Vehicle image projection apparatus

Abstract

To provide a vehicle image projection apparatus capable of increasing the degree of freedom in the presentation of a projected image.SOLUTION: A vehicle image projection apparatus 1 includes: a projection unit 2 having a light source unit 22 for outputting projection light 220, a pattern plate 26 having a pattern 262, and a projection lens 28 for projecting, onto a projection surface 90, a projected image 9 in which the pattern 262 is enlarged on the basis of the projection light 220 transmitted through the pattern plate 26; a driving unit 3 for driving at least one of the pattern plate 26 and the projection lens 28 to change the distance between the pattern plate 26 and the projection lens 28, thereby changing an imaging position 29 at which the projected image 9 is focused; and a control unit 4 for controlling the driving unit 3 to change the imaging position 29 and continuously switch an imaging state of the projected image 9 on the same projection surface 90.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As a conventional technology, a display device is known that includes a projection means that irradiates projection light of an image from the back side of the cover toward the cover, and a focus switching means that switches the focus of the projection light irradiated from the projection means from a state that is aligned with the position of the cover to a state that is aligned with the position of a predetermined part inside the vehicle that is located on the path along which the projection light travels (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The display device can project an image onto the predetermined area, represented by projection light that has passed through the cover and is irradiated onto the predetermined area, by switching the focus from a state where the focus is on the cover to a state where the focus is on the predetermined area. When an image is projected onto the predetermined area, the cover of this display device may become slightly brighter due to the transmission of the projection light, but the image will not be displayed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-053622 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional display devices switch between a state in which the focus is on the cover position and a state in which the focus is on a specified part, but do not present the user with a new effect on an image projected at the same position by changing the focus.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image projection device for a vehicle that can increase the degree of freedom in producing a projected image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle image projection device that includes a light source unit that outputs projection light, a pattern plate having a pattern, and a projection unit that has a projection lens that projects an enlarged image of the pattern onto a projection surface based on the projection light that has passed through the pattern plate; a drive unit that drives at least one of the pattern plate and the projection lens to change the distance between the pattern plate and the projection lens, thereby continuously changing the imaging position at which the projection image is formed; and a control unit that controls the drive unit, changes the imaging position, and continuously switches the imaging state of the projection image on the same projection surface.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle image projection device that includes a projection unit having a plurality of combinations of a light source unit that outputs projection light, a pattern plate having a pattern, and a projection lens that projects a projection image of an enlarged pattern onto a projection surface based on the projection light that has passed through the pattern plate, with each projection image having a different imaging position, and a control unit that selects from the combinations of the light source unit, pattern plate, and projection lens of the projection unit to change the imaging position and gradually switch the imaging state of the projection image on the same projection surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the degree of freedom in producing a projection image can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1(a) is a diagram for explaining an example of the imaging position of the vehicle image projection device of the first embodiment, and Figure 1(b) is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the imaging position and the position of the pattern plate in a modified example. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(a) is a diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement of a vehicle image projection device and interior parts according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2(b) is an example of a block diagram of a vehicle image projection device, and FIG. 2(c) is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle image projection device. [Figure 3]Figure 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of a projection image in a focused state projected by the vehicle image projection device of the first embodiment, Figure 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of a projection image in an out-of-focus state, and Figure 3(c) is a diagram showing an example of a projection image in an even more out-of-focus state. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) is a diagram for explaining an example of a second distance between the pattern plate and the projection lens of the vehicle image projection device of the first embodiment, and Figure 4(b) is a diagram for explaining an example of a third distance between the pattern plate and the projection lens. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle image projection device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 5(b) is an example of a block diagram of the vehicle image projection device. [Figure 6] 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams for explaining an example of the distance between the pattern plate and the projection lens and the image formation position of the vehicle image projection device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Summary of the embodiment) The vehicle image projection device according to the embodiment is generally configured to include a light source unit that outputs projection light, a pattern plate having a pattern, and a projection unit that has a projection lens that projects an enlarged image of the pattern onto a projection surface based on the projection light that has passed through the pattern plate; a drive unit that drives at least one of the pattern plate and the projection lens to change the distance between the pattern plate and the projection lens, thereby continuously changing the imaging position at which the projection image is formed; and a control unit that controls the drive unit, changes the imaging position, and continuously switches the imaging state of the projection image on the same projection surface.

