Display device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a display device for a vehicle excellent in visibility.SOLUTION: The vehicular display apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes the aerial image display 20 that displays the aerial image V1, the background member 50 that transmits light related to the aerial image V1 and serves as a background of the aerial image V1, and the shadow image display 30 that is disposed between the aerial image display 20 and the background member 50, forms a shadow image as a shadow of the aerial image V1, and displays the shadow image on the background member 50. The background member 50 may be a shielding member that shields the aerial image display 20 and the shadow image display 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a display device is known that displays an aerial image on a dashboard for a driver to visually recognize. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-033344 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A viewer of an aerial image may find it difficult to recognize the amount of floating from a background component of the aerial image, such as a dashboard, which may make it difficult for the viewer to focus on the aerial image and may experience eye fatigue when viewing the aerial image.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle display device with excellent visibility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the vehicle display device of the present disclosure includes an aerial image display device that displays an aerial image, a background member that transmits light related to the aerial image and forms a background for the aerial image, and a shadow image display device that is positioned between the aerial image display device and the background member and forms a shadow image as a shadow of the aerial image and displays it on the background member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The vehicle display device of the present disclosure has excellent visibility. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle, particularly showing a display device disposed within an instrument panel. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an aerial image and a shadow image. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing segments of a light management film. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view particularly showing a display device as a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle display device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The vehicle display device according to the present disclosure can be mounted on vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, ships, agricultural machinery, and construction machinery.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 1 , particularly showing a display device 10 arranged in an instrument panel 2 . FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view particularly showing the display device 10. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an aerial image V1 and a shadow image V2.

[0011] In the following description, "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "right," and "left" follow the definitions of "Fr.", "Re.", "To.", "Bo.", "R," and "L" in Figures 2 to 5.

[0012] A vehicle display device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "display device 10") is disposed in an opening 4 formed in an interior part of a vehicle 1, such as an instrument panel or dashboard (hereinafter simply referred to as "instrument panel 2").

[0013] Display device 10 mainly includes an aerial image display device 20, a shadow image display device 30, a control board 40, a shielding member 50 (background member), and a case 60.

[0014] The aerial image display device 20 has a liquid crystal display device 21 and a microlens array 22 (hereinafter referred to as "MLA 22").

[0015] The liquid crystal display 21 has a liquid crystal display element and a light source substrate. The liquid crystal display element is, for example, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) type liquid crystal display panel formed by sealing liquid crystal molecules between a pair of glass substrates. The light source substrate is, for example, a substrate on which LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that illuminate the liquid crystal display element are mounted, and serves as a backlight for the liquid crystal display element. The light source substrate 31 is disposed behind the liquid crystal display element. The liquid crystal display 21 also has necessary components such as a light guide plate for spreading the light from the LEDs over the entire surface of the liquid crystal display element, a reflector provided behind the light guide plate, and a diffuser provided in front of the light guide plate.

[0016] The liquid crystal display 21 displays an image of the aerial image V1 on its display surface. The aerial image V1 is a two-dimensional image having a rectangular shape with four sides. The aerial image display 20 displays the aerial image V1 by floating it a predetermined distance forward from the surface of the shielding member 50. The image may be a still image or a moving image (video).

[0017] The display position and display angle of the aerial image V1 are determined according to the angle and position of the display surface relative to the MLA 22. Therefore, the display surface is arranged at an angle and position suitable for the angle and position of the aerial image V1 that is desired to be shown to the viewer 5 (e.g., the driver).

[0018] The MLA 22 is disposed, for example, superimposed in front of the display surface of the liquid crystal display 21. The MLA 22 transmits light related to the image to be displayed on the display surface and forms an aerial image V1 in front of (outside of) the instrument panel 2. The MLA 22 has a plurality of microlenses arranged two-dimensionally. The MLA 22 is disposed at a position spaced forward from the display surface by the focal length of the microlenses.

[0019] The shadow image display device 30 includes a light source substrate 31, a light guide member 32, and a light control film 33 (shadow forming member).

[0020] The light source substrate 31 is, for example, a substrate on which an LED is mounted. The light guide member 32 is disposed in front of and overlaps the light source substrate 31. The light guide member 32 is, for example, a rectangular plate-like member that transmits and emits light from the LED in a planar manner. Note that the light source substrate 31 may also serve as, for example, a control substrate 40 having a light source. In this case, the light guide member 32 has a shape that allows it to be close to the light source on the control substrate 40.

[0021] The light control film 33 is disposed in front of and overlaps the light guide member 32. The light control film 33 is, for example, a liquid crystal light control film that does not transmit light when not energized (substantially black state) and transmits light in selective areas when energized (substantially transparent state). The light control film 33 forms a shadow image V2 corresponding to the segment 34 using light guided by the light guide member 32.

[0022] The shadow image V2 is an image as a shadow of the aerial image V1 displayed by the aerial image display device 20. Specifically, the shadow image V2 is arranged along the outer edge of the rectangular aerial image V1, and is an image simulating a shadow formed when the aerial image V1 is illuminated from a predetermined direction.

