Head-up display device

Abstract

To provide a head-up display device which enables reduction of influence of light reflected on a case while inhibiting increase of manufacturing costs.SOLUTION: A head-up display device 7 is mounted below a windshield 3 of a vehicle 1 and projects display light L to an information display part 3a set in front of a driver seat 5 to display vehicle information. The head-up display device 7 includes: an emission part 10 which may emit the display light L; and a case 7a which houses the emission part 10. An upper surface 8a of an upper case 8 is provided with: an emission port 8b which is open to the upper side in such a manner that the display light L emitted from the emission part 10 may be emitted to the outside of the case 7a; and a cone-shaped projection part 13 having a first side surface part 13a which is set so as to be able to reflect the light incident from the outside of the case 7a toward the upper surface 8a of the upper case 8 to an area excluding the information display part 3a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a head-up display device capable of projecting vehicle information related to vehicle driving, such as vehicle speed. [Background technology]

[0002] Head-up display devices capable of projecting information related to vehicle driving, such as vehicle speed, in front of the driver's seat of a vehicle have been known. The head-up display device includes a case that houses an emitter capable of emitting display light. The display light emitted from the emitter is reflected by a plane mirror or a concave mirror disposed inside the case, and is then projected from an exit formed in the top of the case onto an information display area, such as a windshield or a combiner. The display light projected onto the information display area reaches the eyes of a driver seated in the driver's seat, allowing the driver to visually recognize vehicle information, such as vehicle speed.

[0003] However, since the head-up display device is mounted below the windshield of the vehicle, external light such as sunlight that passes through the windshield enters the upper part of the case. If this external light such as sunlight is reflected by the upper part of the case, the reflected light will be reflected in the information display area.

[0004] To avoid this, for example, in the head-up display device of Patent Document 1, a low-reflection sheet capable of suppressing reflection of external light such as sunlight is attached around the light outlet at the top of the case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-003897 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, if a low-reflection sheet is attached to the top of the case as in Patent Document 1, the number of parts and assembly steps may increase, which may increase the product cost.

[0007] Furthermore, for example, when the direction in which the vehicle faces relative to the sun, that is, the orientation of the head-up display device mounted below the vehicle's windshield, changes due to the position of the sun, which changes depending on the time of day and season, and the steering state of the vehicle, the angle of incidence of sunlight entering the top of the case changes in various ways. Therefore, even when sunlight entering from various angles is reflected by the top of the case, there is a demand to prevent the reflected light from being reflected on the windshield, etc.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and its object is to provide a head-up display device that can reduce the influence of light reflected from the case while suppressing an increase in product costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that a cone-shaped protrusion is provided on the case to change the reflection direction of light incident on the case from the outside.

[0010] Specifically, the present invention targets a head-up display device that is mounted below the windshield of a vehicle and configured to project display light toward an information display unit set in front of the driver's seat to display vehicle information, and the following solutions have been implemented.

[0011] That is, the first invention comprises an emission section capable of emitting the display light, and a case that houses the emission section, and the case is provided with an emission opening that opens upward so that the display light emitted from the emission section can be emitted to the outside of the case, and an opening forming surface that is located around the emission opening and forms the emission opening, and the opening forming surface is provided with a conical protrusion having a side portion that is set so that light that is incident from the outside of the case toward the opening forming surface can be reflected to an area excluding the information display section.

[0012] A second invention is characterized in that in the first invention, the protrusion has a pyramidal shape.

[0013] The third invention is characterized in that, in the second invention, the opening forming surface is rectangular, the protrusions are pyramidal in shape and are provided in multiple numbers, and each protrusion is arranged adjacent to another so as to be aligned in a plane on the opening forming surface.

[0014] The fourth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third inventions, the case is integrally molded from a resin material, the opening forming surface has an inclined surface portion that slopes downward toward the outlet and on which the protrusion is provided, and the area of ​​the side portion of the protrusion on the outlet side extends in the same direction as the opening direction of the outlet or has a shape that extends gradually away from the outlet.

