Vehicle Projection Device

Abstract

A vehicle projection device that can improve information display efficiency is provided. [Solution] A vehicle projection device 1 in this embodiment includes a projector 20 that emits light including display light related to a first image and a second image, a reflecting member 40 that reflects the display light L2 related to the first image in a first direction, and an exterior structure 10 that is disposed on the exterior of the vehicle, houses the projector 20 and the reflecting member 40, and has an exit 14 through which the light is emitted. The display light L2 related to the first image is reflected by the reflecting member 40 and then emitted from the exit 14 to be projected onto a first area, and the display light L1 related to the second image is emitted directly from the exit 14 to be projected onto a second area different from the first area.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technology is known in which a vehicle is equipped with a projector to project necessary information and the like onto the inside and outside of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-006034 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Recently, the information required for vehicles has become more diverse, and the amount of information to be displayed has increased. Furthermore, as vehicles are equipped with a variety of functions, the number of parts has also increased. Under these circumstances, there is a demand for efficient display of information necessary for vehicle drivers and other passengers without increasing the number of parts.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle projection device that can improve the efficiency of displaying information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the vehicle projection device disclosed herein comprises a projector that emits light including display light related to a first image and a second image, a reflective member that reflects the display light related to the first image in a first direction, and an exterior structure that is arranged on the outside of the vehicle, houses the projector and the reflective member, and has an outlet for emitting light, wherein the display light related to the first image is reflected by the reflective member and then emitted from the outlet and projected onto a first area, and the display light related to the second image is emitted directly from the outlet and projected onto a second area different from the first area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The vehicle projection device of the present disclosure can improve the efficiency of displaying information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of image projection by a vehicle projection device according to an embodiment of the present invention mounted on a vehicle; [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view conceptually illustrating the internal structure of the side mirror unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a conceptual overhead view illustrating the internal structure of the side mirror unit in the open state. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an image projected by a projector. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a conceptual overhead view illustrating the internal structure of the side mirror unit in the closed state. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view conceptually illustrating the internal structure of a side mirror unit of a modified projection device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a conceptual overhead view illustrating the internal structure of a side mirror unit of a modified projection device in an open state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an image projected by a projector of a projection device as a modified example. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of display of a mirror member image. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a main body image. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reflecting member of a modified projection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of a vehicle projection device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The vehicle projection device according to the present disclosure can be applied to any vehicle, such as an automobile, a motorcycle, agricultural machinery, construction machinery, etc. In this embodiment, an example in which the vehicle projection device is mounted on an automobile will be described.

[0010] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of projection of an image 31 by a vehicle projection device 1 according to this embodiment mounted on a vehicle 2. As shown in FIG.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view conceptually illustrating the internal structure of the side mirror unit 10. As shown in FIG.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view conceptually illustrating the internal structure of the side mirror unit 10 in the open state.

[0013] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an image 31 projected by the projector 20. As shown in FIG.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a bird's-eye view conceptually illustrating the internal structure of the side mirror unit 10 in the closed state.

[0015] In the following description, "front," "rear," "up," "down," "right," and "left" follow the definitions of "Fr.", "Re.", "To.", "Bo.", "R," and "L" in Figures 1 to 11. "Front" refers to the direction in which the vehicle 2 is traveling, and "rear" refers to the opposite direction to the traveling direction.

[0016] A vehicle projection device 1 (hereinafter referred to as "projection device 1") is disposed, for example, inside a right side mirror unit 10 (exterior vehicle structure, hereinafter referred to as "mirror unit 10") of a vehicle 2. The projection device 1 projects (displays) images onto at least two different areas, for example, an area 3a on a body 3 of the vehicle 2 and an area 4a on a road surface 4. The projection device 1 mainly includes the mirror unit 10, a projector 20, an image generation unit 30, and a reflecting member 40.

[0017] The mirror unit 10 is a rearview mirror disposed on the outside of the vehicle 2. The mirror unit 10 mainly includes a main body 11 and a mirror member 12.

[0018] The main body 11 is a case that serves as the exterior of the mirror unit 10. The main body 11 has an internal space 13 that houses the projector 20, the image generation unit 30, the reflective member 40, and the necessary structure for driving the mirror unit 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 11 has an exit port 14 for emitting display light on the surface facing the road surface 4. The exit port 14 is covered with a transparent member 15 to prevent the interior from being seen and to prevent dust and moisture from entering.