[0012] Another embodiment of a vehicle image projection device is generally configured to include a projection unit having a plurality of combinations of a light source unit that outputs projection light, a pattern plate having a pattern, and a projection lens that projects an enlarged projection image of the pattern onto a projection surface based on the projection light that has passed through the pattern plate, with each projection image having a different imaging position, and a control unit that selects from the combinations of the light source unit, pattern plate, and projection lens of the projection unit to change the imaging position and gradually switch the imaging state of the projection image on the same projection surface.

[0013] These vehicle image projection devices switch the imaging state of the projected image on the same projection surface, allowing for greater freedom in the presentation of the projected image due to changes in the projected image over time compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0014] [First embodiment] (Overview of vehicle image projection device 1) FIG. 1(a) is a diagram illustrating an example of the imaging position of the vehicle image projection device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the imaging position and the position of the pattern plate according to a modified example. FIG. 2(a) is a diagram illustrating an example of the layout of the vehicle image projection device according to the first embodiment and an example of interior parts, FIG. 2(b) is an example of a block diagram of the vehicle image projection device, and FIG. 2(c) is a diagram illustrating an example of the vehicle image projection device. FIG. 3(a) is a diagram illustrating an example of a projected image in a focused state projected by the vehicle image projection device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 3(b) is a diagram illustrating an example of a projected image in a defocused state, and FIG. 3(c) is a diagram illustrating an example of a projected image in a further defocused state. FIG. 4(a) is a diagram illustrating an example of a second distance between the pattern plate and the projection lens of the vehicle image projection device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4(b) is a diagram illustrating an example of a third distance between the pattern plate and the projection lens. 1(b), the imaging positions 229a to 229c are indicated by circles, and a first position P1, a fourth position P4, and a fifth position P5 of the pattern plate 26 corresponding to the imaging positions are also shown. An overview of the vehicle image projection device 1 will be described below.

[0015] In the drawings relating to the embodiments described below, the ratios and shapes of the figures may differ from the actual ratios and shapes. Also, in Fig. 2(b) and Fig. 5(b) described later, the flow of main signals is indicated by arrows.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1(a), the vehicle image projection device 1 is roughly configured to include a projection unit 2 having a light source unit 22 that outputs projection light 220, a pattern plate 26 having a pattern 262, and a projection lens 28 that projects a projection image 9 that is an enlarged version of the pattern 262 onto a projection surface 90 based on the projection light 220 that has passed through the pattern plate 26, a drive unit 3 that drives at least one of the pattern plate 26 and the projection lens 28 to change the distance between the pattern plate 26 and the projection lens 28 and continuously change the imaging position 29 where the projection image 9 is formed, and a control unit 4 that controls the drive unit 3 to change the imaging position 29 and continuously switch the imaging state of the projection image 9 on the same projection surface 90.

[0017] The drive unit 3 is configured to change the distance by driving the handle plate 26. As a modified example, the drive unit 3 may drive the projection lens 28, or may drive both the handle plate 26 and the projection lens 28.

[0018] 1(a) shows, as an example, a first position P1, a second position P2, and a third position P3 as positions of the pattern plate 26. The first position P1 is the position when the pattern plate 26 is farthest from the projection lens 28, and the projected image 9 is formed in a focused state within an allowable range. The third position P3 is the position when the pattern plate 26 is closest to the projection lens 28, and the projected image 9 is not formed in a focused state. The second position P2 is shown as an intermediate position between the first position P1 and the third position P3, and the drive does not stop at this position. This allowable range refers, for example, to the range in which the image appears to be in focus when viewed visually.

[0019] The control unit 4 projects the projection image 9 in which the output of the light source unit 22 and the distance are changed in conjunction with each other.

[0020] The control unit 4 is configured to switch the imaging state of the projection image 9 to perform at least one of fading in and fading out of the projection image 9.

