JPH0526588U - Heads up display device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Object] The present invention relates to a head-up display device for displaying a predetermined information image in a background visual field by superimposing background light from the outside world and information light from an information light source, and more particularly to a track-up display device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a head-up display device suitable for a large vehicle such as a car or a bus, and to provide a head-up display device configured to support the combiner within the visual field of the driver without blocking the visual field of the driver as much as possible. [Configuration] A projection optical system unit (2
A projection optical system unit (28) in a head-up display device for a vehicle, comprising: 8) and a combiner (32) for displaying a predetermined information image in a background visual field by superimposing the information light with background light from the outside. Is arranged above the driver's observation position, and the combiner (32) supports the pillar (3) that supports the side of the front windshield (24) of the vehicle.
It is characterized by being supported in a cantilever manner from 0).

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a head-up display device in which background light from the outside world and information light from an information light source are overlapped to display a predetermined information image in the background field of view, and particularly for large vehicles such as trucks and buses. A suitable head-up display device.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 While driving a car, the driver is often required to move his or her line of sight from the background in the front to the instruments in the dashboard in order to check the speed. It is said that such an operation is not preferable from the viewpoint of safe driving, and the operation of frequently shifting the line of sight causes considerable fatigue to the driver. Therefore, in recent years, a head-up display device (HUD) that has been conventionally used in aircraft such as fighters is applied to automobiles.

Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a conventional example of a head-up display device incorporated in a passenger car, a small car or the like. In FIG. 12, reference numerals 10, 12 and 14 are a steering wheel, a dashboard and a front window, respectively. Indicates. The head-up display device is composed of a projection optical system unit 16 arranged in the dashboard 12 and a combiner 18 formed integrally with the front window 14. An information light source including, for example, a fluorescent display tube is provided in the projection optical system unit 16, and the information light L emitted from the information light source reaches the eyes 20 of the driver via the combiner 18. The driver can observe the information image as a virtual image 22 outside the front window 14. In short, information such as speed is displayed in the background field of view in front of the front window 14. As the combiner 18, as is well known, a half mirror or a reflection type diffraction hologram element is used.

Further, FIGS. 13 and 14 each show another conventional example of a head-up display device. In these drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those shown in FIG. Used. The conventional example shown in FIG. 13 is different from that shown in FIG. 12 in that the combiner 18 is installed on the dashboard 12, and the conventional example shown in FIG. 14 has the combiner 18 installed above the front window 14. However, the projection optical system unit 16 is different from that shown in FIG. 12 in that it is installed on the ceiling of the vehicle. However, the information light L emitted from the projection optical system unit 16 is delivered to the driver's eye 20 via the combiner 18, which causes the driver to display the information image from the information light source on the outside of the front window 14 as a virtual image 22. What can be observed as is similar to the case of the conventional example shown in FIG.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 The common point of the head-up display devices as described above is that they are both configured for ordinary passenger cars and small cars, and the configuration of such head-up display devices is used as it is for buses and trucks. Applying to large vehicles is not a good idea for the following reasons.

First, if the head-up display device shown in FIG. 12 is applied to a large-sized vehicle, the configuration is as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, in a large vehicle such as a bus or a truck, the front window 14 is in an almost vertical state. Therefore, when a half mirror is used as the combiner 18, the projection optics unit is used. In order to make the information light L from 16 reach the eye 20 of the driver, the installation position of the projection optical system unit 16 is on the driver's exclusive space side as shown in the figure, so that the configuration of the head-up display device of FIG. It cannot be applied to large vehicles. It should be noted that if a reflection hologram element whose diffraction direction can be freely designed, for example, an off-axis reflection hologram element is used as the combiner 18, the projection optical system unit 16 can be installed in a space other than the driver's exclusive space. In that case, an additional hologram means is required for chromatic aberration correction, which not only complicates the entire optical system but also causes a problem that the light use efficiency is reduced by the additional hologram means. Moreover, it is costly to integrally form the reflection hologram element on the front window.

Further, when the conventional example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is applied to a large-sized vehicle, the front window is larger than that of an ordinary passenger vehicle or a small vehicle, and therefore, the combiner is installed on the dashboard or the ceiling portion of the vehicle. If installed, the combiner will be out of the driver's view. On the other hand, when an appropriate supporting member is used to install the combiner in the driver's visual field, the supporting member obstructs the driver's visual field, and therefore the use of such a supporting member is not preferable.

As a further problem, in the conventional head-up display device shown in FIGS. 12 to 13, since the reflecting position or the diffracting position of the combiner 18 is fixed, the line-of-sight position on the driver side is changed. Adjustment is required. In the case of an ordinary passenger car or a small car, the driver's field of view is narrower than that of a large car, and therefore the driver's seat position can be adjusted to properly align the line of sight with respect to the combiner. In some cases, such adjustment may not be possible depending on the body shape of the driver.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a head-up display device configured to support a combiner within the field of view of a driver without blocking the field of view of the driver as much as possible. Another object of the present invention is to provide a head-up display device in which the position of the combiner can be freely adjusted according to the line-of-sight position of the driver in the above head-up display device.

