Image Projection Device

Abstract

Provided is an image projection device that can suppress deterioration of virtual image display due to stray light even when backlight light is irradiated from a plurality of light sources. [Solution] An image projection device having a first light-emitting element (12a) that irradiates a first light, a second light-emitting element (12b) that irradiates a second light, a substrate portion (11a, 11b) on whose surface the first light-emitting element (12a) and the second light-emitting element (12b) are mounted, a first lens portion (13a) that refracts the first light, a second lens portion (13b) that refracts the second light, and a light-shielding portion (14) arranged between the first lens portion (13a) and the second lens portion (13b), wherein the light-shielding portion (14) is provided from at least the back side of the substrate portion (11a, 11b) relative to the surface of the substrate portion (11a, 11b) to the light-exiting surface side of the light-incident surfaces of the first lens portion (13a) and the second lens portion (13b).

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, dashboards that illuminate icons have been used to display various types of information inside vehicles. As the amount of information to be displayed increases, it has been proposed to embed an image display device in the dashboard or to configure the entire dashboard with an image display device.

[0003] However, because the instrument panel is located below the vehicle's windshield, passengers such as the driver must undesirably move their eyes downward while driving to view the information displayed on the instrument panel. Therefore, image projection devices such as head-up displays (hereinafter referred to as HUDs) have been proposed that project images onto the windshield so that passengers can read information when they view the area ahead of the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] In the image projection devices of Patent Documents 1 and 2, an image projection unit emits light containing an image, and the light is reflected by a free-form mirror or the like, and the light reaches the viewpoint of the passenger so that the image is formed in space via a display unit such as a windshield. This allows the passenger to perceive the image as being displayed at the imaging position in the depth direction due to the light incident on the viewpoint. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-119248 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-119262 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Another proposal has been to project multiple image lights onto the image display at different distances from the windshield. In such an image projection device that projects multiple virtual images, the image projection unit projects backlight light from multiple light sources onto different display areas of the image display unit. From the perspective of miniaturizing the image projection unit and dissipating heat, it is preferable to arrange the multiple light sources closely together. However, with multiple light sources arranged closely together, stray light occurs, where the irradiated backlight light reaches areas of the image display unit that should not be illuminated, degrading the display quality of the virtual images.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been developed in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide an image projection device that can suppress deterioration of virtual image display due to stray light even when backlight light is irradiated from multiple light sources. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the image projection device of the present invention comprises a first light-emitting element that irradiates a first light, a second light-emitting element that irradiates a second light, a substrate unit on whose surface the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element are mounted, a first lens unit that refracts the first light, a second lens unit that refracts the second light, and a shading unit arranged between the first lens unit and the second lens unit, and is characterized in that the shading unit is provided from at least the back side of the surface of the substrate unit to the light exit surface side of the light entrance surfaces of the first lens unit and the second lens unit.

[0009] In the image projection device of the present invention, the shading portion is provided from at least the back side of the substrate portion relative to the front surface to the light exit surface side of the first lens portion and the second lens portion relative to the light entrance surface, so that even when backlight light is irradiated from multiple light-emitting elements, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the virtual image display due to stray light.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the substrate portion is provided with a substrate slit portion that penetrates from the front surface to the back surface, and at least a portion of the light-shielding portion is inserted into the substrate slit portion.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, a heat sink is provided on the rear surface side of the substrate portion, and the light blocking portion is provided on the heat sink.

[0012] In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, a heat sink is provided on the back side of the substrate portion, and a recess is formed in the heat sink at a position corresponding to the substrate slit portion, and at least a portion of the light-shielding portion is inserted into the recess.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first lens portion and the second lens portion have a plurality of refractive portions, and the light-shielding portion has a protruding portion that fits between at least some of the adjacent refractive portions in a planar view.

[0014] In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, the light-shielding portion is inserted into a lens slit portion provided between the first lens portion and the second lens portion, and the width of the protrusion portion is larger than the width of the light-shielding portion in the lens slit portion.

[0015] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, the image projection device of the present invention comprises a first light-emitting element that irradiates a first light, a second light-emitting element that irradiates a second light, a substrate portion on whose surface the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element are mounted, a first lens portion that refracts the first light, a second lens portion that refracts the second light, and a light-shielding shading portion arranged between the first lens portion and the second lens portion, wherein the first lens portion and the second lens portion have a plurality of refracting portions, and the shading portion has a protruding portion that fits between at least a portion of the plurality of adjacent refracting portions in a planar view.