[0021] The control unit 4 of this embodiment drives the pattern plate 26 from the first position P1 to the third position P3 and from the third position P3 to the first position P1, thereby continuously switching the imaging state of the projected image 9. Note that the pattern plate 26 may also be driven from the first position P1 to the second position P2 and from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

[0022] Here, as an example, as shown in Figure 1(b), a modified vehicle image projection device 1 may be configured to continuously drive the pattern plate 26 to a first position P1 where the image is in focus within an allowable range, a fifth position P5 where the pattern plate 26 is driven in the direction of arrow D from the first position P1 and is the farthest from the projection lens 28, where the distance between the pattern plate 26 and the projection lens 28 is the greatest, and where the image is most out of focus, and a fourth position P4 between the first position P1 and the fifth position P5, where the image is out of focus.

[0023] In this modified example, when the pattern plate 26 is at the first position P1, the imaging position 229a on the optical axis 221 is the position where the projection surface 90, which is a curved surface, intersects with the optical axis 221. Note that when the pattern plate 26 is at the first position P1, if the imaging position is away from the optical axis 221, it is not necessarily on the projection surface 90, but if the defocusing is within an allowable range, it will be an imaging position where the image is in focus.

[0024] When the pattern plate 26 is at the fourth position P4, the imaging position 229b is located at a position farther from the projection surface 90, resulting in an out-of-focus imaging state. Furthermore, when the pattern plate 26 is at the fifth position P5, the imaging position 229c is located at a position even farther from the imaging position 229b, resulting in an even more out-of-focus imaging state than the imaging position 229b.

[0025] In this way, the projection surface 90 is not limited to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis 221 as shown in FIG. 1(a), but may be a surface that intersects with the optical axis 221, or may be a curved surface as shown in FIG. 1(b), or may be a curved surface that intersects with the optical axis 221.

[0026] 2(a), the projection unit 2 is disposed inside the vehicle 8. The projection surface 90 is the surface of an interior part of the vehicle 8.

[0027] 2(a), for example, the vehicle image projection device 1 of this embodiment projects the projection image 9 onto a panel 82 located in front of a driver's seat 80 and a passenger seat 81 as an interior part, using the panel 82 as a projection surface 90. Note that the interior part that can serve as the projection surface 90 is not limited to the panel 82, but may also be a ceiling 85, the foot area of ​​the driver's seat 80 or the passenger seat 81, an armrest 87 which is the lid portion of a console box 86, a right door trim 88a, and a left door trim 88b, but is not limited to these.

[0028] 2(b), the vehicle image projection device 1 is provided with a communication unit 5 that communicates with the in-vehicle device 89. The communication unit 5 is configured to exchange signals, information, etc. with the in-vehicle device 89 using a communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network) or LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

[0029] 2(c), the vehicle image projection device 1 has an elongated housing 10. The housing 10 has an opening 12 on a front surface 11. The opening 12 has a circular shape, and a projection lens 28 is exposed through the opening 12.

[0030] As an example, the vehicle image projection device 1 is arranged on the right pillar 83, the left pillar 84, the ceiling 85, etc., but is not limited to this. Furthermore, a plurality of vehicle image projection devices 1 may be arranged on the vehicle 8.

[0031] (Configuration of projection unit 2) The projection unit 2 is configured to include a light source unit 22, a condenser lens 24, a handle plate 26, and a projection lens 28.

[0032] (Configuration of light source unit 22) 1(a), the light source unit 22 is configured to have a light emitting element that outputs projection light 220 for projecting the pattern 262. The light emitting element is disposed on the substrate 20.

[0033] The light emitting element is, for example, an LED (Light Emission Diode) element that outputs white projection light 220, but is not limited to this and may be an LD (Laser Diode) element or the like.

[0034] Although the light source unit 22 has one light-emitting element for the pattern 262, the present invention is not limited to this and the light source unit 22 may be configured to project the pattern 262 using a plurality of light-emitting elements. In this case, the plurality of light-emitting elements may be configured to output light of the same color, or at least one of the light-emitting elements may be configured to output light of a different color.

[0035] The light source unit 22 turns on and off based on a lighting signal S2 output from the control unit 4. The lighting signal S2 is, for example, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal, but is not limited to this.

[0036] (Configuration of condenser lens 24) 1(a), the condenser lens 24 condenses the projection light 220. The condenser lens 24 is configured as a convex lens.