[0019] The mirror unit 10 is in an open state relative to the vehicle 2 and a closed state rotated 90 degrees from the open state, based on the driver's operation, etc. In the open state, the mirror member 12 allows the driver to see what is behind, and in the closed state, the mirror member 12 faces the body 3 of the vehicle 2, preventing the driver from seeing what is behind.

[0020] The projector 20 is a single projector housed in the internal space 13 of the mirror unit 10. The projector 20 emits light related to an image 31 to be displayed on a projection target. The projector 20 has a two-dimensional display area that is set to be approximately horizontal or at a required inclination with respect to the road surface 4, for example.

[0021] The projector 20 is a known projector that includes a light source, an optical system, a display panel, a control circuit, etc. The light source may be disposed inside the mirror unit 10, or may be disposed at a predetermined position on the vehicle 2 outside the mirror unit 10. When disposed at a predetermined position on the vehicle 2, light is transmitted into the mirror unit 10 via an optical fiber.

[0022] The image generation unit 30 is disposed at a predetermined position in the vehicle 2 (in the internal space 13 of the mirror unit 10 in FIG. 2 ), and generates a required image 31 (still image or video) to be projected by the projector 20. The image generation unit 30 is also connected to a vehicle ECU that controls the operation of the vehicle 2, and acquires information about the vehicle 2 from the vehicle ECU. The image generation unit 30 acquires vehicle information obtained from, for example, the lock / lock state of the vehicle 2, the open / close state of the mirror unit 10, and various sensors provided in the vehicle 2.

[0023] 4, the image generation unit 30 generates a road surface image 32 (second image) and a body image 33 (first image) in each of the two divided display areas of the image 31 of the projector 20. As a result, the projector 20 emits light including display lights L1 and L2 related to the road surface image 32 and the body image 33.

[0024] The road surface image 32 is an image drawn on the left side of the image 31 in FIG. 4 (a position closer to the vehicle 2), and is projected onto an area 4a (second area) on the road surface 4 substantially below the mirror unit 10. The road surface image 32 is an image directed to viewers outside the vehicle, and is, for example, displayed in front of the door of the vehicle 2, and is a message such as "Welcome" directed to people about to get into the vehicle 2. The road surface image 32 is displayed, for example, when the door of the vehicle 2 is unlocked.

[0025] The body image 33 is an image drawn on the right side (farther from the vehicle 2) of the image 31 in Fig. 4, and is projected onto an area 3a (first area) on the body 3 of the vehicle 2 substantially to the left of the mirror unit 10. The body image 33 is an image directed to viewers outside the vehicle, and is an image of an idol or character, a video, or the like.

[0026] The image generation unit 30 generates the image 31 so that the display light L2 relating to the body image 33 is projected onto the reflecting member 40 described later, and the display light L1 relating to the road surface image 32 is emitted directly from the emission port 14.

[0027] The reflecting member 40 is fixed to the internal space 13 of the mirror unit 10 so as to be positioned in the emission direction of the projector 20. The reflecting member 40 has an open state mirror 41 (first reflecting member) and a closed state mirror 42 (second reflecting member).

[0028] When the mirror unit 10 is in the open state, the open state mirror 41 reflects display light L2 relating to the body image 33, out of the light emitted from the projector 20, in a direction (first direction) toward the area 3a on the body 3 where the body image 33 is displayed. Specifically, the open state mirror 41 is arranged along the up-down direction (substantially perpendicular to the road surface 4) and along one side (long side 31a) of the image 31 drawn by the projector 20 that extends substantially in the front-rear direction.

[0029] When the mirror unit 10 is in the closed state, the closed state mirror 42 reflects the display light L2 relating to the body image 33, which is part of the light emitted from the projector 20, in a direction (first direction) toward the area 3a on the body 3 where the body image 33 is displayed. Specifically, when the mirror unit 10 is in the open state (FIG. 3), the closed state mirror 42 is arranged along the vertical direction (perpendicular to the road surface 4) and along one side (short side 31b) of the image 31 drawn by the projector 20 that extends in the approximately horizontal direction.

[0030] Furthermore, the reflective member 40 may be integrally formed and arranged so that the open state mirror 41 and the closed state mirror 42 form an L-shape, as described in this embodiment, or may be arranged as separate, separate bodies.

