Image display device

Abstract

The present invention provides an image display device that can efficiently cool the display unit while suppressing the deterioration of the discrepancy between the display magnification of the image captured by the imaging unit and the CG image. [Solution] The image display device comprises a main body, an imaging unit disposed within the main body, a display element for displaying an image captured by the imaging unit, a first opening and a second opening provided in the main body that communicate with the inside of the main body, and a fan disposed in an air passage connecting the first opening and the second opening within the main body, wherein at least a part of the air passage is formed between the imaging unit and the display element, and the fan does not overlap with the imaging unit and the display element in a plan view of the main body as seen from the direction of the optical axis of the imaging unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image display device, particularly a video see-through type image display device provided with a cooling fan.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, image display devices that are worn on a user's head and display images in front of the user's eyes have been used. Image display devices are adopted as devices that can experience virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) because they can easily view still images and moving images on a large screen and stereoscopic viewing is easy.

[0003] An image display device for realizing MR includes an imaging unit that captures images of a subject corresponding to the left and right eyes of a user, a display unit that superimposes and displays the images captured by the imaging unit and 3DCG images generated by a PC or the like, and an observation optical system that projects onto the user. Such an image display device is also referred to as a video see-through type image display device. In a video see-through type image display device, an image is displayed on a display element such as a liquid crystal panel corresponding to the left and right eyes of the user, and the image is enlarged through an observation optical system corresponding to each of the left and right eyes of the user and projected onto the left and right eyes of the user.

[0004] In addition, the images captured by the imaging unit have a parallax corresponding to the left and right eyes of the user. Further, parallax images corresponding to the left and right eyes of the user are generated from the 3DCG images, and the generated parallax images are superimposed on the images captured by the imaging unit and displayed on the display unit through the observation optical system. Thereby, in the video see-through type image display device, virtual 3DCG images are projected onto the left and right eyes of the user as if they actually exist in reality.

[0005] Furthermore, as electronic devices including the image display devices mentioned above, it is known that some are equipped with cooling fans to suppress excessive temperature rises of relatively high-power components such as display elements and circuit board components located within the main unit. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an imaging device that cools the display elements by providing a cooling fan within the display unit having the display elements. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-68442 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the display element and fan are placed inside the display unit, which is a movable part, thus increasing the weight of the display unit. In addition, wiring is required to connect the movable display unit to the main body in which the display unit is fixed. To avoid this increase in weight and the placement of wiring, it is necessary to place the fan inside the main body, but this may reduce the cooling efficiency of the display element because the display element and the fan are separated.

[0008] Furthermore, in order to efficiently cool the display element, it is preferable to place a fan near the display element, and in a video see-through type image display device, it is preferable to place a fan between the imaging unit and the display element. However, when using the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the distance between the imaging unit and the display element becomes large, resulting in the image captured by the imaging unit and 3 A discrepancy in the scaling of DCG images can occur, and the resulting superimposed image may give users a sense of unease.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide an image display device that can efficiently cool the display unit while suppressing the deterioration of the discrepancy between the display magnification of the image captured by the imaging unit and the generated CG image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The image display device according to the present invention comprises a main body, an imaging unit disposed within the main body, a display unit disposed within the main body that displays an image captured by the imaging unit, a first opening and a second opening provided in the main body that communicate with the interior of the main body, and a fan disposed in an air passage connecting the first opening and the second opening within the main body, wherein at least a portion of the air passage is formed between the imaging unit and the display element, and the fan does not overlap with the imaging unit and the display element in a plan view of the main body as seen from the direction of the optical axis of the imaging unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the image display device of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently cool the display unit while suppressing the deterioration of the discrepancy in the display magnification between the image captured by the imaging unit and the CG image generated in the device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows the image display device according to the first embodiment in a state where it is attached to the user. [Figure 2] Rear perspective view of the image display device according to the first embodiment [Figure 3] A schematic diagram showing the relationship between the image display device and the user's eyeball according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Front perspective view showing the interior of the image display device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Image display device according to the first embodiment [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of a cross-section of an image display device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure showing the relative positions of the imaging unit and the display unit of the image display device according to the first embodiment [Figure 8] Figure showing an example of a cross-section of the image display device according to Modified Example 1 [Figure 9A] Schematic diagram of the image display device according to Modified Example 2 [Figure 9B] Schematic diagram of the image display device according to Modified Example 3 [Figure 10] Figure showing an example of a cross-section of the image display device according to the second embodiment [Figure 11] Figure showing an example of a cross-section of the image display device according to Modified Example 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are examples as means for realizing the present invention, and may be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Also, it is possible to appropriately combine the respective embodiments.

