JP2014133442A - Vehicular display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular display device capable of transmitting information of a physical quantity such as a status value of a vehicle with higher priority than safety in addition to readability while keeping visibility of the driver of the vehicle at low-temperature environment.SOLUTION: When a liquid crystal display panel 10 is in a specific low-temperature environment meeting a specific condition, a display method of a vehicle speed display image 12a is switched to a numerical displaying digital instrument image 12a2 and a notification image 17 from a normal display, namely, an analog instrument image 12a1 performing a dial indicator display to be displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 10. This enables in the specific low-temperature environment suppression of deterioration in visibility of a driver, the deterioration caused by a swift movement of a dial 141 and reduction in discomfort due to a change in display.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle display device.

  Conventionally, as an invention according to this field, a vehicle display device capable of transmitting information on a physical quantity such as a vehicle state value by giving priority to readability while suppressing a decrease in visibility of a vehicle driver at a low temperature is provided. Things are known. For example, it is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

JP 2009-18642 A

  In the prior art, in a vehicle display device that includes a liquid crystal panel that displays an image in a vehicle and a control means that controls the liquid crystal panel, the responsiveness for image update in the liquid crystal panel is determined based on the detected liquid crystal panel temperature. The liquid crystal panel includes an analog instrument image that has a pointer and an index and indicates a physical quantity, and a digital instrument image that has a numeral and displays the physical quantity. When the determination means determines that the liquid crystal panel temperature is in a temperature range that affects the responsiveness for image update, the control means The instrument image is switched from an analog instrument image to a digital instrument image.

  However, during the display of the second mode image in the instrument image display pixel area or before the display, there is no notification that the image is displayed by temporarily changing from the first mode image. In this case, a driver who is not used to driving the vehicle may feel that the display screen has suddenly changed, so that it may be possible to perform a driving operation with unnecessary concern about the vehicle state. .

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and its purpose is to give priority to safety in addition to ease of reading while suppressing a decrease in visibility of a vehicle driver at low temperatures. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle display device capable of transmitting information on physical quantities such as vehicle state values.

  The vehicle display device of the present invention is a vehicle display device that includes a liquid crystal panel that displays an image in a vehicle and a control unit that controls the liquid crystal panel, and detects the temperature of the liquid crystal panel, and the detected liquid crystal A determination unit configured to determine whether the temperature is within a predetermined temperature range based on a panel temperature; the control unit includes a pointer and an index indicated by the pointer; an analog instrument image indicating a physical quantity; and a number Select the instrument image display pixel area that displays any instrument image of the digital instrument image that displays the physical quantity, and the instrument display change notification image that reports that the instrument display image is different from that of the instrument image. The instrument image to be displayed in the instrument image display pixel region based on the determination result by the determination means is the analog instrument image. , Wherein the display together instrument display change notification image with switching to the digital instrument image.

  In addition, the control means stores the instrument images of both the analog instrument image and the digital instrument image, and the instrument image is stored in the instrument image regardless of either instrument image. Holding time setting means for setting a holding time to be held until updated in the display pixel area, a first mode for displaying the analog instrument image in the instrument image display pixel area, and a display in the instrument image display pixel area A second mode for displaying the digital instrument image can be selectively set, and the holding time is adjusted in accordance with the liquid crystal panel temperature in the second mode.

  The instrument image displayed in the instrument image display pixel region is image information for numerically displaying or indicating a vehicle state value as the physical quantity, and the image information includes vehicle speed, engine speed, engine cooling, and the like. It is at least one of water temperature and fuel remaining amount.

  Further, in a vehicle display device comprising a liquid crystal panel for displaying an image in a vehicle and a control means for controlling the liquid crystal panel, the temperature of the liquid crystal panel is detected, and based on the detected liquid crystal panel temperature, A determination unit configured to determine whether or not the liquid crystal panel is in a temperature range that affects the responsiveness for image update, and the control unit includes an indicator and an index indicated by the indicator, and an analog indicating the physical quantity An instrument display image and an instrument display change notification image for notifying that the instrument display image is different, and the liquid crystal panel temperature is responsive for image update by the determination means. When the temperature is determined to be within the temperature range that affects the display, the resolution of the pointer indication index displayed in the instrument image display pixel area is changed and displayed. And features.

