JP2006007935A - Display device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent visibility of a virtual image from being lowered by an extraneous light in a display device for a vehicle displaying partial information with the virtual image. <P>SOLUTION: The display device 1 for the vehicle is composed of an instrument panel 3, first and second display windows 31, 32 provided on the instrument panel 3, and a display unit 2 and reflection means 4, 5 disposed on the back of the instrument panel 3. A part 21 of the display screen of the display unit 2 makes a driver visually check as a virtual image with the reflection means 4, 5 through the first display window 31, and the rest part 22 of the display screen makes the driver visually check as a real image directly through the second display window 32. The part of the instrument panel 3 composes a visor 33 preventing the extraneous light from entering the first display window 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle display device that displays some information as a virtual image and displays the remaining information as a real image.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various methods have been adopted in vehicle display devices in order to ensure a novel visual appearance. For example, there has been disclosed a technique in which a part of a display screen of a display device is converted into a virtual image and displayed, and the remaining part of the display screen is displayed as a real image (see Patent Document 1).

  As a result, the driver can be visually recognized with a sense of perspective, and thus it is possible to give a novel visual appearance. This is because the virtual image display is displayed farther as viewed from the driver than the real image display.

Further, during driving, the driver can see a distant scene and can view a part of the display screen as a virtual image at a distant place, so that focusing becomes easy.
JP-A-8-268114

  However, in Patent Document 1, since a part of the display screen is displayed as a virtual image by being reflected by a translucent projection member, the visibility of the virtual image is reduced by external light, for example, sunlight or light from a street lamp at night. Easy to do. Thereby, in the above-mentioned display, it is necessary to set a part of the display screen to be higher in luminance than the remaining part of the display screen, and there is a problem that these back light sources cannot be shared.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said point, and aims at providing the display apparatus for vehicles which can prevent that the visibility of a virtual image falls with external light.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following technical means.

  The vehicle display device according to claim 1 is provided with an instrument panel, a first display window and a second display window provided on the instrument panel so as to face the driver, and behind the instrument panel. A display unit disposed on the display unit, and a reflection unit. A part of the display screen of the display unit is visually recognized by the driver as a reflected virtual image formed by the reflection unit through the first display window, and the remaining part of the display screen is the second display unit. The instrument panel is directly viewed as a real image through the display window, and the instrument panel includes a light shielding member that prevents external light from entering the first display window.

  In this configuration, since the extraneous light can be prevented from entering the first display window by the light shielding member, the visibility of a part of the virtual image on the display screen can be prevented from being reduced by the extraneous light. Thereby, it is not necessary to set the luminance of the remaining part of the display screen to be particularly higher than the luminance of a part of the display screen, these back light sources can be shared, and the manufacturing cost of the display device for vehicles can be reduced.

  The vehicle display device according to claim 2 is configured such that the first display window is disposed above the second display window.

  In this configuration, the first display window for displaying a virtual image in the distance is disposed close to the windshield glass for viewing the distance scene during driving. Thereby, during driving, the driver can move the viewpoint with respect to the first display window and the windshield glass looking far away, and the burden on the driver can be reduced.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the vehicle display device has a configuration in which the reflecting means includes a mirror.

  In this configuration, since the reflecting means is configured by a mirror, the above-described effects can be obtained at low cost.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, at least one mirror is a concave mirror.

  In this configuration, since the driver can visually recognize the enlarged virtual image, the visibility can be improved.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle display device including an imaging unit that captures an image of the outside of the host vehicle, and an image captured by the imaging unit is displayed on a part of the display screen.

  In this configuration, since the image of the imaging means is visually recognized by the driver as a virtual image, the image is displayed far from the driver as compared with the real image display. During driving, the driver can see the distant scene, and can view the image of the imaging means as a virtual image in the distance, so that focusing becomes easy.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicular display device, wherein the imaging means images the left and right images of the host vehicle, and a part of the display screen is configured as a left and right pair corresponding to the left and right images. One display window is configured as a pair of left and right corresponding to a part of the pair of left and right display screens.

