KR102362729B1 - Head up display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the head-up display apparatus includes: an image generating unit for generating an image having information; at least one light source emitting light; at least a portion of the light guide unit disposed on the optical axis of the light source unit to guide the light emitted from the light source unit; and an optical unit disposed to face the image generating unit, through which light guided by the light guide unit is transmitted and irradiated to the image generating unit.

Description

Head up display apparatus

The embodiment relates to a head-up display device which is miniaturized and has a structure capable of improving the uniformity of light irradiated to an image generator.

The content described in this section merely provides background information for the embodiment and does not constitute the prior art.

A head-up display device used in a vehicle superimposes information necessary for vehicle driving with a view of the outside of the vehicle at the position of the driver's or passenger's main line of sight in order to minimize the gaze movement of vehicle nuclear power. It is a display device that displays.

The head-up display device may be implemented so that a driver or a passenger can view the image by irradiating light to an image generating unit that generates an image, and projecting the image to a windshield or the like of a vehicle.

Since such a head-up display device may be limited in space due to being provided in a narrow space inside a vehicle or a vehicle body, miniaturization is required.

In addition, a structural improvement capable of improving the uniformity of the light irradiated to the image generator is required so that an image that can be viewed by a driver or a passenger is uniformly implemented in the head-up display device.

Accordingly, the embodiment relates to a head-up display device which is downsized and has a structure capable of improving the uniformity of light irradiated to an image generating unit.

The technical task to be achieved by the embodiment is not limited to the technical task mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiment belongs from the description below.

An embodiment of the head-up display apparatus includes: an image generating unit for generating an image having information; at least one light source emitting light; at least a portion of the light guide unit disposed on the optical axis of the light source unit to guide the light emitted from the light source unit; and an optical unit disposed to face the image generating unit, through which light guided by the light guide unit is transmitted and irradiated to the image generating unit.

The optical unit may be disposed on an optical axis of the image generating unit, and a central portion may be formed in a convex shape.

The light guide unit may include: a light transmitting unit disposed on an optical axis of the light source unit through which light emitted from the light source unit is transmitted; and a reflective unit having one end disposed to face the light transmitting unit and reflecting the light passing through the light transmitting unit to the optical unit.

The light transmitting unit may guide a portion of the light emitted from the light source unit to the reflecting unit by total reflection.

The reflection unit may be disposed to face the optical unit, and an angle between the first optical axis that is the optical axis of the light source unit and the second optical axis that is the optical axis of the optical unit and the image generator may be 0° to 30°.

The light transmitting unit may be provided in a pair symmetrical to each other, and the light source unit may be provided to face an upper end of the light transmitting unit and provided in plurality in one light transmitting unit.

The reflective part may be formed in a concave shape in which a portion to which the light transmitted through the light transmitting part is irradiated.

The reflective portion may be formed in a planar shape with a portion to which the light passing through the light transmitting portion is irradiated.

The planar portion of the reflective unit may form an inclination symmetrical to each other with respect to a second optical axis that is an optical axis of the optical unit and the image generating unit.

The optical unit may be disposed on the optical axis of the image generating unit, have a convex top, and total reflection occurs from the side.

The optical unit may be one in which a reflective member is formed.

The reflective member may be provided as a coating layer formed on a side surface of the optical unit.

The light transmitting part and the reflecting part may be integrally formed.

Another embodiment of the head-up display apparatus includes: an image generating unit for generating an image having information; at least one light source emitting light; and an optical guide part disposed on the optical axis of the light source part to guide the light emitted from the light source to the image generating part, wherein the optical guide part is disposed on the optical axis of the light source part and is irradiated from the light source part It may include a light-transmitting part that is transmitted, and a reflection part that is disposed to face the light-transmitting part and reflects the light passing through the light-transmitting part to the optical part.

The light transmitting unit and the reflecting unit may be integrally formed, and the light irradiated from the light transmitting unit may be totally reflected at a lower end of the reflecting unit.

