Head-up display device and lighting structure using the same

Abstract

To provide a head-up display device having a display part on a lid body, and to provide an illumination structure using the same.SOLUTION: A head-up display device emits display light L from a display unit 11 through an opening 91, and displays information related to a vehicle, as a virtual image V1, on a transparent screen 8 disposed in front of a driver 7. The head-up display device has a lid body 3 with light blocking effects that is movable to adopt either an open state of not closing the opening 91 or a closed state of closing the opening 91, and the lid body 3 has a first light emitting part 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a head-up display device and an illumination structure using the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a head-up display (hereinafter, HUD) device provided with a lid is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Such a HUD device has an opening in an instrument panel (so-called dashboard) of a vehicle at a position facing a windshield, and includes a lid that is movably arranged so as to open and close this opening. When the lid is in the open position, it can be configured to prevent external light incident into the vehicle interior from being reflected by a display and reaching the driver's eyes.

[0003] In addition, an information presentation device has been proposed in which a display unit composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) group as a light-emitting body serving as a light source is located on an instrument panel near the lower edge of a vehicle's windshield and extends along the lower edge of the windshield (connecting between the left and right A-pillars (front pillars)), and is disclosed in Patent Document 2.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Recently, an increase in the display size of HUD devices has been desired. Along with this, the size of the HUD device itself has increased, and the opening of the instrument panel has also increased. As a result, there has been a problem that it is difficult to provide a placement space for the display unit of the information presentation device on the instrument panel.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a head-up display device having a display unit on a lid body and an illumination structure using the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The head-up display device of the present disclosure is a head-up display device that emits display light L from a display 11 through an opening 91 and displays information related to a vehicle as a virtual image V1 on a transparent screen 8 disposed in front of a driver 7. The head-up display device has a light-shielding lid body 3 that is movable so as to be able to take either an open state in which the opening 91 is not closed or a closed state in which the opening 91 is closed, and the lid body 3 is characterized by having a first light-emitting unit 32.

[0008] The illumination structure of the present disclosure includes the above-described head-up display device and a second light-emitting unit formed on an instrument panel, and the first light-emitting unit is formed continuously with the second light-emitting unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 10

[0010] Hereinafter, based on the accompanying drawings, embodiments of a head-up display device of the present disclosure and a lighting structure using the same will be described using a head-up display device for a vehicle. The present disclosure relates to a head-up display device for a vehicle, and can be applied, for example, to a head-up display device for a vehicle mounted on a moving body equipped with an automobile, a motorcycle, or an agricultural machine or a construction machine.

[0011] (First Embodiment) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the HUD device 1 is disposed in an instrument panel 9 at a position facing a transparent windshield (screen) 8 disposed in front of a driver 7 seated in the driver's seat of a vehicle.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 3, the HUD device 1 houses a liquid crystal display (display) 11, a mirror 12, a concave mirror 13, a motor 15, a gear 16, and a first circuit board 17 in a first housing 14. The HUD device 1 has a window portion 14a that opens toward the windshield 8 of the first housing 14, and has a shutter (lid) 3 that covers the window portion 14a.

[0013] The liquid crystal display 11 includes a liquid crystal display panel 11a that displays an image composed of a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) type LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a first light source 11b composed of an LED, a wiring board 11c which is a rigid circuit board, and a resin case body (not shown) that houses these, and emits display light (image) that becomes an image.

[0014] The reflecting mirror 12 is formed by vapor-depositing a metal (for example, aluminum) on a synthetic resin to form a concave reflecting surface. The reflecting mirror 12 is fixed to the first housing 14 and reflects the display light L from the liquid crystal display 11 to the concave mirror 13.

[0015] The concave mirror 13 is formed by vapor-depositing a metal (for example, aluminum) on a synthetic resin to form a concave reflecting surface. The concave mirror 13 is connected to a support member 13a that can be rotationally driven and can adjust the projection direction of the display light L. The concave mirror 13 reflects the display light L from the reflecting mirror 12 to the window portion 14a of the first housing 14 described later.

