In-vehicle display device and display method for the in-vehicle display device

Abstract

To provide an in-vehicle display device and display method that can limit the viewing angle with fewer parts. [Solution] This in-vehicle display device is an in-vehicle display device equipped with a black matrix. In this in-vehicle display device, the black matrix is ​​formed such that the second viewing angle of the other side is limited to the first viewing angle of one side of the display surface of the in-vehicle display device, which is divided into two parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle display device and a display method for an in-vehicle display device.

Background Art

[0002] A display device in which colored pixels are formed in the openings of a black matrix is used (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=...]] In an in-vehicle display device mounted on a vehicle, for example, the viewing angle is restricted so as not to obstruct the driver's driving. For example, by superimposing an optical sheet for controlling the viewing angle on the display surface of the in-vehicle display device, the viewing angle is restricted so that the content displayed on the in-vehicle display device cannot be seen from the driver's seat. However, the addition of the optical sheet increases the number of parts of the in-vehicle display device.

[0005] One aspect of the disclosed technology aims to provide an in-vehicle display device and a display method capable of restricting the viewing angle with a smaller number of parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the disclosed technology is exemplified by the following in-vehicle display device. This in-vehicle display device is an in-vehicle display device including a black matrix. In this in-vehicle display device, the black matrix is formed such that the second viewing angle of the other surface is restricted with respect to the first viewing angle of one surface obtained by dividing the display surface of the in-vehicle display device into two parts.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the disclosed technology, the viewing angle can be limited with fewer components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of how the display device according to the embodiment is used. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the appearance of the display device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a black matrix provided in the display device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of an opening provided in the passenger seat area. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of an opening provided in the driver's seat area. [Figure 7] Figure 7 schematically shows the path of light passing through an opening located in the driver's seat area. [Figure 8] Figure 8 schematically shows the path of light passing through an opening located in the passenger seat area. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a first diagram showing an example of an R color filter provided in the aperture in the embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a second figure showing an example of an R color filter provided in the aperture in an embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a processing flow showing an example of a display method for the display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an example of the manufacturing process for the black matrix included in the display device according to this embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an example of the manufacturing process for a color filter included in a display device according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <Embodiment> Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of how the display device 1 according to the embodiment is used. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the display device 1 according to the embodiment. The display device 1 according to this embodiment is a display installed on the dashboard 501 of a vehicle 500. The display device 1 is installed in a position where the information displayed on the display device 1 can be seen by both the occupant seated in the driver's seat and the occupant seated in the passenger seat. The display device 1 is, for example, positioned in the center of the dashboard 501 in the left-right direction. The display surface of the display device 1 can also be divided into two in the left-right direction. Of the two divided areas, the area on the passenger side is called the passenger side area 11, and the area on the driver's side is called the driver's side area 12. The direction from the passenger side area 11 to the driver's side area 12 is called the +X direction, and the direction from the driver's side area 12 to the passenger side area 11 is called the -X direction. The direction from the back to the front of the page in Figure 2 is called the +Z direction, and the direction from the front to the back of the page in Figure 2 is called the -Z direction. The direction perpendicular to the X and Z directions is called the Y direction. For example, when the display device 1 is applied to a vehicle 500, the direction from the floor to the ceiling of the vehicle 500 is defined as the +Y direction. The direction from the ceiling to the floor of the vehicle 500 is defined as the -Y direction. The display device 1 is an example of an "in-vehicle display device".

[0010] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the display device 1 according to the embodiment. In the display device 1, a black matrix 3 and a protective glass plate 5 are stacked on top of a backlight 2 in that order. The black matrix 3 is provided with openings 31 and 32 of different shapes. Opening 31 is provided in the passenger seat area 11. Opening 32 is provided in the driver's seat area 12.

[0011] Color filters 4 are placed in the apertures 31 and 32 of the black matrix 3. The color filters 4 include R color filters 41 and 44 for red pixels, G color filters 42 and 45 for green pixels, and B color filters 43 and 46 for blue pixels. The display device 1 is a liquid crystal display that displays images by emitting light from the backlight 2 through the color filters 4 to the protective glass plate 5.