[0014] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a video see-through type image display device 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the image display device 1) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image display device 1 as viewed from the back side. Also, in the following description, as shown in FIG. 2, a coordinate system composed of an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other is set for the image display device 1. The X-axis is an axis that extends in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) when the main body 10 of the image display device 1 is arranged horizontally. The Z-axis is an axis that extends in the direction of gravity (vertical direction).

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the user 300 wears the image display device 1 on the head, thereby the image Observe the image displayed on the display device 1. The image display device 1 is composed of a main body 10 and display units 100L and 100R. The front of the main body 10 is equipped with a front cover 12, and the back is equipped with a back cover 13. On the front side, a pair of left and right imaging cameras 20L and 20R and alignment cameras 30L and 30R are provided. The imaging cameras 20L and 20R are arranged inside the main body 10 and are imaging units that function as stereo cameras for acquiring real images around the image display device 1. The alignment cameras 30L and 30R use feature points such as markers or edges of objects arranged around the image display device 1 from the acquired images to acquire the position and orientation of the image display device 1.

[0016] In the image display device 1 according to the present embodiment, the imaging cameras 20L and 20R and the alignment cameras 30L and 30R are provided for the user's left eye and right eye, respectively. The alignment cameras 30L and 30R are cameras that generate monochrome images, but they can perform highly accurate and highly fault-tolerant alignment using a wide-angle lens, a high shutter speed, a long baseline length, etc. However, in the image display device 1, it is also possible to acquire display images and alignment information using the imaging cameras 20L and 20R.

[0017] Also, instead of the alignment cameras 30L and 30R, a distance sensor using ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, etc. may be used. The image display device 1 is connected to a head-mounted device 40, and it is possible to rotate the image display device 1 around a rotation axis 41 formed on the head-mounted device 40. When the user wears the image display device 1 on the head to observe an image, the main body 10 is facing the face as shown in FIG. 1, and when not observing the image, it is possible to flip the main body 10 above the user's head.

[0018] On the back side of the image display device 1, a pair of left and right display units 100L and 100R are provided, and the user can observe the image with both eyes by looking through the left-eye display unit 100L and the right-eye display unit 100R with each eye. The display units 100L and 100R are movable in the left-right position with respect to the main body 10, and the eye width can be adjusted for each user.

[0019] Figure 3 schematically shows the relationship between the cross-section of the display unit 100R and the user's right eye 110R. The configuration of the display unit 100R for the user's right eye will be explained using Figure 3. Note that in Figure 3, components of the display unit 100R that are not necessary for the explanation are omitted from the illustration. Also, since the display unit 100L for the left eye and the display unit 100R for the right eye have similar configurations, the following explanation will only cover the display unit 100R for the right eye, and the explanation of the display unit 100L for the left eye will be omitted.

[0020] The display unit 100R projects an image onto the user's right eye 110R by enlarging and projecting the original image displayed on the display element 120R as a virtual image. The display unit 100R has an optical system that folds the optical path using polarization, and this optical path will be described below.

[0021] First, as shown in Figure 3, a polarizing plate 130R and a first phase plate 140R are placed between the display element 120R and the lens 150R, in order from the display element 120R side, and a half mirror 160R is deposited on the lens 151R side surface of the lens 150R. The surface on which the half mirror 160R is deposited functions as a semi-transparent reflective surface. In this embodiment, the polarizing plate 130R and the first phase plate 140R are integrated and fixed to the lens barrel 190R. Next, a second phase plate 141R and a polarization separation element PBS 170R are placed between the lens 151R and the user's right eye 110R, in order from the display element 120R side. The second phase plate 141R and PBS 170R are planar in shape.

[0022] The first phase plate 140R and the second phase plate 141R are waveplates with a phase difference of λ / 4. The second phase plate 141R is held in contact with the lens 151R. In this embodiment, The second phase plate 141R and PBS 170R are integrated and attached to the lens 151R. Lens 150R and lens 151R are joined together and, together with the second phase plate 141R and PBS 170R, constitute the lens unit 180R. The lens unit 180R is fixed to the lens barrel 190R, and the lens barrel 190R is covered by a hood 11R. The display element 120R is assembled to the display unit 100R after being adjusted so that its optical axis and tilt match those of the lens unit 180R.