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 According to the present invention, a vehicle head comprising a projection optical system unit for projecting information light and a combiner for superimposing the information light on the background light from the outside to display a predetermined information image in the background field of view. In the up-display device, the projection optical system unit is arranged above the driver's observation position, and the combiner is supported in a cantilevered manner from a pillar supporting the side of the front window of the vehicle. To be done. Further, the head-up display device according to the present invention is preferably provided with vertical position adjusting means for adjusting the combiner at a position along the pillar and angular position adjusting means for adjusting the angular position of the combiner in three dimensions.

[0011]

[Action]

 As is apparent from the above structure, in the head-up display device according to the present invention, the combiner is supported in the form of a cantilever from the pillar supporting the side of the front windshield of the vehicle. Will be located in the lateral border area of the field of view. Further, in the head-up display device according to the present invention, when the vertical position adjusting means for adjusting the combiner at the position along the pillar and the angular position adjusting means for adjusting the combiner's angular position in three dimensions are provided, The display position of the information image can be adjusted according to the line-of-sight position of each driver.

[0012]

【Example】

 1 to 11 of the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of a head-up display device according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a view of the front window 24 of a large vehicle such as a bus or truck as seen from the driver side. In the example of this large vehicle, the handle 26 is arranged on the right side. 2 is a perspective view of the inside of the driver's seat shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the left side. The head-up display device according to the present invention is supported in the form of a cantilever from a projection optics unit 28 mounted on the ceiling above the handle 26 and a pillar 30 that supports the left side of the front window 24, a pillar 30. And a combiner 32 that has been created.

In this embodiment, the combiner 32 is movable along the pillar 30 and can be positioned at a predetermined position. More specifically, a guide rail 34 provided along the pillar 30 is provided, and a combiner 32 is carried by a slider 36 slidably engaged with the guide rail 34. Further, as shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, a set screw 38 is screwed to the slider 34, so that the slider 36 can be fixed at an arbitrary position along the guide rail 34. As is apparent from FIG. 4, the guide rail 34 and the slider 36 are engaged with each other in the form of a tenon joint so that the slider 36 is prevented from coming off the guide rail 34. With the above-described configuration, the combiner 32 can be adjustably positioned at a position along the pillar 30.