[0012] In the display device 1, a structure is formed to limit the viewing angle so that the video displayed in the passenger seat area 11 cannot be seen (or is difficult to see) by the passenger sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle 500. Therefore, even if content such as a movie is displayed in the passenger seat area 11 of the display device 1, the passenger sitting in the driver's seat cannot view the movie, so it is suppressed that the driving is inhibited by the video. On the other hand, such a structure for limiting the viewing angle is not formed in the driver's seat area 12. Therefore, for example, when content such as car navigation is displayed in the driver's seat area 12, the video of the car navigation can be viewed by both the passenger sitting in the driver's seat and the passenger sitting in the passenger seat.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the black matrix 3 included in the display device 1 according to the embodiment. The black matrix 3 is formed of a member having light shielding properties. The black matrix 3 has openings 31 and 32 through which the light emitted from the backlight 2 passes. The openings 31 and 32 emit the light from the backlight 2 incident from the incident ports 311 and 321 toward the protective glass plate 5 through the emission ports 313 and 323.

[0014] The openings 31 and 32 are formed in a cylindrical shape by the wall surfaces 312 and 322 so as to penetrate the black matrix 3 in the Z direction. The wall surfaces 312 and 322 are formed, for example, along the light emission direction (+Z direction) of the backlight 2. In other words, the wall surfaces 312 and 322 are formed parallel to the light emission direction of the light emitted by the backlight 2. One of the openings 31 and 32 formed in a cylindrical shape serves as the incident port 311 and 321, and the other serves as the emission ports 313 and 323.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the opening 31 provided in the passenger seat area 11. In (1) shown in the upper part of FIG. 5, the state of the opening 31 viewed from the -Z direction is illustrated. The opening 31 is formed in a rectangular shape surrounded by, for example, the wall surface 312 in the state viewed from the -Z direction.

[0016] In (2) shown in the lower part of FIG. 5, a view of the opening 31 as seen from the -Y direction is illustrated. In the opening 31, a structure is formed to limit the viewing angle so that the video displayed in the passenger seat area 11 cannot be seen (or is difficult to see) from the passenger sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle 500. As such a structure, for example, an inclined surface 314 formed on the wall surface 312 can be cited. The inclined surface 314 is formed so as to suppress the emission of light passing through the opening 31 from the backlight 2 toward the driver's seat side when the display device 1 is installed in the vehicle 500. The inclined surface 314 is formed to protrude in the -X direction from the +X side wall surface of the wall surface 312 (the wall surface on the driver's seat area 12 side). The inclined surface 314 is formed such that the area of the opening 31 gradually widens from the incident port 311 toward the emission port 313. In other words, the inclined surface 314 is formed such that the thickness of the black matrix 3 (the thickness in the X direction) gradually becomes thinner as it goes in the +Z direction.

[0017] For example, in the Z direction, the Z-axis coordinate position of the lower end (-Z direction end) of the inclined surface 314 coincides with the Z-axis coordinate position of the lower end (-Z direction end) of the wall surface 312. Also, in the Z direction, the Z-axis coordinate position of the upper end (+Z direction end) of the inclined surface 314 does not necessarily need to be provided up to the Z-axis coordinate position of the upper end (+Z direction end) on the emission port 313 side of the wall surface 312. For example, an upper wall portion 312A may be provided above the inclined surface 314 in the +Z direction. The height H1 in the Z direction of the inclined surface 314 and the height H2 in the Z direction of the upper wall portion 312A may be appropriately determined, for example, in a viewing angle test or the like in the passenger seat area 11. Also, the height H2 in the Z direction of the upper wall portion 312A may be "0". That is, the inclined surface 314 may be provided so as to reach from the end on the incident port 311 side to the end on the emission port 313 side of the wall surface 312.

[0018] Figure 6 shows an example of an opening 32 provided in the driver's seat area 12. In the upper part of Figure 6 (1), the opening 32 is shown as viewed from the -Z direction. When viewed from the -Z direction, the opening 32 is formed as a rectangle surrounded by, for example, a wall surface 322. In the lower part of Figure 6 (2), the opening 32 is shown as viewed from the -Y direction. Unlike the opening 31, the opening 32 does not have a structure that limits the viewing angle. That is, unlike the opening 31, the opening 32 does not have an inclined surface 314.

[0019] (Effect of field of view limitation by aperture 31 of Black Matrix 3) The effect of limiting the viewing angle by aperture 31 will be explained in comparison with aperture 32. Figure 7 schematically shows the path of light passing through aperture 32 located in the driver's seat area 12. In Figure 7, the path of light emitted from the backlight 2 and incident on aperture 32 is schematically shown by arrows.

[0020] The light emitted from the backlight 2 and incident on the aperture 32 undergoes optical phenomena, exemplified by diffraction and reflection, when incident on the entrance 321, when passing through the aperture 32, and when emitted from the exit 323. As a result, in addition to the light emitted in the direction normal to the aperture surface of the aperture 32 (for example, the light exemplified by arrow A21), the light that has passed through the aperture 32 is diffused in various directions different from the direction normal to the aperture surface of the aperture 32 due to diffraction, etc. (for example) Then, light (as illustrated by arrow A22) is generated. That is, in the driver's seat area 12 where the aperture 32 is located, the light emitted from the backlight 2 is diffused in various directions.