[0031] That is, the projector 20 and the reflective member 40 are designed and arranged in the internal space 13 of the main body 11 so that the body image 33 is projected onto the area 3a on the body 3 and the road image 32 is projected onto the area 4a on the road surface 4. Also, even when the mirror unit 10 is in the closed state, the image generation unit 30 preferably generates the image 31 so that the body image 33 is projected onto the area 3a on the body 3 and the road image 32 is projected onto the area 4a on the road surface 4, just as in the open state.

[0032] Next, the operation of the projection device 1 when projecting the image 31 will be described.

[0033] 4, the image generation unit 30 generates an image 31 including a body image 33 and a road surface image 32. When the mirror unit 10 is in the open state, the image generation unit 30 generates the image 31 such that, of the light emitted from the projector 20, the display light L2 relating to the body image 33 is emitted toward the open state mirror 41 (so as to be reflected by the open state mirror 41), and the display light L1 relating to the road surface image 32 is emitted toward (straight ahead of) the area 4a on the road surface 4.

[0034] The projector 20 draws each image generated by the image generation unit 30 and emits the light via a required optical system. The display light L2 related to the body image 33 is projected onto the open state mirror 41 and reflected toward the area 3a on the body 3. The display light L2 reflected by the open state mirror 41 is emitted from the exit 14 of the mirror unit 10 and projected onto the body 3. The display light L1 related to the road surface image 32 is emitted directly from the exit 14 of the mirror unit 10 and projected onto the area 4a on the road surface 4. The projected body image 33 and road surface image 32 are visible outside the vehicle.

[0035] On the other hand, when the mirror unit 10 is in the closed state, the image generation unit 30 generates the image 31 so that, of the light emitted from the projector 20, the display light L2 relating to the body image 33 is emitted toward the closed state mirror 42 (so as to be reflected by the closed state mirror 42), and the display light L1 relating to the road surface image 32 is emitted toward (straight ahead of) a predetermined area 4a on the road surface 4. Specifically, the image generation unit 30 rotates the image 31 generated when the mirror unit 10 is in the open state by 90 degrees, and generates an image 31 with an adjusted aspect ratio. The projector 20 renders the generated image 31 and emits its light.

[0036] The display light L2 relating to the body image 33 is projected onto the closed state mirror 42 and reflected in the direction of the area 3a on the body 3. The display light L2 reflected by the closed state mirror 42 is emitted from the exit 14 of the mirror unit 10 and projected onto the body 3. The display light L1 relating to the road surface image 32 is emitted directly from the exit 14 of the mirror unit 10 and projected onto the area 4a on the road surface 4. The projected body image 33 and road surface image 32 are visible outside the vehicle. Note that the area 3a on the body 3 where the body image 33 is displayed in the closed state may be the same as or different from the area 3a when the mirror unit 10 is in the open state. The same is true for the area 4a on the road surface 4 where the road surface image 32 is displayed.

[0037] The projection device 1 in the present embodiment described above has a reflecting member 40 disposed in the emission direction of the projector 20. This allows the projection device 1 to project an image 31 onto two areas 3a and 4a using light emitted from a single projector 20. Therefore, the projection device 1 can display a large amount of information with a small number of parts, improving the efficiency of information display.

[0038] Furthermore, since the projection device 1 has a mirror 41 for an open state and a mirror 42 for a closed state as the reflective member 40, it is possible to project the same image with a single projector 20 regardless of the open or closed state of the mirror, without having to have a complex mechanism such as a mechanism for rotating the projector 20.

[0039] Furthermore, even when the location for installing the projector 20 is limited outside the vehicle, by utilizing the mirror unit 10, which is an example of an exterior vehicle structure, the projection device 1 can be suitably installed without providing any new components to the vehicle 2.

[0040] The above-described projection device 1 projects an image at two locations using one projector 20, but by increasing the number of reflection directions by the reflecting member 40, an image may be projected at three or more locations.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view conceptually illustrating the internal structure of a mirror unit 10 of a projection device 101 as a modified example.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a bird's-eye view conceptually illustrating the internal structure of the mirror unit 10 in the open state of a projection device 101 as a modified example.

[0043] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an image 131 projected by the projector 20 of the projection device 101 as a modified example.

[0044] The projection device 101 as a modified example differs from the projection device 1 described above in that the image generation unit 30 divides the display area of ​​the image 131 into four parts and generates a mirror member image 134 and a main body image 135 in addition to a body image 33 and a road surface image 32, and that the reflective member 140 further includes a mirror member mirror 144 and a main body mirror 145. The same reference numerals are used for components and parts corresponding to those of the projection device 101 described above, and redundant description will be omitted. Furthermore, in the description of the projection device 101 as a modified example, only the components required when the mirror unit 10 is in the open state will be described, and a description of the closed state mirror 42, which is a component required when the mirror unit 10 is in the closed state, will be omitted. However, like the projection device 1 described above, the projection device 101 includes the closed state mirror 42 described above, so that the body image 33 can be displayed even when the mirror unit 10 is in the closed state.