[0037] (Configuration of handle plate 26) 1(a), the pattern plate 26 has a pattern 262 formed thereon, but is not limited to this, and multiple patterns may be formed, or the pattern may vary depending on the area. The control unit 4 is configured to control the light source unit 22 and the drive unit 3 in accordance with a control signal S1 obtained from the in-vehicle device 89 via the communication unit 5, and to project a projection image 9 based on the pattern 262.

[0038] As an example, the handle plate 26 has a substrate 260, at least a part of which is transparent, as shown in FIG. 1(a).

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the substrate 260 of this embodiment has a base 261 on which a handle 262 is formed, a rack gear portion 263 extending from the base 261 toward the focusing lens 24, and a rack gear 264 provided on the rack gear portion 263.

[0040] The base 261 is formed in a plate shape from a transparent resin such as polycarbonate, etc. The base 261 has a pattern 262 formed of an area that transmits the projection light 220 and an area that blocks the light.

[0041] The rack gear portion 263 is formed to extend at a right angle from an end portion of the base body 261. The rack gear portion 263 may be formed integrally with the base body 261 using the same resin as the base body 261, or may be attached to the base body 261. The rack gear portion 263 has a rack gear 264 formed thereon. The rack gear 264 meshes with the gear 31 of the drive unit 3.

[0042] As a modified example, the pattern plate 26 may be configured as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0043] (Configuration of projection lens 28) The projection lens 28 enlarges and projects the pattern 262. The projection lens 28 is configured as a biconvex lens.

[0044] (Configuration of drive unit 3) As shown in Fig. 1(a), for example, the drive unit 3 has a motor 30 and a gear 31 attached to the motor 30. The motor 30 is rotatable in the direction of arrow A, which is clockwise, and in the direction of arrow B, which is counterclockwise, on the plane of Fig. 1(a). The motor 30 rotates in the direction of arrow A and the direction of arrow B based on a drive signal S3 output from the control unit 4. For example, this drive signal S3 is a PWM signal, but is not limited to this.

[0045] Gear 31 meshes with rack gear 264 of handle plate 26. Gear 31 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of motor 30. Handle plate 26 moves via rack gear portion 263 in the direction of arrow C, which is the rightward direction on the paper surface of FIG. 1(a), and the direction of arrow D, which is the leftward direction.

[0046] The drive unit 3 rotates in the direction of arrow A to move the handle plate 26 in the direction of arrow C. The drive unit 3 also rotates in the direction of arrow B to move the handle plate 26 in the direction of arrow D.

[0047] The drive unit 3 is not limited to the drive by the motor 30 and the gear 31, but may be configured using an actuator such as a solenoid or a piezoelectric element that can drive the handle plate .

[0048] (Configuration of control unit 4) The control unit 4 is a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to stored programs, and semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, programs for the operation of the control unit 4. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results. The control unit 4 also has a means for generating a clock signal therein and operates based on this clock signal.

[0049] The control unit 4 has, for example, projection pattern information 40. The control unit 4 controls the light source unit 22 and the drive unit 3 based on the projection pattern information 40.

[0050] The projection pattern information 40 is, for example, information about a projection pattern for producing the projection image 9, such as fading in or fading out of the projection image 9. These projection patterns will be described below.

[0051] (About the projection pattern) 1(a), the projection light 220 is made parallel to the optical axis 221 by the condenser lens 24 and enters the projection lens 28 through the handle plate 26. As shown in FIG. 1(a), part of the projection light 220 that passes through the upper part of the handle 262 enters the projection lens 28 in parallel and exits, then follows optical path 223 that passes through the focal point 222, and part follows optical path 224 that exits through the center 280 of the projection lens 28.

[0052] Similarly, part of the projection light 220 that passes through the lower part of the handle 262 enters and exits the projection lens 28 in parallel, and then follows optical path 225 that passes through the focal point 222, and part of the light follows optical path 226 that exits through the center 280.

[0053] The optical paths 223 and 224 intersect at an image point 227. The optical paths 225 and 226 intersect at an image point 228. The optical paths 223 and 224 are symmetrical to the optical paths 225 and 226 with respect to the optical axis 221. The image position 29 is determined by the image points 227 and 228.

