JP4287189B2 - Vehicle display - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of a vehicle display device that displays driving information to a driver.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventional vehicle displays enlarge the image projected from the projector installed on the ceiling of the vehicle interior with the diffuser on the dashboard, diffusely reflect it, and reflect the diffusely reflected image with the windshield on the windshield And displayed to the driver (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-10028 [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional vehicle display device, since a projector and a diffusion plate are installed in the passenger compartment, it is easily expected that the user will have a demand for improving the appearance. There is also a need for a user who prefers a conventional meter panel type to a head-up display type vehicle display device. In that case, even in the case of the meter panel type, it is necessary to display a lot of information to the driver in response to the enhancement of the functions of the in-vehicle device.
[0005]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, a concave mirror is installed at the same position on the meter panel as in the prior art, and an image emitted as light from a light source and an LCD (liquid crystal display) or VFD (fluorescent display) is enlarged and reflected. An electronic meter can be considered.
[0006]
In this case, the concave mirror is used because the use of a flat mirror requires an LCD or VFD with a very large display surface.
[0007]
In this electronic meter, the driver (observer) visually recognizes a virtual image magnified and displayed by the virtual image magnification optical system, so that the position and distortion of the display image change as the driver moves the eye position. It was an end. Therefore, there is a problem that display quality is deteriorated and display visibility is lowered.
[0008]
This problem becomes particularly noticeable when the enlargement ratio of the optical system is increased, that is, when larger image information is displayed from smaller information means.
[0009]
For this reason, in order to suppress the reduction in display visibility to an acceptable level, the enlargement ratio of the optical system cannot be increased beyond a certain level.
Therefore, in order to realize a large display, it is necessary to use a relatively large display device, resulting in an increase in system cost.
[0010]
In addition, when the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is used, the thickness of the LCD and the light source or the VFD is about 20 mm to 40 mm, so that the thickness D of the upper part of the instrument panel is required to be about 30 mm to 50 mm, which hinders the driver's view Also, the instrument panel seemed to stand up to the driver in terms of design, and it gave a sense of pressure.
[0011]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to make it easy to see by reducing the change in the position of the image and the change in the distortion of the image with respect to the change in the position of the eyes of the driver. An object of the present invention is to provide a display device for a vehicle that can be mounted on a vehicle in a space-saving manner while suppressing cost increase.
[0012]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle display device for displaying information to the driver, information display means for emitting an image as light is provided, and the light from the information display means is projected. An image optical system is provided, a substantially planar mirror that reflects light projected from the imaging optical system is provided, a screen that images light reflected by the substantially planar mirror is provided, and a real image on the screen is substantially Reflected by a plane mirror and displayed as a virtual image , an LCD and a light source are provided as information display means inside the instrument panel, and a projection lens for projecting light from the LCD is provided as an imaging optical system inside the instrument panel for projection A substantially planar mirror that reflects the light projected from the lens is provided inside the instrument panel, and a diffusion screen that images the light reflected by the substantially planar mirror is provided. The magnified image is image in emissions and a means and displaying a virtual image reflected by the substantially plane mirror body.
In the present invention, the “substantially flat surface” of the mirror means a flat surface and a surface having a minute radius R shape, and refers to a material in which distortion generated by image reflection can be practically ignored.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the screen has a concave shape, a convex shape, or a shape including both concave and convex surfaces.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the invention, the information display means displays information related to driving and running.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the information display means displays the contents of the car navigation.
[0016]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the information is displayed on the driver front portion of the instrument panel or the central portion in the lateral direction of the passenger compartment.
[0018]
[Operation and effect of the invention]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image is emitted from the information display means by light, and the light is reflected by a substantially plane mirror (first reflection) by the imaging optical system to form an image on the screen, and a real image on the screen. Is reflected by a substantially plane mirror (second reflection) to display a virtual image.
Conventionally, it has been necessary to magnify the display to create a large virtual image, but since a large display means is expensive, it is necessary to use a concave mirror with a large magnification, but in the present invention, a configuration using a substantially plane mirror Therefore, even if the position of the eye viewpoint is changed, for example, the face position is changed compared to the reflection on the concave surface, the change in the position of the image and the change in the distortion of the image are extremely small, making it easy to see. In addition, since the image forming optical system can have an enlargement ratio, the information display means can be made small and inexpensive, so that the cost increase can be suppressed and the vehicle can be mounted on the vehicle in a space-saving manner.
The first reflection of the substantially planar mirror has a function of bending the optical path to reduce the size of the entire system, and the second reflection has a function of generating a virtual image from a real image on the screen. That is, different functions are given to one substantially plane mirror body, and cost increase suppression and space saving can be achieved.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image is emitted with light by the LCD and the light source, and the light is projected onto a substantially plane mirror by the projection lens inside the instrument panel and reflected. The reflected light is magnified and imaged by a diffusion screen, and further reflected by a substantially plane mirror to be displayed as a virtual image. Thereby, it can mount in a vehicle in space saving. In addition, since the diffusion screen can be thin, it can prevent the upper part of the instrument panel from becoming thick, so as not to obstruct the driver's field of view, and to allow freedom of design. To.