[0016] The first housing 14 is made of a synthetic resin or a metal (for example, magnesium). The first housing 14 is provided with a window portion 14a that transmits the display light L on the side of the front glass 8. This window portion 14a is made of a light-transmissive synthetic resin and is formed in a concave curved shape in a direction opposite to the front glass 8. The first housing 14 is fixed to the instrument panel 9 by screws or the like, whereby the HUD device 1 is fixed to the instrument panel 9.

[0017] The motor 15 is composed of a movable magnet type drive device, a stepping motor, etc., and has a metal rotating shaft 15a and a synthetic resin worm gear 15b attached to the rotating shaft 15a. The worm gear 15b meshes with a resin rack 31 connected to the shutter 3 via a synthetic resin gear 16.

[0018] The first circuit board 17 is composed of a rigid wiring board obtained by applying a wiring pattern to a flat glass epoxy-based substrate such as FR-4 (Flame Retardant-4). The first circuit board 17 has a control unit. The control unit drives and controls the liquid crystal display panel 11a, the first light source 11b, the support member 13a, and the motor 15.

[0019] The shutter 3 is made of, for example, a light-shielding synthetic resin of the same color as the instrument panel 9. The shutter 3 is disposed between the first housing 14 and the instrument panel 9 so as to cover the window portion 14a when in the closed state. The instrument panel 9 has an in-panel opening (opening) 91 opened facing the window portion 14a. The shutter 3 is disposed so as to close the in-panel opening 91 at the position of the in-panel opening 91 when in the closed state.

[0020] The shutter 3 can take either an open state in which it does not cover the window portion 14a and does not close the in-panel opening 91 or a closed state in which it covers the window portion 14a and closes the in-panel opening 91 by sliding. FIG. 3 shows the closed state of the shutter 3, FIG. 5(a) shows the open state of the shutter 3, and FIG. 5(b) shows the closed state of the shutter 3.

[0021] The opening and closing operation of the shutter 3, that is, the sliding operation of the shutter 3, is such that the motor 15 rotates, the worm gear 15b meshes with the gear 16, the gear 16 meshes with the rack 31, and the rack 31 slides. Thereby, the shutter 3 slides and the opening and closing operation of the shutter 3 is performed. When the shutter 3 is in the closed state, external light from outside the vehicle can be prevented from entering the HUD device 1 and deteriorating the liquid crystal display 11.

[0022] When the shutter 3 of the HUD device 1 is in the open state, the light emitted by the first light source 11b is transmitted through the liquid crystal display 11 to become display light L for displaying an image, reflected by the reflecting mirror 12, magnified and reflected by the concave mirror 13, transmitted through the window portion 14a, reflected by the front glass 8, and visually recognized by the driver 7. Thereby, the driver 7 can visually recognize the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 11 as a virtual image V1 superimposed on the scenery in front of the front glass 8.

[0023] The shutter 3 has a first light-emitting display portion (first light-emitting portion) 32. The first light-emitting display portion 32 is made of a black semi-translucent (smoky) synthetic resin and is formed by insert molding or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the first light-emitting display portion 32 is formed in a line shape having a predetermined width extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the opening / closing direction F of the shutter 3 (a direction extending along the lower side of the front glass and a direction connecting between the left and right A-pillars, hereinafter referred to as the left-right direction).

[0024] When the shutter 3 of the HUD device 1 is in the closed state, the light emitted by the first light source 11b is transmitted through the liquid crystal display 11 to become display light L, reflected by the reflecting mirror 12, magnified and reflected by the concave mirror 13, transmitted through the window portion 14a, and illuminates and emits light from the back of the first light-emitting display portion 32. The display light L emitted from the first light-emitting display portion 32 is reflected by the front glass 8 and visually recognized by the driver 7. Thereby, the driver 7 can visually recognize the light-emitting first light-emitting display portion 32 as a virtual image V2 superimposed on the scenery in front of the front glass 8.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the second light-emitting display portion (second light-emitting portion) 2 is disposed in the instrument panel 9 facing the front glass 8 of the vehicle.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the second light-emitting display portion 2 houses a second light source 21 and a second circuit board 22 in a second housing 23 and a first transparent plate 24.