[0054] This imaging position 29 is the position where the projected image 9 is formed, that is, the position where the projected image 9 is in focus. When the projection surface 90 is located at the imaging position 29, the projected image 9 is projected in a focused state, that is, in a state where the projected image 9 is formed. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1(a), the distance between the pattern plate 26 and the projection lens 28 in the imaged state where the projected image 9 is formed is defined as a first distance L1. In the projected image 9 shown in FIG. 3(a), the position of the pattern plate 26 is the first position P1, and the image is in focus. Note that this imaged state may deviate from the first distance L1 within an allowable range, as described above. Furthermore, by deliberately using a projection lens 28 with a narrow depth of focus, in other words within an acceptable range of focus deviation, it is possible to provide a vehicle image projection device 1 that, when projecting onto a curved surface as shown in Figure 1(b) to create a fade-in and fade-out effect, makes it possible to create an effect in which the imaged part appears to move as the distance from the light source unit 22 to the projection surface 90 changes from close to far and from far to close.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 4(a), when the handle plate 26 is driven in the direction of arrow C and the distance between the handle plate 26 and the projection lens 28 is set to a second distance L2 that is shorter than the first distance L1, the image position 29 becomes longer than the first distance L1, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 4(a). At the second distance L2, the projected image 9 is out of focus on the projection plane 90, i.e., is not imaged, as shown in Fig. 3(b). The position of the handle plate 26 at this time is the second position P2.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4(b), when the pattern plate 26 is further driven in the direction of arrow C, and the distance between the pattern plate 26 and the projection lens 28 becomes a third distance L3, which is shorter than the second distance L2, the image position 29 becomes even longer than the second distance L2, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 4(b). At the third distance L3, the projected image 9 becomes even more out of focus on the projection surface 90, i.e., it is not imaged, as shown in Figure 3(c). The position of the pattern plate 26 at this time is the third position P3.

[0057] In this way, by continuously changing the distance between the pattern plate 26 and the projection lens 28 from the first distance L1 to the third distance L3, the control unit 4 can gradually change the projection pattern from an imaging state in which the projection image 9 is formed within an allowable range (in focus) to an imaging state in which the projection image 9 is not formed (out of focus), creating a fade-out effect.

[0058] During the fade-out, the control unit 4 may perform the effect of turning off the light source unit 22 after changing the distance between the pattern plate 26 and the projection lens 28 to a third distance L3, or may reduce the output of the light source unit 22 in accordance with the transition from an image-formed state to an image-unformed state.

[0059] Furthermore, the control unit 4 can continuously change the distance between the pattern plate 26 and the projection lens 28 from the third distance L3 to the first distance L1, thereby gradually changing the projection pattern from an unfocused state (out of focus state) to an imaged state (in focus state) and creating a fade-in effect.

[0060] During the fade-in, the control unit 4 may perform an effect in which the output of the light source unit 22 is increased according to the distance from a state in which the light source unit 22 is turned off.

[0061] The control unit 4 may be configured to perform projection patterns that combine the first distance L1 to the third distance L3, such as a projection pattern based on driving from the first distance L1 to the second distance L2, and from the second distance L2 to the first distance L1, a projection pattern based on driving from the third distance L3 to the second distance L2, and from the second distance L2 to the third distance L3, and a projection pattern that drives from the first distance L1 to the second distance L2, and from the second distance L2 to the first distance L1 repeatedly, and then drives to the third distance L3.

[0062] (Effects of the first embodiment) The vehicle image projection device 1 according to this embodiment can increase the degree of freedom in producing the projection image. Specifically, the vehicle image projection device 1 can gradually change the imaging position 29 by continuously driving the pattern plate 26, thereby continuously switching the imaging state of the projection image 9 on the projection surface 90. This makes it possible to produce an image with movement over time, and increases the degree of freedom in producing the projection image 9, compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0063] When the projection lens 28 is driven, the opening 12 needs to be large so that the pattern 262 can be enlarged and projected onto the projection surface 90 when it is moved to the innermost position in the housing 10. However, the vehicle image projection device 1 changes the imaging position 29 by driving the pattern plate 26, so the opening 12 is smaller than when the projection lens is driven, improving the appearance to the occupants.

[0064] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the imaging position 29 is changed without driving the handle plate 26.

[0065] Fig. 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle image projection device according to a second embodiment, and Fig. 5(b) is an example of a block diagram of the vehicle image projection device. Figs. 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams for explaining an example of the distance between the pattern plate and the projection lens and the image formation position of the vehicle image projection device according to the second embodiment. In the embodiments described below, parts having the same functions and configurations as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted.