  Further, the determination means includes an acquisition means for acquiring at least one of the vehicle speed, the engine speed, the engine cooling water temperature, the fuel remaining amount, and the room temperature as the vehicle state information, The temperature range is set according to the acquired state information of the vehicle.

  The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle, and can transmit information on a physical quantity such as a vehicle state value by giving priority to safety in addition to ease of reading while suppressing a decrease in visibility of a vehicle driver at low temperatures. .

The figure which shows the example of a display of the display apparatus for vehicles by embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the cross section of the display apparatus for vehicles by embodiment same as the above. The block diagram which shows the electric circuit structure by embodiment same as the above. The figure which shows the example of an image display at the time of the low temperature (2nd mode display state) of embodiment same as the above. The figure which shows another example of the image display at the time of low temperature (2nd mode display state) of embodiment same as the above. The figure which shows the control procedure by embodiment same as the above.

  Hereinafter, as an embodiment of a display device for a vehicle according to the present invention, an example applied to a vehicle instrument will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 show a schematic configuration of a vehicle display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows an electric circuit configuration of the device 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle display device 1 functions as a combination instrument, and includes a liquid crystal panel 10, a backlight 20, a drawing unit 30, a control unit 40, and the like.

  The liquid crystal panel 10 is a TFT-type transmissive liquid crystal panel, and is installed on the instrument panel in front of the driver seat so that the display surface 11 faces the driver side of the vehicle. The liquid crystal panel 10 is a dot matrix type having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and realizes image display by driving each pixel. Here, each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 10 is composed of sub-pixels of three colors provided with red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color filters, respectively. Full color display is possible.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal panel 10 includes an instrument display pixel region 13 that displays a meter image 12 as a pointer-type meter image that includes a plurality of pixels, and a warning image or indicator 14 that includes a plurality of pixels. And a state display pixel region 15 for displaying.

  Specifically, the instrument image 12 is an image for instructing and displaying the state value of the traveling information of the vehicle to the vehicle occupant. In this case, a vehicle speed display image (hereinafter also referred to as a first vehicle state image) indicating the vehicle speed. 12a), a remaining amount display image 12b indicating the remaining amount of fuel, a background image 12c indicating the background, and a numerical image such as an accumulated travel distance. The instrument display pixel area 13 displays the instrument image 12 (12a to 12c) by driving each pixel constituting the area 13.

  The instrument image 12 is displayed in the instrument display pixel area 13 by an analog display method for instructing the state value (physical quantity). In this case, the vehicle speed display image 12a instructing the state value of the vehicle speed is displayed as a pointer instrument image as shown in FIG. The remaining amount display image 12b is displayed as a bar display instrument image as shown in FIG.

  The method of displaying the instrument image 12 in an analog manner is not limited to this, and the vehicle speed display image 12a, the remaining amount display image 12b, and other configurations such as an engine speed meter and a water temperature meter are all displayed as pointer instrument images. May be.

  The indicator 14 is an image for notifying the operation state of the vehicle, and in this case, includes a state display image 14a indicating the gear position of the transmission. In addition to this, an image indicating the operation state of the direction indicator and headlight, a warning mark image, etc. are displayed by driving each constituent pixel in the area 15 when there is an operation or when an abnormality occurs, and the operation or abnormality is detected. There are some that do not display normally.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a light emitting diode that illuminates the liquid crystal panel 10 through the light guide 21 can be applied to the backlight 20. The backlight 20 is a chip component for surface mounting, and is mounted on the surface of the circuit board 50 on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 10. The backlight 20 is electrically connected to the control means 40, and is driven based on a control signal given from the control means 40 to radiate and output illumination light. The light guide 21 is formed of a light-transmitting synthetic resin such as acrylic in a flat plate shape, and is disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 10 in parallel with the liquid crystal panel 10. The light guide 21 reflects and diffuses the incident light from the adjacent backlight 20 and emits it from the exit surface on the liquid crystal panel 10 side, so that the light emission luminance on the exit surface is substantially uniform over the entire area. To. As described above, the backlight 20 illuminates and transmits the entire liquid crystal panel 10 from behind by the light from the emission surface.

