JP5945461B2 - Head-mounted display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a head-mounted display device.

Conventionally, in a head-mounted display device, a technique in which a display unit that forms an image is supported by a holder that can be mounted on the head via a support arm made of a tube-shaped flexible member (for example, , See Patent Document 1).
In recent years, some head-mounted display devices are made wireless by receiving video signals or the like via radio.
In this head-mounted display device, the display unit emits image display light toward the user's eyes by a drive signal sent from an image source such as an external computer via a cable or wirelessly.

  By the way, in the head-mounted display device as described above, the position of the display unit is set with respect to the user's eyes by appropriately bending the support arm made of a flexible member with the user mounting the holder on the head. Adjust to an appropriate position.

JP 2000-224519 A

  However, if the support arm is bent many times using the head-mounted display device for a long period of time or the head-mounted display device is dropped, the support arm may be damaged. Sometimes. In such a case, the entire head-mounted display device must be replaced, or the damaged part can only be repaired by the manufacturer. There is a problem that the apparatus cannot be used and inconvenience occurs.

  Further, for example, the size of the head may be significantly different between the case where the user is a child and the case where the user is an adult. In such a case, the position of the display unit may not be set to an appropriate position for the user simply by bending the support arm. Therefore, it is conceivable to prepare a plurality of types of head-mounted display devices having different support arm lengths. However, it is difficult for the user side to select a head-mounted display device having a support arm having an optimal length, and the convenience is impaired. It costs money because you have to line up.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even when the support arm of the head-mounted display device is damaged, the cost is low and the user is not inconvenienced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a head-mounted display device that can be repaired promptly, is highly convenient for the user, and can reduce costs for the manufacturer.

In order to solve the above problems, the head-mounted display device of the present invention provides the following means.
One aspect of the present invention includes a holder to be mounted on a user's head, and a display unit that is supported by the holder and includes a display element, and the holder uses the drive signal to drive the display element. A first housing provided with an electronic substrate including at least a drive circuit for generating the second circuit, a second housing provided with the display unit, and a wiring for electrically connecting the drive circuit and the display element. And a support arm having flexibility and shape maintenance that connects the first casing and the second casing, and the support arm includes the first casing and the second casing. head with Ri detachable der to at least one of the second housing, wherein the support arm, and the outer tube having a flexibility in the tubular, and a core member which is inserted into said outer tube A wearable display device is provided.
As a result, the support arm can be exchanged. Therefore, if the support arm is damaged, it can be replaced. Further, by preparing in advance a plurality of types of support arms having different lengths, hardnesses, colors, designs, etc., the support arms can be appropriately replaced according to the user's preference.

In the above embodiment, the support arm, and the outer tube having a flexibility cylindrical, that have a core that is inserted into the outer tube.
Thereby, when the outer tube is deformed, the core material inside the outer tube is also deformed, and the shape can be maintained.

  Moreover, in the said aspect, the said support arm is the cylindrical shape formed by winding a metal wire spirally, The flexible tube which has a softness | flexibility and shape maintenance property, and the said wiring penetrated in the said flexible tube And may have.

One aspect of the present invention includes a holder to be mounted on a user's head, and a display unit that is supported by the holder and includes a display element, and the holder uses the drive signal to drive the display element. A first housing provided with an electronic substrate including at least a drive circuit for generating the second circuit, a second housing provided with the display unit, and a wiring for electrically connecting the drive circuit and the display element. And a support arm having flexibility and shape maintenance that connects the first housing and the second housing, and the support arm is cylindrical and flexible. Provided is a head-mounted display device having an outer tube and a core material having flexibility and shape maintenance, wherein the core material is detachable from the outer tube.
Thereby, it becomes possible to replace | exchange only a core material suitably. Therefore, when the core material is damaged or deteriorated, the function can be maintained at low cost by replacing only the core material.

  Moreover, in the said aspect, the said 2nd housing | casing can further be further equipped with the attachment part to the temple of the spectacles with which the user's head or the user's head was mounted | worn.