[0021] Figure 8 schematically shows the path of light passing through the aperture 31 located in the passenger seat area 11. In Figure 8, the path of light emitted from the backlight 2 and incident on the aperture 31 is schematically shown by arrows.

[0022] Light emitted from the backlight 2 and incident on the aperture 31 undergoes optical phenomena, exemplified by diffraction and reflection, when incident on the entrance 311, when passing through the aperture 31, and when emitted from the exit 313. As described above, an inclined surface 314 is provided inside the aperture 31. Due to diffraction and other factors when the light is incident on the entrance 311, a portion of the light from the backlight 2 is reflected by the inclined surface 314. The light reflected by the inclined surface 314 is emitted from the exit 313 in the -X direction. Another portion is emitted in the direction normal to the aperture surface of the exit 313, as exemplified by arrow A11. In the aperture 32 as well, a portion of the light emitted from the exit 313 may be emitted in the +X direction. However, the light emitted in the +X direction in the aperture 31 is weaker than the light emitted in the +X direction in the aperture 32 due to the reflection effect of the inclined surface 314.

[0023] As described above, light directed in the +X direction is weaker in aperture 31 than in aperture 32. Therefore, the viewing angle in the +X direction of the passenger seat area 11 is more limited than the viewing angle in the +X direction of the driver seat area 12. When such a display device 1 is applied to a vehicle 500, the content displayed in aperture 31 will be difficult for an occupant seated in the driver's seat to see. The viewing angle of the passenger seat area 11 is an example of a "second viewing angle". The viewing angle of the driver seat area 12 is an example of a "first viewing angle".

[0024] As the shapes of the openings 31 and 32 differ, the color filter 4 provided in the opening 31 and the color filter 4 provided in the opening 32 have different shapes. Figure 9 shows an example of an R color filter 41 provided in the opening 31 in this embodiment. In the upper part of Figure 9 (1), the R color filter 41 is shown as viewed from the +Z direction. In the lower part of Figure 9 (2), the R color filter 41 is shown as viewed from the -Y direction. The R color filter 41 is manufactured to fit the shape of the opening 31. That is, the shape of the R color filter 41 is determined so that there is no gap between the R color filter 41 provided in the opening 31 and the opening 31.

[0025] The R color filter 41 has an incident surface 411, an exit surface 412, a first wall surface 413, an inclined surface 414, and a second wall surface 415. The incident surface 411 and the exit surface 412 are formed as planes parallel to the XY plane. The shape of the incident surface 411 is determined so that when the R color filter 41 is installed in the opening 31, there is no gap between the incident surface 411 and the incident opening 311 of the opening 31. Similarly, the shape of the exit surface 412 is determined so that when the R color filter 41 is installed in the opening 31, there is no gap between the exit surface 412 and the exit opening 313 of the opening 31. Light emitted from the backlight 2 enters the R color filter 41 through the incident surface 411. The light that enters the R color filter 41 is emitted from the exit surface 412 toward the protective glass plate 5.

[0026] The first wall surface 413 and the second wall surface 415 are formed to be erected along the Z direction. The first wall surface 413 is formed to extend from the incident surface 411 to the exit surface 412. The inclined surface 414 is formed to correspond to the inclined surface 314 of the opening 31. The inclined surface 414 is formed such that the thickness of the R color filter 41 (thickness in the X direction) gradually increases as it moves toward the +Z direction.

[0027] The second wall surface 415 is formed to extend from the upper end (the end in the +Z direction) of the inclined surface 414 to the exit surface 412. The inclined surface 414 is formed to connect, for example, the lower end (the end in the -Z direction) of the second wall surface 415 to the +X side end of the incident surface 411. Figure 9 illustrates the shape of the R color filter 41 as an example, but the G color filter 42 and B color filter 43 have similar shapes.

[0028] Figure 10 shows an example of an R color filter 44 provided in the aperture 32 in an embodiment. In the upper part of Figure 10, (1) illustrates the R color filter 44 as viewed from the +Z direction. In the lower part of Figure 10, (2) illustrates the R color filter 44 as viewed from the -Y direction. The R color filter 44 has an incident surface 441 and an exit surface 442 which are formed as planes parallel to the XY plane. The shape of the incident surface 441 is determined so that when the R color filter 44 is provided in the aperture 32, there is no gap between the incident surface 441 and the incident opening 321 of the aperture 32. The shape of the exit surface 442 is determined so that when the R color filter 44 is provided in the aperture 32, there is no gap between the exit surface 442 and the exit opening 323 of the aperture 32. Light emitted from the backlight 2 enters the R color filter 44 via the incident surface 441. Light incident on the R color filter 44 is emitted from the exit surface 442 toward the protective glass plate 5. The wall surface 443 is formed to stand upright along the Z direction. As a result, the shape of the R color filter 44 in this embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped surrounded by the incident surface 441, the exit surface 442, and the wall surface 443.