[0066] The vehicle image projection device 1 is generally configured to include a projection unit 2 having multiple combinations of a light source unit that outputs projection light, a pattern plate with a pattern, and a projection lens that projects a projection image 9 of an enlarged pattern based on the projection light that has passed through the pattern plate onto a projection surface 90, with each projection image 9 having a different imaging position 29, and a control unit 4 that selects from the combinations of the light source unit, pattern plate, and projection lens of the projection unit 2 to change the imaging position 29 and gradually switch the imaging state of the projection image 9 on the same projection surface 90.

[0067] The vehicle image projection device 1 of this embodiment has, as an example, three combinations of light source unit, condenser lens, pattern plate and projection lens, but is not limited to this and may have two or more combinations.

[0068] As an example, the projection unit 2 of this embodiment has a combination of a first light source unit 22a, a first condensing lens 24a, a first pattern plate 26a, and a first projection lens 28a, a combination of a second light source unit 22b, a second condensing lens 24b, a second pattern plate 26b, and a second projection lens 28b, and a combination of a third light source unit 22c, a third condensing lens 24c, a third pattern plate 26c, and a third projection lens 28c.

[0069] The first to third light source units 22a to 22c are arranged on the same substrate 20, as shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c), for example. The first light source unit 22a outputs a first projection light 220a. The second light source unit 22b outputs a second projection light 220b. The third light source unit 22c outputs a third projection light 220c.

[0070] The first condenser lens 24a condenses the first projection light 220a, the second condenser lens 24b condenses the second projection light 220b, and the third condenser lens 24c condenses the third projection light 220c.

[0071] As an example, the first handle plate 26a to the third handle plate 26c are arranged at different positions as shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(c), and are therefore not a single handle plate but are provided independently, but this is not limited to this and they may be integrated.

[0072] The first pattern plate 26a is provided with a first pattern 262a. The second pattern plate 26b is provided with a second pattern 262b. The third pattern plate 26c is provided with a third pattern 262c. The first pattern 262a to the third pattern 262c have the same pattern, for example, but are not limited to this.

[0073] 5, the housing 10 has a first opening 12a, a second opening 12b, and a third opening 12c on the front surface 11. The first opening 12a exposes a first projection lens 28a. The second opening 12b exposes a second projection lens 28b. The third opening 12c exposes a third projection lens 28c.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 6(a), the distance between the first handle plate 26a and the first projection lens 28a is a first distance L a This first distance L a The first handle plate 26a is at the first position P a This is the distance when the object is located at the

[0075] The first projection light 220a output from the first light source unit 22a passes through the first focusing lens 24a and the first handle plate 26a, and takes optical paths 223a and 225a through the focal point 222a, and optical paths 224a and 226a through the center 280a of the first projection lens 28a.

[0076] Optical paths 223a and 224a intersect at image point 227a. Optical paths 225a and 226a intersect at image point 228a. Optical paths 223a and 224a are symmetrical to optical paths 225a and 226a with respect to optical axis 221a. Image position 29a is a position determined by image points 227a and 228a. As shown in FIG. 6(a), this image position 29a is on projection plane 90, and therefore projected image 9 is in focus within an allowable range.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 6(b), the distance between the second handle plate 26b and the second projection lens 28b is equal to the first distance L a The second, shorter distance L b This second distance L b The second handle plate 26b is at the second position P b This is the distance when the object is located at the

[0078] The second projection light 220b output from the second light source unit 22b passes through the second focusing lens 24b and the second handle plate 26b, and takes optical paths 223b and 225b through the focal point 222b, and optical paths 224b and 226b through the center 280b of the second projection lens 28b.

[0079] Optical paths 223b and 224b intersect at image point 227b. Optical paths 225b and 226b intersect at image point 228b. Optical paths 223b and 224b are symmetrical to optical paths 225b and 226b with respect to optical axis 221b. Image position 29b is a position determined by image points 227b and 228b. As shown by the dotted line in Figure 6(b), this image position 29b is away from projection plane 90, and projected image 9 is out of focus.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 6(c), the distance between the third handle plate 26c and the third projection lens 28c is the second distance L b The shorter third distance L c This third distance L c The third handle plate 26c is at the third position P c This is the distance when the object is located at the

[0081] The third projection light 220c output from the third light source unit 22c passes through the third focusing lens 24c and the third handle plate 26c, and takes optical paths 223c and 225c through the focal point 222c, and optical paths 224c and 226c through the center 280c of the third projection lens 28c.