[0019]
In the invention according to claim 2, since the screen is any one of a concave surface, a convex surface, or a shape including both the concave surface and the convex surface, a feeling that both ends of the screen are in the back with respect to the center of the screen can be obtained. It can be a novel appearance such as a sense of depth.
[0020]
In the invention according to claim 3, the information display means displays information related to arbitrary driving. Therefore, compared with the conventional meter panel which mainly consists of scales and pointers and can display only fixed information, various information can be displayed, and the display for a vehicle can display a meter that can make the display easier to see.
[0021]
In the invention according to claim 4, the information display means displays the contents of the car navigation. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle display device that is easier to see and can display a large amount of information.
[0022]
In the fifth aspect of the invention, since information is displayed on the driver front portion of the instrument panel or the central portion in the lateral direction of the passenger compartment, the information can be viewed in the same manner as a conventional vehicle display. Therefore, it can be used without a sense of incongruity and can be used as a vehicle display device that can display a lot of information.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for realizing a vehicle display device according to the present invention will be described based on examples corresponding to the inventions according to claims 1 to 6.
[0025]
(Example)
[0026]
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a vehicle display device according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, 1 is a vehicle display device, 2 is a light source, 3 is an LCD (2, 3 constitutes information display means), 4 is a projection lens (imaging optical system), and 5 is a plane. Mirror (substantially plane mirror), 6 is a diffusion screen (screen), 71 is a column cover, 72 is an instrument panel, 73 is a front window, A1 is light from the projection lens to the plane mirror, A2 is from the plane mirror to the diffusion screen A3 is light traveling from the diffusion screen to the plane mirror, A4 is light traveling from the plane mirror to the driver's eyes, B is a virtual image shown to the driver, and C is the driver's eyes.
[0027]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, it is displayed on a meter portion in a general vehicle. In this vehicle display 1, a light source 2 and an LCD 3 (liquid crystal display) are provided inside a column cover 71. The projection lens 4 is a lens that enlarges and projects the light incident from the LCD 3 onto the diffusion screen 6.
[0028]
The plane mirror 5 can reflect the light projected from the projection lens 4 toward the diffusion screen 6, and the enlarged image projected onto the diffusion screen 6 from the driver's eyes C toward the virtual image B toward the driver. Are inclined at an angle at which the line of sight of the eyes hits a substantially right angle.
[0029]
The plane mirror 5 is provided inside the instrument panel 72 so that the virtual image B is displayed on the meter portion of the instrument panel 72.
[0030]
The diffusing screen 6 has diffuse reflectivity, and forms an enlarged image of image information on the surface thereof by the projection lens 4. In the embodiment, a reflective flat screen is used. The diffusion screen 6 is thin, and the thickness can be suppressed to about several mm. The installation position is such that a reflection surface is provided in the upper part of the instrument panel 72 downward.
The diffusion screen is provided with a convex portion (not shown).
[0031]
Next, the operation will be described.
[0032]
[Information display function]
In the vehicle display device 1 of the embodiment, the light source 2 provided in the column cover 71 is applied to the LCD 3, and the image displayed on the LCD 3 is incident on the projection lens 4 provided in the instrument panel.
[0033]
In the projection lens 4, the light A <b> 1 is projected onto the plane mirror 5 so as to enlarge and project the incident image.
[0034]
The light A1 projected on the plane mirror 5 becomes light A2 that is reflected and travels toward the diffusion screen 6.
[0035]
In the diffusing screen 6, an image is formed by the light A 2, and the reflected light A 3 is directed to the plane mirror 5 by its reflectivity.
[0036]
Light A3 from the diffusing screen 6 is reflected by the flat mirror 5 and becomes light A4 toward the driver's eyes C. At this time, the driver's eyes are reflected by the plane mirror 5 to show the virtual image B to the driver.
[0037]
Thus, the image displayed on the small display surface of the LCD 3 is enlarged and shown to the driver as a virtual image B.
[0038]
In this embodiment, although not shown, driving information such as speed, engine speed, and remaining amount of fuel and the contents of car navigation are displayed on the vehicle display device. By using the LCD 3, it is possible to display the contents of a highly multifunctional in-vehicle device.
[0039]
[Enlarged display]
By using the projection lens 4, it is possible to use an LCD 3 having a small display surface because the magnification can be increased with a low distortion and a large magnification compared to a concave mirror, so that the cost of the LCD 3 can be reduced and the vehicle display device 1 can be reduced. Save space.
[0040]
[Easy to display]
In the vehicle display device 1 of the embodiment, the driver sees the enlarged real image on the diffusing screen 6 as a virtual image B reflected by the plane mirror 5, so that the virtual image B is a virtual image enlarged by a concave mirror. Don't be. Therefore, the change in the position of the image and the change in the distortion of the image are extremely small with respect to the change in the position of the eyes of the driver, and the image displayed on the vehicle display device 1 is easy to see.