[0023] The polarization direction transmitted through polarizer plate 130R and the slow phase axis of the first phase plate 140R are tilted at 45° relative to each other, and the polarization direction transmitted through PBS 170R and the slow phase axis of the second phase plate 141R are tilted at 45° relative to each other. Furthermore, the polarization direction transmitted through polarizer plate 130R and the polarization direction transmitted through PBS 170R are orthogonal to each other.

[0024] In the display unit 100R having the above configuration, light emitted from the display element 120R passes through the polarizing plate 130R to become linearly polarized light, and then passes through the first phase plate 140R to become circularly polarized light. Subsequently, the light passes through the half mirror 160R and the second phase plate 141R to become linearly polarized light (first linearly polarized light). Since the polarization direction of this linearly polarized light is perpendicular to the polarization direction transmitted by the PBS 170R, this linearly polarized light is reflected by the PBS 170R and passes through the second phase plate 141R to become circularly polarized light. Subsequently, the light is reflected by the half mirror 160R and passes through the second phase plate 141R to become linearly polarized light (second linearly polarized light).

[0025] However, since the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light here coincides with the polarization direction transmitted through PBS170R, the light passes through PBS170R and is guided to the user's right eye 110R. The user's right eye 110R is approximately coincident with the exit pupil of the display unit 100R. In the image display device 1 according to this embodiment, by employing an optical system that folds the optical path using polarization in the display unit 100R, the display unit 100R can be made thinner while shortening the focal length, enabling the user to observe a wide-angle image.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the image display device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a front perspective view showing the inside of the image display device 1. Although not shown in Figure 4, display elements 120L and 120R are assembled in the lens barrels 190L and 190R, and the wiring 121L and 121R of the display elements 120L and 120R is pulled out to the left and right and connected to the circuit board 200 which will be described later. Grooves 191L, 191R, 192L, 192R, 193L, and 193R are provided in the lens barrels 190L and 190R. The imaging cameras 20L and 20R and the alignment cameras 30L and 30R are adhesively fixed to the chassis 50.

[0027] Here, each of the above cameras is fixed in place after its rotation direction and other settings are adjusted so that the optical axis and tilt of the right eye camera and the left eye camera coincide with each other. Here, the optical axis of the camera is the axis extending in the Y-axis direction in Figure 4. The chassis 50 is made of metal rather than resin to minimize thermal expansion and contraction. The chassis 50 is integrally molded with the resin part that makes up the main body 10, and the chassis 50 is provided with arms 51L, 51R, 52L, 52R, 53L, and 53R.

[0028] The chassis 50 is pivotally supported on a rotation axis (not shown) relative to the joint 60 and is held rotatably around the rotation axis. The joint 60 is fixed to the rear cover 13 by screws 203, which will be described later. The grooves provided on the lens barrels 190L and 190R fit into the arms 51L, 51R, 52L, 52R, 53L, and 53R provided on the chassis 50. As a result, the display units 100L and 100R are held movably in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) with the hoods 11L and 11R attached.

[0029] Figure 5 is a front perspective view showing the image display device 1 with the front cover 12 removed from the main body 10. This is a diagram. As shown in Figure 5, the circuit board 200 is connected to the wiring 21L, 21R, 31L, 21R, 121L, and 121R from the imaging cameras 20L and 20R, the alignment cameras 30L and 30R, and the display elements 120L and 120R via connectors. The circuit board 200 is also fixed to the rear cover 13 by three screws 201, 202, and 203. The joint 60 is also fastened together with screw 203.

[0030] A connector 210 is mounted on the circuit board 200, and the image display device 1 receives power and communicates data with the PC via a cable 220. A pair of cooling fans 230L and 230R are located on the top of the image display device 1. Fans 230L and 230R have a rotation axis in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction in the figure) of the main body 10 and are configured to rotate around the rotation axis. By rotating, fans 230L and 230R blow air from one side to the other in the thickness direction of the main body 10.

[0031] When the front cover 12 shown in Figure 1 is assembled to the rear cover 13, the front-to-back direction of the chassis 50, which is rotatably held by the joint 60, is fixed, and each component of the main body 10 is set in its predetermined position.

[0032] Next, Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the main body 10 along the BB line in Figure 5. The cross-section along the BB line is a cross-section of the main body 10 on the right eye side, with a plane parallel to the YZ plane, but the cross-section on the left eye side of the main body 10 has a similar configuration. Therefore, the following explanation will focus on the cross-section on the right eye side of the main body 10, and the explanation of the cross-section on the left eye side will be omitted. Also, in Figure 6, the arrows schematically represent the airflow within the main body 10, which will be discussed later.

