Projection device for vehicle

Abstract

A purpose of the present invention is to prevent unnecessary light other than an intended pattern from being projected. The invention comprises: a light source 11 that emits light; and a pattern lens 20 in which a projection pattern Pt to be projected on an interior of a vehicle is formed, said pattern lens emitting light corresponding to the projection pattern Pt on the basis of light that is incident from the light source 11, wherein the pattern lens 20 is provided with a pattern portion 207 in which the projection pattern Pt is formed; and folded portions 208 that are provided at sections different from the pattern portion 207 and include slopes 206 having an angle of total reflection with respect to the incident angle of the light that is incident from the light source 11.

Description

Vehicle Projection Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle projection device that projects within a vehicle to perform a desired display.

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a vehicle projection device described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this projection device (projector), a pattern plate having a pattern for projection is provided. The pattern plate includes a light transmission part and a light shielding part, and based on the light emitted from a light source, a projection image including a bright region having a pattern corresponding to the light transmission part and a dark region having a pattern corresponding to the light shielding part is projected and displayed at an appropriate location inside the vehicle.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-062941

[0004] However, in the manufacture of the pattern plate of the conventional vehicle projection device, usually, for example, a light shielding part is formed by performing black printing on a transparent member. Therefore, when the printing accuracy is not very high, there is a problem that unnecessary light other than the pattern is projected.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle projection device that can prevent unnecessary light other than the intended pattern from being projected.

[0006] The present invention has a light source 11 that emits light, and a pattern lens 20 on which a projection pattern Pt to be projected onto the interior of the vehicle is formed, and the pattern lens 20 emits light corresponding to the projection pattern Pt based on the light incident from the light source 11. The pattern lens 20 includes a pattern part 207 on which the projection pattern Pt is formed, and a folding part 208 provided at a part different from the pattern part 207 and having an inclined surface 206 that totally reflects with respect to the incident angle of the light incident from the light source 11.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle projection device that can prevent unnecessary light other than the intended pattern from being projected.

[0008] A perspective view and exploded perspective view showing the overall structure of a projector according to one embodiment of the present invention. A side cross-sectional view of the projector shown in Figure 1. A perspective view, a side view, and a perspective view from the opposite side of the light source showing the detailed structure of the handle lens. An explanatory diagram of the main cross-sectional structure of the handle lens shown in Figure 3. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a projected image by a projector according to one embodiment of the present invention, and an explanatory diagram showing an example of a projected image by a projector in a modified example in which the folded portion is also provided within the handle portion. A perspective view from the light source side showing the detailed structure of the handle lens in a modified example in which the outside of the second functional area is a plane, and an explanatory diagram showing the detailed cross-sectional structure of the handle lens. A perspective view from the light source side showing the detailed structure of the handle lens in a modified example in which a refraction portion is provided outside the second functional area, and an explanatory diagram showing the detailed cross-sectional structure of the handle lens. An explanatory diagram showing the detailed cross-sectional structure of a variation handle lens in which the refraction portion is composed of a slope. An explanatory diagram of the main cross-sectional structure of the handle lens in a modified example in which the handle portion and the folded portion are separate structures. An enlarged view of the part corresponding to section A in Figure 4, showing the detailed cross-sectional structure of the main part of the handle lens in a modified example in which a curved surface is provided between the patterned section and the folded section. A perspective view of the handle lens as seen from the side opposite the light source in a modified example in which the folded section is also provided within the patterned section.

[0009] Figure 1(a) is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the projector 1 (vehicle projection device) according to this embodiment, and Figure 1(b) is an exploded perspective view. Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the projector 1.

[0010] In Figures 1(a), 1(b), and 2, the projector 1 is used, for example, mainly inside the interior of an automobile, and is mounted on, for example, the side panel, instrument panel, or door of the vehicle's interior. The projector 1 comprises a light source 11 that emits light, for example, consisting of three-color LEDs; a pattern lens 20 that has a projection pattern Pt formed on it to be projected onto the interior of the vehicle and emits light corresponding to the projection pattern Pt based on the light incident from the light source 11; and a projection lens 22 for projecting the pattern of the pattern lens 20. The pattern lens 20 and the projection lens 22 are fixed by being sandwiched inside the lens holder 21 in a sealed manner.