[0023] The shadow image V2 is an L-shaped image formed along two consecutive four sides, a right side 71 and a bottom side 72, which can be formed when the aerial image V1 is illuminated from the upper left front, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The shadow image V2 has an L-shape that is shorter than the outer edge of the aerial image V1, thereby creating a more realistic shadow. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the shadow image V2 formed along the right side 71 of the aerial image V1 has an upper end 81a below the upper end 71a of the right side of the aerial image V1. The shadow image V2 formed along the bottom side 72 of the aerial image V1 has a left end 82a to the right of the left end 72a of the bottom side of the aerial image V1. This creates the illusion that the shadow image V2 is illuminated from the upper left front and floating above the shading member 50.

[0024] The shadow image V2 is an L-shaped image formed along the left side 73 and the bottom side 72, which can be formed when the aerial image V1 is illuminated from the front right above.

[0025] The light control film 33 may switch the display position of the shadow image V2 under predetermined conditions. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the light-opaque regions forming the shadow image V2 may be formed in advance as a plurality of (e.g., five) segments 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, and 34e. That is, when an L-shaped shadow image V2 extending along the left side 73 and bottom side 72 of the aerial image V1 is to be displayed, the light control film 33 forms the shadow image V2 by making the segments 34a, 34b, and 34c opaque. When an L-shaped shadow image V2 extending along the right side 71 and bottom side 72 of the aerial image V1 is to be displayed, the light control film 33 forms the shadow image V2 by making the segments 34c, 34d, and 34e opaque. When a linear shadow image V2 extending only along the bottom side 72 of the aerial image V1 is to be displayed, the light control film 33 forms the shadow image V2 by making the segments 34b, 34c, and 34d opaque.

[0026] The shadow image V2 may have a gradation in which the periphery of the shadow image V2 becomes lighter by controlling the light transmittance of the light control film 33. This can further create a shadow-like appearance.

[0027] The control board 40 comprehensively controls the aerial image display device 20 and the shadow image display device 30. The control board 40 is connected to, for example, a vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 6, and operates based on control of the vehicle ECU 6 and information acquired from the vehicle ECU 6. The control board 40 controls the aerial image display device 20 and the shadow image display device 30, for example, so that the shadow image V2 is displayed at approximately the same time as the aerial image V1 is displayed, and the shadow image V2 is erased at approximately the same time as the aerial image V1 is erased.

[0028] The shielding member 50 transmits light associated with the aerial image V1 and light associated with the shadow image V2. The shielding member 50 also shields the internal structure of the display device 10 from the viewer 5 at the opening 4 of the instrument panel 2. The shielding member 50 is formed by insert-molding a film layer onto the inner surface or the like of a molded product made of transparent synthetic resin. The film layer is a printed film having a color tone, material, pattern, texture, etc. that is perceived to be substantially identical to the color tone, material, pattern, texture, etc. of the instrument panel 2 when viewed from the front. For example, if the pattern of the instrument panel 2 is woodgrain, the pattern of the film layer will also be woodgrain. The shielding member 50 may be flush with, recessed from, or protrude from the instrument panel 2.

[0029] The shielding member 50 has a light-shielding print 51 on the outer edge, thereby blocking light from the areas where it is not desired that light emitted from the shadow image display device 30 be transmitted.

[0030] Case 60 is, for example, a black, light-blocking box-shaped member having an opening 61. Case 60 supports and houses aerial image display device 20, shadow image display device 30, and control board 40, and opening 61 is covered by shielding member 50. Case 60 is fixed inside instrument panel 2 by any required means.

[0031] Next, the operation of the display device 10 in this embodiment will be described.

[0032] When the aerial image V1 and the shadow image V2 are not displayed, the interior of the opening 4 in the instrument panel 2 is shielded by the shielding member 50, and there is no sense of incongruity in appearance due to the presence of the display device 10. In particular, because the color tone, etc. of the film layer of the shielding member 50 is substantially the same as the color tone, etc. of the instrument panel 2, the viewer 5 does not recognize that the display device 10 is present.

[0033] Under a predetermined condition, display device 10 starts displaying aerial image V1. The predetermined condition is, for example, receipt of an instruction to start operation of the engine, electrical system, etc. of vehicle 1 (turning on the ignition switch) from the driver of vehicle 1. In this case, aerial image V1 is an image related to a performance that accompanies, for example, turning on the ignition switch.

[0034] Display device 10 starts displaying aerial image V1 on aerial image display device 20. Light associated with the image displayed on liquid crystal display 21 passes through MLA 22 and shielding member 50, thereby forming and displaying two-dimensional aerial image V1 in front of instrument panel 2.

[0035] Furthermore, the display device 10 starts displaying the shadow image V2 on the shadow image display 30 substantially simultaneously with the display of the aerial image V1. That is, the light control film 33 is opaque to light in the segments 34 that form the shadow image V2, and is light-transmitting in the other regions. As a result, an L-shaped shadow image V2 is displayed on the shielding member 50 along two consecutive four sides of the aerial image V1, as shown in FIG.

