Projection device

Abstract

To provide a projection device which can project a pattern more precisely.SOLUTION: A projection device 10 includes a housing 20 formed with a projection slot 2241. Further, the projection device 10 includes a light source 31 housed in the housing 20. Furthermore, the projection device 10 includes a collimator lens 44 which is housed in the housing 20 so as to be located between the light source 31 and the projection slot 2241 and makes light L radiated from the light source 31 into parallel light L1. A first area 4421 and a second area 4422 which has a light transmissivity different from that of the first area 4421 are formed on an emission surface 442 of the collimator lens 44.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a projection apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional projection device of this type is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, the projection device includes a light source that emits light and a pattern plate on which a pattern to be projected is drawn. The projection lens also includes a first lens component having a condensing lens for condensing the light emitted from the light source and emitting it onto the pattern plate, and a second lens component having a projection lens for projecting the pattern drawn on the pattern plate.

[0003] The pattern plate is then sandwiched between the first lens component and the second lens component, and the pattern plate is fixed in a sealed state inside the first lens component and the second lens component. This makes it possible to project the pattern drawn on the pattern plate onto the projection surface from the projection lens using light emitted from the light source. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-159592 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the projection device described in the above-mentioned prior art, three components (a first lens component, a second lens component, and a pattern plate) are used to project the pattern drawn on the pattern plate. Therefore, there is a risk that the positions of the lenses (a condenser lens, a projection lens) and the pattern plate may be shifted from the appropriate positions due to the dimensional tolerances of each component, making it impossible to project the appropriate pattern.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a projection device that can project a pattern more accurately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A projection device according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a housing having a projection aperture formed therein, a light source housed in the housing, and a collimating lens housed in the housing so as to be positioned between the light source and the projection aperture and which converts light emitted from the light source into parallel light, and the exit surface of the collimating lens is formed with a first region and a second region having a light transmittance different from that of the first region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a projection device that can project a pattern more accurately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a projection device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a projection system using a projection device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a projection device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a method for assembling the projection device, in which the light source unit is housed in the base unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a method for assembling the projection device, in which the first lens component is placed above the light source unit. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a method for assembling a projection device, and is a perspective view showing a state in which a first lens component is placed above the housed light source component, and a cover is about to be attached to a base component having a second lens component placed above the first lens component. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a projection device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which light emitted from a light source is incident on a collimator lens. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 8, which is a diagram schematically showing the path of light on the exit surface side of the collimator lens. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pattern that is drawn when projected onto a projection surface using an example of a projection device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the first lens component. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a pattern that is drawn on the projection surface when a modified example of the first lens component is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The projection device according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0011] In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the base portion is defined as the X direction (front-to-back direction), the short direction of the base portion is defined as the Y direction (width direction), and the direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is defined as the Z direction (up-down direction).

[0012] In addition, the side of the base where the light source unit is located is defined as the front side in the X direction (front-to-back direction), and the side of the housing that includes the base where the projection port is located is defined as the upper side in the Z direction (up-down direction).

[0013] 1, projector (projection device) 10 according to this embodiment includes a housing 20, and a projection opening 2241 is formed so as to open upward in this housing 20. In this embodiment, housing 20 is formed so as to be substantially L-shaped in side view, and projection opening 2241 is formed at the upper end of the substantially L-shaped housing 20.

[0014] The projector (projection device) 10 also includes a light source 31, which is housed in the housing 20. As the light source 31, for example, a light emitting element such as an LED, a semiconductor laser, an organic EL, or an inorganic EL can be used.

[0015] In addition, the projector (projection device) 10 is equipped with a collimating lens 44 that converts the light L emitted from the light source 31 into parallel light L1, and this collimating lens 44 is housed in the housing 20 so as to be positioned between the light source 31 and the projection port 2241.

[0016] Furthermore, the projector (projection device) 10 is provided with a magnifying lens 511, which is housed in the housing 20 so as to be located between the collimating lens 44 and the projection aperture 2241.

[0017] This allows light L emitted from the light source 31 to pass through the collimator lens 44 and the magnifying lens 511 and be emitted from the projection aperture 2241. Then, a pattern 60 drawn by the light L emitted from the projection aperture 2241 is projected onto the projection surface 70 (see FIGS. 2, 10, and 12).