[0033] As shown in Figure 6, the imaging camera 20R and the display element 120R are spaced apart at a predetermined interval in the Y-axis direction and are arranged back to back. As a result, a channel 240R, which is part of the airflow channel within the main body 10, is formed between the imaging camera 20R and the display element 120R. The circuit board 200 is positioned so that its substrate surface (the surface parallel to the XZ plane in the figure) is parallel to the display surface of the display element 120R (the surface parallel to the XZ plane in the figure). The circuit board 200 is provided with an integrated circuit 205R as an example of an electronic component mounted on the circuit board.

[0034] A fan 230R is positioned at the top of the image display device 1, and holes 12R and 13R, which are openings for airflow, are formed on the upper surfaces of the front cover 12 and the rear cover 13, respectively. Additionally, a hole 14R, which is an opening for airflow, is formed on the lower surface of the main body 10. The airflow path from holes 12R and 13R to hole 14R via the flow path 240R between the imaging camera 20R and the display element 120R is not blocked and is connected as a space. The fan 230R is positioned within the airflow path inside the main body 10.

[0035] The imaging camera 20R, display element 120R, and integrated circuit 205R each consume relatively large amounts of power and generate heat compared to other components when the image display device 1 is in use. Furthermore, the imaging camera 20R, display element 120R, and integrated circuit 205R each have an upper limit set for the temperature that rises due to heat generation, and it is necessary to ensure that each does not exceed this upper limit when the image display device 1 is in use.

[0036] Table 1 shows the power consumption, upper temperature limit, and cooling priority for each of the imaging camera 20R, display element 120R, and integrated circuit 205R in this embodiment. [Table 1]

[0037] As shown in Table 1, the imaging camera 20R, display element 120R, and integrated circuit 205R each have equally high power consumption. On the other hand, regarding the upper temperature limits (referred to as "Upper Temperature Limit of Components" in the figure) of the imaging camera 20R, display element 120R, and integrated circuit 205R, the integrated circuit 205R has the highest upper temperature limit, followed by the imaging camera 20R, and the display element 120R has the lowest upper temperature limit.

[0038] Therefore, among the imaging camera 20R, display element 120R, and integrated circuit 205R, the display element 120R has the highest cooling priority, followed by the imaging camera 20R, and the integrated circuit 205R has the lowest cooling priority. In the example in Figure 6, the fan 230R is positioned downstream in the direction of air flow through the flow path and is configured to send the air in the flow path to the outside of the main body 10. As the fan 230R rotates, as indicated by the arrows, the air outside the main body 10 flows from bottom to top through the hole 14R inside the main body 10, and then flows to the outside of the main body 10 through holes 12R and 13R. The imaging camera 20R and display element 120R are positioned upstream of the air flow path inside the main body 10, and the integrated circuit 205R is positioned downstream of the flow path. Therefore, the imaging camera 20R and display element 120R are positioned upstream of the integrated circuit 205R.

[0039] As a result, the outside air taken in through the holes 14R of the main body 10 passes through the flow path 240R between the display element 120R, which has a high cooling priority, and the imaging camera 20R, which has the next highest cooling priority, absorbing the heat generated from the display element 120R and the imaging camera 20R, and flows upward. After that, the air passes near the integrated circuit 205R, which has a low cooling priority, absorbing the heat generated from the integrated circuit 205R, and is then discharged to the outside of the main body 10 via the holes 12R and 13R by the fan 230R.

[0040] With the above configuration, the image display device 1 according to this embodiment does not require space to be secured for the fan 230R between the imaging camera 20R and the display element 120R. This makes it possible to suppress a large discrepancy in display magnification between the captured image acquired by the imaging camera 20R and the CG image generated by the image display device 1 and superimposed on the captured image. As a result, it is possible to display an image that is closer to how it looks to the user wearing the image display device 1. Furthermore, the image display device 1 can efficiently cool heat-generating components such as the imaging camera 20R, the display element 120R, and the integrated circuit 205R.

[0041] Figure 7 schematically shows the optical axes of the imaging cameras 20L and 20R and the adjustable range of the left-right positions of the display units 100L and 100R. In this embodiment, the display units 100L and 100R of the image display device 1 are configured to be movable in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) according to the user's eye width. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, the display center of the display surface (plane parallel to the XZ plane) of the display elements 120R and 120L can be moved within the adjustable range L1 (within a predetermined range) of the display center relative to the main body 10.