Further, the diffusion screen is provided with a convex surface portion, and a virtual image having a depth is formed by changing the imaging position, thereby providing a novel display.
[0041]
[Action that does not interfere with the driver's view]
Since the diffusion screen 6 has a thickness of about several mm, the thickness of the upper part of the instrument panel 72 is suppressed to 10 mm to 20 mm. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a design that obstructs the driver's view, and the design of the instrument panel 72 does not have to apply pressure to the driver.
[0042]
Next, the effect will be described.
[0043]
In the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.
[0044]
(1) In the vehicle display 1 for displaying information to the driver, a light source 2 and an LCD 3 are provided as information display means for emitting an image as light, and a projection lens 4 for projecting light from the light source 2 and the LCD 3 is used as imaging optics. A flat mirror 5 is provided as a substantially planar mirror that reflects the light projected from the imaging optical system, and a diffusion screen 6 is provided as a screen for imaging the light reflected by the substantially planar mirror. Is reflected on the flat mirror 5 and displayed as a virtual image B, so that it is easy to see, and the information display means can be made small and inexpensive with the imaging optical system. it can.
[0045]
(2) Since the diffusing screen 6 has a convex shape, display with a novel effect can be performed.
[0046]
(3) Since an information display means such as the LCD 3 capable of arbitrary display is used, various information can be displayed and the display can be seen more easily than the conventional meter panel.
[0047]
(4) Since the information display means displays the contents of the car navigation, it is easier to see and more information can be displayed.
[0048]
(5) Since the information is displayed on the meter panel part of a general vehicle, which is the front part of the driver of the instrument panel 72, the vehicle display can be used without any sense of incongruity with the surroundings of conventional meters and can display a lot of information. Can be a container 1.
[0049]
(6) The LCD 3 and the light source 2 are provided as information display means in the instrument panel 72, and the projection lens 4 for projecting light from the LCD 3 is provided in the instrument panel 72 as an imaging optical system, and is projected from the projection lens 4. A flat mirror 5 that reflects the reflected light is provided inside the instrument panel 72, a diffusion screen 6 that forms an image of the light reflected by the flat mirror 5 is provided, and an enlarged image formed by the diffusion screen 6 is reflected by the flat mirror 5. And since it displays as the virtual image B, it can mount in a vehicle in space-saving. Further, since the diffusion screen 6 may be thin, it is possible to prevent the upper portion of the instrument panel 72 from becoming thick, so as not to obstruct the driver's field of view, and to provide a degree of design freedom. It can be so.
[0050]
As mentioned above, although the display for vehicles of the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the gist of the invention according to each claim of the claims. As long as they do not deviate, design changes and additions are permitted.
[0051]
For example, although the light source and the LCD are used as the information display means in the embodiments, the information may be displayed by a VFD (fluorescent display) or a number of LEDs.
[0052]
In the embodiment, the vehicle display device 1 displays the content of the meter panel and the content of the car navigation, but may display other driving information and the content of other in-vehicle devices.
[0053]
The substantially planar mirror body is highly reflective and does not specify a material such as resin or metal as long as it is planar.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a vehicle display device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a conventional vehicle display device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Vehicle Display 2 Light Source 3 LCD
4 Projection lens 5 Plane mirror 6 Diffusion screen 71 Column cover 72 Instrument panel 73 Front window A1 Light A2 (from the projection lens to the plane mirror) Light A3 (From the plane mirror to the diffusion screen) Light A3 (From the diffusion screen to the plane mirror) ) Light A4 (Directed from the plane mirror to the driver's eyes) Light B (Shown to the driver) Virtual image C (Driver's) eyes D Thickness of the top of the instrument panel

Claims (5)

In a vehicle indicator that displays information to the driver,
An information display unit that emits an image as light is provided, an imaging optical system that projects light from the information display unit is provided, a substantially planar mirror that reflects light projected from the imaging optical system is provided, and the substantially planar mirror Providing a screen for imaging light reflected by the body, reflecting the real image on the screen to the substantially planar mirror body and displaying it as a virtual image ;
An LCD and a light source are provided as information display means inside the instrument panel, a projection lens that projects light from the LCD is provided as an imaging optical system inside the instrument panel, and a substantially plane mirror that reflects light projected from the projection lens A body is provided inside the instrument panel, a diffusion screen for imaging the light reflected by the substantially planar mirror is provided, and an image enlarged and formed by the diffusion screen is reflected by the substantially planar mirror and displayed as a virtual image. A vehicle indicator characterized by the above. The vehicle display device according to claim 1,
A vehicle display device, wherein the screen has a concave shape, a convex shape, or a shape including both concave and convex surfaces. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein:
The vehicle display device, wherein the information display means displays information related to driving. 4. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the information display means displays the contents of the car navigation. 5. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein information is displayed on a driver front portion of the instrument panel or a vehicle lateral direction center portion.

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