[0016] In the image projection device of the present invention, the shading portion has a protrusion portion that fits between at least a portion of multiple adjacent refraction portions when viewed in a plane, so that even when backlight light is irradiated from multiple light-emitting elements, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the virtual image display due to stray light.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, a single image display unit is provided, and the first light is irradiated onto a first region of the image display unit, and the second light is irradiated onto a second region of the image display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The present invention can provide an image projection device that can suppress deterioration of virtual image display due to stray light even when backlight is emitted from a plurality of light sources. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating projection of a virtual image using the image projection device 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an overview of the image projection unit 10 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an overview of an image projection unit 10 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an overview of an image projection unit 10 according to a third embodiment. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating an overview of an image projection unit 10 according to a fourth embodiment, with FIG. 5A showing a schematic cross-sectional view and FIG. 5B showing a schematic plan view. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an overview of an image projection unit 10 according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an overview of an image projection unit 10 according to a sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] (First embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted where appropriate. In the following description, an image projection device 100 according to the present invention will be described, exemplarily, as applied to a HUD mounted on a vehicle or the like. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the projection of virtual images P1 and P2 using the image projection device 100 according to this embodiment. The dashed line in FIG. 1 indicates the optical path of a first image light L1 (described later), and the dashed-dotted line indicates the optical path of a second image light L2. As shown in FIG. 1, the first image light L1 and the second image light L2 projected from the image projection device 100 are reflected by a windshield (display unit) WS and irradiated toward the driver's viewpoint. The driver visually recognizes the virtual images P1 and P2 formed on the extension of the optical paths of the first image light L1 and the second image light L2. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the image projection device 100 projects the first image light L1 and the second image light L2 to form two images P1 and P2, but the number of virtual images P1 and P2 is not limited.

[0021] The windshield WS is a part provided in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle that transmits visible light. The windshield WS, on the inside surface of the vehicle, reflects the first image light L1 and the second image light L2 incident from the image projection device 100 toward the viewpoint and transmits light from outside the vehicle toward the viewpoint, and therefore corresponds to the display unit of the present invention. While an example in which the windshield WS is used as the display unit is shown here, a combiner may be provided as a display unit separate from the windshield WS and reflect light from the image projection device 100 toward the viewpoint. Furthermore, the display unit is not limited to being located at the front of the vehicle, and may be located to the side or rear as long as it projects an image toward the viewpoint of the passenger.

[0022] The virtual images P1 and P2 are images that are displayed as if they were formed in space when the first image light L1 and the second image light L2 reflected by the windshield WS reach the viewpoint (eyebox) of the passenger. The positions at which the virtual images P1 and P2 are formed depend on the combined focal length of the projection optical unit included in the image projection device 100 and the windshield WS.

[0023] In the image projection device 100 of this embodiment, a far image displayed in the far display area of ​​the image projection unit 10 is irradiated as a first image light L1, and a near image displayed in the near display area is irradiated as a second image light L2. Examples of far images displayed in the far display area include images calling attention to the driver's attention and auxiliary information related to driving, such as emergency information. Examples of near images displayed in the near display area include speed and volume indicators, driving direction guides, etc.

[0024] 1, the image projection device 100 includes an image projection unit 10, a first mirror 20, a second mirror 30, and a housing 40. In the image projection device 100, each unit is controlled using a control unit (not shown) that is connected to each unit so as to be able to communicate information with the unit. The configuration of the control unit is not limited, but examples include a control unit that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for information processing, a memory device, a recording medium, an information communication device, etc. The control unit controls the operation of each unit in accordance with a predetermined program, and sends information including an image (image information) to the image projection unit 10.

[0025] The image projection unit 10 is a part that projects light containing an image onto the first mirror 20 as image light based on image information from the control unit. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which two image lights displayed in two image display areas are projected onto the first mirror 20 as first image light L1 and second image light L2. Details of the image projection unit 10 will be described later.

[0026] The first mirror 20 is an optical member that reflects the first image light L1 and the second image light L2 arriving from the image irradiation unit 10 toward the second mirror 30. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the first mirror 20 is a flat reflecting mirror, but a concave or convex reflecting mirror may also be used. Furthermore, when the first mirror 20 is configured with a curved surface, it is not limited to one with a constant curvature, and a paraboloid of revolution, an ellipsoid, a free-form surface mirror, etc. may be used.

[0027] The second mirror 30 is an optical member that reflects the first image light L1 and the second image light L2 that arrive from the first mirror 20 toward the windshield WS. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the second mirror 30 is a free-form mirror with an optically designed concave shape necessary for projecting the first image light L1 and the second image light L2 as virtual images P1 and P2.