  In this configuration, the image on the left and right sides of the vehicle is visually recognized from the pair of left and right first display windows, so that the driver can intuitively determine the position where the image is captured.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the vehicle display device is configured such that the imaging means captures images of the left and right rear of the vehicle.

  In this configuration, since the left and right rear images of the host vehicle are visually recognized from the pair of left and right first display windows, the driver can check the left and right rear images with the line of sight directed to the front. Can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an example in which a vehicle display device according to the present invention is applied to a combination meter mounted on an automobile will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external appearance of a combination meter 1 as a vehicle display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a driver's seat.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing the liquid crystal panel 2.

  3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

  A combination meter 1 that is a display device for a vehicle is arranged in front of a driver's seat of an automobile and displays information related to the automobile.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the combination meter 1 includes an instrument panel 3, a first display window 31, a second display window 32, a liquid crystal panel 2 as a display, and mirrors 4 and 5 as reflection means. It is configured. The first display window 31 and the second display window 32 are provided on the instrument panel 3 as shown in FIG. 1, and the liquid crystal panel 2 and the mirrors 4 and 5 are provided on the instrument panel as shown in FIG. 3 is arranged behind.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 2 is divided into a first display unit 21 that is a part of the display screen of the display unit and a second display unit 22 that is the remaining part of the display screen of the display unit. .

  The first display unit 21 displays a speedometer 21a that digitally displays the speed of the automobile. The second display unit 22 displays a tachometer 22a that displays the engine speed, a fuel meter 22b that displays the remaining fuel amount, and a multi-message unit 22c that includes six indicators. The second display window 32 is represented by an imaginary two-dot chain line.

  As the liquid crystal panel 2, a liquid crystal panel 2 that is light-transmitting when no voltage is applied and that is light-shielding when a voltage is applied is used. In the liquid crystal panel 2, the first display portion 21 and the second display portion 22 are formed as segments.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of white light emitting diodes 6 are arranged behind the liquid crystal panel 2 as a back light source that transmits and illuminates the first display unit 21 and the second display unit 22 of the liquid crystal panel 2. . These light emitting diodes 6 are mounted on a printed circuit board 8. The above-described liquid crystal panel 2 is also connected to the printed circuit board 8 by lead wires (not shown) or the like.

  A diffusion plate 7 is arranged between the liquid crystal panel 2 and the light emitting diode 6. The diffusing plate 7 diffuses the light of the light emitting diode 6 that transmits and illuminates the first display unit 21 and the second display unit 22 of the liquid crystal panel 2, so that the display on the first display unit 21 and the second display unit 22 is shaded. Is to prevent the occurrence of

  The first display unit 21 is covered with the instrument panel 3 so that the driver cannot directly see the first display unit 21. The mirrors 4 and 5 are plane mirrors, and the first display window 31 is formed by providing an opening in the instrument panel 3 and inserting a transparent cover in the opening.

  The first display window 31 reflects the image of the speedometer 21a of the first display unit 21 by the mirrors 4 and 5 so that the driver can visually recognize the image as a virtual image. The second display window 32 displays the second display unit 32. An image of the tachometer 22a of 22 is visually recognized by the driver as a direct real image.

  On the upper side of the first display window 31 (upper side in FIG. 3), a eaves 33 that is a light blocking member that prevents external light, for example, sunlight or light from night street lights from entering the first display window 31. Is provided. The eaves 33 is formed by integral molding with the instrument panel 3 and a resin material, but may be formed as a separate member and fixed to the instrument panel 3 with an adhesive or the like.

  In addition, the 2nd display window 32 is arrange | positioned in the position where visual recognition is not prevented by the steering wheel 15, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an electric circuit configuration of the vehicle display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The control device 9 is composed of a microcomputer or the like. The control device 9 is always supplied with electric power from a battery 14, and an ignition switch 13 is connected so as to detect ON / OFF thereof.