[0018] As such, the projector (projection device) 10 of this embodiment is a device for projecting a pattern 60 drawn by light onto a projection surface 70 by emitting light L emitted from a light source 31 through a projection aperture 2241.

[0019] This projector (projection device) 10 can be used, for example, as an image projection light for vehicle interiors that is mounted on a vehicle and projects a predetermined pattern onto a projection target (projection surface) inside the vehicle.

[0020] 3, the housing 20 of the projector (projection device) 10 includes a base 21 and a cover 22, and the housing 20 having an internal space is formed by attaching the cover 22 to the base 21. The base 21 and the cover 22 can be formed using, for example, an electrically insulating resin material.

[0021] The base portion 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the X direction (front-rear direction), and includes a connector portion 211 formed in the rear portion, and a light source arrangement portion 212 formed in the front portion in which the light source 31 is arranged.

[0022] The connector portion 211 has a peripheral wall 2111 that defines a connector connection space and is formed to open rearward, so that an external connector (not shown) can be inserted into the connector connection space through this opening. By connecting the external connector to the connector portion 211, it becomes possible to send power and signals to the light source 31 and a circuit board 32, which will be described later.

[0023] On the other hand, the light source arrangement section 212 includes a pair of side walls 2121 extending in the X direction (front-rear direction) and a bottom wall 2122 connecting the lower ends of the pair of side walls 2121. The pair of side walls 2121 and the bottom wall 2122 define a light source accommodating space 2123. The light source accommodating space 2123 is formed to be open upward and forward. The light source unit 30, formed by mounting the light source 31 on the circuit board 32, is accommodated in the light source accommodating space 2123 from the front with the main optical axis direction of the light source 31 facing upward, thereby accommodating the light source 31 in the light source accommodating space 2123 (see FIG. 4 ). In this state, the light source 31 is accommodated in the light source accommodating space 2123 in a state exposed from the upper opening of the light source accommodating space 2123 when viewed from above. When the cover 22 is attached to the base section 21, the main optical axis of the light source 31 is positioned at the center of the projection opening 2241. This allows the light L emitted from the light source 31 to be emitted from the projection aperture 2241 more efficiently.

[0024] A collimator lens 44 that converts light L emitted from the light source 31 into parallel light L1 is disposed above the light source 31 housed in the light source housing space 2123 (see FIG. 5). The collimator lens 44 has an incident surface 441 that is convex downward (protruding toward the light source 31), and an exit surface 442 that is flat and approximately perpendicular to the main optical axis direction (Z direction) of the light source 31.

[0025] Here, in this embodiment, a first lens component 40 having a collimating lens 44 is formed, and this first lens component 40 is placed on the light source placement section 212 of the base section 21, so that the collimating lens 44 is positioned above the light source 31.

[0026] Specifically, the first lens component 40 includes a collimating lens 44 and a holding plate 41 that holds the collimating lens 44. Legs 42, which are placed on the light source mounting section 212, are formed on both ends of the holding plate 41 in the X direction (front-rear direction) and protrude downward. In this embodiment, ribs 21212 extending in the X direction (front-rear direction) are formed on the inner sides of a pair of side walls 2121 of the light source mounting section 212, and the legs 42 are placed on the ribs 21212. The ribs 21212 also function as guides when the light source unit 30 is accommodated in the light source accommodating space 2123 and as a means of preventing rattling of the light source unit 30 accommodated in the light source accommodating space 2123.

[0027] Then, by placing the leg portion 42 on the light source mounting portion 212, the collimator lens 44 is arranged above the light source 31 at a predetermined distance (see FIG. 7). In this manner, in this embodiment, by placing the leg portion 42 of the first lens component 40 on the light source mounting portion 212, the light source 31 and the collimator lens 44 are optically connected.

[0028] A magnifying lens 511 is arranged above the collimating lens 44 (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, a second lens component 50 having the magnifying lens 511 is formed, and the second lens component 50 is placed on the first lens component 40, so that the magnifying lens 511 is arranged above the collimating lens 44.

[0029] Specifically, the second lens component 50 includes a magnifying lens 511 and a top wall 51 that holds the magnifying lens 511. A peripheral wall 52 that is placed on the first lens component 40 is formed at the outer circumferential edge of the top wall 51 so as to protrude downward.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, engaging protrusions 521 are formed on both ends of peripheral wall 52 in the Y direction (width direction), and these engaging protrusions 521 are adapted to engage with engaging frames 43 formed on both ends of holding plate 41 in the Y direction (width direction). In this manner, second lens component 50 is attached to first lens component 40, and magnifying lens 511 is arranged above collimating lens 44 at a predetermined distance (see FIG. 7). In this manner, in this embodiment, by assembling second lens component 50 to first lens component 40, collimating lens 44 and magnifying lens 511 are optically connected.