[0028] The reflective surfaces of the first mirror 20 and the second mirror 30 are designed to expand the light diameter in the driver's line of sight in order to project the first image light L1 and the second image light L2 as virtual images P1 and P2 through the windshield WS. Here, "expanding the light diameter in the line of sight" refers not only to the case where the light diameter expands consistently after reflection, but also to the case where the light diameter shrinks and then expands after forming an image at an intermediate point. The combination of the first mirror 20 and the second mirror 30 has the function of projecting the first image light L1 and the second image light L2 through the windshield WS and corresponds to the illumination optical unit in this invention.

[0029] 1, the optical paths of the first image light L1 and the second image light L2 are depicted as a single straight line. However, the actual first image light L1 and the second image light L2 are displayed in a predetermined area in the image projection unit 10, and have a predetermined area in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction. Furthermore, the first image light L1 and the second image light L2 may be reflected by the first mirror 20, and their light diameters may be reduced as they travel, and may be intermediately imaged at an intermediate image position F (not shown) between the first mirror 20 and the second mirror 30.

[0030] The housing 40 constitutes the outer shape of the image projection device 100 and is a container that houses each component. The housing 40 is provided with a light exit port for emitting the first image light L1 and the second image light L2. An angle adjustment unit for adjusting the angle of the second mirror 30 may be provided within the housing 40 to adjust the irradiation angle of the first image light L1 and the second image light L2 projected onto the windshield WS and change the imaging height of the virtual images P1 and P2. The housing 40 may also be provided with an optical filter that cuts out ultraviolet light and infrared light contained in light (external light) arriving from the outside.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an overview of the image projection unit 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the image projection unit 10 according to this embodiment includes substrate units 11a and 11b, light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, lens units 13a and 13b, an upper light-shielding unit 14, an image display unit 15, and a heat sink 16. The lens units 13a and 13b each include flange units 13a1 and 13b1 and refractive units 13a2 and 13b2, respectively.

[0032] The substrate portions 11a and 11b are substantially plate-shaped members on which the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b are mounted and held, respectively. A substrate slit portion 11c is provided between the substrate portions 11a and 11b, penetrating from the front surface to the back surface and separating the substrate portions 11a and 11b. The substrate portions 11a and 11b may each be formed from a separate plate-shaped member, with the substrate slit portion 11c being between the two plate-shaped members, or the substrate slit portion 11c may be provided in a single plate-shaped member.

[0033] Although not shown in Fig. 2, wiring patterns are formed on the surfaces of the substrates 11a and 11b, and a plurality of light-emitting elements 12a and 12b are electrically connected to the wiring patterns. Furthermore, a drive circuit that supplies current to the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b to drive and control light emission may be formed on the substrates 11a and 11b. Furthermore, a control unit that controls each component of the image projection device 100 may be mounted on the substrates 11a and 11b.

[0034] The light-emitting elements 12a and 12b are members that irradiate the image display unit 15 with backlight via the lens units 13a and 13b. The light-emitting elements 12a and 12b are, for example, semiconductor light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), and are arranged in a predetermined direction (the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 2). The light-emitting elements 12a and 12b may be white, for example, although there are no particular limitations on the color of light emitted. In this embodiment, the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b are arranged in two rows, but may be arranged in three or more rows. The light-emitting elements 12a and 12b are not limited to LEDs and may be semiconductor lasers, organic EL (Electro Luminescence) elements, or the like.

[0035] The lens portions 13a and 13b are optical components arranged in the light emission direction of the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, and have the function of condensing backlight emitted from the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b and emitting it as, for example, parallel light or light close to parallel light (hereinafter, both of these will be collectively referred to as "substantially parallel light"). The lens portions 13a and 13b extend along the arrangement direction of the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b. In this embodiment, as an example of the lens portions 13a and 13b, a structure having flat flange portions 13a1 and 13b1 and bullet-shaped refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2 formed corresponding to the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b is shown. The shape of the lens portions 13a and 13b is not limited, and the refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2 may be extended in the arrangement direction of the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b. Alternatively, a TIR (Total Internal Reflection) lens may be used, which has refracting portions 13a2 and 13b2 at the center for refracting light and reflective portions for reflecting light on both sides of the refracting portions 13a2 and 13b2. Alternatively, a configuration in which the lens portions 13a and 13b are combined with a reflector may be adopted, as long as the light from the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b can be made into substantially parallel light.