[0082] The optical paths 223c and 224c intersect at an image point 227c. The optical paths 225c and 226c intersect at an image point 228c. The optical paths 223c and 224c are symmetrical to the optical paths 225c and 226c with respect to the optical axis 221c. The image position 29c is a position determined by the image points 227c and 228c. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 6(c), the image position 29c is further away from the projection plane 90, and is a second distance L bCompared to the case of (1), the projected image 9 is further out of focus.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the control unit 4 controls the first light source unit 22a to emit a first lighting signal S 2a , the second light source unit 22b is turned on by the second lighting signal S 2b , and the third light source unit 22c is turned on by a third lighting signal S 2c Controlled by.

[0084] (Effects of the second embodiment) The vehicle image projection device 1 of this embodiment can gradually project the projection image 9 onto the same projection surface 90 from an in-focus imaging state to an out-of-focus imaging state within an allowable range, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the presentation of the projection image 9 compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0085] Although several 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 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]

[0086] 1...vehicle image projection device, 2...projection unit, 3...drive unit, 4...control unit, 5...communication unit, 8...vehicle, 9...projected image, 10...casing, 11...front surface, 12...opening, 12a to 12c...first to third openings, 20...substrate, 22...light source unit, 22a to 22c...first to third light source units, 24...condensing lens, 24a to 24c...first to third condensing lenses, 26...Pattern plate, 26a to 26c...First pattern plate to third pattern plate, 28...Projection lens, 28a to 28c...First projection lens to third projection lens, 29, 29a to 29c...Imaging position, 30...Motor, 31...Gear, 40...Projection pattern information, 80...Driver's seat, 81...Passenger seat, 82...Panel, 83...Right pillar, 84...Left pillar, 85...Ceiling, 86...Console box, 87...Armrest, 88a...Right door trim, 88b...Left door trim, 89...In-vehicle device, 90...Projection surface, 220...Projection light, 220a to 220c...First projection light to third projection light, 221, 221a to 221c...Optical axis, 222, 222a to 222c...Focus, 223, 223a to 223c, 224, 224a to 224c, 225, 225a to 225c, 226, 226a to 226c...optical path, 227, 227a to 227c, 228, 228a to 228c...imaging point, 229a to 229c...imaging position, 260...substrate, 261...base body, 262...handle, 262a to 262c...first handle to third handle, 263...rack gear part, 264...rack gear, 280, 280a to 280c...center

Claims

1. a projection unit having a light source unit that outputs projection light, a pattern plate having a pattern, and a projection lens that projects an enlarged projection image of the pattern on a projection surface based on the projection light that has passed through the pattern plate; a driving unit that drives at least one of the pattern plate and the projection lens to change the distance between the pattern plate and the projection lens, thereby changing the imaging position where the projected image is formed; a control unit that controls the drive unit to change the imaging position and continuously switch the imaging state of the projected image on the same projection surface; A vehicle image projection device comprising:

2. a projection unit having a combination of a light source unit that outputs projection light, a pattern plate having a pattern, and a projection lens that projects an enlarged projection image of the pattern on a projection surface based on the projection light that has passed through the pattern plate, and each projection image is formed at a different imaging position; a control unit that changes the imaging position by selecting from a combination of the light source unit, the pattern plate, and the projection lens of the projection unit, and gradually switches the imaging state of the projected image on the same projection surface; A vehicle image projection device comprising:

3. The drive unit drives the handle plate to change the distance. The vehicle image projection device according to claim 1 .

4. the control unit projects the projection image in which the output of the light source unit and the distance are changed in conjunction with each other. The vehicle image projection device according to claim 3 .

5. the control unit performs at least one of fading in and fading out of the projected image by switching the imaging state of the projected image.

5. The vehicle image projection device according to claim 1.

6. the projection unit is disposed inside the vehicle, The projection surface is a surface of an interior part of the vehicle. The vehicle image projection device according to claim 5 .

Images