[0011] The light source 11 is a light-emitting element equipped with an LED chip or the like. The light source 11 is mounted on a circuit board 10, and a connector 12 for supplying power and signals to the light source 11 is connected to the circuit board 10. The circuit board 10 on which the light source 11 is mounted, the lens holder 21 equipped with a pattern lens 20 and a projection lens 22 are housed in a housing 30. The housing 30 has an opening 301 for extracting light from the projection lens 22 and an opening 302 for connecting connectors of external devices to the connector 12. The housing 30 is made of a black resin such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin, polypropylene (PP) resin, or ABS resin.

[0012] Figure 3 shows the detailed structure of the handle lens 20. Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of the handle lens 20 as seen from the light source 11 side, Figure 3(b) is a perspective view of the handle lens 20 as seen from the opposite side of the light source 11, and Figure 3(c) is a side view of the handle lens 20. In Figures 3(a) to 3(c), the handle lens 20 is made of, for example, transparent plastic and has a first surface F1 which is the surface on the light source 11 side (the surface that becomes the light-receiving surface of the handle lens 20) along the optical path of the light, and a second surface F2 which is the surface on the opposite side of the light source 11 (the surface that becomes the emission surface of the handle lens 20) along the optical path of the light.

[0013] As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(c), the first surface F1 has a condenser lens portion 230 (parallel light forming portion) that refracts light from the light source 11 into parallel light, and includes a first functional region F1a (first region) where the refraction function of the condenser lens portion 230 is effective. As shown in Figure 3(b), the second surface F2 includes a second functional region F2a (second region) that passes light from the condenser lens portion 230 and corresponds to the first functional region F1a. The second functional region F2a includes a pattern portion 207 on which a projection pattern Pt is formed, and a folded portion 208 provided in a different location from the pattern portion 207.

[0014] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the main cross-sectional structure of the patterned lens 20. In Figure 4 and Figure 3(b) above, the patterned portion 207 is composed of a fine uneven shape formed on a generally flat surface 205. The folded portion 208 is provided radially outside the patterned portion 207 of the patterned lens 20 so as to surround the outline of the patterned portion 207. The folded portion 208 has a plurality of inclined surfaces 206 that are inclined at approximately 45° with respect to the flat surface 205, and includes a plurality of protrusions formed by the inclined surfaces 206. The folded portion 208 has a sawtooth cross-sectional shape formed by the plurality of inclined surfaces 206, and the protrusions are, for example, linear protrusions with a triangular cross-section formed by two opposing inclined surfaces 206.

[0015] As shown in Figure 4, the folded portion 208 blocks the light L from the light source 11 by utilizing the total internal reflection of light at the inclined surface 206. The inclined surface 206 is set at an angle of approximately 45°, which is the angle at which total internal reflection occurs with respect to the angle of incidence of the light L incident from the light source 11, that is, the angle at which light L incident perpendicularly to the pattern lens 20 undergoes total internal reflection. Therefore, light does not pass through the folded portion 208 formed by the inclined surface 206.

[0016] The projector 1 with the above configuration projects an image I onto the door, floor mat, ceiling, and decorative panels and ornaments included in the instrument panel and door trim. Figure 5(a) shows an example of the image I being projected onto the trim of the right-hand door inside the car. In this case, the image I is composed of a high-brightness area I1 having a pattern corresponding to the pattern Pt of the design area 207 and a low-brightness area I2 having a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the folded-over area 208.

[0017] <Effects of the Embodiment> As described above, the projector 1 of this embodiment has a light source 11 and a pattern lens 20. The pattern lens 20 has a projection pattern Pt formed thereon, and emits light corresponding to the pattern Pt based on the light incident from the light source 11. At this time, the pattern lens 20 has the pattern portion 207 and a folded portion 208 provided in a different part from the pattern portion 207. The pattern portion 207 has a projection pattern Pt formed thereon, and the light incident from the light source 11 is emitted through the pattern portion 207 to the side opposite the light source 11, so that an image I including a desired design corresponding to the pattern Pt (the above region I1; see Figure 5(a)) is projected and displayed at an appropriate location inside the vehicle.