[0036] The flange portions 13a1 and 13b1 are flat plate-like portions provided on the light incident surface side of the lens portions 13a and 13b. The flange portions 13a1 and 13b1 connect the plurality of refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2, thereby enabling the lens portions 13a and 13b to form a lens array having the plurality of refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2. Furthermore, a lens slit portion 13c is provided between the flange portions 13a1 and 13b1, penetrating from the light incident surface side to the light exit surface side and separating the flange portions 13a1 and 13b1. The flange portions 13a1 and 13b1 may each be formed of a separate plate-like member, with the lens slit portion 13c being between the two plate-like members, or the lens slit portion 13c may be provided on a single plate-like member.

[0037] The refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2 are provided on the light-emitting surface sides of the flange portions 13a1 and 13b1, and are portions that refract the backlight emitted from the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, respectively, and irradiate the backlight with a desired light distribution onto the image display unit 15. In FIG. 2, the refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2 are shown to have a hemispherical shape, but they may also be bullet-shaped, Fresnel lenses, or the like. Furthermore, the refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2 may be provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, or may be provided extending in the arrangement direction of the plurality of light-emitting elements 12a and 12b (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2).

[0038] Upper light-shielding portion 14 is formed by extending from image display portion 15 toward substrate portions 11a and 11b, and is a portion that blocks backlight emitted from light-emitting elements 12a and 12b. Upper light-shielding portion 14 is provided by extending in the arrangement direction of multiple light-emitting elements 12a and 12b (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). In this embodiment, upper light-shielding portion 14 corresponds to the light-shielding portion in the present invention.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper light-shielding portion 14 is inserted into the lens slit portion 13c. The tip of the upper light-shielding portion 14 is inserted into the substrate slit portion 11c and extends to a position facing the heat sink 16. That is, the upper light-shielding portion 14 extends from at least above the upper surfaces of the flange portions 13a1 and 13b1 to below the surfaces of the substrate portions 11a and 11b. In other words, the upper light-shielding portion 14 is provided from at least the back side of the surfaces of the substrate portions 11a and 11b to the light-exiting surface side of the light-incident surfaces of the lens portions 13a and 13b. Therefore, the upper light-shielding portion 14 separates the side where the substrate portion 11a, the light-emitting element 12a, the lens portion 13a, and the first region 15a are arranged from the side where the substrate portion 11b, the light-emitting element 12b, the lens portion 13b, and the second region 15b are arranged.

[0040] 2 shows an example in which a gap is provided between the upper light-shielding portion 14 and the heat sink 16, but the upper light-shielding portion 14 may be formed so that its tip extends until it contacts the heat sink 16. The material and shape of the upper light-shielding portion 14 are not limited as long as it is made of a material that blocks visible light. Furthermore, the upper light-shielding portion 14 may be formed integrally with a support member (not shown) that supports the image display unit 15, or may be formed separately from the support member.

[0041] The image display unit 15 functions as a spatial light modulation unit that receives backlight emitted from the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b from the rear surface and emits light modulated by image information from the emission surface. The specific configuration of the image display unit 15 is not limited, but one example is a transmissive liquid crystal display device that transmits light incident from the rear surface and emits it from the front surface. The image display unit 15 also has a first region 15a that is irradiated with backlight from the light-emitting element 12a and a second region 15b that is irradiated with backlight from the light-emitting element 12b.

[0042] The first region 15a and the second region 15b are partial regions within the entire display region of the image display unit 15 that display a first image and a second image, respectively. The contents of the first image and the second image may be the same or different. As an example, the first region 15a may be used as a far display region to display a far image, and the second region 15b may be used as a near display region to display a near image. Note that while FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a holding member between the lower surface of the image display unit 15 and the upper light-shielding portion 14, no holding member is provided in the first region 15a and the second region 15b, which are irradiated with backlight from the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, and the backlight reaches the image display unit 15.

[0043] The heat sink 16 is disposed in contact with the rear surfaces of the substrate portions 11a and 11b and serves to dissipate heat generated by the light emission of the light emitting elements 12a and 12b. The material and shape of the heat sink 16 are not limited, and various types of heat sinks that have been proposed in the past can be used. The heat sink 16 may also be provided with a plurality of heat dissipation fins.