Further, in the present embodiment, the combiner 32 is connected to the shaft portion projecting from the slider 36 via the ball joint joint 40, so that the combiner 32 is also adjustable in the angular position in three dimensions. .. The ball joint joint 40 is joined by a relatively large frictional force. Therefore, once the combiner 32 is positioned at an arbitrary angular position by the manual operation of the driver, the combiner 32 receives a large impact force. The angular position can be maintained as much as possible.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, the information light L emitted from the projection optical system unit 28 is reflected or diffracted by the combiner 32 and reaches the eye 42 of the driver, whereby the driver displays an information image 44, for example. Can be observed as a virtual image. In FIG. 2, the information image 44 is a speed display image. In the embodiment described above, the combiner 32 is supported from the side pillars 34 of the front window 24 in a cantilevered manner, so that the support portion thereof does not substantially obstruct the driver's visual field. I don't get it. In short, the support of the combiner 32 only projects somewhat from the right border region of the driver's field of view, which is not annoying to the driver. Further, since the combiner 32 can adjust not only the vertical position but also the angular position, the driver can obtain the information image 44 at the optimum position according to the eye height position.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a second embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the projection optical system unit 28 has a variable emission direction of the information light L therefrom. Is configured as follows. More specifically, the projection optical system unit 28 includes an information light source such as a fluorescent display tube 28a, a pair of Fresnel lenses 28b ₁ and 28b ₂ for enlarging the display of the fluorescent display tube 28a, and a pair of the Fresnel lenses 28b. ₁ and 28b ₂ and a reflecting mirror 28c disposed between the _two , and the feature of this projection optical system unit 28 is that the reflecting mirror 28c is positioned at an angular position around a rotation axis which is perpendicular to the plane of FIG. It is configured to be adjustable. That is, the angular position of the reflection mirror 28c can be adjusted in the rotation direction indicated by the arrow A, and such angle adjustment is performed by an adjustment knob (not shown) protruding on the side wall of the housing of the projection optical system unit 28. Done. In this way, when the emission direction of the information light L from the projection optical system unit 28 is made variable, the adjustment range of both the vertical position and the angular position of the combiner 32 can be expanded. That is, when the emission direction of the information light L from the projection optical system unit 32 is fixed as shown in FIG. 2, in order to make the information light L reach the eyes 42 of the driver, the combiner 32 The vertical position and the angular position of the combiner 32 can be adjusted only within an extremely narrow range, but when the emission direction of the information light L from the projection optical system unit 32 can be adjusted as shown in FIG. By combining the adjustment of the vertical position and the angular position with the adjustment of the emission direction of the information light L 1, the range in which the information light L can reach the eyes of the driver can be greatly expanded.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, when the reflection mirror 28c is placed at the neutral angle position, it is preferable that the reflected light from the reflection mirror 28c be parallel to the optical axis of the Fresnel lens 28b ₂ . In this case, even if the reflection mirror 28c is rotated in any direction of the rotation direction A, the deviation of the reflected light with respect to the optical axis of the Fresnel lens 28b ₂ can be minimized. Further, when the reflection mirror 28c can be adjusted over a large rotation range, the reflection mirror 28c is adjusted so that the reflected light from the reflection mirror 28c is always parallel to the optical axis of the Fresnel lens 28b ₂ . The Fresnel lens 28b ₂ may be rotated according to the rotation. For example, by providing a differential gear mechanism between the reflecting mirror 28c and the Fresnel lens 28 b _2, full Nerurenzu 28b ₂ against rotation angle of the reflecting mirror 28c is pivoted in rotation angle of the double To get it. This is because the reflection angle fluctuates twice with respect to the incident angle of the information light L on the reflection mirror 28c.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 also has another feature, which is that when the angular position of the combiner 32 is positioned at a predetermined position, that is, when it is placed at the angular position as shown in FIG. The upper and lower edge surfaces of the combiner 32 are processed so as to be parallel to the eye lines E ₁ and E ₂ connecting the upper and lower edge contours and the driver's eye 42. By doing so, the contour line due to the thickness of the combiner 32 becomes thin, and it is not annoying to the driver. Needless to say, it is preferable that the left and right edge surfaces of the combiner 32 be similarly processed.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a third embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present invention, which is suitable when the sun visor 46 is arranged above the driver's seat. Usually, a shelf 48 for pivotally supporting the sun visor 46 is provided above the sun visor 46, and in this embodiment, the projection optical system unit 28 is installed on the shelf 48 so that the information light L can be stored in the shelf 48. Is ejected toward the combiner 32 from between the front edge of the front window 24 and the front window 24. In FIG. 6, the sun visor 46 is rotatable in the direction shown by the arrow B, as is well known, and is shown by a solid line in the storage position and by a broken line in the use position. As in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, also in this embodiment, the angle position of the reflection mirror 28c can be adjusted in the rotation direction indicated by the arrow A, so that the projection optical system unit 28 can be adjusted. The emission direction of the information light L is adjusted to expand the adjustment range of both the vertical position and the angular position of the combiner 32. The lever indicated by reference numeral 50 in FIG. 6 is for adjusting the angular position of the reflection mirror 28c. Of course, as in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, in order to make the reflected light from the reflection mirror 28c always parallel to the optical axis of the Fresnel lens 28b ₂ , the rotation of the reflection mirror 28c is adjusted. it is also possible to rotate the Furuneruren's 28b ₂ Te.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a fourth embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present invention, in which the entire projection optical system unit 28 can be pivotally positioned about the vertical axis VL. To be done. In FIG. 7, reference numeral H indicates the driver's head, and arrow C indicates the forward direction of the vehicle. With such a configuration, the driver can always observe the information image in an appropriate display posture. More specifically, when the driver adjusts the vertical position and the angular position of the combiner 32 to obtain an information image, the information light L emitted from the projection optical system unit 28 is substantially in a vertical plane by the combiner 32. May not be reflected or diffracted. For example, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 7, when the information light L emitted from the projection optical system unit 28 enters the combiner 32 and is reflected or diffracted from the combiner 32, the incident light and its reflected light are reflected. Alternatively, when the diffracted light makes an angle θ in the horizontal plane, the display of the information image is tilted downward to the left. In order to return the display of such a downward-sloping information image to the horizontal direction, the projection optical system unit 28 is slightly rotated clockwise around the vertical axis VL, and the information light L is moved by the combiner 32 in the vertical plane. It may be reflected or diffracted by. At this time, if the display of the information image is out of the driver's view, the position of the combiner 32 may be readjusted again to obtain the display of the information image.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a fifth embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present invention, in which the position of the fluorescent display tube 28a of the projection optical system unit 28 can be adjusted from the outside. Composed. That is, the fluorescent display tube 28a is supported by the inner tip of the adjusting shaft 52 penetrating the housing wall of the projection optics unit 28, and the adjusting knob 54 is provided outside the adjusting shaft 52. By manually operating the adjusting knob 54, the angular position of the fluorescent display tube 28a, that is, the angular position of the adjusting shaft 52 around the longitudinal axis can be adjusted as shown in FIG. Needless to say, such angle adjustment is performed when the display of the information image is tilted as described with reference to FIG. In the case of FIG. 7, it is necessary to adjust the mutual positions of the projection optical system unit 28 and the combiner 32 by trial and error in the case of FIG. 7, but in the case of FIG. 8, the angular position of the fluorescent display tube 28a is adjusted. It is possible to obtain an information image with a proper display attitude simply by performing