The head-up display device of the embodiment has the effect of reducing the overall structure while sufficiently securing the optical distance, that is, the distance from the light source unit to the image generating unit due to the change of the optical path.

In addition, by adjusting the angle between the first optical axis and the second optical axis, the optical path may be adjusted to improve the uniformity of the light irradiated to the image generator.

In addition, by simplifying the structure of the head-up display device, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and cost required to configure the device.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a head-up display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
2 is a front view illustrating a head-up display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
3 is a front view illustrating a head-up display device according to another exemplary embodiment.
4 is a perspective view illustrating a head-up display device according to another embodiment.
5 is a front view showing a head-up display device according to another embodiment.
6 is a view showing a portion A of FIG. 5 .
7 is a perspective view illustrating a head-up display device according to another embodiment.
8 is a front view showing a head-up display device according to another embodiment.
9 is a perspective view illustrating a head-up display device according to another embodiment.
10 is a front view illustrating a head-up display device according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiment may have various changes and may have various forms, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the embodiment to a specific disclosed form, and it should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and substitutions included in the spirit and scope of the embodiment. In this process, the size or shape of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation.

Terms such as “first” and “second” may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. In addition, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the embodiment are only for describing the embodiment, and do not limit the scope of the embodiment.

In the description of the embodiment, in the case where it is described as being formed in "up (up)" or "below (on or under)" of each element, on (on or under) ) includes both elements in which two elements are in direct contact with each other or one or more other elements are disposed between the two elements indirectly. In addition, when expressed as “up (up)” or “down (on or under)”, the meaning of not only the upward direction but also the downward direction based on one element may be included.

Also, as used hereinafter, relational terms such as "upper/upper/above" and "lower/lower/below" etc. do not necessarily require or imply any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements; It may be used only to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element.

In addition, a Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, z) may be used in the drawings. In the drawings, the x-axis and the y-axis mean axes perpendicular to the optical axis. For convenience, the optical axis direction (z-axis direction) may be referred to as a first direction, the x-axis direction may be referred to as a second direction, and the y-axis direction may be referred to as a third direction.

In addition, light may be shown as a dotted line for convenience to indicate an optical path in each drawing, and the bending of the dotted line may mean that the light is reflected or refracted.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a head-up display device according to an exemplary embodiment. 2 is a front view illustrating a head-up display device according to an exemplary embodiment. The head-up display device of the embodiment may include an image generating unit 100 , a light source unit 200 , a light guide unit 300 , and an optical unit 400 .

The image generator 100 may serve to generate an image having information. Accordingly, the image generating unit 100 may generate an image by receiving an image signal from an external image signal transmitting apparatus (not shown).

In this case, the information included in the image is a video image, a moving picture, a number, etc., necessary for a vehicle driver, a passenger, etc., and may be complex information combining various types of information described above.

The image generated by the image generating unit 100 is projected, for example, on a windshield, that is, a windshield, etc. of a vehicle by the light irradiated from the optical unit 400 so that a vehicle driver, passenger, etc. can view the image. can

At least one light source unit 200 may be provided and may emit light. In this case, the light source unit 200 may use an element such as an LED, for example.

The light emitted from the light source unit 200 is irradiated to the light guide unit 300 , passes through the light guide unit 300 and the optical unit 400 , and is irradiated to the image generation unit 100 , and the image generation unit 100 . ) may be projected on the windshield or the like.

In this case, a portion of the light guide unit 300 may be disposed on the optical axis of the light irradiated from the light source unit 200 to the light guide unit 300 , and the irradiated light is a portion of the light guide unit 300 . can penetrate.