  The drawing unit 30 is connected to the control unit 40, the liquid crystal panel 10, and the storage unit 60. The drawing unit 30 is formed of a semiconductor component that is mounted on the circuit board 50 and performs a drawing process. The drawing unit 30 is installed behind the backlight 20 in the vehicle and is electrically connected to the liquid crystal panel 10 and the control unit 40. The storage means 60 is composed of an EEPROM and is electrically connected to the drawing means 30. The storage means 60 stores in advance as image data such as instrument images 12 (12a to 12c) and indicator 14 images.

  As described above, the drawing unit 30 reads the predetermined instrument image 12 (12a) from the storage unit 60 in response to the display command signal from the control unit 40, and drives each constituent pixel of the instrument display pixel region 13 according to the control signal. Thus, the instrument image 12 (12a) is displayed on the display surface 11.

  Here, regarding the vehicle speed display image 12a displayed as the pointer instrument image, an analog instrument image 12a1 for normal display, and a digital instrument image 12a2 for low temperature display, as shown in FIG. A set of notification images 17 described later is stored in the storage means 60.

  The analog-type instrument image 12a1 includes a pointer 121 as an image (hereinafter referred to as a first image) and an index 122 indicating a scale, a numerical value, or a character indicated by the pointer 121. By combining, the driver (viewer) can read and interpret the state value (physical quantity).

  The digital instrument image 12a2 has numbers and letters as its image (hereinafter referred to as second image), and displays state values (physical quantities) with numbers. That is, in the vehicle speed display image 12a, the digital instrument image 12a2 is located at a predetermined position in the instrument display pixel region 13 as shown in FIG. 4 only at a low temperature when the specific condition is satisfied (hereinafter, a specific low temperature). It is to be displayed. At this time, a notification image 17 composed of a character string such as “return to normal display in 20 seconds” is displayed at the top of the screen of the liquid crystal panel 10 together with the second image.

  Further, the analog instrument image 12a1 is displayed in the pixel region 13 as shown in FIG. 1 in normal times except for the specific low temperature. In FIGS. 1 and 4, the display of the vehicle speed display image 12 a and the like is shown as an example on the screen of the liquid crystal panel 10, but display of other images other than these is omitted.

  The control means 40 includes a known microcomputer having a CPU and a memory, and is mounted on the circuit board 50 in the vehicle. The control means 40 is electrically connected (communication connected) so that a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the backlight 20, the drawing means 30, and the liquid crystal panel 10, a vehicle speed, and the like can be input as vehicle information. Here, the vehicle information includes vehicle travel information including the gear position and direction instruction operation, the state of the vehicle, and an abnormal signal from each device.

  Next, the display operation of the vehicle speed display image 12a displayed as the pointer instrument image in the instrument image 12 in the vehicle display device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows a display state in which the vehicle speed display image 12a and the rotation speed display image 12b are displayed as the digital instrument image 12a2 as the second mode and the notification image 17 at the specific low temperature. FIG. 1 shows a display state displayed with the analog instrument image 12a1 as the first mode in the normal time except for the specific low temperature.

  In the first mode, the control means 40 reads the analog instrument image 12a1 and gives a movement corresponding to the vehicle information (vehicle speed) to the pointer 121 in the image. That is, the control means 40 gives the pointer 121 as a moving image a motion corresponding to the state value (in this embodiment, a rotating display transition), and superimposes the pointer 121 on the index 122 that is a still image. A control signal is output to the drawing means 30 so as to be displayed.