Further, in the above aspect, the wiring is insert-molded in the outer tube of the support arm , and a connector to which the wiring is electrically connected is provided at an end of the outer tube, and the connector is The housing side connector electrically connected to the electronic board may be detachably connected.

Moreover, in the said aspect, the said core material may be a different body from the said outer tube.
Thereby, only an outer tube or only a core material can be exchanged suitably.

Moreover, in the said aspect, the said core material may be detachably penetrated to the hole formed in the said support arm.
Moreover, in the said aspect, the said core material may be wound helically along the outer peripheral surface of the said support arm.

  According to the present invention, even when the support arm of the head-mounted display device is damaged, it can be promptly repaired at a low cost without causing any inconvenience to the user. This is very convenient for the manufacturer and can also reduce the cost for the manufacturer.

It is the top view and side view which show the external appearance of the head mounted display apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the components layout structure of the head mounted display apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the state which mounted | wore the spectacles temple with the head mounted display apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the support arm of the head mounted display apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view and a perspective developed view showing a detailed configuration of a support arm of the head-mounted display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The side view which is a modification of the support arm of the head mounted display apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention, and has provided the connector in the both ends of the support arm, and was able to mount | wear with the support arm from which length differs. It is. It is the perspective view and principal part enlarged view which show the structure of the head mounted display apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the head mounted display apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the side view and sectional drawing which show the structure of the core material of the head mounted display apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the head mounted display apparatus concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the core material of the head mounted display apparatus concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of a head-mounted display device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the head-mounted display device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit 21, a holder 5 that supports the display unit 21 and is mounted on a user's head. Have.

  The holder 5 includes a first housing 10 having a head support member (attachment portion) 11 for locking to a user's head (for example, an ear), and a second housing provided with a display unit 21. It has a body 20 and a support arm 30 </ b> A that connects the first housing 10 and the second housing 20.

  The first housing 10 includes an electrical component 10a located on the support arm 30A side, and a battery unit 10b that is continuous with the electrical component 10a and has a substantially constant cross-sectional area.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrical component 10a generates and outputs a signal for driving a display unit 21 and a wireless communication circuit 12a that receives a signal transmitted from the outside via wireless communication such as Bluetooth. An electronic board 12 including a drive circuit 12b and a control circuit 12c is accommodated. Further, a battery 13 for supplying electric power to the electronic board 12 is accommodated in the battery unit 10b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the head support member 11 includes a clamp part 11 a that sandwiches the temple part of the glasses worn by the user between the first housing 10 and the user's head, for example, the user. A hook 11b that can be locked to the ear and a pad 11c that abuts the head before and after the ear.
The clamp part 11a is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the electrical component part 10a of the first housing 10 via a connecting part (support position) 15 having a smaller cross-sectional area than the clamp part 11a.

As shown in FIG. 3, in such a head support member 11, when the temple 101 of the spectacles 100 is pressed between the clamp part 11a and the first housing 10, the connecting part 15 is elastically deformed. The gap between the clamp part 11a and the first housing 10 is widened, and the temple 101 is inserted into this gap. The head-mounted display device 1 is supported by the temple 101 of the glasses 100 by sandwiching the temple 101 between the clamp portion 11a and the first housing 10.
The detailed shape and configuration of the head support member 11 are not limited to those described above.

  In this way, the head support member 11 is provided in the electrical component 10a of the first housing 10, and the heavy battery 13 is opposite to the second housing 20 with the head support member 11 in between. It is provided in the battery unit 10b of the first housing 10 located in the position.

The cross-sectional area of the second housing 20 gradually increases from the end on the support arm 30A side, and an eyepiece optical system 22 constituting the display unit 21 is provided on the opposite end.
The eyepiece optical system 22 is within the range of the user's field of view when the user wears the head-mounted display device 1 on the head in the direction in which the support arm 30A and the second housing 20 extend. It is provided to be located.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second housing 20 incorporates a display element 23 such as an LCD constituting the display unit 21 and an illumination system 24.
As shown in FIG. 1, the support arm 30 </ b> A has a rod shape having a substantially constant outer diameter from the first housing 10 side toward the second housing 20 side.