On the other hand, the light source unit 200 is provided to face the upper end of the light transmitting unit 310 to be described below, and the light irradiated from the light source unit 200 passes through the upper end of the light transmitting unit 310 to the light transmitting unit 310 can be investigated with

In addition, a plurality of the light source unit 200 may be provided on the upper end of the light transmitting unit 310 . Accordingly, the brightness, sharpness, etc. of the image projected on the windshield or the like can be adjusted by appropriately adjusting the light intensity, number, etc. of the light source unit 200 .

On the other hand, as will be described below, the light transmitting unit 310 may be provided as a pair symmetrical to each other, and in this case, the light source unit 200 is opposite to one light transmitting unit 310 among the pair of light transmitting units 310 . A plurality may be provided.

At least a portion of the light guide unit 300 may be disposed on an optical axis of the light source unit 200 to be described below and serve to guide the light emitted from the light source unit 200 . Accordingly, the light irradiated from the light source may be irradiated to the light source unit 200 as an optical path is guided by the light guide unit 300 .

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the light guide unit 300 may include a light transmitting unit 310 and a reflecting unit 320 . In this case, the light transmitting unit 310 and the reflecting unit 320 may be configured separately or may be configured integrally, depending on the embodiment.

First, a structure in which the light transmitting unit 310 and the reflecting unit 320 are separated will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , and the structure in which the light transmitting unit 310 and the reflecting unit 320 are integrally configured is as follows. It will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The light transmitting unit 310 may be disposed such that an upper end faces the light source unit 200 . In this case, the light transmitting unit 310 may be disposed on the optical axis of the light source unit 200 to transmit light emitted from the light source unit 200 .

In this case, the optical axis of the light source unit 200 means the central axis of the optical path through which the light emitted from the light source unit 200 passes through the light transmitting unit 310 , and may be referred to as the first optical axis 10 for convenience.

The light emitted from the light source unit 200 is irradiated to the upper end of the light transmission unit 310, passes through the light transmission unit 310, comes out to the lower end of the light transmission unit 310, and is irradiated to the reflection unit 320 again. have.

In this case, the light transmitting unit 310 may guide a portion of the light irradiated from the light source unit 200 to the reflecting unit 320 by total reflection. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 , among the lights passing through the inside of the light transmitting unit 310 , the lights toward the side of the light transmitting unit 310 may be totally reflected at the boundary between the light transmitting unit 310 and the outside air.

Accordingly, some of the light irradiated to the light transmitting unit 310 may be transmitted through the light transmitting unit 310 as it is, and some may be irradiated to the reflecting unit 320 by total reflection.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the light transmitting unit 310 may be provided as a pair symmetrical to each other, and as described above, the light source unit 200 includes a pair of the light transmitting unit 310 , respectively. It is provided to face the upper end of the , and may be provided in plurality in one light transmitting unit 310 .

Accordingly, the light transmitting unit 310 and the light source unit 200 are based on the optical axis coincident with each other, that is, the second optical axis 20 of the image generating unit 100 , the optical unit 400 , and the reflecting unit 320 to be described below. It may be provided as a pair symmetrical to

Due to this structure, the light source unit 200 irradiates light at a symmetrical position, and the light transmitting unit 310 is also disposed at a symmetrical position so that the transmitted light is irradiated to the reflecting unit 320 , thereby generating an image (100) can be irradiated with relatively uniform light.

In this case, the uniform light means that the distribution of the luminous intensity of the light is uniform in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the second optical axis 20 forming the center of the optical path.

The reflecting unit 320 may have one end disposed to face the light transmitting unit 310 , and may serve to reflect the light passing through the light transmitting unit 310 to the optical unit 400 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the light passing through the light transmitting unit 310 may be reflected from one end, ie, the upper end of the reflecting unit 320 , and then irradiated to the optical unit 400 .

In this case, the upper surface 321 of the reflective part 320 may be coated with a material that reflects light in order to efficiently reflect the light irradiated from the light transmitting part 310 .

In addition, the reflective part 320 may be formed in a concave shape in which the light passing through the light transmitting part 310 is irradiated, that is, the upper surface 321 of the reflective part 320 . That is, the upper surface 321 of the reflection unit 320 may serve as a concave mirror.