[0036] At this time, in order to create the illusion that shadow image V2 is a shadow of aerial image V1, display device 10 preferably controls the luminance of the light source or the like so that the luminance of aerial image V1, the luminance of shading member 50 as the background of aerial image V1, and the luminance of shadow image V2 satisfy the relationship aerial image V1 ≧ shading member 50 > shadow image V2. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of visibility, display device 10 preferably controls the luminance of the light source or the like in accordance with the illuminance of external light and whether or not headlights and parking lights are turned on.

[0037] Furthermore, the display device 10 may determine the position at which to display the shadow image V2 depending on, for example, the relative positional relationship between the viewer 5 and the aerial image V1. For example, the display device 10 displays the shadow image V2 at a position closer to the viewer 5 to create the illusion that the shadow image V2 is a shadow of the aerial image V1. That is, when the viewer 5 is on the right side of the aerial image V1, the display device 10 displays the shadow image V2 along the right side 71 and bottom side 72 of the aerial image V1. When the viewer 5 is on the left side of the aerial image V1, the display device 10 displays the shadow image V2 along the left side 73 and bottom side 72 of the aerial image V1. When the viewer 5 is facing the aerial image V1 directly, the display device 10 displays the shadow image V2 along the bottom side 72 of the aerial image V1.

[0038] Furthermore, display device 10 may determine the position at which to display shadow image V2 depending on the direction of external light illuminating the interior of the vehicle or the interior light. For example, when the interior of the vehicle is illuminated from the right side of aerial image V1 by external light from the right window, display device 10 may display an L-shaped shadow image V2 that follows the left side 73 and bottom side 72 of aerial image V1.

[0039] When the display device 10 finishes displaying the aerial image V1, it also finishes displaying the shadow image V2 at approximately the same time. By starting and finishing the display of the aerial image V1 and the shadow image V2 at approximately the same time, the display device 10 reduces the sense of incongruity that would otherwise be caused by displaying only the shadow image V2.

[0040] As a result, the display device 10 can improve the visibility of the aerial image V1 for the viewer 5, such as a driver. That is, by displaying the shadow image V2, the floating feeling of the aerial image V1 can be improved, and the visual effect of the image appearing to float can provide a sense of dynamism, originality, enjoyment, surprise, and the like. At the same time, the display device 10 can make the viewer 5 focus on the aerial image V1 easily by creating the illusion of a shadow of the aerial image V1 using the shadow image V2. Furthermore, because it is easy to focus on the aerial image V1, eye fatigue caused by viewing the aerial image V1 and the associated occurrence of headaches can be reduced.

[0041] Although several embodiments of the vehicle display device of the present disclosure have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as set forth in the claims.

[0042] For example, the display device of the present disclosure may be a transparent plate 37 (shadow forming member) having transparency and on which a design 38 relating to the shadow image V2 is printed in black, instead of the light control film 33, as in the display device 10 as a modified example shown in FIG. 5. That is, the transparent plate 37 transmits light transmitted through the light guide member 32 in areas other than the design 38. As a result, the shadow image display device 30 forms a shadow in the design 38 area. This transparent plate 37 cannot change the position of the shadow image V2 like the above-mentioned light control film 33, but can form the shadow image V2 with a simple configuration. Furthermore, the design 38 may be formed in a gradation pattern such that the transmittance of the outer edge of the shadow image V2 becomes thinner and higher.

[0043] In addition, the aerial image display device may form an aerial image using a head-up display optical system, an orthogonal mirror optical system, a dihedral corner reflector array system, or the like, instead of the MLA optical system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 vehicle 2. Instrument panel 4 aperture 5. Viewer 6 Vehicle ECU 10 Vehicle display device (display device) 20 Aerial image display 21 LCD display 22 Microlens Array (MLA) 30 Shadow image display 31 Light source board 32 Light guide member 33 Light control film (shadow forming material) 34, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e segments 37 Transparent plate (shadow forming member) 38 Design 40 Control board 50 Shielding member 51 Blackout printing 60 cases 61 Aperture 71 Right hand side 71a Top right edge 72 bottom 72a Bottom left edge 73 Left side 81a top end 82a left end V1 aerial image V2 Shadow Image

Claims

1. an aerial image display that displays an aerial image; a background member that transmits light related to the aerial image and forms a background of the aerial image; a shadow image display device disposed between the aerial image display device and the background member, the shadow image display device forming a shadow image of the aerial image and displaying it on the background member.

2. The vehicle display device according to claim 1 , wherein the background member is a shielding member that shields the aerial image display device and the shadow image display device.

3. The shadow image display device includes: A light source and a light guide member that guides light from the light source; The vehicle display device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a shadow forming member that forms the shadow image with the light guided by the light guide member.

4. the aerial image has a rectangular shape with four sides, The vehicle display device according to claim 1 , wherein the shadow image has an L-shape along two consecutive sides of the four sides.

5. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the shadow image has an L-shape, the long and short sides of which are shorter than the corresponding long and short sides of the four sides.

6. The vehicle display device according to claim 1 , wherein the shadow image has a gradation that becomes thinner toward the periphery.

7. The vehicle display device according to claim 1 , wherein the shadow image is displayed substantially simultaneously with the aerial image being displayed, and is erased substantially simultaneously with the aerial image being erased.

Images