[0031] Then, the light source unit 30 is accommodated in the light source accommodating space 2123, the first lens component 40 is placed on the light source arrangement unit 212, and the second lens component 50 is assembled to the first lens component 40, and then the cover 22 is attached to the base unit 21. In this manner, the projector (projection device) 10 can be assembled.

[0032] The cover 22 includes a front wall 221 located at the front, a rear wall 222 located at the rear, side walls 223 located on the sides, and a top wall 224 located at the top and having a projection port 2241. In this embodiment, the rear wall 222 includes a lower wall portion 2221 and an upper wall portion 2222, and is bent in an L-shape so that the lower end is located at the rear.

[0033] The cover 22 is attached to the base portion 21 by engaging the engagement protrusions 21211 formed on the side walls 2121 of the light source placement portion 212 with the engagement holes 2231 formed on the side walls 223 of the cover 22.

[0034] In this embodiment, an engagement protrusion 2232 is formed on the side wall 223 of the cover 22, and the projector (projection device) 10 can be attached to a vehicle or the like by engaging this engagement protrusion 2232 with an engagement portion formed on the vehicle or the like.

[0035] In this embodiment, a protrusion 443 is provided on a part of the exit surface 442 of the collimator lens 44, and the collimated light L1 is reflected by this protrusion 443. In this way, the light transmittance in the area where the protrusion 443 is formed is reduced.

[0036] 9, a protrusion 443 having a substantially triangular cross section is formed on a part of the exit surface 442 of the collimator lens 44, and the parallel light L1 is totally reflected twice in the region where the protrusion 443 is formed. In this way, the parallel light L1 is totally reflected twice by the protrusion 443, so that the light (parallel light L1) is not emitted to the outside from the region where the protrusion 443 is formed.

[0037] Therefore, in this embodiment, the light transmittance is approximately 0% in the region where the protrusions 443 are formed. On the other hand, the region where the protrusions 443 are not formed has a flat surface that is approximately perpendicular to the parallel light L1, and therefore the light transmittance in the region where the protrusions 443 are not formed is approximately 100%.

[0038] As described above, in this embodiment, first regions 4421 (regions where protrusions 443 are not formed) having a light transmittance of approximately 100% are formed on exit surface 442 of collimator lens 44. Also, second regions 4422 (regions where protrusions 443 are formed) having a light transmittance of approximately 0% are formed on exit surface 442 of collimator lens 44. That is, first region 4421 and second region 4422 having a light transmittance different from that of first region 4421 are formed on exit surface 442 of collimator lens 44.

[0039] In this way, light and dark are provided in the light emitted from the collimator lens 44, and this light and dark is projected from the projection aperture 2241 in a state where it is magnified by the magnifying lens 511.

[0040] In this way, it becomes possible to project a pattern (a shade of a shape corresponding to the second region 4422) 60 from the projection aperture 2241.

[0041] For example, if the protrusions 443 are formed to form a plurality of circles, the shadows of the plurality of circles will be projected onto the projection surface 70 (see FIGS. 3 and 10).

[0042] Furthermore, if the protrusion 443 is formed so as to form a cross made up of a plurality of lines, the shadows of the plurality of cross lines will be projected onto the projection surface 70 (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

[0043] It should be noted that the light transmittance of the second region 4422 does not need to be approximately 0%, and various light transmittances are possible. This light transmittance can be adjusted, for example, by setting the angle of the triangular portion of the protrusion 443 having a substantially triangular cross section, based on the relationship between the refractive index of the material forming the collimator lens 44 and the refractive index of air.

[0044] In this embodiment, the collimator lens 44 is made of an acrylic material, and the angle of the triangular portion is set to about 80 degrees, so that the parallel light L1 is totally reflected twice by the protrusions 443.

[0045] Furthermore, if a triangular or quadrangular pyramidal protrusion 443 is provided, it is possible to project a point-like shadow onto the projection surface 70.