Due to the above structure, the reflection unit 320 changes the optical path so that the light irradiated from the light transmitting unit 310 is irradiated to the optical unit 400 disposed at a position opposite to the reflection unit 320 . can play a role

The light reflected from the reflection unit 320 may pass through the optical unit 400 and the image generation unit 100 to project the image generated by the image generation unit 100 onto the windshield.

Accordingly, the reflection unit 320 , the optical unit 400 , and the image generation unit 100 are disposed to face each other, and the optical axis of the image generation unit 100 , that is, the light emitted from the image generation unit 100 . The central axis of the formed optical path may coincide with the optical axes of the optical unit 400 and the reflection unit 320 .

At this time, the optical axis of the optical unit 400 means the central axis of the optical path formed by the light passing through the optical unit 400 , and the optical axis of the reflecting unit 320 is reflected by the reflecting unit 320 to make the optical It may mean the central axis of the optical path formed by the light irradiated to the part 400 . Optical axes coincident with each other of the image generating unit 100 , the optical unit 400 , and the reflecting unit 320 may be referred to as the second optical axis 20 for convenience.

On the other hand, so that the light irradiated from the light transmitting unit 310 to the reflecting unit 320 is reduced to the outside, and the light reflected from the reflecting unit 320 is relatively uniformly irradiated to the optical unit 400 . In order to do this, the angle θ between the first optical axis 10 and the second optical axis 20 needs to be appropriately adjusted.

Accordingly, the reflection unit 320 is disposed to face the optical unit 400 , and the angle θ between the first optical axis 10 and the second optical axis 20 is 0° to 30°. can be In this case, the angle θ of 0° means that the first optical axis 10 and the second optical axis 20 are parallel to each other.

When the first optical axis 10 and the second optical axis 20 have the above-described angle θ, the loss of light irradiated from the light transmitting unit 310 to the reflecting unit 320 to the outside is reduced, and the The light reflected from the reflection unit 320 may be irradiated to the optical unit 400 relatively uniformly.

In this case, the uniform light means that the distribution of the luminous intensity of the light is uniform in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first optical axis 10 constituting the center of the optical path.

The optical unit 400 is disposed to face the image generating unit 100 , the light guided by the light guide unit 300 may be transmitted, and the light transmitted through the optical unit 400 is the image. It may be irradiated to the generator 100 .

In addition, the optical unit 400 is disposed on the optical axis of the image generating unit 100, and as described above, the optical axis of the optical unit 400 and the image generating unit 100 may coincide with each other. 2 means the optical axis (20).

Also, the optical unit 400 may have a convex central portion. Due to this structure, the optical unit 400 can form a more uniform light while transmitting the light emitted from the reflection unit 320 to be irradiated to the image generating unit 100 .

For example, due to the convex shape of the central portion of the optical unit 400 , the light irradiated from the reflection unit 320 is refracted while passing through the optical unit 400 , and thus the light exiting the optical unit 400 . may further increase the uniformity.

For example, the optical unit 400 may be provided as a refractive lens capable of causing refraction of light. In addition, a plurality of refractive lenses may be arranged to cause refraction of light.

In addition, the optical unit 400 may adjust the shape of the light by causing refraction of the transmitted light. In this case, the shape of the light may mean, for example, that the shape of the light is formed as a polygon including a circle, an ellipse, and a rectangle as a whole on a plane perpendicular to the second optical axis 20 .

On the other hand, the light irradiated from the light source unit 200 is reflected by the reflection unit 320, the optical path may be greatly changed. Accordingly, the head-up display device of the embodiment has the effect of reducing the overall structure while sufficiently securing the optical distance, that is, the distance from the light source unit 200 to the image generating unit 100 due to the change of the optical path.