[0018] On the other hand, the folded portion 208 is provided with a sloped surface 206 at an angle that causes total internal reflection with respect to the angle of incidence of light incident from the light source 11 (see Figure 4). As a result, light incident from the light source 11 to the folded portion 208 is totally reflected by the sloped surface 206 and does not emit outwards from the side opposite the light source 11. As a result, it is possible to prevent unwanted light from being projected outside the projection range of the desired design corresponding to the pattern Pt of the pattern portion 207 onto the projection target, such as interior parts inside a car. Furthermore, by preventing the projection of unwanted light other than the pattern Pt using the lens structure formed in the pattern lens 20 in this way, it is also possible to reduce manufacturing costs compared to conventional methods using black printing.

[0019] Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, the folded portion 208 has a sawtooth cross-sectional shape formed by a plurality of inclined surfaces 206. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, a total internal reflection can be reliably achieved by, for example, causing a first reflection at approximately 45° on one of the two triangular vertices included in the sawtooth shape, and then causing a second reflection at approximately 45° again on the other side.

[0020] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first surface F1 of the pattern lens 20 includes a condenser lens portion 230 that refracts light from the light source 11 into parallel light. By making the light parallel in the condenser lens portion 230 (see Figure 4), the light can be reliably returned in the direction of total internal reflection at the folding portion 208.

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, the pattern portion 207 and the folded portion 208 are formed in the second functional region F2a that allows light from the condenser lens portion 230 to pass through (see Figure 3(b)). By providing the pattern portion 207 and the folded portion 208 in the second functional region F2a, which corresponds to the first functional region F1a where the condenser lens portion 230 functions effectively as a lens, it is possible to prevent waste by placing them in unnecessary parts without any meaning.

[0022] Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, the folded portion 208 is provided radially outward from the pattern portion 207 of the pattern lens 20 (see Figures 3(b) and 4). This allows the desired design to be formed in the region I1 of the image I by projection through the radially inward pattern portion 207 (see Figure 5(a)), while the folded portion 208, which is outward from the pattern portion 207, prevents the projection of light that would otherwise interfere with the design around it.

[0023] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit and technical idea. Such modifications will be described in order below. The same reference numerals are used for parts equivalent to those in the above embodiments, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0024] (1) When the outside of the second functional region is flat, that is, in this modified example, as shown in Figure 6(a), which corresponds to Figure 3(a) of the above embodiment, and Figure 6(b), which is an explanatory diagram showing the detailed cross-sectional structure of the handle lens 20, the second surface F2 of the handle lens 20 includes a flat portion F2c radially outward from the second functional region F2a. As a result, as shown in Figure 6(b), the light L travels straight through (or is refracted) the flat portion F2c and passes through, causing the light L to hit the housing 30 and be absorbed.

[0025] (2) When a refractive portion is provided outside the second functional region, that is, in this modified example, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b) which correspond to Figures 6(a) and 6(b) respectively, the second surface F2 of the pattern lens 20 includes a refractive portion F2b that refracts light radially outward from the second functional region F2a and refracts light toward the outside of the second functional region F2a. In the example shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the refractive portion F2b is made of a Fresnel lens. The folded portion 208 is formed between the pattern portion 207 and the refractive portion F2b. Note that the refractive portion F2b can also be made of a beveled surface, as shown in Figure 8 which corresponds to Figure 7(b). Furthermore, although not shown in the figures, the refraction portion F2b may be provided in an area other than the pattern portion 207 radially inward from the second functional region F2a (the area where the folded portion 208 is formed), or it may be provided in an area other than the condenser lens portion 230 of the first surface F1, rather than the second surface F2.

[0026] In this modified example, the light L passes through the refraction section F2b and is further refracted outward, thereby more reliably achieving a configuration in which unwanted light is absorbed by the wall surface of the housing 30.

[0027] (3) When the pattern portion and the folded portion are separate structures, explanatory diagrams of the main cross-sectional structure of the pattern lens 20 in this modified example are shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b). As shown in the figures, in this modified example, the pattern lens 20 has a structure that can be divided into two parts, comprising a first member 20A having a pattern portion 207, and a second member 20B configured to be engageable with the first member 20A and having a folded portion 208 located radially outward of the pattern portion 207.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 9(a), the second member 20B has a recess on its radially inward (center) side, into which the first member 20A can be fitted and engaged. The condenser lens portion 230 is provided on the side opposite to the protrusion of the second member 20B (in other words, the side facing the light source 11).