[0046] In this way, by forming the protrusions 443 in a desired shape on the exit surface 442 of the collimator lens 44, it becomes possible to project the pattern 60 in a desired shape onto the projection surface .

[0047] [Actions and Effects] The following describes the characteristic configurations of the projection devices shown in the above-described embodiment and its modifications, and the effects obtained thereby.

[0048] The projector (projection device) 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example includes a housing 20 in which a projection port 2241 is formed, a light source 31 housed in the housing 20, and a collimating lens 44 that converts light L irradiated from the light source 31 into parallel light L1.

[0049] In the projector (projection device) 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example, the collimator lens 44 is housed in the housing 20 so as to be located between the light source 31 and the projection port 2241.

[0050] On the exit surface 442 of the collimator lens 44, a first region 4421 and a second region 4422 having a different light transmittance from that of the first region 4421 are formed.

[0051] In this way, in the projector (projection device) 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example, the first region 4421 and the second region 4422 having different light transmittances are formed on the exit surface 442 of the collimator lens 44.

[0052] This allows the pattern 60 having a shape corresponding to the first region 4421 and the second region 4422 to be projected from the projection aperture 2241.

[0053] Therefore, if second region 4422 is formed in a desired shape on exit surface 442 of collimator lens 44, it becomes possible to project a desired pattern from projection aperture 2241.

[0054] In this way, by forming a first region 4421 and a second region 4422 having different light transmittances on the exit surface 442 of the collimator lens 44, it becomes possible for the collimator lens 44 to function not only as a lens but also as a handle plate.

[0055] As a result, it becomes possible to reduce the number of parts, thereby reducing costs and making it possible to miniaturize the projector (projection device) 10.

[0056] In addition, reducing the number of parts prevents the placement position of parts from being significantly shifted due to the dimensional tolerances of each part, making it possible to project the pattern (shape corresponding to the first area 4421 and the second area 4422) more accurately.

[0057] Furthermore, the second region 4422 may be provided with a protrusion 443 that reflects the parallel light L1.

[0058] In this way, it becomes possible to make the light transmittance of the second region 4422 different from that of the first region 4421 (to lower the light transmittance) simply by forming the protrusions 443 on the exit surface 442 of the collimator lens 44. Therefore, it becomes possible to more easily make the pattern projected from the projection aperture 2241 into a desired pattern.

[0059] Furthermore, the protrusion 443 may totally reflect the parallel light L1.

[0060] In this way, it is possible to prevent the parallel light L1 from passing through the second region 4422 (to set the light transmittance to 0%). By preventing the parallel light L1 from passing through the second region 4422 in this way, it is possible to increase the difference in light transmittance between the first region 4421 and the second region 4422, and it becomes possible to project the pattern 60 from the projection aperture 2241 more clearly.

[0061] [others] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0062] For example, in the above embodiment and its modified examples, the light transmittance of the first region 4421 is set to approximately 100%, and the light transmittance of the second region 4422 is set to approximately 0%. However, as long as the light transmittance of the first region 4421 and the second region 4422 differs, it is possible to provide regions with various light transmittances.

[0063] It is also possible to form three or more types of regions with different light transmittances on the exit surface 442 of the collimator lens 44. For example, a first region with a light transmittance of approximately 100%, a second region with a light transmittance of approximately 0%, and a third region with a light transmittance of approximately 50% may be formed on the exit surface 442 of the collimator lens 44.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified example, the projector (projection device) 10 is provided with the magnifying lens 511, but it is also possible to provide a projector (projection device) that does not include the magnifying lens 511.

[0065] Furthermore, it is also possible to appropriately change the specifications (shape, size, layout, etc.) of the first and second lens components, the housing, and other details. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10 Projector (projection device) 20 Case 2241 Projection port 31 Light source 44 Collimating Lens 442 Exit surface 4421 First Area 4422 Second Area 443 Protrusion L light L1 parallel light

Claims

1. a housing having a projection port formed therein; a light source housed in the housing; a collimator lens housed in the housing so as to be positioned between the light source and the projection opening, and converting the light emitted from the light source into parallel light; Equipped with a first region and a second region having a light transmittance different from that of the first region are formed on the exit surface of the collimator lens; Projection device.

2. a protrusion that reflects the parallel light is formed in the second region; The projection device according to claim 1 .

3. The protrusion totally reflects the parallel light.

3. The projection device according to claim 2.

Images