[0029] (Display method of display device 1) Figure 11 is a processing flow showing an example of a display method for the display device 1 according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, an example of a display method for the display device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 11.

[0030] In step D1, backlight 2 is turned on. Step D1 is an example of the "lighting process". In step D2, the light from backlight 2, which passes through the opening 31 located in the passenger seat area 11, displays an image in the passenger seat area 11. Step D3 is an example of the "first display process". In step D3, the light from backlight 2, which passes through the opening 32 located in the driver's seat area 12, displays an image in the driver's seat area 12. Step D3 is an example of the "second display process".

[0031] Note that the processes in step D2 and step D3 may be performed simultaneously, or their order may be reversed.

[0032] (Method for manufacturing device 1) A method for manufacturing the display device 1 having the above configuration will now be described. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of the manufacturing process for the black matrix 3 included in the display device 1 according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, an example of the manufacturing process for the black matrix 3 will be described with reference to Figure 12.

[0033] In step S1, a photomask 600 for the black matrix 3 is prepared. The photomask 600 has an opening 61 and an opening 62. The opening 61 is provided for forming the opening 31 of the black matrix 3. The opening 61 is provided with a wall surface 612 corresponding to the wall surface 312, an inclined surface 614 corresponding to the inclined surface 314, and an upper wall portion 612A corresponding to the upper wall portion 312A. The opening 62 is provided for forming the opening 32 of the black matrix 3. The opening 62 has a wall surface 622 that corresponds to the wall surface 322 of the opening 32.

[0034] In step S2, exposure is performed using the photomask 600 prepared in step S1. Here, the pre-exposure black matrix 300 to be exposed using the photomask 600 is placed on the glass substrate 660. The pre-exposure black matrix 300 is, for example, a negative type. The negative type pre-exposure black matrix 300 is exposed using the photomask 600. When exposed to light, the photosensitive areas of the pre-exposure black matrix 300 harden.

[0035] In step S3, the pre-exposure black matrix 300, which was exposed in step S2, is developed and cured. Development washes away the unexposed areas of the pre-exposure black matrix 300. Curing the developed pre-exposure black matrix 300 hardens the areas remaining (exposed areas) in the developed pre-exposure black matrix 300, thereby producing the black matrix 3. In the example in Figure 12, the black matrix 3 was produced using a negative-type pre-exposure black matrix 300, but the black matrix 3 may also be produced using a positive-type pre-exposure black matrix 300.

[0036] Figure 13 shows an example of the manufacturing process for the color filter 4 included in the display device 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 13, an example of the manufacturing process for the R color filters 41 and 44 of the color filter 4 will be described. The following description of an example of the manufacturing process for the color filter 4 will refer to Figure 13.

[0037] In step S11, a photomask 700 for the R color filters 41 and 44 is prepared. The photomask 700 has an opening 71 and an opening 74. The opening 71 is provided for forming the R color filter 41 of the color filter 4. The opening 71 is provided with a first wall surface 713 corresponding to the first wall surface 413, an inclined surface 714 corresponding to the inclined surface 414, and a second wall surface 715 corresponding to the second wall surface 415. In addition, an opening 62 is provided for forming the R color filter 44 of the color filter 4. The opening 62 has a wall surface 622 corresponding to the wall surface 443 of the R color filter 44.

[0038] In step S12, exposure is performed using the photomask 700 prepared in step S11. Here, the pre-exposure color filter 400, which is exposed using the photomask 600, is placed at the apertures 31 and 32 of the black matrix 3 arranged on the glass substrate 660. The pre-exposure color filter 400 is, for example, a negative type. When the negative type pre-exposure color filter 400 is exposed using the photomask 700, the photosensitive area of ​​the pre-exposure color filter 400 hardens.