[0015] A fifth invention is characterized in that in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the height of the protrusion is set to 0.2 mm or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] In the first invention, when a head-up display device is mounted below the windshield of a vehicle, even if external light such as sunlight enters the case of the head-up display device at various angles, the external light hits the side surfaces of each protrusion and is then reflected in a direction different from the direction toward the information display unit. This prevents external light entering the case from being indirectly or directly reflected toward the information display unit above the head-up display device and being reflected on the information display unit. Furthermore, since there is no need to attach a low-reflection sheet such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 around the light exit of the case, an increase in the production cost of the head-up display device can be suppressed.

[0017] In the second aspect of the present invention, the side surface of each protrusion is a combination of multiple flat surfaces, which allows the external light to be reflected in a more appropriate direction than when the side surface is made up of curved surfaces, thereby reliably preventing the external light reflected by the case from being reflected onto the information display unit.

[0018] In the third aspect of the present invention, for example, it is possible to arrange a plurality of protrusions tightly around the light exit of the case, which makes it even more difficult for external light reflected around the light exit of the case to be directed toward the information display unit, thereby more reliably preventing external light reflected by the case from being reflected onto the information display unit.

[0019] In the fourth invention, when the case is integrally molded from resin using a mold, if the mold removal direction is set in the direction of the opening of the emission port, undercuts will not occur in the molded portion of the protrusion, eliminating the need to provide a dedicated slide mold for molding the protrusion, simplifying the structure of the mold and preventing increases in manufacturing costs.

[0020] In the fifth invention, the protrusion is at a height that makes it difficult for the driver or other such person to see with their naked eyes, thereby preventing the protrusion from entering the driver's field of vision and increasing the driver's satisfaction with the design of the area in front of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a left side view showing the front part of a vehicle equipped with a head-up display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing a state in which display light is emitted from the head-up display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an upper case of the head-up display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a left side view showing a state in which external light is reflected on an upper surface of an upper case of a head-up display device according to a comparative example. [Figure 5] 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the third inclined wall shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing the shapes of the third inclined wall and the protrusion when viewed from the left front side. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modified example according to FIG.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature.

[0023] In this embodiment, the upper side of each of Figures 1, 2, and 4 corresponds to the rear side of the vehicle, the lower side corresponds to the front side of the vehicle, the right side corresponds to the rear side of the vehicle, and the left side corresponds to the upper side of the vehicle. Also, in Figure 3, the upper side corresponds to the left side of the vehicle, the lower side corresponds to the right side of the vehicle, the right side corresponds to the front side of the vehicle, and the left side corresponds to the rear side of the vehicle. Furthermore, in Figures 5 and 7, the upper side corresponds to the upper side of the vehicle, the lower side corresponds to the lower side of the vehicle, the right side corresponds to the left side of the vehicle, and the left side corresponds to the right side of the vehicle. Additionally, in Figure 6, the upper side corresponds to the upper side of the vehicle, the lower side corresponds to the lower side of the vehicle, the right side corresponds to the rear left side of the vehicle, and the left side corresponds to the front right side of the vehicle.

[0024] 1 shows the front part of a vehicle 1 equipped with a head-up display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 1 is, for example, a four-wheeled vehicle for five passengers, and is provided with a bonnet 2 covering an engine compartment, a windshield 3, and a roof 4 covering the upper part of the passenger compartment R, in that order from the front.

[0025] A driver's seat 5 is provided behind the windshield 3 inside the passenger compartment R, and a driver D can operate the vehicle 1 using a steering wheel or the like while seated in the driver's seat 5.

[0026] A dashboard 6 equipped with instruments such as a vehicle speedometer is provided below the windshield 3 inside the passenger compartment R, and a head-up display device 7 is embedded in the upper surface of the dashboard 6.

[0027] The head-up display device 7 is configured to project display light L onto an information display section 3a provided on the windshield 3, thereby being able to display vehicle information relating to vehicle driving, such as vehicle speed.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the head-up display device 7 includes a case 7a molded from a resin material, and the case 7a has an upper case 8 that constitutes approximately the upper half and a lower case 9 that constitutes approximately the lower half.