  The drawing means 30 displays the analog instrument image 12a1 of the vehicle speed display image 12a in the instrument display pixel region 13 in accordance with the display command signal corresponding to the state value related to the vehicle speed. In the second mode, the control means 40 inputs the temperature of the liquid crystal panel 10 (hereinafter referred to as liquid crystal panel temperature) T from the vehicle information by the temperature sensor, and when the liquid crystal panel temperature T satisfies a specific condition, the digital instrument image 12a2 and the notification image 17 are read out. The specific condition is that the liquid crystal panel temperature T is in a temperature range that affects the responsiveness for image updating.

  At this time, the control means 40 adjusts the display holding time until the image is updated on the liquid crystal panel 10, and displays the digital instrument image 12a2 and the notification image 17 by updating the image at intervals of the display holding time.

  Here, the display holding time is adjusted by the control means 40 in the first mode and the second mode, and in the first mode, movement according to the vehicle speed is given. On the other hand, in the second mode, the display holding time is adjusted to become longer as the liquid crystal panel temperature T is lower than the predetermined temperature.

  The digital instrument image 12a2 that displays the physical quantity with numbers is used in comparison with the analog instrument image 12a1 that indicates the physical quantity with a combination of the pointer 121 and the index 122 when the display update time is relatively long. This is because it is easy to read and has excellent visibility.

  FIG. 5 shows a display form displayed as an analog instrument image 12a1 as an alternative to the second mode. FIG. 5 shows a display example at a low temperature which is changed from the normal display form displayed in the analog instrument image 12a1 as the first mode in FIG.

  The control means 40 detects the liquid crystal panel temperature by the temperature sensor in the same manner as described above, and when the liquid crystal panel temperature satisfies a specific condition, the numerical resolution of the index 1210 is displayed with the display substantially the same as the analog instrument image 12a1. The enlarged image 12a3 is displayed. Thus, for example, in FIG. 1, the numerical values representing the respective speeds of 20, 40 km / h change to 40, 80 km / h, respectively. As a result, the angle range in which the pointer 1211 rotates can be reduced and the amount of fluctuation of the pointer 1211 can be reduced even when there is a large vehicle speed change per unit time. The influence on the responsiveness can be reduced.

  Next, the control procedure by the control means 40 will be described with reference to FIG. This control procedure is started when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on. The second mode will be described by taking an example in which display as shown in FIG. 4 is performed.

  First, in S1 (S is a step), the detected vehicle speed display image 12a is indicated by the analog instrument image 12a1 based on vehicle information (detected state value) by communication. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, display in the first mode that is normal display is performed.

    The control process in S2 is to determine whether or not the liquid crystal panel temperature T is at the specific low temperature. Based on the liquid crystal panel temperature T, the “liquid crystal panel temperature T is a response for image update”. It is determined whether or not it is within the temperature range that affects the performance ”.

  That is, in S2, it is determined whether or not the measured liquid crystal panel temperature T is not more than a specified value. This specified value is set to the upper limit temperature of the temperature range in the specific condition, and is, for example, −20 ° C. The specified value Tc is not limited to this, and may be set to a value higher than the upper limit temperature (for example, a value obtained by adding a margin to the upper limit value). Thereby, establishment of specific conditions, that is, a reduction in the visibility of the analog instrument image 12a1 at the specific low temperature can be avoided.

  In S2, the acquisition means for acquiring at least one of the vehicle speed, the engine speed, the engine coolant temperature, the fuel remaining amount, and the room temperature as the vehicle state information by the control means serving as a temperature determination means. And the temperature range can be set according to the acquired state information of the vehicle.

  If it is determined in S2 that the liquid crystal panel temperature T is equal to or lower than the specified value Tc, it is determined in the display method of the vehicle speed display image 12a that there is a possibility that the visibility may be reduced when the analog instrument image 12a1 is displayed. Transition.

  In S3, the display method of the vehicle speed display image 12a is switched from the first mode to the second mode, that is, from the analog instrument image 12a1 (see FIG. 1) to the digital instrument image 12a2 and the notification image 17 (see FIG. 4). As a premise, the display holding time is adjusted according to the measured liquid crystal panel temperature T.

  In S4, the display method of the vehicle speed display image 12a is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and as shown in FIG. 4, the digital instrument image 12a2 in the second mode is displayed based on the adjusted display holding time.