  The support arm 30A has flexibility that the user can freely bend by hand, and shape maintainability that can maintain the shape as it is when the hand is released. Thereby, the position and direction of the 2nd housing | casing 20 with respect to the 1st housing | casing 10 can be adjusted suitably by a user bending the support arm 30A. Specifically, the display screen position in the user's field of view is changed by aligning the optical axis of the eyepiece optical system 22 with the user's pupil and changing the optical axis angle of the eyepiece optical system 22 with respect to the user's pupil. The position and orientation of the second housing 20 are adjusted by bending the support arm 30A in order to retract the eyepiece optical system 22 to a position that does not interfere with the user's field of vision when not in use.

The support arm 30A can be attached to and detached from the first housing 10 at the end on the first housing 10 side.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the support arm 30 </ b> A has a cylindrical shape, an outer tube 31 made of an elastically deformable rubber-based material, a silicon-based material, and the like, and a metal made by being inserted into the outer tube 31. And a core member 32 made of a wire or the like.

  In the outer tube 31, a plurality of wirings 33 for electrically connecting the electronic substrate 12 in the first housing 10 and the display element 23 in the second housing 20 are incorporated by insert molding. On one end side of the outer tube 31, an annular connector 34 to which these wirings 33 are electrically connected is provided.

  The connector 34 can be attached to and detached from the joint member 31a provided at the end of the outer tube 31, and the core member 32 can be inserted and removed when the connector 34 is detached from the joint member 31a. .

A connector (housing side connector) 17 that is electrically connected to an electronic board 12 built in the first housing 10 is provided at an end on the first housing 10 side.
By fitting the connector 17 on the first housing 10 side and the connector 34 on the support arm 30A side together, the first housing 10 and the support arm 30A are mechanically coupled, and the electronic board 12 is also connected. And the display element 23 are electrically connected.
When the connectors 17 and 34 are fitted to each other, the end of the outer tube 31 of the support arm 30 </ b> A is abutted against the end of the first housing 10.

  In such a head-mounted display device 1, an external video playback device using, for example, a personal computer device, a television, a HDD (Hard disk drive), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or the like is wirelessly connected. The video signal (including the image) transmitted in this manner is received by the wireless communication circuit 12 a of the electronic board 12 provided in the first housing 10. The video signal received by the wireless communication circuit 12a is converted into a drive signal for driving the display element 23 of the display unit 21 in the drive circuit 12b. The drive signal generated in this way by the drive circuit 12 b is transmitted to the display unit 21 of the second housing 20.

  In the display unit 21, the display element 23 is driven by the transmitted drive signal, and the display element 23 displays an image corresponding to the drive signal. The image displayed on the display element 23 is guided to the eyepiece optical system 22 by light emitted from the illumination system 24. The eyepiece optical system 22 enlarges the guided image and guides it to the user's pupil. Thus, the user can visually recognize the enlarged virtual image.

  According to the head-mounted display device 1 as described above, the support arm 30A can be attached to and detached from the first housing 10 via the connector 34 at the end on the first housing 10 side. . Thereby, it becomes possible to replace | exchange the support arm 30A suitably. Therefore, when the support arm 30A is damaged or deteriorates, the function and appearance can be maintained at low cost by replacing only the support arm 30A, and the occurrence of inconvenience to the user is suppressed.

  Further, when the user performs a violent operation such as sports, it is preferable that the core material 32 is hard so that the display unit 21 does not move carelessly. Further, when the position of the display unit 21 is frequently moved according to the situation, it is preferable that the core member 32 is soft because the support arm 30A can be easily deformed. Therefore, by preparing a plurality of types of support arms 30A having core members 32 having different hardnesses and a plurality of types of support arms 30A having different lengths, colors, etc., the support arms 30A can be selected according to the user's preference. Can be exchanged appropriately, and the convenience of the user can be enhanced.

  In addition, if the core member 32 is removed from the first housing 10 so that the core member 32 can be appropriately inserted into and removed from the outer tube 31, the core member 32 can be damaged or replaced by replacing only the core member 32. Deterioration of deterioration and change to the desired hardness can be easily performed at lower cost.