[0029] An emission port 8b that opens upward is provided on the top surface 8a of the upper case 8. A transparent cover 14 made of a transparent film that can transmit light is placed over the emission port 8b so as to cover the emission port 8b.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the upper case 8 has a rectangular frame shape in a plan view, and includes a front wall 8c and a rear wall 8d arranged opposite each other in the front-to-rear direction, a left wall 8e connecting the left end portions of the front wall 8c and the rear wall 8d in the front-to-rear direction, and a right wall 8f connecting the right end portions of the front wall 8c and the rear wall 8d in the front-to-rear direction.

[0031] A first inclined wall 8h is connected to the rear wall 8d, and extends forward from the front end of the rear wall 8d so as to close the emission port 8b, and has a first inclined surface 8g that is positioned downward as it goes forward.

[0032] A second inclined wall 8j is connected to the left wall 8e, extending rightward from the right end of the left wall 8e to block the outlet 8b, and having a second inclined surface 8i that is positioned downward as it goes rightward.

[0033] A connecting portion 8k is provided between the rear wall 8d and the left wall 8e, connecting the rear wall 8d and the left wall 8e, and a third inclined wall 8n is connected to the connecting portion 8k. The third inclined wall 8n extends from the right front end of the connecting portion 8k to the right front so as to block the outlet 8b, and is positioned downward as it goes to the right front, i.e., has a third inclined surface 8m that slopes downward toward the outlet 8b.

[0034] The third inclined wall 8n has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and is configured to connect the first inclined wall 8h and the second inclined wall 8j.

[0035] In this embodiment, the upper surfaces of the front wall 8c, rear wall 8d, left wall 8e, and right wall 8f, as well as the first inclined surface 8g, second inclined surface 8i, and third inclined surface 8m, constitute the upper surface 8a of the upper case 8, and the upper surface 8a of the upper case 8 corresponds to the opening forming surface in the claims.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, inside the case 7a, an emission unit 10, a plane mirror 11, and a concave mirror 12 are arranged in this order from below.

[0037] The emission unit 10 is configured to convert vehicle information related to vehicle operation, such as vehicle speed, obtained from the controller of the vehicle 1 and various sensors, into images such as numbers and figures, and to generate display light L representing the converted image and emit it to the rear and upper side.

[0038] The plane mirror 11 is disposed at a position above and behind the emission section 10, and reflects the display light L emitted from the emission section 10 to the upper front side.

[0039] The concave mirror 12 is disposed above the emission section 10 and in front of and above the plane mirror 11, and reflects the display light L reflected by the plane mirror 11 toward the information display section 3a of the windshield 3.

[0040] The display light L reflected by the concave mirror 12 is emitted from the exit port 8b to the outside of the case 7a while passing through the transparent cover 14, and is reflected by the information display unit 3a of the windshield 3 before reaching the eyes of the driver D. When the display light L reaches the eyes of the driver D, the driver D perceives a virtual image V that appears in front of the windshield 3, and is able to obtain vehicle information from the virtual image V. This allows the driver D, when operating the vehicle 1, to grasp vehicle information related to vehicle operation, such as vehicle speed, with less eye movement than when directly viewing instruments such as the vehicle speedometer on the dashboard 6.

[0041] When the vehicle 1 is used during the daytime when sunlight SL is pouring in from the sun S, as shown in Fig. 4, the sunlight SL passes through the windshield 3 and enters the head-up display device 7. The incident sunlight SL passes through the transparent cover 14, passes through the exit port 8b of the upper case 8, and strikes the third inclined surface 8m, which reflects the sunlight SL toward the concave mirror 12. The concave mirror 12 then reflects the sunlight SL from the third inclined surface 8m toward the information display unit 3a of the windshield 3, and the sunlight SL reflected by the information display unit 3a reaches the eyes of the driver D, which may cause the driver D to notice the sunlight SL reflected on the information display unit 3a.

[0042] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of protrusions 13 are arranged adjacent to each other on the third inclined surface 8m of the third inclined wall 8n so as to be aligned in a plane on the third inclined surface 8m.

[0043] Each protrusion 13 has an oblique pyramidal shape (see FIG. 6) and a quadrangular pyramid shape. Each protrusion 13 is provided with a first side surface 13a facing upward, a second side surface 13b facing forward, a third side surface 13c facing left, and a fourth side surface 13d facing right, and each of the first side surface 13a to fourth side surface 13d is configured to be able to reflect sunlight SL incident toward the third inclined surface 8m toward an area excluding the information display unit 3a.