3 is a front view illustrating a head-up display device according to another exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3 , in the embodiment, the reflection unit 320 is a portion to which the light passing through the light transmission unit 310 is irradiated, that is, in the embodiment, the top surface 321 of the reflection unit 320 is flat. may be formed.

In addition, in the embodiment, in order to focus the light reflected from the reflecting unit 320 and irradiated to the optical unit 400 on the optical unit 400 , the flat portion of the reflecting unit 320 , that is, the upper end of the reflecting unit 320 . The surface 321 may form an inclination symmetrical to each other with respect to the second optical axis 20 .

Meanwhile, as described in FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the embodiment of FIG. 3 , the upper surface 321 of the reflection unit 320 reflects light to efficiently reflect the light emitted from the light transmitting unit 310 . material may be coated.

4 is a perspective view illustrating a head-up display device according to another embodiment. 5 is a front view showing a head-up display device according to another embodiment. 6 is a view showing a portion A of FIG. 5 .

4 and 5, in the embodiment, the optical unit 400 is disposed on the optical axis of the image generating unit 100, the top is formed in a convex shape, and is provided so that total reflection occurs from the side. can

Due to this structure, the optical part 400 may cause total reflection of light from the side, so that the optical path is changed and directed toward the upper end of the optical part 400 . In addition, since the upper end of the optical unit 400 is formed in a convex shape, the optical unit 400 transmits the light irradiated from the reflection unit 320 and forms a more uniform light to form the image generating unit ( 100) can be investigated.

In addition, a reflective part 320 material may be formed on the optical part 400 . The reflective part 320 material may be provided as a coating layer 410 formed on a side surface of the optical part 400, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 .

The coating layer 410 may be formed of a material that reflects light. The coating layer 410 prevents light emitted to the outside without being totally reflected from the side of the optical unit 400, so that the light irradiated from the reflection unit 320 to the optical unit 400 is not lost. It may serve to pass through the optical unit 400 to be irradiated to the image generating unit 100 .

7 is a perspective view illustrating a head-up display device according to another embodiment. 8 is a front view showing a head-up display device according to another embodiment. 7 and 8 , in the embodiment, the light transmitting part 310 and the reflecting part 320 may be integrally formed.

In this case, the reflective part 320 may be provided such that upper and lower ends are convex, and the light irradiated from the light transmitting part 310 is totally reflected at the lower end of the reflective part 320 .

When the light transmitting unit 310 and the reflecting unit 320 are integrally formed, the structure can be simplified compared to when they are separated, and separate installation for installing the light transmitting unit 310 and the reflecting unit 320 Each of the tools can be provided as one rather than individually, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

On the other hand, even in the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 , loss of light irradiated from the light transmitting unit 310 to the reflecting unit 320 is reduced to the outside, and the light reflected from the reflecting unit 320 is relatively uniform. The angle θ between the first optical axis 10 and the second optical axis 20 needs to be appropriately adjusted in order to be irradiated to the optical unit 400 in order to be irradiated to the optical unit 400 .

Accordingly, the reflection unit 320 is disposed to face the optical unit 400 , and the angle θ between the first optical axis 10 and the second optical axis 20 is 0° to 30°. can be In this case, the angle θ of 0° means that the first optical axis 10 and the second optical axis 20 are parallel to each other.

On the other hand, although not shown, a material that reflects light is coated on the lower end of the reflector 320 so that light that is not totally reflected and emitted to the outside does not occur at the lower end of the reflector 320 to coat the reflector 320 ) may increase the reflection effect.

9 is a perspective view illustrating a head-up display device according to another embodiment. 10 is a front view illustrating a head-up display device according to another embodiment. 9 and 10 , the head-up display device of the embodiment may be configured without the optical unit 400 .

The light reflected from the reflection unit 320 through a pair of light source units 200 and a pair of light transmitting units 310 provided to be symmetrical with each other about the second axis and irradiated to the image generating unit 100 is As described above, it has a structure capable of irradiating relatively uniform light to the image generating unit 100 .