[Modification of First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the above-described second casing 20 is integrally attached to the other end of the outer tube 31, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connection portion with the support arm 30A can also be configured to be detachably connected with the same configuration as the end portion on the first housing 10 side. For this, as shown in FIG. 6, an annular connector 35 is provided on the other end side of the outer tube 31. In addition, a connector (housing side connector) 27 electrically connected to the display element 23 and the illumination system 24 is provided at the end on the second housing 20 side. By fitting these connectors 35 and 27, the support arm 30A and the second housing 20 can be mechanically and electrically connected.

  In the first embodiment, the configuration of the support arm 30A of the head-mounted display device 1 has been exemplified. However, in addition to the configuration exemplified above, configurations such as a plurality of examples shown below may be adopted. . In the following description, the overall configuration of the head-mounted display device 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the detailed configuration of the support arm 30A is different, so that it differs from the first embodiment. Common components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

[Second Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 7, the support arm 30B of the head-mounted display device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an outer tube 31 in which a wiring 33 (see FIG. 5B) is insert-molded, It can also be set as the structure which has the core material 41 penetrated in the outer tube 31. FIG.

The core member 41 is made of a metal wire or the like, and is inserted into the outer tube 31 having flexibility, so that the support arm 30B can be deformed and maintained in a deformed shape. Such a core material 41 preferably has a diameter of about 0.5 to 1.2 mm.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, the core member 41 has an opening 18 formed in the first housing 10 and a hole (not shown) formed in the outer tube 31 from the opening 18. The core material 41 can be exchanged by inserting the fixing portion 42 provided at the end of the core material 41 into the opening 18. Thereby, when the core material 41 deteriorates, it becomes possible to replace it appropriately.

  In the head-mounted display device 1 having the support arm 30B as described above, the core member 41 is detachable from the outer tube 31 at the end on the first housing 10 side. Thereby, it becomes possible to replace | exchange only the core material 41 suitably. Therefore, when the core material 41 is damaged or deteriorated, the function can be maintained at a low cost by replacing only the core material 41, and the occurrence of inconvenience to the user is suppressed. Furthermore, by preparing the core material 41 with different hardness, the hardness of the core material 41 can be changed according to the user's preference, and the convenience for the user can be enhanced.

In the above embodiment, the core material 41 is not inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in the outer tube 31, but as shown in FIG. 8, the core material 43 is formed along the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 31. It can also be set as the structure wound around helically.
In this case, it is preferable to form a recess 29 in the second housing 20 for fixing the tip of the core member 43.
In this configuration, since the core member 43 is provided so as to be exposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the outer tube 31, the replacement work can be easily performed.

The core members 41 and 43 as described above may be covered with a coating layer 44 made of a resin material, as shown in FIG.
Further, when the core material 43 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 31, the outer tube 31 and the core material 43 may be covered with a resin film.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the wiring 33 is insert-molded into the outer tube 31, but the wiring 33 may be inserted into the outer tube 31.
Further, although the core materials 32, 41, and 43 are inserted through the outer tube 31, the outer tube 31 and the core materials 32, 41, and 43 may be integrally formed.

[Third Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 10, the support arm 30 </ b> C of the head-mounted display device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is inserted into the hollow flexible tube 51 and the flexible tube 51, for example, and the first housing. A wiring 52 that electrically connects the electronic substrate 12 in the body 10 and the display element 23 in the second housing 20, a sleeve 53 made of a resin material, a rubber material, or the like that covers the flexible tube 51; have.

  The flexible tube 51 is formed by spirally winding a metal wire, and the flexibility that the user can freely bend by hand, and the shape maintainability that can maintain the shape as it is when the hand is released, have. The flexible tube 51 is covered with a sleeve 53 by insert molding.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the flexible tube 51 has a coil spring shape in which a metal wire 51a having a circular cross section is spirally wound, and the wires 51a and 51a adjacent to each other on the outer peripheral surface side of the flexible tube 51. Between these, it can also be set as the structure which wound the wire 51b of metal cross-sectional triangles (wedge shape). The flexible tube 51 preferably has an inner diameter of 2.5 mm or more and an outer diameter of 6 mm or less.