[0044] In addition, the area of ​​the first side surface portion 13a to the fourth side surface portion 13d of each protrusion portion 13 on the side of the outlet 8b, i.e., the second side surface portion 13b, has a shape that extends gradually away from the outlet 8b located in front of the third inclined wall 8n as it goes upward, as shown in Figure 6.

[0045] Furthermore, the height H of each protrusion 13 is set to about 0.2 mm, and the pitch P between adjacent protrusions 13 is set to about 1 mm.

[0046] Here, if the upper case 8 does not have the protrusion 13 according to this embodiment, sunlight SL will hit the third inclined surface 8m and be reflected in the direction of the concave mirror 12, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 5. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, there is a risk that the light reflected by the concave mirror 12 will cause the information display section 3a of the windshield 3 to be reflected.

[0047] On the other hand, when the upper case 8 is provided with the protrusions 13 according to this embodiment, the sunlight SL does not reach the third inclined surface 8m, but instead hits the first side surface portion 13a, for example, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 5, making it possible to reflect the sunlight SL in a direction different from that of the concave mirror 12. In other words, since the sunlight SL can be reflected to an area other than the information display unit 3a, it is possible to prevent reflection of the sunlight SL on the information display unit 3a of the windshield 3 via the concave mirror 12. Furthermore, since the upper case 8 is provided with the protrusions 13, it is not necessary to paint the surface of the upper case 8 with a matte finish or the like in order to suppress reflection of the sunlight SL, and it is also possible to suppress an increase in product costs that would be associated with such painting.

[0048] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the head-up display device 7 is mounted below the windshield 3 of the vehicle 1, even if external light such as sunlight SL is incident on the case 7a of the head-up display device 7 at various angles, the external light hits the side surfaces of the protrusions 13 (at least one of the first side surface 13a to the fourth side surface 13d in FIG. 5 ) and is then reflected in a direction different from the direction toward the information display unit 3a. This prevents external light incident on the case 7a from being indirectly or directly reflected toward the information display unit 3a above the head-up display device 7 and being reflected on the information display unit 3a. Furthermore, since there is no need to attach a low-reflection sheet such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 around the light outlet 8b of the case 7a, an increase in the production cost of the head-up display device 7 can be suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, because the side surface of each protrusion 13 is a combination of multiple flat surfaces (first side surface 13a to fourth side surface 13d), it is possible to reliably reflect external light in an appropriate direction compared to side surfaces configured with curved surfaces. This reliably prevents external light reflected by the case 7a from being reflected onto the information display unit 3a, making it possible to reduce the brightness of light reflected by the information display unit 3a and reaching the eyes of the driver D.

[0050] Furthermore, for example, it is possible to arrange multiple protrusions 13 without any gaps on the third inclined surface 8m provided around the light outlet 8b of the case 7a, which makes it even more difficult for external light reflected on the third inclined surface 8m of the case 7a to head toward the information display unit 3a, thereby more reliably preventing external light reflected on the case 7a from being reflected on the information display unit 3a.

[0051] Furthermore, the region of each protrusion 13 on the outlet 8b side of the first side surface portion 13a to the fourth side surface portion 13d, i.e., the second side surface portion 13b, has a shape that extends gradually away from the outlet 8b located in front of the third inclined wall 8n as it goes upward, so when the upper case 8 is integrally molded from a resin material using a mold, if the mold removal direction is set in the opening direction of the outlet 8b, no undercut will occur in the molded portion of the protrusion 13. Therefore, there is no need to provide a dedicated slide mold for molding the protrusion 13, which simplifies the structure of the mold and helps prevent increases in manufacturing costs.

[0052] Furthermore, since the height of each protrusion 13 is set to approximately 0.2 mm, the protrusion 13 is at a height that makes it difficult for the driver D or the like to see it with their naked eyes, and the protrusion 13 is prevented from coming into the field of vision of the driver D or the like, thereby increasing the satisfaction of the driver D or the like with the design of the area in front of the vehicle.