[0045] 8, the image generation unit 30 generates a road surface image 32, a body image 33, a mirror member image 134 (third image), and a main body image 135 (third image) in each of the four-divided display areas of the image 131 of the projector 20. As a result, the projector 20 emits light including display lights L1, L2, L3, and L4 related to the road surface image 32, the body image 33, the mirror member image 134, and the main body image 135.

[0046] The road surface image 32 is an image generated on the left rear side (position closer to the vehicle 2) of the image 131 in Fig. 8. The body image 33 is an image generated on the right rear side (position farther from the vehicle 2) of the image 131 in Fig. 8.

[0047] The mirror member image 134 is an image drawn in the left front (position closer to the vehicle 2) of the image 131 in FIG. 8. The mirror member image 134 is an image projected onto an area 12a (third area) on the mirror member 12 of the mirror unit 10, as shown in FIG. 9. The mirror member image 134 is displayed, for example, on the right side of the mirror member 12, and is information or the like that draws attention of a viewer such as the driver of the vehicle 2. The mirror member image 134 is an image that draws the driver's attention, for example, to the presence of an overtaking vehicle or to the approach of another vehicle when backing into a parking space.

[0048] The main body image 135 is an image drawn in the image 131 on the right front side (a position farther from the vehicle 2) in Fig. 8. The main body image 135 is an image projected onto an area 11a (third area) on the main body 11 of the mirror unit 10, as shown in Fig. 10. The main body image 135 is displayed, for example, in the upper right corner of the main body 11, is visible to a viewer positioned outside the front of the vehicle, and is a design consisting of, for example, a floral pattern that decorates the main body 11.

[0049] The image generating unit 30 generates the image 131 so that the display light L2, L3, and L4 relating to the body image 33, the mirror member image 134, and the main body image 135 are projected onto the reflecting member 140 described later, and the display light L1 relating to the road surface image 32 is emitted directly from the emission port 14.

[0050] The mirror member 12 is a half mirror that reflects light on the outer surface of the mirror unit 10 and transmits light on the inner surface. The mirror member 12 has a diffusion layer or the like on the inner surface to diffuse the display light L3 related to the mirror member image 134 so that the viewer can view it. The main body 11 also has a transmissive screen or transmissive resin that transmits the display light L4 related to the main body image 135.

[0051] The reflecting member 140 has an open state mirror 41, a mirror member mirror 144, and a main body mirror 145. Like the open state mirror 41, the mirror member mirror 144 and the main body mirror 145 are fixed in the internal space 13 of the mirror unit 10 so as to be positioned in the emission direction of the projector 20.

[0052] The mirror member mirror 144 reflects the display light L3 relating to the mirror member image 134, which is part of the light emitted from the projector 20, in a direction (second direction) toward the area 12a (third area) where the mirror member image 134 is displayed on the mirror member 12. Specifically, the mirror member mirror 144 has a required inclination in the vertical direction, and is disposed along one side (short side 131b) of the image 31 drawn by the projector 20, which extends substantially in the horizontal direction.

[0053] The main body mirror 145 reflects display light L4 relating to the main body image 135, out of the light emitted from the projector 20, in a direction (second direction) toward the area 11a (third area) on the main body 11 where the main body image 135 is displayed. Specifically, the main body mirror 145 has a required inclination in the front-to-rear direction, and, like the open state mirror 41, is arranged so as to follow one side (long side 131a) of the image 31 drawn by the projector 20 that extends substantially in the front-to-rear direction.

[0054] The projection device 101 having such a configuration as a modified example projects the image 131 as follows.

[0055] 8, the image generation unit 30 generates an image 131 including a body image 33, a road surface image 32, a mirror member image 134, and a main body image 135. The image generation unit 30 generates the image 131 such that, of the light emitted from the projector 20, the display light L2 related to the body image 33 is emitted toward the open state mirror 41, and the display light L1 related to the road surface image 32 is emitted toward (straight ahead of) a predetermined area 4a on the road surface 4. The image generation unit 30 also generates the image 131 such that the display light L3 related to the mirror member image 134 is emitted toward the mirror member mirror 144 (so as to be reflected by the mirror member mirror 144), and the display light L4 related to the main body image 135 is emitted toward the main body mirror 145 (so as to be reflected by the main body mirror 145).