Therefore, even if the image generating unit 100 is not provided with the optical unit 400 that can serve to increase the uniformity of the irradiated and transmitted light, relatively uniform light can be irradiated to the image generating unit 100, so that in the head-up display device of the embodiment, The optical unit 400 may be omitted.

At this time, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, like the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the light transmitting unit 310 and the reflecting unit 320 are integrally formed, and the light transmitting unit ( The light irradiated from the 310 may be totally reflected at the lower end of the reflector 320 .

In addition, although a structure in which the optical unit 400 is omitted from the heads-up display apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is illustrated in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, it is possible to configure a head-up display device having a structure in which the optical unit 400 is omitted in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 .

In an embodiment, the optical path may be adjusted by adjusting the angle θ between the first optical axis 10 and the second optical axis 20 to improve the uniformity of the light irradiated to the image generating unit 100 .

In addition, by simplifying the structure of the head-up display device, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and cost required to configure the device.

Although only a few have been described as described above in relation to the embodiments, various other forms of implementation are possible. The technical contents of the above-described embodiments may be combined in various forms unless they are incompatible with each other, and may be implemented as a new embodiment through this.

10: first optical axis
20: second optical axis
θ: angle between the first optical axis and the second optical axis
100: image generator
200: light source unit
300: light guide unit
310: light transmitting unit
320: reflector
321: top surface of the reflector
400: optical unit
410: coating layer

Claims (16)

an image generating unit generating an image having information;
at least one light source emitting light;
a light transmitting unit at least a portion of which is disposed on a first optical axis that is the optical axis of the light source unit and transmits light emitted from the light source unit;
a reflection unit having one end disposed to face the light transmitting unit and reflecting the light passing through the light transmitting unit; and
and an optical unit disposed to face the image generating unit, the light reflected by the reflecting unit being transmitted through and irradiated to the image generating unit,
The light transmitting unit includes a first light transmitting unit and a second light transmitting unit spaced apart from each other, and the optical unit is disposed between the first light transmitting unit and the second light transmitting unit,
The head-up display device comprising a first light source unit disposed to face an upper end of the first light transmitting unit, and a second light source unit disposed to face an upper end of the second light transmitting unit. The method of claim 1,
The optical unit is disposed on the optical axis of the image generating unit, the head-up display device in which a central portion is formed in a convex shape. delete The method of claim 1,
The first light transmitting unit guides a portion of the light emitted from the first light source unit to the reflection unit by total reflection, and the second light transmitting unit guides a portion of the light emitted from the second light source unit to the reflection unit by total reflection. up display device. The method of claim 1,
The reflection unit is disposed to face the optical unit,
An angle between the first optical axis and the second optical axis is 0° to 30°,
The second optical axis is an optical axis of the optical unit and the image generating unit. According to claim 1,
The first light transmitting unit and the second light transmitting unit are symmetrically disposed with respect to a second optical axis that is an optical axis of the optical unit and the image generating unit. The method of claim 1,
the reflector,
A head-up display device in which a portion to which the light passing through the light-transmitting portion is irradiated is formed in a concave shape. The method of claim 1,
The reflective portion is formed in a planar shape where the light passing through the light transmitting portion is incident,
A head-up display device in which the plane portion of the reflection unit forms a symmetrical slope with respect to a second optical axis that is an optical axis of the optical unit and the image generator. delete The method of claim 1,
A head-up display device in which the optical unit is formed in a convex shape at an upper end and is totally reflected from the side. 11. The method of claim 10,
The optical unit is formed with a reflective member,
The reflective member is
A head-up display device provided with a coating layer formed on a side surface of the optical unit. delete The method of claim 1,
The light transmitting part and the reflecting part are integrally formed,
A head-up display device in which upper and lower ends of the reflective unit are convex, and the light irradiated from the light transmitting unit is totally reflected at the lower end of the reflective unit. delete delete delete

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