[0044] In the above-described image projection device 100, backlight emitted from light-emitting elements 12a and 12b enters flange portions 13a1 and 13b1 of lens portions 13a and 13b, respectively, is refracted by refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2, and is then emitted onto the back surface of image display unit 15. As a result, a first image displayed in first region 15a of image display unit 15 is illuminated by backlight emitted from light-emitting element 12a and is emitted from image projection unit 10 as first image light L1. Meanwhile, a second image displayed in second region 15b of image display unit 15 is illuminated by backlight emitted from light-emitting element 12b and is emitted from image projection unit 10 as second image light L2.

[0045] As described above, the space through which backlight from light-emitting element 12a reaches first region 15a and the space through which backlight from light-emitting element 12b reaches second region 15b are separated by upper light-shielding portion 14. This makes it possible to suppress stray light caused by backlight from light-emitting element 12a reaching second region 15b and stray light caused by backlight from light-emitting element 12b reaching first region 15a.

[0046] Additionally, upper light-shielding portion 14 is inserted into lens slit portion 13c and substrate slit portion 11c, and its tip reaches below the surfaces of substrate portions 11a and 11b within substrate slit portion 11c. This allows upper light-shielding portion 14 to reliably block light emitted laterally from light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, further suppressing stray light.

[0047] As described above, in the image projection device 100 of this embodiment, the upper shading portion 14 is provided at least from the back side of the front surface of the substrate portions 11a, 11b to the light exit surface side of the light entrance surface of the lens portions 13a, 13b, so that even if backlight light is irradiated from multiple light-emitting elements 12a, 12b, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the virtual image display due to stray light.

[0048] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Description of content that overlaps with the first embodiment will be omitted. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a heat sink 16 is provided with a heat sink light-shielding portion 16a. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an overview of an image projection unit 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the image projection unit 10 of this embodiment includes substrate portions 11a and 11b, light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, lens portions 13a and 13b, an upper light-shielding portion 14, an image display unit 15, and a heat sink 16. In addition, the heat sink 16 is provided with a heat sink light-shielding portion 16a.

[0049] The heat sink light-shielding portion 16a is formed by extending from the surface of the heat sink 16 on which the substrate portions 11a and 11b are mounted toward the image display portion 15, and is a portion that blocks backlight emitted from the light emitting elements 12a and 12b. The heat sink light-shielding portion 16a is provided by extending in the arrangement direction of the plurality of light emitting elements 12a and 12b. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper light-shielding portion 14 is formed by extending from the image display portion 15 to the upper end of the heat sink light-shielding portion 16a. In this embodiment, the heat sink light-shielding portion 16a corresponds to the light-shielding portion in the present invention.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the heat sink light-shielding portion 16a is inserted into the substrate slit portion 11c and the lens slit portion 13c. The tip of the heat sink light-shielding portion 16a extends upward at least above the upper surfaces of the flange portions 13a1 and 13b1. In other words, the heat sink light-shielding portion 16a extends from the rear side of the substrate portions 11a and 11b to the light exit side of the lens portions 13a and 13b. Therefore, the heat sink light-shielding portion 16a separates the side where the substrate portion 11a, the light-emitting element 12a, and the flange portion 13a1 are located from the side where the substrate portion 11b, the light-emitting element 12b, and the flange portion 13b1 are located. The upper light-shielding portion 14 separates the side where the refraction portion 13a2 and the first region 15a are located from the side where the refraction portion 13b2 and the second region 15b are located.

[0051] As described above, the space through which backlight from light-emitting element 12a reaches first region 15a and the space through which backlight from light-emitting element 12b reaches second region 15b are separated by upper light-shielding portion 14 and heat sink light-shielding portion 16a. This makes it possible to suppress stray light caused by backlight from light-emitting element 12a reaching second region 15b and stray light caused by backlight from light-emitting element 12b reaching first region 15a.

[0052] The heat sink light-shielding portion 16a is inserted into the lens slit portion 13c and the substrate slit portion 11c, and extends from inside the substrate slit portion 11c below the surfaces of the substrate portions 11a and 11b. This allows the heat sink light-shielding portion 16a to reliably block light emitted laterally from the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, further suppressing stray light.

[0053] As described above, in the image projection device 100 of this embodiment, the heat sink shading portion 16a is provided from at least the back side of the front surface of the substrate portions 11a, 11b to the light exit surface side of the light entrance surface of the lens portions 13a, 13b, so that even if backlight light is irradiated from multiple light-emitting elements 12a, 12b, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the virtual image display due to stray light.