[0056] The projector 20 draws each image generated by the image generation unit 30, and the light is emitted via a required optical system. The display light L2 related to the body image 33 is projected onto the open state mirror 41 and reflected toward the area 3a on the body 3. The display light L2 reflected by the open state mirror 41 is emitted from the exit 14 of the mirror unit 10 and projected onto the body 3. The display light L2 related to the road surface image 32 is emitted directly from the exit 14 of the mirror unit 10 and projected onto the area 4a on the road surface 4. The projected body image 33 and road surface image 32 are visible outside the vehicle.

[0057] The display light L3 related to the mirror member image 134 is projected onto the mirror member mirror 144 and reflected in the direction of the area 12a on the mirror member 12. The display light L3 reflected by the mirror member mirror 144 is projected onto the mirror member 12 as shown in FIG. 9 and is visible to the driver. The display light L4 related to the main body image 135 is projected onto the main body mirror 145 and reflected in the direction of the area 11a on the main body 11. The display light L4 reflected by the main body mirror 145 is projected onto the main body 11 as shown in FIG. 10 and is visible to a viewer outside the vehicle. The mirror member image 134 is reflected and displayed by the mirror member mirror 144 only when the mirror unit 10 is in the open state, and is not displayed when the mirror unit 10 is in the closed state. The main body image 135 is reflected and displayed by the main body mirror 145 whether the mirror unit 10 is in the open state or the closed state.

[0058] In the projection device 101 as such a modified example, the reflective member 140 can reflect light in multiple reflection directions, so that light emitted from one projector 20 can be projected to multiple locations. Therefore, the projection device 101 can improve the efficiency of displaying information.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 11, the reflecting member 140 may be arranged such that the open state mirror 41, the mirror member mirror 144, and the main body mirror 145 are integrally formed.

[0060] Although several embodiments of the present invention 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 scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0061] For example, the projection device may be formed inside other exterior structures of the vehicle, such as the grille, bumper, etc. The above-mentioned projection locations are only examples, and the reflective member may have a desired reflection direction, so that projection onto multiple locations on the body may be possible, or projection onto the main body may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1, 101 Vehicle projection device (projection device) 2 vehicles 3. Body 4 Road surface 10 Side mirror unit (mirror unit) (exterior structure) 11 Main unit 12 Mirror material 13 Interior Space 14 Exit 15 Transparent member 20 Projectors 30 Image generation unit 31, 131 images 31a, 131a long side 31b, 131b short side 32 Road surface images 33 Body Images 40, 140 Reflective member 41 Open state mirror 42 Closed mirror 134 Mirror component images 135 Main Image 144 Mirror for mirror components 145 Body Mirror L1, L2, L3, L4 display light

Claims

1. a projector that emits light including display light related to a first image and a second image; a reflecting member that reflects the display light related to the first image in a first direction; an exterior structure disposed on the exterior of the vehicle, accommodating the projector and the reflecting member, and having an exit port for emitting the light; the display light relating to the first image is reflected by the reflecting member and then emitted from the emission port to be projected onto a first area; The display light relating to the second image is emitted as is from the emission port and projected onto a second area different from the first area.

2. 2. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1, wherein the first area is an area on a body of the vehicle, and the second area is an area on a road surface.

3. the light includes display light related to a third image; the reflecting member further reflects the display light related to the third image in a second direction different from the first direction, 2. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1, wherein the display light relating to the third image is reflected by the reflecting member and then emitted from the emission port to be projected onto a third area different from the first area and the second area.

4. 4. The projection device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the first area is an area on a body of the vehicle, the second area is an area on a road surface, and the third area is an area on an exterior structure of the vehicle.

5. 2. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle exterior structure is a side mirror unit.

6. further comprising an image generating unit that generates the first image and the second image; the side mirror unit has an open state and a closed state relative to the vehicle, The reflecting member is a first reflecting member that reflects the display light related to the first image in the first direction in the open state; a second reflecting member that reflects the display light related to the first image in the first direction in the closed state, 6. The vehicle projection device according to claim 5, wherein the image generation unit generates the first image and the second image such that in the open state, the first reflecting member reflects the display light related to the first image, and in the closed state, the second reflecting member reflects the display light related to the first image.

Images