[0042] As shown in Figure 7, the optical axes of the imaging cameras 20L and 20R coincide with the vertical centers of the display units 100L and 100R, and the horizontal axis is within the adjustable range of the display centers of the display units 100L and 100R. It is contained within L1. As a result, the misalignment between the optical axis of the imaging camera 20R and the display center of the display unit 100R can be minimized. Here, we assume that the left and right positions of the display units 100L and 100R can be adjusted to match the user's interpupillary distance, but the display units 100L and 100R do not necessarily need to be configured to be adjustable in left and right positions. For example, if the display units 100L and 100R are not movable within the main unit 10, the optical axes of the imaging camera 20L and the display unit 100L, and the optical axes of the imaging camera 20R and the display unit 100R are aligned. This allows the image display device 1 to reduce the misalignment between the captured image acquired by the imaging camera 20R and the CG image generated by the image display device 1 and superimposed on the captured image.

[0043] (Variation 1) Next, an image display device according to Modification 1 of the First Embodiment will be described. In the following description, components similar to those in the image display device 1 according to the First Embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0044] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the main body 10 of the image display device 1 according to this modified example. Figure 8 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of Figure 6 of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the fan 230R is operated so that air taken in from outside the main body 10 flows between the display element 120R and the imaging camera 20R, which have a high cooling priority. On the other hand, in the image display device 1 according to this modified example, as shown in Figure 8, the integrated circuit 205R is located below the display element 120R. Therefore, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 8, the fan 230R may be operated so that air taken in from outside the main body 10 flows from top to bottom.

[0045] In this modified example, the fan 230R is positioned upstream in the direction of airflow through the channel and is configured to send air from outside the main body 10 into the channel. The imaging camera 20R and display element 120R are positioned downstream of the airflow channel within the main body 10, while the integrated circuit 205R is positioned upstream of the channel. Therefore, the imaging camera 20R and display element 120R are positioned downstream of the integrated circuit 205R.

[0046] Therefore, in the image display device 1 according to this modified example, the fan 230R draws in outside air through the holes 12R and 13R of the main body 10. The air drawn in by the fan 230R then passes through the flow path 240R between the display element 120R and the imaging camera 20R, which have a high cooling priority, and flows downward, absorbing the heat generated from the display element 120R and the imaging camera 20R. After that, the air passes near the integrated circuit 205R, which has a low cooling priority, and after absorbing the heat generated from the integrated circuit 205R, it is discharged to the outside of the main body 10 through the hole 14R. Therefore, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained in the image display device 1 according to this modified example.

[0047] In this modified example, it is assumed that holes 12R and 13R are provided on the upper surfaces of the front cover 12 and the rear cover 13. However, holes 12R and 13R may be provided on surfaces other than the top surface of the main body 10, such as the front, back, and sides, as long as the airflow path inside the main body 10 is in communication with the outside of the main body 10. Furthermore, the fan 230R sends air from one surface to the other in the thickness direction, that is, in the direction of extension of the rotation axis. However, the fan 230R may be a fan with a structure that uses centrifugal force due to rotation to flow air to the side, such as a centrifugal fan or a blower fan.

[0048] Furthermore, in this modified example, we assume that the fan 230R is located at the top of the main body 10. However, the fan 230R may be located at the bottom instead of the top of the main body 10, or the fan 230R and another fan may be located at the top and bottom of the main body 10 respectively to form a set of fans. When fans are located at the top and bottom of the main body 10, one fan draws air in from outside the main body 10, and the other fan draws air into the main body 1 Air is expelled from the inside of 0 to the outside.

[0049] (Modification 2) Next, an image display device according to a modified example 2 of the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, components similar to those in the image display device 1 of the first embodiment and modified example 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0050] Figure 9A schematically shows a configuration in which fans 230L and 230R are arranged on the side surface of the main body 10 (the surface parallel to the left and right YZ planes). As shown in Figure 9A, in the image display device 1 according to this modified example, two fans 230R and 230L are arranged on the side surface of the main body 10. In addition, the main body 10 has holes 12R and 13R formed at positions opposite to fan 230R, similar to those in the first embodiment and modified example 1. Similarly, the main body 10 has holes 12L and 13L formed at positions opposite to fan 230L, similar to those in the first embodiment and modified example 1.

[0051] In the example shown in Figure 9A, a fan 230L located on the left eye side draws in air from outside the main unit 10. The air drawn into the main unit 10 through holes 12L and 13L by the fan 230L flows between the display element 120L and the imaging camera 20L, and between the display element 120R and the imaging camera 20R. The air is then discharged to the outside of the main unit 10 through holes 12R and 13R by a fan 230R located on the right eye side. In Figure 9A, the integrated circuit 205R is not shown, but it is preferable that the integrated circuit 205R be located, for example, between the display element 120R on the right eye side and the fan 230R.