[0027] The second light source 21 is composed of LEDs, like the first light source 11b, and a plurality of them are arranged in a row. The second circuit board 22 is made of a rigid wiring board, like the first circuit board 17. The second circuit board 22 has a control unit. The control unit drives and controls the second light source 21. The second housing 23 is made of synthetic resin. The first transmissive plate 24 is arranged on the side of the front glass 8 of the second housing 23. The first transmissive plate 24 is made of a black semi-translucent synthetic resin, like the first light-emitting display section 32 of the shutter 3.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the second light-emitting display section 2 is formed in a line shape extending in the left-right direction, similar to the first light-emitting display section 32. The second light source 21 is arranged along this line. The second light-emitting display section 2 is formed to have the same width as the first light-emitting display section 32. The second light-emitting display section 2 is formed on both sides of the in-vehicle panel opening 91 so as to sandwich the in-vehicle panel opening 91 and the first light-emitting display section 32. The second light-emitting display section 2 is formed continuously with the first light-emitting display section 32, and thus is formed in a single continuous line shape in combination with the first light-emitting display section 32.

[0029] The light emitted when the second light source 21 lights up illuminates and causes the first transmissive plate 24 to emit light from behind. The light emitted from the first transmissive plate 24 is reflected by the front glass 8 and visually recognized by the driver 7. Thereby, the driver 7 can visually recognize the first transmissive plate 24 that emits light as a virtual image V3 superimposed on the scenery in front of the front glass 8.

[0030] When the vehicle is stopped and the gear position of the vehicle is in the P (parking) position, the HUD device 1 erases the virtual image V1. Then, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the shutter 3 is slid. Then, as shown in FIG. 5(b), after the shutter 3 is closed, the virtual image V2 is displayed. By displaying the virtual image V2 at such a timing, it is possible to notify the driver 7 that the HUD device 1 is in the OFF state.

[0031] Furthermore, subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the second light-emitting display unit 2 displays the virtual image V3. By displaying the virtual image V3 at such a timing, it is possible to more clearly notify the driver 7 that the HUD device 1 is in the OFF state. Also, since the virtual image V2 and the virtual image V3 are visually recognized by the driver 7 as a single continuous line without interruption at the instrument panel opening 91, a novel display can be achieved. Also, even when the HUD device 1 is provided, a display device other than the HUD device 1 can be arranged at the location where the HUD device 1 is arranged.

[0032] (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present disclosure and a lighting structure using the same will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 7. The same parts and equivalent parts as those in the above-described first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0033] In the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 6, the first light-emitting display unit 32 of the shutter 3 houses the third light source 41 and the third circuit board 42 in the housing portion 43 provided in the shutter 3 and the second transparent plate 44.

[0034] The third light source 41 is composed of LEDs like the second light source 21, and a plurality of them are arranged in a row. The third light source 41 is arranged along the line of the first light-emitting display unit 32. The third circuit board 42 is composed of a rigid wiring board like the second circuit board 22. The third circuit board 42 is connected to the first circuit board 17, and the control unit of the first circuit board 17 drives and controls the third light source 41. The second transparent plate 44 is arranged on the front glass 8 side of the housing portion 43. The second transparent plate 44 is made of a black semi-translucent synthetic resin like the first transparent plate 24.