[0054] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Description of content overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that recesses 11d are formed on the surfaces of substrate portions 11a and 11b instead of substrate slit portions 11c. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an overview of an image projection unit 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the image projection unit 10 of this embodiment includes substrate portions 11a and 11b, light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, lens portions 13a and 13b, an upper light-shielding portion 14, an image display unit 15, and a heat sink 16. Recesses 11d are formed in the substrate portions 11a and 11b.

[0055] The recess 11d is a groove formed with a predetermined width and depth on the surfaces of the substrate portions 11a and 11b. The heat sink light shielding portion 16a is provided at a position corresponding to the upper light shielding portion 14, extending in the arrangement direction of the plurality of light emitting elements 12a and 12b. The width of the recess 11d may be any width that allows the tip of the upper light shielding portion 14 to be inserted therein. The depth of the recess 11d may be any depth that allows the tip of the upper light shielding portion 14 to be positioned on the back surface side (lower) than the surfaces of the substrate portions 11a and 11b.

[0056] Additionally, upper light-shielding portion 14 is inserted into lens slit portion 13c, and its tip is inserted into recess 11d, reaching below the surfaces of substrate portions 11a and 11b, thereby ensuring that upper light-shielding portion 14 can also block light emitted laterally from light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, further suppressing stray light.

[0057] As described above, in the image projection device 100 of this embodiment, the upper shading portion 14 is provided at least from the back side of the surface of the substrate portions 11a, 11b to the light exit surface side of the light entrance surface of the lens portions 13a, 13b, so that even when backlight light is irradiated from multiple light-emitting elements 12a, 12b, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the virtual image display due to stray light.

[0058] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. Details overlapping with those of the first embodiment will not be described. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the upper light-shielding portion 14 is wider and includes a protruding portion 14a that intersects at least some of the adjacent refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2 in a plan view. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of an image projection unit 10 according to this embodiment, with FIG. 5(a) showing a schematic cross-sectional view and FIG. 5(b) showing a schematic plan view. As shown in FIG. 5, the image projection unit 10 of this embodiment includes substrate portions 11a and 11b, light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, lens portions 13a and 13b, an upper light-shielding portion 14, an image display unit 15, and a heat sink 16. Furthermore, substrate portions 11a and 11b are provided with substrate slit portions 11c.

[0059] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), in this embodiment, the upper light-shielding portion 14, the lens slit portion 13c, and the substrate slit portion 11c are formed with wide widths. As shown in Figure 5(b), the lens slit portion 13c is formed up to a position close to a position along the outer shapes of the multiple refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2. Here, an example is shown in which the flange portions 13a1 and 13b1 are not present between the lens slit portion 13c and the refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2, but the flange portions 13a1 and 13b1 may remain along the outer shapes of the refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2.

[0060] In addition, in a plan view, the side surface of the upper light-shielding portion 14 has a shape corresponding to the lens slit portion 13c, and has protruding portions 14a that fit between adjacent refraction portions 13a2 and between adjacent refraction portions 13b2. In the example shown in FIG. 5(b), the refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2 are each circular in a plan view, and the outer shape of the lens slit portion 13c is a continuous arc. Therefore, the side surface of the upper light-shielding portion 14 also has a continuous arc shape, and the connecting portions of the arcs form protruding portions 14a, and the protruding portions 14a even fit between the circumferences of the refraction portions 13a2 and 13b2.

[0061] In addition, the substrate slit portion 11c also has a shape corresponding to the upper light-shielding portion 14 when viewed in a plane, and the tip of the upper light-shielding portion 14 is inserted into the substrate slit portion 11c and extends to a position opposite the heat sink 16.

[0062] The upper light-shielding portion 14 has a protruding portion 14a that extends between the plurality of bending portions 13a2, 13b2, thereby suppressing stray light entering from the end faces of the flange portions 13a1, 13b1. The upper light-shielding portion 14 is also inserted into the lens slit portion 13c and the substrate slit portion 11c, and its tip reaches below the surfaces of the substrate portions 11a, 11b within the substrate slit portion 11c. This allows the upper light-shielding portion 14 to reliably block light emitted laterally from the light-emitting elements 12a, 12b, further suppressing stray light.

[0063] As described above, in the image projection device 100 of this embodiment, the upper shading portion 14 is provided at least from the back side of the front surface of the substrate portions 11a, 11b to the light exit surface side of the light entrance surface of the lens portions 13a, 13b, so that even if backlight light is irradiated from multiple light-emitting elements 12a, 12b, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the virtual image display due to stray light.