[0052] (Variation 3) Next, an image display device according to Modification 3 of the First Embodiment will be described. In the following description, components similar to those in the image display device 1 according to the First Embodiment, Modification 1, and Modification 2 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0053] Figure 9B schematically shows a configuration in which fans 230L and 230R are arranged on the side of the main body 10. However, in this modified example, unlike modified example 2, the fan 230L located on the left eye side and the fan 230R located on the right eye side are each configured to expel air from inside the main body 10 to the outside of the main body 10. As shown in Figure 9B, in the image display device 1 according to this modified example, two fans 230R and 230L are arranged on the side of the main body 10. In addition, holes 12L and 13L are formed in the main body 10 at positions opposite to the fan 230L. Similarly, holes 12R and 13R are formed in the main body 10 at positions opposite to the fan 230R. Furthermore, on the lower surface of the main body 10, holes 14R and 14L similar to those in the first embodiment and modified example 1 are formed.

[0054] Furthermore, in Figure 9B, a wall 70 is positioned in the center of the main body 10 to block the airflow path. As a result, air flowing into the main body 10 from hole 14L is directed by wall 70 to the gap between the left eye display element 120L and the imaging camera 20L. Similarly, air flowing into the main body 10 from hole 14R is directed by wall 70 to the gap between the right eye display element 120R and the imaging camera 20R. Consequently, the air flowing between the display element 120L and the imaging camera 20L does not mix with the air flowing between the display element 120R and the imaging camera 20R. Therefore, it is expected that the cooling efficiency of the display elements 120L, 120R and the imaging cameras 20L, 20R by air taken in from outside the main body 10 will be further improved. In Figure 9B, the integrated circuit 205R is not shown, but it is preferable that the integrated circuit 205R be positioned, for example, between the right eye display element 120R and the fan 230R.

[0055] Therefore, in the image display device 1 according to the first embodiment and each of its modifications, in a plan view (in the Y-axis direction) In the view of the image display device 1, the fan 230R does not overlap with the imaging camera 20R and the display element 120R, which are projected in the optical axis direction (Y axis direction) of the imaging camera 20R. Furthermore, the arrangement of each fan and each hole described above is not limited to the above arrangement and may be changed as appropriate, as long as the air taken in from outside the main body 10 is configured to pass preferentially through the display element 120R, which has a higher cooling priority. In addition, the above description assumes an example in which an integrated circuit 205R is mounted on the circuit board 200, but the components to be cooled on the circuit board 200 are not limited to the integrated circuit 205R, but may be any mounted components that require cooling.

[0056] (Second Embodiment) Next, an image display device according to the second embodiment will be described. In the following description, components similar to those in the image display device 1 according to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0057] Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the image display device 1000 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, the image display device 1000 according to this embodiment has a main body 1010, a front cover 1012, a rear cover 1013, holes 1012R, 1013R, 1014R, a hood 1011R, and a display unit 1100R. The main body 1010 is also provided with a display element 1120R, a circuit board 1200, and an integrated circuit 1205R. These components correspond to the main body 10, front cover 12, rear cover 13, holes 12R, 13R, 14R, hood 11R, display unit 100R, display element 120R, circuit board 200, and integrated circuit 205R of the image display device 1 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 10 corresponds to Figure 6 of the first embodiment, and the cross-section of the main body 1010 on the left eye side has a similar configuration. Furthermore, since the other components of the image display device 1000, which are not shown in Figure 10, are the same as those of the image display device 1 according to the first embodiment, a detailed explanation will be omitted in the following description.

[0058] As shown in Figure 10, the imaging camera 20R and the display element 1120R are spaced apart at a predetermined distance in the Y-axis direction and are arranged back to back. As a result, a channel 1240R, which is part of the airflow channel within the main body 1010, is formed between the imaging camera 20R and the display element 1120R. The circuit board 1200 is positioned so that its substrate surface (the surface parallel to the XZ plane in the figure) is parallel to the display surface of the display element 1120R (the surface parallel to the XZ plane in the figure). An integrated circuit 1205R is provided on the circuit board 1200 as an example of mounted components.

[0059] A fan 230R is positioned at the top of the image display device 1000, and holes 1012R and 1013R, which are openings for airflow, are formed on the upper surfaces of the front cover 1012 and the rear cover 1013, respectively. Additionally, a hole 1014R, which is an opening for airflow, is formed on the lower surface of the main body 1010. The airflow path from the gap between the imaging camera 20R and the display element 1120R to the fan 230R is not blocked and is connected as a space.