[0039] In step S13, the pre-exposure color filter 400, which was exposed in step S12, is developed and cured. Development washes away the unexposed areas of the pre-exposure color filter 400. Curing the developed pre-exposure color filter 400 hardens the remaining areas (exposed areas) on the developed pre-exposure color filter 400, thereby producing the R color filters 41 and 44. Here, the production of color filters 4 is explained using the production of R color filters 41 and 44 as an example, but the production of G color filters 42 and 45 and B color filters 43 and 46 is similar. In addition, in the example in Figure 13, the color filters 4 were produced using a negative-type pre-exposure color filter 400, but the color filters 4 may also be produced using a positive-type pre-exposure color filter 400.

[0040] A backlight 2 and a protective glass plate 5 are provided on the black matrix 3 and color filter 4 manufactured in this manner to produce the display device 1.

[0041] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to this embodiment, the opening 31 located in the passenger seat area 11 has a structure that limits the viewing angle, as exemplified by the inclined surface 314. In other words, in the display device 1 according to this embodiment, the viewing angle of the passenger seat area 11 is limited by the ingenuity of the structure of the opening 31. Therefore, according to this embodiment, to limit the viewing angle, an optical sheet for viewing angle control is not used. This eliminates the need for additional components. As a result, according to this embodiment, the number of components in the display device 1 can be reduced, and the viewing angle can be limited.

[0042] In this embodiment, the viewing angle is limited by an inclined surface 314 formed such that the thickness of the black matrix 3 gradually increases in the -Z direction. Because such an inclined surface is formed, the inclined surface 414 of the color filter 4 is formed such that the thickness of the color filter 4 gradually decreases in the -Z direction. With the inclined surfaces 314 and 414 formed in this way, the color filter 4 can be positioned in the opening 31 so that it does not protrude from the opening 31 on which the inclined surface 314 is formed.

[0043] In this embodiment, when the display device 1 is applied to the vehicle 500, the viewing angle is restricted so that the content displayed in the passenger seat area 11 is not visible to the occupant seated in the driver's seat. Therefore, the display device 1 according to this embodiment can prevent content such as movies displayed in the passenger seat area 11 from interfering with the driving of the vehicle 500.

[0044] <Variation> In the embodiments described above, the inclined surface 314 was formed to form a smooth straight line when viewed in the Y direction, but the shape of the inclined surface 314 is not limited to this shape. The inclined surface 314 may be formed in a stepped shape, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1...Display device 2. Backlight 3. Black Matrix 4. Color Filters 11...Passenger seat area 12. Driver's seat area 31...Slope 41··R color filter 42G Color Filter 43. B Color Filter 44··R color filter 45G color filter 45-B color filter 5. Protective glass plate 31...Aperture 32...Aperture 61...Aperture 62...Aperture 71...Aperture 74...Aperture 300 · Pre-exposure black matrix 311...Incidence aperture 312 ··Wall surface 312A...Top wall section 313... Exhaust port 314...Slope 321...Entrance port 322 ··Wall surface 323... Exhaust port 400 · Pre-exposure color filter 411...Incidence plane 412 ··Ejection surface 413 ··First Wall 414...Slope 415 ··Second wall 441...Incidence plane 442 ··Ejection surface 443. Wall surface 500 vehicles 600 Photo Masks 612 ··Wall surface 612A...Top wall section 614...Slope surface 622 ··Wall surface 660 ·· Glass substrate 700 Photomasks 713 ··First Wall 714...Slope surface 715 ··Second wall 743 ··Wall surface 501 ·· Dashboard

Claims

1. An in-vehicle display device equipped with a black matrix, The black matrix is ​​formed such that the second viewing angle of one of the two divided surfaces of the in-vehicle display device is limited by the first viewing angle of the other surface. In-vehicle display device.

2. The thickness of the black matrix is ​​formed such that it gradually decreases as it approaches the display surface, so that the opening of the black matrix, positioned at a location corresponding to the other surface, gradually widens as it approaches the display surface. The in-vehicle display device according to claim 1.

3. The thickness of the color filter placed in the opening, which is positioned at a location corresponding to the other surface, is formed such that it gradually increases in thickness as it approaches the display surface. The in-vehicle display device according to claim 2.

4. When the in-vehicle display device is mounted in a vehicle, one side of the device is positioned on the passenger side of the vehicle, and the other side is positioned on the driver's side of the vehicle. The in-vehicle display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A display method for an in-vehicle display device, comprising a backlight and a black matrix formed such that the second viewing angle of one of the two divided display surfaces of the in-vehicle display device is limited to the first viewing angle of the other surface, wherein the display surface of the in-vehicle display device is divided into two parts, and the second viewing angle of the other surface is limited to that of the other surface, The process of turning on the backlight, A first display step in which an image is displayed on one of the surfaces by light from the backlight, A second display step includes displaying an image on the other surface using light from the backlight, Display method for in-vehicle display devices.

Images