[0029] In the example shown in Figure 9(b), the first member 20A has a protrusion on its radially inward (center) side, and the second member 20B is fitted and engageable with the radially outward side of the protrusion. The condenser lens portion 230 is provided on the side of the first member 20A opposite to the protrusion (in other words, the side facing the light source 11).

[0030] According to this modified example, even without providing both the pattern portion 207 and the folded portion 208 within a single pattern lens 20, the same functionality can be achieved by providing the pattern portion 207 and the folded portion 208 on separate members 20A and 20B, respectively, and assembling them. Furthermore, the configuration in Figure 9(a) also has the effect of easily changing the pattern of the pattern portion 207 while maintaining the condenser lens portion 230, which is the parallel light forming portion.

[0031] (4) When a curved surface is provided between the patterned portion and the folded portion, Figure 10 shows an enlarged view of the portion corresponding to part A in Figure 4, which represents the detailed cross-sectional structure of the main part of the patterned lens 20 in this modified example. As shown in the figure, in this modified example, the second surface F2 of the patterned lens 20 further includes a curved surface 209 that connects the patterned portion 207 and the folded portion 208. This makes it possible to create a visually smooth transition of light and dark at the boundary between the design projected by the patterned portion 207 and the other parts through gradation.

[0032] (5) When a folded portion is also provided within the pattern portion Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the pattern lens 20 of this modified example, viewed from the side opposite the light source 11, corresponding to Figure 3(b) above. As shown in Figure 11, in the pattern lens 20 of this modified example, in addition to the multiple folded portions 208 located radially outward of the pattern portion 207, a folded portion 208A is provided radially inward of the pattern portion 207 so as to be surrounded by the pattern portion 207.

[0033] By arranging the folded portion 208A inside the pattern portion 207, when projecting onto the interior of a vehicle, for example as shown in Figure 5(b), the design can be avoided from projecting onto a specific area AR such as a door handle, and an image I including areas I1, I2, and I3 outside that area can be projected.

[0034] 1 Projector 10 Circuit board 11 Light source 12 Connector 20 Pattern lens 20A First component 20B Second component 21 Lens holder 22 Projection lens 30 Housing 205 Plane 206 Inclined surface 207 Pattern section 208 Folded section 208A Folded section 209 Curved surface section 221 Projection lens 230 Condenser lens section 301 Aperture 302 Aperture F1 First surface F1a First functional area F2 Second surface F2a Second functional area F2b Refraction section F2c Plane section I Images I1-3 Images L Light

Claims

1. A vehicle projection device comprising: a light source that emits light; and a pattern lens having a projection pattern formed on it that is projected onto the interior of a vehicle, and emitting light corresponding to the projection pattern based on light incident from the light source, wherein the pattern lens comprises: a pattern portion on which the projection pattern is formed; and a folded portion provided in a different location from the pattern portion, having a bevel that is at an angle of total internal reflection with respect to the angle of incidence of light incident from the light source.

2. The projecting device for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the folded portion has a sawtooth cross-sectional shape formed by a plurality of the aforementioned slopes.

3. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1, wherein the patterned lens has a first surface which is the surface on the light source side along the optical path of the light, and a second surface which is the surface on the opposite side from the light source side along the optical path of the light, the first surface includes a parallel light forming portion which refracts light from the light source into parallel light, and the second surface includes the pattern portion and the folded portion.

4. The vehicle projection device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first surface includes a first region where the parallel light forming portion is formed and the refraction of the parallel light forming portion is effective, the second surface includes a second region corresponding to the first region, and the pattern portion and the folded portion are formed in the second region.

5. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the folded portion is provided radially outward of the pattern lens than the pattern portion.

6. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the folded portion is provided radially inward of the pattern lens than the pattern portion, so as to be surrounded by the pattern portion.

7. The vehicle projection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the second surface includes a planar portion radially outward from the second region.

8. The vehicle projection device according to claim 3, characterized in that the second surface further includes a curved surface portion connecting the design portion and the folded portion.

9. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the patterned lens comprises a first member having the patterned portion and a second member engaged with the first member and having the folded portion located radially outward from the patterned portion.

Images