[0060] Similar to the first embodiment, the imaging camera 20R, the display element 1120R, and the integrated circuit 1205R are each set to have an upper limit on the temperature that rises due to heat generation, and when using the image display device 1000, it is necessary to ensure that each of them does not exceed its upper limit temperature.

[0061] Table 2 shows the power consumption, upper temperature limit, and cooling priority for each of the imaging camera 20R, display element 1120R, and integrated circuit 1205R in this embodiment. [Table 2]

[0062] As shown in Table 2, the imaging camera 20R, display element 1120R, and integrated circuit 1205R all have similarly high power consumption. On the other hand, regarding the upper temperature limits (referred to as "Upper Temperature Limit of Component" in the figure) of the imaging camera 20R, display element 1120R, and integrated circuit 1205R, the display element 1120R has the highest upper temperature limit. The imaging camera 20R has the next highest upper temperature limit after the display element 1120R, and the integrated circuit 1205R has the lowest upper temperature limit.

[0063] Therefore, among the imaging camera 20R, display element 1120R, and integrated circuit 1205R, the integrated circuit 1205R has the highest cooling priority, followed by the imaging camera 20R, and the display element 1120R has the lowest cooling priority. In the example shown in Figure 10, as the fan 230R rotates, as indicated by the arrows, the air outside the main body 10 flows from top to bottom through the holes 1012R and 1013R inside the main body 1010, and then flows outside the main body 1010 through hole 1014R. As a result, the outside air taken in through the holes 1012R and 1013R in the main body 1010 passes through the integrated circuit 1205R, which has a high cooling priority, and flows downward, absorbing the heat generated by the integrated circuit 1205R. Subsequently, the air passes through the channel 1240R between the imaging camera 20R, which has a higher cooling priority, and the display element 1120R, which has a lower cooling priority. After removing the heat generated from the imaging camera 20R and the display element 1120R, the air is discharged to the outside of the main body 10 via the hole 1014R.

[0064] With the above configuration, even in the image display device 1000 where components with different cooling priorities are arranged compared to the first embodiment, there is no need to secure space for the fan 230R between the imaging camera 20R and the display element 120R. This makes it possible to suppress a large difference in magnification between the captured image acquired by the imaging camera 20R and the CG image generated by the image display device 1000 and superimposed on the captured image. Furthermore, the image display device 1000 can efficiently cool heat-generating components such as the imaging camera 20R, the display element 1120R, and the integrated circuit 1205R.

[0065] (Modification 4) Next, an image display device according to a modified example 4 of the second embodiment will be described. In the following description, components similar to those in the image display device 1000 according to the second embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0066] Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the main body 1010 of the image display device 1000 according to this modified example. Figure 11 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of Figure 10 of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the fan 230 is operated so that air taken in from outside the device preferentially passes through the integrated circuit 1205R, which has a higher cooling priority. On the other hand, in the image display device 1000 according to this modified example, as shown in Figure 11, the integrated circuit 1205R is located below the display element 1120R. Therefore, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 11, the fan 230R may be operated so that air taken in from outside the main body 1010 flows from bottom to top.

[0067] In this modified example, the fan 230R draws in outside air through the hole 1014R of the image display device 1000. The air drawn in by the fan 230R passes near the integrated circuit 1205R, which has a high cooling priority, and flows upward, absorbing the heat generated by the integrated circuit 1205R. The air then passes through the flow path 1240R between the display element 1120R and the imaging camera 20R, which have a lower cooling priority, and after removing the heat generated from the display element 1120R and the imaging camera 20R, it is discharged to the outside of the main body 10 via holes 1012R and 1013R. Therefore, the same effects as in the second embodiment can be obtained in the image display device 1 according to this modified example.

[0068] In this modified example, it is assumed that holes 1012R and 1013R are provided on the upper surfaces of the front cover 1012 and the rear cover 1013. However, holes 1012R and 1013R may also be provided on surfaces other than the top surface of the main body 1010, such as the front, back, and sides, as long as the airflow path inside the main body 1010 is in communication with the outside of the main body 1010. Furthermore, the fan 230R sends air from one surface to the other in the thickness direction, that is, in the direction of extension of the rotation axis. However, the fan 230R may be a fan with a structure that uses centrifugal force due to rotation to flow air to the side, such as a centrifugal fan or a blower fan.