[0064] (Fifth embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Details overlapping with those of the first embodiment will not be described. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes an upper light-shielding portion 14 and a lower light-shielding portion 17, and a recess 16b is provided in the heat sink 16. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an overview of the image projection unit 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the image projection unit 10 of this embodiment includes substrate portions 11a and 11b, light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, lens portions 13a and 13b, an upper light-shielding portion 14, an image display portion 15, a heat sink 16, and a lower light-shielding portion 17. Furthermore, substrate portions 11a and 11b are provided with substrate slit portions 11c. Furthermore, a recess 16b is provided in the heat sink 16. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper light-shielding portion 14 is formed extending from the image display portion 15 to the upper surface of the top portion 17b.

[0065] The recess 16b is a recessed shape provided on the surface of the heat sink 16 on which the substrate portions 11a and 11b are mounted. As will be described later, the recess 16b is provided at a position corresponding to the substrate slit portion 11c and the tip portion 17d of the lower light shielding portion 17, extending in the arrangement direction of the plurality of light-emitting elements 12a and 12b. The width of the recess 16b is large on the top surface side and small on the bottom surface side, and it is preferable that the side surfaces are inclined in accordance with the shape of the tip portion 17d of the lower light shielding portion 17.

[0066] The lower light-shielding portion 17 is formed by extending from the light-emitting surface side of the lens portions 13a and 13b toward the substrate portions 11a and 11b, and is a portion that blocks backlight emitted from the light-emitting elements 12a and 12b. The lower light-shielding portion 17 is provided by extending in the arrangement direction of the plurality of light-emitting elements 12a and 12b. In this embodiment, the lower light-shielding portion 17 corresponds to the light-shielding portion in the present invention. The lower light-shielding portion 17 has a wall portion 17a, a top portion 17b, a tapered portion 17c, and a tip portion 17d.

[0067] Wall portion 17a is a generally plate-shaped portion extending from the light incident surfaces of flange portions 13a1 and 13b1 to the rear surfaces of substrate portions 11a and 11b. Wall portion 17a separates substrate portion 11a and light-emitting element 12a from substrate portion 11b and light-emitting element 12b. Tapered portion 17c is provided continuously at the upper end of wall portion 17a, and tip portion 17d is provided continuously at the lower end.

[0068] The apex 17b is located above the tapered portion 17c of the lower light-shielding portion 17 and is disposed on the light-emitting surface side of the flange portions 13a1 and 13b1. The width of the apex 17b is greater than the widths of the wall portion 17a and the tapered portion 17c, and it is preferable that the side surface of the apex 17b has a protruding portion (not shown) similar to that shown in FIG. 5(b). In other words, the width of the protruding portion provided on the apex 17b is greater than the width of the tapered portion 17c in the lens slit portion 13c. Furthermore, the protruding portion of the apex 17b extends between the plurality of refractive portions 13a2 and 13b2 in a plan view.

[0069] Tapered portion 17c is provided between wall portion 17a and top portion 17b, and is a portion having a tapered shape in which the width gradually decreases from the light-emitting surface side of flange portions 13a1 and 13b1 toward the light-incident surface side. The inclination angle of tapered portion 17c is preferably set to a shape and inclination angle corresponding to lens slit portion 13c. Thus, when lower light-shielding portion 17 is inserted from above lens slit portion 13c, the inclination of lens slit portion 13c and the inclination of tapered portion 17c align lower light-shielding portion 17 to an appropriate position.

[0070] The tip 17d extends downward from the lower end of the wall 17a and has a tapered shape with its width gradually decreasing downward. The tip 17d is inserted into the substrate slit 11c and the recess 16b. The inclination angle of the tip 17d is preferably set to correspond to the inclined surface of the recess 16b. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the tapered shape of the tip 17d contacts the inclined surface of the recess 16b. Thus, when the lower light-shielding portion 17 is inserted from above the lens slit 13c, the inclined surface of the recess 16b interferes with the tapered shape of the tip 17d, aligning the lower light-shielding portion 17 in the appropriate position.

[0071] The lower light-shielding portion 17 has a protruding portion at its top 17b, which extends between the plurality of bending portions 13a2, 13b2, thereby suppressing stray light entering from the end faces of the flange portions 13a1, 13b1. The lower light-shielding portion 17 is also inserted into the lens slit portion 13c and the substrate slit portion 11c, and its tip reaches below the surfaces of the substrate portions 11a, 11b within the substrate slit portion 11c. This allows the lower light-shielding portion 17 to reliably block light emitted laterally from the light-emitting elements 12a, 12b, further suppressing stray light.