  In S5, the notification image 17 is displayed as shown in FIG. 4, starting from the timing when the display method of the vehicle speed display image 12a and the rotation speed display image 12b is switched from the first mode to the second mode. At this time, the control means 40 samples the liquid crystal panel temperature value every predetermined time, calculates the temperature increase rate per unit time based on the temperature value of a plurality of times, and how much from the current temperature value. It is calculated by estimating whether a predetermined value for shifting to the first mode is reached over time. By displaying the notification image 17 including the time to return to the normal display based on this calculation result, it is possible to reduce the sense of discomfort and anxiety due to unintended display changes for the driver (viewer).

  In normal vehicle use, since the temperature inside the vehicle display device 1 is expected to increase due to the operation of the heating device or the heat generated by the electronic components such as the backlight 20, even when displayed in the second mode. By repeating the above processing, it is determined that the liquid crystal panel temperature is higher than the specified value after the temperature rise, and the display returns to the first mode display.

  According to this, when the liquid crystal panel 10 is in “at a specific low temperature” that satisfies a specific condition, the display method of the vehicle speed display image 12a is replaced with the analog instrument image 12a1 of the normal display, and the digital instrument image 12a2. And the notification image 17 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 10. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the visibility of the driver caused by the quick movement of the pointer 141 at “at a specific low temperature”, and to perform a driving operation while keeping unnecessary worries about the vehicle state. It is possible to provide a display form that does not perform.

  Furthermore, in the instrument display pixel area 13 for displaying the vehicle speed display image 12a, the display area for displaying the digital instrument image 12a2 and the notification image 17 is stopped by stopping the display of the analog instrument image 12a1, and the analog instrument image 12a1. It goes without saying that the maximum can be secured by limiting the size of.

  Further, the embodiment described above includes the holding time setting means (control means) for setting the display holding time to be held until the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 10 is updated, and in the second mode, that is, the digital instrument image. When the 12a2 and the notification image 17 are displayed, the display holding time is adjusted according to the liquid crystal panel temperature at that time.

  Accordingly, when the vehicle speed display image 12a is displayed in the second mode at the specific low temperature, the display holding time of the number (physical quantity) displayed on the digital instrument image 12a2 in the second mode can be appropriately adjusted. It is possible to set the number display update cycle that is easy for the driver to read.

  In addition to the vehicle speed, when a plurality of types of measurement values such as the engine speed are displayed using a pointer image, whether or not a specific condition is satisfied is determined based on a common specified value, and the first mode and the second mode are determined. It is preferable that the mode switching timing be performed simultaneously with the vehicle speed display image 12a.

  In general, in the state information of each vehicle such as the vehicle speed and the engine speed, the movement of the pointer 41 is relatively large and the frequency that the driver visually recognizes is relatively high. Therefore, by reducing the events for switching modes as described above, it is possible to reduce the driver's uncomfortable feeling due to a timing shift or the like.

  Further, the vehicle speed display image 12a of the vehicle speed is switched from the analog instrument image 12a1 to the digital instrument image 12a2, and the notification image 17 is also notified to the driver by a character string, thereby suppressing the driver's uncomfortable feeling. can do.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not construed as being limited to such embodiments, and can be applied to various embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment described above, the display method of switching to the analog instrument image 12a1 displayed at normal time, the digital instrument image 12a2 displayed at a specific low temperature, and the notification image 17 is applied to the vehicle speed display image 12a. . Not limited to this, in the instrument image 12, if a display image of at least one of a vehicle speed display image, an engine speed display image, a water temperature display image, and a remaining amount display image is normally displayed as a pointer instrument image, The above display method can be applied.

  In the present embodiment described above, in the above display method, the display holding time is adjusted according to the liquid crystal panel temperature in the second mode at the specific low temperature, and the liquid crystal panel temperature is a specified value. It was set to be shorter than the display holding time in the first mode, and to be longer as the liquid crystal panel temperature was lower than the predetermined temperature.