[0069] Furthermore, in a plan view (when viewing the image display device 1000 in the Y-axis direction), the arrangement of the fans 230 ensures that each fan does not overlap with the imaging camera 20R and the display element 1120R, which are projected in the optical axis direction (Y-axis direction) of the imaging camera 20R. Also, the arrangement of each fan and each hole described above is not limited to the above arrangement and may be changed as appropriate, as long as the air taken in from outside the main body 1010 is configured to pass preferentially through the display element 1120R, which has a higher cooling priority. In addition, the above description describes an example in which an integrated circuit 1205R is mounted on the circuit board 1200, but the components to be cooled on the circuit board 1200 are not limited to the integrated circuit 1205R, but may be any mounted components that require cooling.

[0070] This embodiment includes the following configuration. (Composition 1) The main body and The imaging unit is located within the main body, A display unit is located within the main body and includes a display element for displaying an image captured by the imaging unit, A first opening and a second opening provided in the main body communicate with the interior of the main body, A fan is positioned within the main body in the air passage connecting the first opening and the second opening. Equipped with, At least a portion of the flow path is formed between the imaging unit and the display element. In a plan view of the main body as seen from the direction of the optical axis of the imaging unit, the fan does not overlap with the imaging unit and the display element. An image display device characterized by the following features. (Configuration 2) A circuit board is arranged within the main body so as to be parallel to the display surface of the display element, Electronic components mounted on the aforementioned circuit board and Furthermore, In the aforementioned flow path, the imaging unit and the display element are positioned upstream of the electronic component. The image display device according to configuration 1, characterized in that it is a display device. (Composition 3) A circuit board is arranged within the main body so as to be parallel to the display surface of the display element, Electronic components mounted on the aforementioned circuit board and Furthermore, In the aforementioned flow path, the imaging unit and the display element are arranged downstream of the electronic components. It is being done The image display device according to configuration 1, characterized in that it is a display device. (Composition 4) In the plan view, the display unit is arranged such that the center of the display surface of the display element is movable within a predetermined range relative to the main body. When the center of the display surface of the display element moves within the predetermined range, the center of the display surface of the display element and the optical axis of the imaging unit coincide at any position within the predetermined range in the plan view. An image display device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized by the above. (Composition 5) The image display device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the fan is positioned downstream in the direction in which air flows through the channel and is configured to send the air in the channel to the outside of the main body. (Composition 6) The image display device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the fan is positioned on the upstream side in the direction in which air flows through the channel and is configured to send air from outside the main body into the channel. (Composition 7) The image display device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the set of the imaging unit and the display unit is provided for the right eye and the left eye of the user of the image display device, respectively. (Composition 8) The image display device according to configuration 7, characterized in that the set of the first opening, the second opening, and the flow path is provided for the user's right eye and left eye, respectively. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 1 Image display device, 10 Main unit, 20R, 20L Imaging camera, 100R, 100L Display unit, 120R, 120L Display element, 230R, 230L Fan

Claims

1. The main body and The imaging unit is located within the main body, A display unit is located within the main body and includes a display element for displaying an image captured by the imaging unit, A first opening and a second opening provided in the main body communicate with the interior of the main body, A fan is positioned within the main body in the air passage connecting the first opening and the second opening. Equipped with, At least a portion of the flow path is formed between the imaging unit and the display element. In a plan view of the main body as seen from the direction of the optical axis of the imaging unit, the fan does not overlap with the imaging unit and the display element. An image display device characterized by the following features.

2. A circuit board is arranged within the main body so as to be parallel to the display surface of the display element, Electronic components mounted on the aforementioned circuit board and Furthermore, In the aforementioned flow path, the imaging unit and the display element are positioned upstream of the electronic component. The image display device according to feature 1.

3. A circuit board is arranged within the main body so as to be parallel to the display surface of the display element, Electronic components mounted on the aforementioned circuit board and Furthermore, In the aforementioned flow path, the imaging unit and the display element are arranged downstream of the electronic component. The image display device according to feature 1.

4. In the plan view, the display unit is arranged such that the center of the display surface of the display element is movable within a predetermined range relative to the main body. When the center of the display surface of the display element moves within the predetermined range, the center of the display surface of the display element and the optical axis of the imaging unit coincide at any position within the predetermined range in the plan view. The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fan is positioned downstream in the direction in which air flows through the channel and is configured to send the air in the channel to the outside of the main body.

6. The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fan is positioned upstream in the direction in which air flows through the channel and is configured to send air from outside the main body into the channel.

7. The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the set of the imaging unit and the display unit is provided for the right eye and the left eye of the user of the image display device, respectively.

8. The set of the first opening, the second opening, and the flow path is for the user's right eye and left eye. The image display device according to claim 7, characterized in that it is provided for use and separately.

Images