[0053] In this embodiment, the protrusion 13 is provided only on the third inclined surface 8m, but the protrusion 13 may also be provided on the upper surface 8a of the upper case 8 other than the third inclined surface 8m, that is, on the upper surfaces of the front wall 8c, rear wall 8d, left wall 8e, and right wall 8f, as well as on the first inclined surface 8g and second inclined surface 8i.

[0054] In addition, in this embodiment, the protrusion 13 has an oblique pyramidal and square pyramidal shape, but as shown in Figure 7, it may also have a regular square pyramidal shape, or may be configured in a pyramidal shape such as a triangular pyramid or a cone.

[0055] In addition, in this embodiment, the area of ​​the first side surface portion 13a to the fourth side surface portion 13d of the protrusion portion 13 on the side of the outlet 8b, i.e., the second side surface portion 13b, has a shape that extends gradually away from the outlet 8b located in front of the third inclined wall 8n as it goes upward, but it may also extend in the same direction as the opening direction of the outlet 8b.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height H of each protrusion 13 is set to approximately 0.2 mm, but it may be appropriately set to 0.25 mm or less, which is a size that is difficult for the driver D to see with the naked eye. Note that from the perspective of being difficult for the driver D to see with the naked eye, it is preferable that the height H of each protrusion 13 is lower, but from the perspective of appropriately reflecting sunlight SL, it is preferable that the height H of each protrusion 13 is higher. Therefore, it is preferable to set the height H of each protrusion 13 in the range of 0.1 to 0.25 mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.175 to 0.225 mm.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pitch P between adjacent protrusions 13 is set to approximately 1 mm, but it may be set appropriately within the range of, for example, 0.5 to 1.5 mm.

[0058] In addition, in this embodiment, each protrusion 13 is not painted with a matte finish or the like to suppress reflection of external light such as sunlight SL, but each protrusion 13 may be painted with a matte finish or the like.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example in which a plurality of protrusions 13 are provided has been described, but only one protrusion 13 may be provided.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example in which sunlight SL is incident has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to cases in which external light other than sunlight SL is incident.

[0061] In addition, in this embodiment, the information display unit 3a is set on the windshield 3, but in the case of a head-up display device that emits display light toward the combiner, the information display unit may be set on the combiner. [Industrial Applicability]

[0062] The present invention is suitable for a head-up display device capable of projecting vehicle information related to vehicle driving, such as vehicle speed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 vehicle 3 Windshield 3a Information display section 5 Driver's seat 7 Head-up display device 7a Case 8b Output port 8a Top surface (opening formation surface) 8m 3rd slope (slope section) 13 Protrusion 13a First side part (side part) 13b Second side surface portion (side surface portion, region on the side of the light exit port of the side surface portion) 13c Third side part (side part) 13d 4th side part (side part)

Claims

1. A head-up display device that is mounted below a windshield of a vehicle and is configured to project display light toward an information display unit set in front of a driver's seat to display vehicle information, an emission unit capable of emitting the display light; and a case that accommodates the emission unit; the case is provided with an emission opening that opens upward to allow the display light emitted from the emission portion to be emitted to the outside of the case, and an opening forming surface that is located around the emission opening and forms the emission opening; The opening forming surface is provided with a cone-shaped protrusion having a side surface configured to reflect light incident from the outside of the case toward the opening forming surface toward an area other than the information display section.

2. The head-up display device according to claim 1, The head-up display device is characterized in that the protrusion has a pyramidal shape.

3. The head-up display device according to claim 2, The opening forming surface has a rectangular shape, The protrusions are each formed in a quadrangular pyramid shape and are provided in plurality. The head-up display device is characterized in that the protrusions are arranged adjacent to each other so as to be aligned in a plane on the opening forming surface.

4. The head-up display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The case is integrally molded from a resin material, the opening forming surface has an inclined surface portion that is inclined downward toward the light exit port and on which the protrusion portion is provided, A head-up display device characterized in that the area of ​​the side portion of the protrusion on the outlet side extends in the same direction as the opening direction of the outlet, or has a shape that extends gradually away from the outlet.

5. The head-up display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A head-up display device, characterized in that the height of the protrusion is set to 0.2 mm or less.

Images