  Not limited to this, in the second mode, the display holding time may be set longer than the display holding time in the first mode. Thereby, even after switching to the second mode at a specific low temperature, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the visibility of the driver, which may occur due to the update of the numbers depending on the low temperature degree of the liquid crystal panel 10. .

  Further, for example, depending on the driver who is not familiar with the second mode in which the display is performed only at a specific low temperature, it may be better to deliberately update the numeric display of the digital instrument image 12a2 in the second mode. In such a case, the characteristics of the display holding time described above are suitable. For example, you may comprise so that the characteristic of an adjustment value can be selected with a driver | operator's liking.

  In addition, for example, there are cases where the movement of the pointer is relatively large or relatively small due to the difference in vehicle state information, so a judgment criterion for switching from an analog instrument image to a digital instrument image at a specific low temperature The specified value to be set can be appropriately set according to various vehicle state information. Therefore, it is possible to expand the liquid crystal panel temperature range that can be displayed as an analog instrument image to the lower limit side within a range that does not cause a decrease in driver visibility at the specific low temperature.

  The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle, and is suitable, for example, as an instrument for a vehicle mounted on a moving body including an automobile, a motorcycle, an agricultural machine, or a construction machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display apparatus 10 for vehicles Liquid crystal panel 11 Display surface 12 Instrument image 12a Vehicle speed display image 12a1 Analog instrument image 121 Pointer 122 Index 12a2 Digital instrument image 12b Remaining amount display image 12c Background image 13 Instrument display pixel area 14 Indicator 15 Status display Pixel area 17 Notification image 20 Backlight 21 Light guide 30 Drawing means 40 Control means 50 Circuit board 60 Storage means

Claims (5)

In a vehicle display device comprising: a liquid crystal panel that displays an image in a vehicle; and a control unit that controls the liquid crystal panel.
A determination means for detecting a temperature of the liquid crystal panel and determining whether the temperature is within a predetermined temperature range based on the detected liquid crystal panel temperature;
The control means includes a pointer and an index indicated by the pointer, and an analog instrument image that indicates a physical quantity;
An instrument image display pixel area for displaying any instrument image of a digital instrument image displaying physical quantities by numbers;
It is possible to selectively display an instrument display change notification image having characters and notifying that the instrument display image is different,
Based on the determination result by the determination means, the instrument image to be displayed in the instrument image display pixel region is switched from the analog instrument image to the digital instrument image and the instrument display change notification image is displayed together. A display device for vehicles. The control means includes storage means for storing instrument images of both the analog instrument image and the digital instrument image;
Regardless of either of the two instrument images, a holding time setting means for setting a holding time until the instrument image is updated in the instrument image display pixel region, and
A first mode for displaying the analog instrument image in the instrument image display pixel area and a second mode for displaying the digital instrument image in the instrument image display pixel area can be selectively set,
The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein, in the second mode, the holding time is adjusted according to the temperature of the liquid crystal panel. The instrument image displayed in the instrument image display pixel region is image information for numerically displaying or indicating a state value of the vehicle as the physical quantity,
The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the image information is at least one of a vehicle speed, an engine speed, an engine cooling water temperature, and a fuel remaining amount. In a vehicle display device comprising: a liquid crystal panel that displays an image in a vehicle; and a control unit that controls the liquid crystal panel.
Determining means for detecting the temperature of the liquid crystal panel, and determining whether the temperature is in a temperature range that affects the responsiveness for image update in the liquid crystal panel based on the detected liquid crystal panel temperature;
The control means includes
An analog instrument image having a pointer and an index indicated by the pointer and indicating a physical quantity;
It has characters and can display an instrument display change notification image that notifies that the instrument display image is different,
When the determination means determines that the liquid crystal panel temperature is in a temperature range that affects the responsiveness for image update, the resolution of the pointer instruction index displayed in the instrument image display pixel region is changed and displayed. A vehicle display device. The determination means includes acquisition means for acquiring at least one of the vehicle speed, the engine speed, the engine cooling water temperature, the fuel remaining amount, and the room temperature as the vehicle state information. The vehicle display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature range is set in accordance with state information of the vehicle to be operated.

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