[0072] As described above, in the image projection device 100 of this embodiment, the lower shading portion 17 is provided from at least the back side of the surface of the substrate portions 11a, 11b to the light exit surface side of the light entrance surface of the lens portions 13a, 13b, so that even if backlight light is irradiated from multiple light-emitting elements 12a, 12b, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the virtual image display due to stray light.

[0073] (Sixth embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Description of content overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. This embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that a common substrate portion 11 is used instead of the substrate portions 11a and 11b, and the substrate slit portion 11c is not provided. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an overview of the image projection unit 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the image projection unit 10 of this embodiment includes the substrate portion 11, light-emitting elements 12a and 12b, lens portions 13a and 13b, an upper light-shielding portion 14, an image display unit 15, and a heat sink 16.

[0074] Furthermore, lens slit portion 13c is formed up to a position close to the outer shape of the plurality of refraction portions 13a2, 13b2. Furthermore, in a plan view, upper light-shielding portion 14 has a side surface that has a shape corresponding to lens slit portion 13c, and has protrusions 14a (not shown) that fit between adjacent refraction portions 13a2 and between adjacent refraction portions 13b2.

[0075] In this embodiment, the tip of the upper light-shielding portion 14 extends to a position facing the surface of the substrate portion 11. Although Fig. 7 shows an example in which the tip of the upper light-shielding portion 14 contacts the substrate portion 11, a small gap may be provided between them.

[0076] As described above, in the image projection device 100 of this embodiment, the upper shading portion 14 has a protrusion portion 14a that fits between at least a portion of the adjacent refraction portions 13a2, 13b2 in a planar view, so that even if backlight is irradiated from the multiple light-emitting elements 12a, 12b, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the virtual image display due to stray light.

[0077] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 100...Image projection device 10...Image irradiation unit 20...1st mirror 30...Second mirror 40…Case 11,11a,11b...board part 11c...Substrate slit section 11d...recess 12a, 12b...light-emitting elements 13a, 13b...Lens section 13a1, 13b1...Flange portion 13a2, 13b2...Bending part 13c...Lens slit 14...Upper light shielding part 14a...projection 15...Image display section 15a…First area 15b…Second area 16...heat sink 16a...heat sink light shielding part 16b...recess 17...Lower shading part 17a...Wall part 17b…Top 17c...Tapered section 17d...Tip

Claims

1. a first light-emitting element that emits a first light, and a second light-emitting element that emits a second light; a substrate portion on which the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element are mounted; a first lens portion that refracts the first light; and a second lens portion that refracts the second light. a light-shielding portion disposed between the first lens portion and the second lens portion, An image projection device characterized in that the shading portion is provided from at least the back side of the substrate portion relative to the front surface to the light exit surface side of the first lens portion and the second lens portion relative to the light entrance surface.

2. 2. The image projection device according to claim 1, the substrate portion is provided with a substrate slit portion penetrating from the front surface to the back surface, The image projection device, wherein at least a portion of the light blocking portion is inserted into the substrate slit portion.

3. 3. The image projection device according to claim 2, a heat sink on the rear surface side of the substrate portion; The image projection device, wherein the light blocking portion is provided on the heat sink.

4. 3. The image projection device according to claim 2, a heat sink on the rear surface side of the substrate portion; The heat sink has a recess formed at a position corresponding to the board slit portion, The image projection device is characterized in that at least a portion of the light blocking portion is inserted into the recess.

5. 2. The image projection device according to claim 1, the first lens portion and the second lens portion have a plurality of refractive portions; The image projection device, wherein the light blocking portion has a protruding portion that is inserted between at least some of a plurality of adjacent refraction portions in a plan view.

6. 6. The image projection device according to claim 5, the light-shielding portion is inserted into a lens slit portion provided between the first lens portion and the second lens portion, The image projection device, wherein the width of the protrusion is greater than the width of the light-shielding portion in the lens slit portion.

7. a first light-emitting element that emits a first light, and a second light-emitting element that emits a second light; a substrate portion on which the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element are mounted; a first lens portion that refracts the first light; and a second lens portion that refracts the second light. a light-shielding portion disposed between the first lens portion and the second lens portion, the first lens portion and the second lens portion have a plurality of refractive portions; The image projection device, wherein the light blocking portion has a protruding portion that is inserted between at least some of a plurality of adjacent refraction portions in a plan view.

8. 8. The image projection device according to claim 1, One image display unit is provided, irradiating a first region of the image display unit with the first light; an image projection device that irradiates a second region of the image display unit with the second light;

Images