  The control device 9 is connected to a speed sensor 10, a rotation sensor 11 that measures the number of revolutions of an engine (not shown), a fuel level sensor 12 that measures the fuel level of a fuel tank (not shown), and the like. Further, the liquid crystal panel 2 and the light emitting diode 6 driven by the control device 9 in accordance with signals from these various sensors 10-12 are connected to the control device 9.

(Operation)
The operation of the combination meter 1 configured as described above according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the visual recognition state.

  When the ignition switch 13 is turned on by the driver, the control device 9 detects it and starts operation as shown in FIG.

  That is, the light emitting diode 6 is turned on and the liquid crystal panel 2 is driven. Thereby, display images are formed on the first display unit 21 and the second display unit 22 of the liquid crystal panel 2, and they are transmitted and illuminated by the light emitted by the light emitting diodes 6 and are visually recognized by the driver.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the control device 9 and the display state of the liquid crystal panel 2 will be described in detail.

  The control device 9 calculates the vehicle speed of the automobile based on the output signal from the speed sensor 10 and drives the liquid crystal panel 2 so as to digitally display it on the first display unit 21. FIG. 2 shows that the speed is 55 km / h.

  The display image of the first display unit 21 travels along the optical path indicated by the arrow P1 in FIG. 3, is reflected by the mirrors 4 and 5, and is visually recognized as a virtual image.

  At this time, since the eaves 33 are provided on the upper side of the first display window 31 (upper side in FIG. 3), the extraneous light C (sunlight etc.) is transmitted to the first display window 31. Specifically, the light does not enter the surface of the mirror 5. Accordingly, the driver can clearly see the display image of the first display unit 21, that is, the speedometer 21a.

  Thereby, even if the brightness | luminance of the display image of the 1st display part 21 is not set especially high, a driver | operator can fully be visually recognized as a virtual image. That is, it is not necessary to set the display image of the first display unit 21 to be higher in luminance than the display image of the second display unit 22, and the light emitting diode 6 as the back light source may be shared, or The same type of light emitting diode 6 can be used.

  Further, the control device 9 calculates the engine speed of the vehicle and the amount of remaining fuel in a fuel tank (not shown) based on the output signals of the rotation sensor 11 and the fuel level sensor 12, 2 The liquid crystal panel 2 is driven so as to display on the tachometer 22a and the fuel gauge 22b of the display unit 22, respectively.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the tachometer 22a and the fuel gauge 22b are both formed as analog pointer instruments as shown in FIG.

  The control device 9 drives the multi-message unit 22c of the second display unit 22 based on detection signals from various sensors or switches (not shown).

  In the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, items in a normal state or an operating state are displayed in white on a black background, and items in which an abnormal state is detected or items in an inoperative state are black on a white background Is displayed. FIG. 2 shows that overdrive is in use, that is, an overdrive switch 4 (not shown) is in an ON state.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the instrument panel 3 has the first display portion 21 that is a part of the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 2 as a virtual image. One display window 31 is provided, and a eaves 33 is provided above the display window 31.

  Accordingly, it is possible to realize a combination meter that can reliably prevent a problem in which the extraneous light is incident on the first display window 31 and the visibility of the virtual image is deteriorated, thereby obtaining good visibility. The backlight that transmits and illuminates the liquid crystal panel 2 can be shared by the first display unit 21 and the second display unit 22 of the liquid crystal panel 2.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since a plane mirror is used as the mirrors 4 and 5, a virtual image is not enlarged and displayed in the optical path indicated by the arrow P 1. If at least one of 5 is a concave mirror, a virtual image can be enlarged and displayed. In this case, the first display window 31 is formed larger in FIG.

  Further, since the two mirrors 4 and 5 are used, the virtual image viewed from the first display window 31 is not reversed. However, for example, when only one mirror can be used due to design requirements, the virtual image visually recognized from the display window 21a is inverted, but there is a problem if the display image of the first display unit 21 is inverted. There is no.

(Second Embodiment)
In the combination meter 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. The number of 31 is changed.