[0035] The light emitted by the third light source 41 when it lights up illuminates and causes the second transparent plate 44 to emit light from behind. The light emitted by the second transparent plate 44 is reflected by the front glass 8 and visually recognized by the driver 7. Thereby, the driver 7 can visually recognize the second transparent plate 44 that emits light as a virtual image V2 superimposed on the scenery in front of the front glass 8.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 7(a), after closing the shutter 3, the first light-emitting display unit 32 lights the third light source 41 located at the center of the shutter 3 to display the virtual image V2. Then, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the third light source 41 located closer to the instrument panel opening 91 than the third light source 41 located at the center of the shutter 3 is sequentially lit to display the virtual image V2. By lighting the third light source 41 in such an order, the driver 7 can visually recognize the virtual image V2 as gradually spreading outward (in the left-right direction).

[0037] Furthermore, thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7(c), the second light-emitting display unit 2 lights the second light source 21 located on the instrument panel opening 91 side to display the virtual image V3. Then, as shown in FIG. 7(d), the second light source 21 located farther from the instrument panel opening 91 than the second light source 21 located on the instrument panel opening 91 side is sequentially lit to display the virtual image V3. By lighting the second light source 21 in such an order, the driver 7 can visually recognize the virtual image V3 as gradually spreading outward (in the left-right direction) continuously from the virtual image V2.

[0038] By dynamically lighting and displaying the virtual images V2 and V3 in this way, it is possible to more easily notify the driver 7 that the HUD device 1 is in the OFF state.

[0039] (Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present disclosure and the lighting structure using the same will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The same parts and equivalent parts as those in the above-described second embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and described.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8(a), the HUD device 1 slides the shutter 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(b), when the first light-emitting display unit 32 is positioned at the instrument panel opening 91 (before the shutter 3 is closed), the third light source 41 is turned on to display the virtual image V2. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the shutter 3 is closed. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(d), the third light source 41 positioned closer to the instrument panel opening 91 than the third light source 41 positioned at the center of the shutter 3 is sequentially turned on to display the virtual image V2. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(e), the second light-emitting display unit 2 is turned on to display the virtual image V3.

[0041] By displaying the virtual image V2 before the shutter 3 is closed in this way, the driver 7 can be informed earlier that the HUD device 1 is in the OFF state.

[0042] (Fourth Embodiment) A fourth embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present disclosure and the lighting structure using the same will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The same parts and equivalent parts as those in the above-described third embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and described.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the virtual images V2 and V3 were displayed to inform the driver 7 that the shutter 3 was closed. However, in this embodiment, the virtual images V2 and V3 are displayed for use in decorative lighting such as mood lighting and ambient lighting that emit light while the vehicle is stopped.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the second light-emitting display unit 2 emits light with a predetermined light-emitting width at a position away from the in-panel opening 91. Then, the second light-emitting display unit 2 moves the light-emitting unit while maintaining the predetermined light-emitting width. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(b), at the boundary between the second light-emitting display unit 2 and the first light-emitting display unit 32, the in-panel opening 91 side of the second light-emitting display unit 2 emits light and the in-panel opening 91 side of the first light-emitting display unit 32 emits light to form a predetermined light-emitting width. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the first light-emitting display unit 32 moves the light-emitting unit toward the second light-emitting display unit 2 on the opposite side while maintaining the predetermined light-emitting width. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(d), the second light-emitting display unit 2 moves the light-emitting unit while maintaining the predetermined light-emitting width.

[0045] By moving the light-emitting unit with a predetermined light-emitting width across the second light-emitting display unit 2 and the first light-emitting display unit 32 in this way, the driver 7 can visually recognize the light-emitting unit without interruption at the in-panel opening 91.

[0046] (Fifth Embodiment) A fifth embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present disclosure and the lighting structure using the same will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The same parts and equivalent parts as those in the above-described second embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and described.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 10, the shutter 3 of the HUD device 1 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin. The shutter 3 inserts the third light source 41 and the third circuit board 42 and embeds the third light source 41 and the third circuit board 42 inside. The first transmissive layer 45 as corresponding to the second transmissive plate 44 of the first light-emitting display unit 32 is formed of a black semi-transmissive (smoky) film.