  One end of the wiring 52 is electrically connected to the display element 23 of the second housing 20 and the illumination system 24 (see FIG. 2). The other end of the wiring 52 is provided with a connector 55 for electrically connecting to the electronic substrate 12 in the first housing 10, and the connector 55 is connected to the electronic substrate 12 in the first housing 10. The connector 17 can be connected.

The head-mounted display device 1 having the support arm 30C as described above can appropriately adjust the position of the display unit 21 according to the user's preference by the deformation of the flexible tube 51.
And the hardness at the time of bending the flexible tube 51 can be changed suitably by varying the thickness of the wire which forms the flexible tube 51, a material, and length. When the length of the flexible tube 51 is changed, the wiring 52 and the sleeve 53 are similarly changed to those having different lengths.

Moreover, when the flexible tube 51, the wiring 52, etc. are damaged, these can be changed suitably and repair etc. can be performed.
In addition, by preparing a plurality of types of sleeves 53 having different colors and designs, the sleeves 53 can be appropriately changed according to the user's preference.

In addition to the configurations shown in the above embodiments, appropriate changes and additions / deletions of configurations can be made within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, the head-mounted display device 1 may be configured to be directly locked to the user's ear or the like instead of the temple 101 of the glasses 100.
Moreover, it is also possible to combine suitably the structure shown by said each embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Head-mounted display apparatus 5 Holder 10 1st housing | casing 10a Electric equipment part 10b Battery part 11 Head support member 12 Electronic board 12a Wireless communication circuit 12b Drive circuit 12c Control circuit 13 Battery 17, 27 Connector (housing side connector)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Opening part 20 2nd housing | casing 21 Display unit 22 Eyepiece optical system 23 Display element 24 Illumination system 30A, 30B, 30C Support arm 31 Outer tube 32, 41, 43 Core material 33, 52 Wiring 34, 35 Connector 51 Flexible tube 51a Wire 51b Wire 53 Sleeve 55 Connector 100 Glasses 101 Temple

Claims (8)

A holder attached to the user's head;
A display unit supported by the holder and having a display element,
The holder is
A first housing including an electronic substrate including at least a driving circuit that generates a driving signal for driving the display element;
A second housing provided with the display unit;
A support arm having flexibility and shape maintaining property, having wiring for electrically connecting the drive circuit and the display element, and connecting the first housing and the second housing; With
Said support arm, Ri removable der to at least one of said first housing and said second housing,
A head-mounted display device in which the support arm has a cylindrical outer tube having flexibility and a core member inserted into the outer tube . A flexible tube having flexibility and shape maintenance in a cylindrical shape in which the support arm is spirally wound with a metal wire; and
The head-mounted display device according to claim 1, further comprising: the wiring inserted into the flexible tube. A holder attached to the user's head;
A display unit supported by the holder and having a display element,
The holder is
A first housing including an electronic substrate including at least a driving circuit that generates a driving signal for driving the display element;
A second housing provided with the display unit;
A support arm having flexibility and shape maintaining property, having wiring for electrically connecting the drive circuit and the display element, and connecting the first housing and the second housing; With
The head-mounted display device in which the support arm has a cylindrical outer tube having flexibility and a core material having flexibility and shape maintenance, and the core material is detachable from the outer tube. . The second housing, the head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a mounting portion of the temple of the glasses that are worn on the head of a user's head or user Wearable display device. The wiring is insert-molded to the outer tube of the support arm,
A connector to which the wiring is electrically connected is provided at an end portion of the outer tube, and the connector is a housing-side connector provided at an end portion of the first housing or the second housing. head mounted display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 which is detachably connected to. The core material, the head-mounted display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein an outer tube and another member. The core material, the head-mounted display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is freely inserted removably into a hole formed in the support arm. The head-mounted display device according to claim 3 , wherein the core member is spirally wound along the outer peripheral surface of the support arm.

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