  That is, in the combination meter 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, two rear images of the vehicle, that is, the left rear image 21b and the right rear image 21c are formed on the first display unit 21 and arranged side by side on the left and right. Through the first display windows 31a and 31b, the above-described rear images can be visually recognized. The first display windows 31a and 31b arranged side by side are arranged in the driver's field of view with the driver facing the front, and the first display windows 31a and 31b are arranged by the driver. It is arranged and set so that it can be seen by moving the line of sight slightly without moving the neck, or swinging the driver's neck slightly left and right.

  In this case, the left rear image 21b displays an image of a camera installed near the left side mirror (not shown), and the right rear image 21b displays an image of a camera installed near the right side mirror (not shown). It is a thing. These cameras constitute the imaging means.

  Then, as described above, the left rear image 21b and the right rear image 21c are guided by the mirror and displayed as virtual images on the left and right display window windows 31a and 31b, respectively. Thereby, the image of the left camera is displayed as a virtual image on the left display window 31a, and the image of the right camera is displayed as a virtual image on the right display window 31b.

  As a result, the position where the image is captured becomes intuitive and easy to understand, and the driver can perform a quick response operation without shifting the line of sight from the front.

  In addition, in the combination meter 1 by 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment of this invention demonstrated above, although the liquid crystal panel 2 is used as a display device, it is not necessary to restrict to the liquid crystal panel 2 and another display device is used. It may be used. For example, a cathode ray tube or an electroluminescent display may be used.

  In the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the tachometer 22a, the fuel gauge 22b, and the multi-message unit 22c are displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. , Other instruments may be replaced, or other instruments may be added.

  Further, in the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the first display unit 21 is provided at one place in the upper central portion of the liquid crystal panel 2, but it is necessary to limit to this. For example, you may provide in two places of right and left both ends, two places of upper and lower ends, or one place of a center part.

  In the second embodiment, the left and right rear images of the vehicle are captured. However, for example, the images within the range belonging to the driver's dead world, such as the left and right front sides of the vehicle, may be captured. Of course.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a combination meter 1 which is a vehicle display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the liquid crystal panel 2 of the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an electric circuit configuration of the combination meter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an external view showing a combination meter 1 that is a vehicle display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view of the liquid crystal panel 2 of the combination meter 1 according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Combination meter (Vehicle display device)
2 Liquid crystal panel (display)
21 1st display part (a part of display screen)
21a Speedometer 21b Left rear image 21c Right rear image 22 Second display section (remainder of display screen)
22a Tachometer 22b Fuel gauge 22c Multi-message unit 3 Instrument panels 31, 31a, 31b First display window 32 Second display window 33 Hoshi (light shielding member)
4, 5 Mirror (mirror, concave mirror, reflection means)
6 Light-Emitting Diode 7 Diffusion Plate 8 Printed Circuit Board 9 Control Device 10 Speed Sensor 11 Rotation Sensor 12 Fuel Level Sensor 13 Ignition Switch 14 Battery 15 Steering Wheel

Claims (7)

Instrument panel,
A first display window and a second display window provided on the instrument panel to face the driver;
An indicator disposed behind the instrument panel;
Reflecting means disposed behind the instrument panel,
A part of the display screen of the display is visually recognized by the driver as a reflected virtual image formed by the reflecting means through the first display window.
The remainder of the display screen is visually recognized by the driver as a real image directly through the second display window,
The instrument panel includes a light shielding member for preventing external light from entering the first display window.   The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the first display window is disposed above the second display window.   The vehicular display device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting means is configured by a mirror.   The vehicle display device according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the mirrors is a concave mirror. Comprising imaging means for photographing the outside of the vehicle,
5. The vehicular display device according to claim 1, wherein an image captured by the imaging unit is displayed on the part of the display screen. 6. The imaging means captures images of the left and right sides of the vehicle,
The part of the display screen is configured as a pair of left and right corresponding to the left and right images,
The vehicle display device according to claim 5, wherein the first display window is configured as a pair of left and right corresponding to the part of the pair of left and right display screens.   The vehicle display device according to claim 6, wherein the imaging unit is configured to capture images of the left and right rear of the vehicle.

Images