[0048] By forming it in this way, the shutter 5 can be made thinner than the configuration of the shutter 3.

[0049] The second housing 23 of the second light-emitting display unit 2 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin. When the second housing 23 is molded, the second light source 21 and the second circuit board 22 are inserted, and the second light source 21 and the second circuit board 22 are embedded therein. The second transmissive layer 25 corresponding to the first transmissive plate 24 of the second light-emitting display unit 2 is formed of a black semi-transmissive (smoky) film.

[0050] By forming in this way, the appearance of the shutter 5 and the second light-emitting display unit 2 can be matched.

[0051] In addition, the head-up display device of the present disclosure has been described by taking the configuration of the above-described embodiment as an example, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure in other configurations.

[0052] For example, although the first light-emitting display unit 32 and the second light-emitting display unit 2 of the HUD device 1 emit the display light L to the front glass 8, it may be emitted to any location of the transparent portion of the front glass 8 or the opaque portion formed of the black ceramic coat at the peripheral portion of the front glass 8.

[0053] In addition, although the first light-emitting display unit 32 and the second light-emitting display unit 2 have been displaying after closing the shutter 3 or during closing the shutter 3, they may display during opening the shutter 3.

[0054] In addition, although the first light-emitting display unit 32 emits light by the light of the first light source 11b transmitted through the liquid crystal display 11, a light source may be disposed behind the concave mirror 13, the concave mirror 13 may be formed of a semi-transmissive material, and the light may be emitted by the light transmitted through the concave mirror 13.

[0055] The first light-emitting display unit 32 has notified the driver 7 that the HUD device 1 is in the OFF state, but for example, it may be displayed in red at the timing when the immobilizer is activated when the vehicle is parked, and continue to be displayed during the operation of the immobilizer to notify the operation of the immobilizer.

Description of Signs

[0056] 1 HUD device 11 Liquid crystal display (display) 11a Liquid crystal display panel 11b First light source 11c Wiring board 12 Reflecting mirror 13 Concave mirror 13a Support member 14 First housing 14a Window portion 14b Mounting portion 15 Motor 15a Rotating shaft 15b Worm gear 16 Gear 17 First circuit board 2 Second light-emitting display unit (second light-emitting unit) 21 Second light source 22 Second circuit board 23 Second housing 24 First transparent plate 25 Second transparent layer 3 Shutter (lid) 31 Gear 32 First light-emitting display unit (first light-emitting unit) 41 Third light source 42 Third circuit board 43 Accommodating portion 44 Second transparent plate 45 First transparent layer 7 Driver 8 Windshield (screen) 9 Instrument panel 91 Instrument panel opening (opening) L1 Display light (image) L2 Display light (image) V1 Virtual image V2 Virtual image V3 Virtual image

Claims

1. In a head-up display device that emits display light from a display unit through an opening and displays information about a vehicle as a virtual image on a transparent screen disposed in front of a driver, It has a light-shielding lid that can be moved to take either an open state in which the opening is not closed or a closed state in which the opening is closed, The head-up display device, wherein the lid has a first light-emitting unit.

2. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the first light-emitting unit emits light by the display light.

3. The head-up display device according to claim 2, wherein the display light transmitted through the first light-emitting unit is emitted to the screen and displayed as a virtual image on the screen.

4. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the first light-emitting unit has a first light source.

5. The head-up display device according to claim 4, wherein the first light source emits light during the movement of the lid.

6. A head-up display device according to claim 1, And a second light-emitting unit formed on an instrument panel, The lighting structure, wherein the first light-emitting unit is formed continuously with the second light-emitting unit.

7. After the first light-emitting unit emits light, the second light-emitting unit emits light continuously with the first light-emitting unit, or After the second light-emitting unit emits light, the first light-emitting unit emits light continuously with the second light-emitting unit, The lighting structure according to claim 6, characterized by the above.

Images