The combiner 32 is preferably configured to specularly reflect the information light, which may be a half mirror as described in the description of the prior art, or may be transparent to light from the front field of view. It can also be composed of an excellent reflection hologram element or a multilayer mirror having wavelength selectivity. Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown an example of the structure of a combiner having only one reflection means. This combiner integrally forms a reflection hologram element, a multilayer mirror or a partial reflection film as a reflection means 58 on a transparent substrate 56. A transparent protective cover 60 is provided on the transparent protective layer 60 via a transparent adhesive layer 62. In addition, referring to FIG. 11, there is shown an example of the structure of a combiner having a two-layer reflecting means, which is used, for example, when performing multicolor display. Specifically, the combiner of FIG. 11 has reflecting means 68 and 70 (for example, a reflective holographic element, a wavelength selective element) adapted to reflect light of different wavelength bands on two transparent substrates 64 and 66, respectively. And the like) are integrally formed, and then both are integrated via a transparent adhesive layer. When the combiner of FIG. 11 is used, two fluorescent display tubes of different wavelength bands are provided as information light sources in the projection optical system unit, so that information can be displayed in two colors.

The head-up display device according to the present invention is particularly useful for large vehicles such as buses and trucks, but it goes without saying that it is also applicable to ordinary passenger cars and small cars. Further, although the above embodiment has described the right-hand drive vehicle, it will be apparent that the head-up display device according to the present invention can be similarly applied to a left-hand drive vehicle. Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the Fresnel lens is used as the optical system of the projection optical system unit, but other optical elements such as a concave mirror may be used instead of the Fresnel lens. As the light source, it is possible to use something other than the fluorescent display tube, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like.

[0024]

[Effect of the device]

 As is clear from the above description, in the head-up display device according to the present invention, the combiner is supported in the form of a cantilever from the pillar supporting the side of the front window to substantially obstruct the driver's visual field. The advantage is that support for the combiner can be achieved without any effort. Further, when the vertical position and the angular position of the combiner are adjustable, it becomes possible to perform information at an appropriate position according to the line-of-sight position of each driver. Furthermore, when the projection attitude of the information image can be adjusted on the projection optical system unit side, the information image is always obtained in an appropriate display attitude.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a head-up display device according to the present invention in a state where the head-up display device is arranged in a driver's cab of a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the head-up display device shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the left side of a driver's cab.

3 is a partial detailed view showing an enlarged support portion of a combiner of the head-up display device of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a third embodiment of a head-up display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a fourth embodiment of a head-up display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a fifth embodiment of the head-up display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view taken along line IX-IX in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a combiner used in the head-up display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing another configuration example of the combiner used in the head-up display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional head-up display device.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing another example of a conventional head-up display device.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing still another example of a conventional head-up display device.

FIG. 15 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a problem when the conventional head-up display device shown in FIG. 12 is applied to a large vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... handle 12 ... dashboard 14 ... front window 16 ... projection optical system unit 18 ... combiner 24 ... front window 26 ... handle 28 ... projection optical system unit 28a ... fluorescent display tube 28b ₁ ... Fresnel lens 28b ₂ ... Fresnel lens 28c ... Reflecting mirror 30 ... Pillar 32 ... Combiner 36 ... Guide rail 38 ... Set screw 40 ... Ball joint joint 42 ... Eye 44 ... Information image 46 ... Sun visor 48 ... Shelf

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Junji Tomita 1015 Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Fujitsu Limited

Claims (4)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A projection optical system unit (28) for projecting information light, and a combiner (32) for superimposing the information light on background light from the outside to display a predetermined information image in the background field of view.
In the head-up display device for a vehicle, the projection optical system unit (28) is arranged above a driver's observation position, and the combiner (3)
A head-up display device characterized in that 2) is supported in a cantilever manner from a pillar (30) supporting a side edge of a front window (24) of a vehicle. 2. The head-up display device according to claim 1, further comprising vertical position adjusting means (34, 36, 38) for adjusting the combiner (32) at a position along the pillar (30). Head-up display device characterized by. 3. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein an angular position adjusting means (4) capable of adjusting the angular position of the combiner (32) in three dimensions.
0) is provided. 4. The head-up display device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein display attitude adjusting means (VL: 52, 54) for adjusting the display attitude of the information image.
Is incorporated into the projection optical system unit (28).