[0055] Furthermore, the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 may be used in combination with an in-vehicle device other than the cash register 2. For example, the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 may be installed near the steering wheel to display a warning of pedestrians approaching the vehicle. In this case, for example, the movement of pedestrians around the vehicle may be detected by an in-vehicle camera or sensor, and the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 may display a warning indicating the location of pedestrians approaching the vehicle.

[0056] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, an image can be displayed more three-dimensionally by shifting the patterns 103 in the front-to-rear direction, each of which can be independently illuminated and displayed three-dimensionally. Furthermore, according to the in-vehicle light-emitting display device 1, a three-dimensional image can be displayed in a plurality of patterns by independently displaying the patterns 103 on one light guide 10 or by changing the timing at which the patterns 103 on the plurality of light guides 10 are displayed.

[0057] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments can be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0058] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and it should be noted that not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Light-emitting display device for vehicle interior 2 Registers 10, 10a to 10c Light guide body 101 Light exit surface 103, 103a~103o pattern 104, 104a~104f pattern display area 11, 11a~11f light source

Claims

1. An in-vehicle light-emitting display device installed in a vehicle cabin, A plurality of light guides; a plurality of light sources that supply light into the plurality of light guides; Equipped with when viewed from a position facing a light exit surface of one of the plurality of light guides that is located closest to an occupant space in the vehicle interior, there is an overlap between the positions of the plurality of light guides, Each of the plurality of light guides has a pattern display area in a part thereof that receives light from the light source and emits light to display a pattern, The patterns displayed by the pattern display areas of the plurality of light guides are displayed at positions shifted in the front-rear direction as seen from the passenger space. Light-emitting display device for use inside a vehicle.

2. The patterns of the plurality of light guides are illuminated and displayed with a time difference. The light-emitting display device for use in a vehicle according to claim 1 .

3. At least a portion of each of the patterns of the plurality of light guides is similar to each other. The light-emitting display device for use in a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. At least some of the plurality of light guides have a plurality of pattern display areas that emit light to display the pattern when supplied with light from different light sources among the plurality of light sources. The light-emitting display device for use in a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the pattern display areas of the plurality of light guides do not overlap with each other when viewed from a position facing the light exit surface of the light guide that is located closest to an occupant space in the vehicle cabin among the plurality of light guides; The light-emitting display device for use in a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The handles of the plurality of light guides indicate the direction in which air is blown out from the register. The light-emitting display device for use in a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

Images