WO2015182892A1

WO2015182892A1 - Head-up display device

Info

Publication number: WO2015182892A1
Application number: PCT/KR2015/004469
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이기석
Original assignee: 엘지이노텍(주)
Priority date: 2014-05-30
Filing date: 2015-05-04
Publication date: 2015-12-03
Also published as: CN106461945B; CN106461945A; KR20150137723A

Abstract

A head-up display device, according to an embodiment, comprises: an image generation unit for generating an image having information; at least one light source for emitting light; a light guide unit disposed on an optical axis of the at least one light source so as to guide the light emitted from the light source to the image generation unit; and an optical unit for generating a virtual image by using image light acquired from the image projected from the image generation unit by the light guided by the light guide unit.

Description

Head up display device

An embodiment relates to a head-up display device.

A head-up display is a front display device that displays various information necessary for driving at the position of the coordinator or driver's gaze with the external view and displays it as a virtual image in order to minimize gaze movement of the coordinator or the driver. . Such head-up display devices are generally known.

On the other hand, the pilot or driver must be provided with a continuously increasing amount of information, which requires the most clear and specific visualization of the information. Such visualization cannot simply be compensated for by increasing the light intensity of the light source. This is because a strong light source generates a lot of heat when increasing the brightness of the light source, and in this case, a relatively complicated and expensive cooling mechanism for cooling the head-up display device is required.

The embodiment can provide a head-up display of a virtual image with improved brightness, reduce production costs, and provide a head-up display apparatus having a simple configuration.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a head-up display apparatus includes an image generator configured to generate an image having information; At least one light source emitting light; A light guide part disposed on an optical axis of the at least one light source to guide the light emitted from the light source to the image generator; And an optical unit configured to generate, as a virtual image, the image light projected from the image generator by the light guided by the light guide unit and obtaining the image.

The head-up display apparatus may further include a controller configured to provide the image data having the information to the image generator and to drive the at least one light source.

The light guide part may include a body part disposed in the optical axis direction between the at least one light source and the image generating part; And at least one leg portion extending in the optical axis direction from the body portion toward the at least one light source, between the at least one light source and the body portion.

The at least one light source may include a plurality of light sources, and the at least one leg part may include a plurality of leg parts branched from the body part toward each of the plurality of light sources and spaced apart from each other.

The first separation distance between the plurality of legs may increase from the body portion toward the plurality of light sources.

The at least one leg may include a first light incidence surface facing the light source and through which the optical axis passes, and the light source may include a first light exit surface facing the first light incidence surface and through which the optical axis passes. Can be.

The first light incident surface and the first light emitting surface may be parallel to each other.

The body portion may include a second light emitting surface facing the image generating portion, and the image generating portion may include a second light incident surface facing the second light emitting surface.

Each of the second light incident surface and the second light emitting surface may be inclined with respect to a virtual vertical plane extending in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

An angle difference between a first angle at which the second light incident surface is inclined with respect to the virtual vertical plane and a second angle at which the second light exit surface is inclined with respect to the virtual vertical plane may be 0 ° to 30 °.

At least one of the first and second angles may be determined to have a different value according to the structure of the optical unit.

The second separation distance between the second light emitting surface and the second light incident surface may be 1 mm to 5 mm.

Side surfaces of the at least one leg portion may have a cross-sectional shape inclined about the optical axis.

Side surfaces of the at least one leg portion may have a symmetrical or asymmetrical cross-sectional shape about the optical axis.

An inclination angle of the side surface of the at least one leg with respect to the optical axis may be within 60 degrees.

The body portion may include a first body segment facing the image generator; And a second body segment disposed between the first body segment and the at least one leg portion.

The side of the first body segment may be parallel to the optical axis, and the side of the second body segment may be parallel to the side of the at least one leg.

The head-up display apparatus may further include a substrate on which the at least one light source is disposed and facing the image generator.

The head-up display apparatus may further include a housing disposed between the substrate and the image generator to define a position on a space of the substrate and the image generator. The housing is disposed between the substrate and the image generating unit, the first housing segment disposed to surround all sides of the body portion; And a second housing segment disposed between the first housing segment and the substrate and extending from the first housing segment to surround all sides of the at least one leg portion.

The planar area of the first housing segment may be substantially the same as the planar area of the image generating unit, and the planar area of the second housing segment may be substantially the same as the planar area of the substrate. The housing may include a reflective layer disposed on an inner surface facing the light guide part.

The image generator may include at least one of an LCD, a DLP, or a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS).

The optical unit includes at least one mirror that reflects or diffracts the projected image light to generate the virtual image; Position adjusting unit for adjusting the position of the at least one mirror; And a mirror driving motor unit controlling the position adjusting unit to adjust at least one of a reflection angle or a diffraction angle of the at least one mirror.

The at least one mirror comprises a turning mirror for changing the direction of the projected image light; And a concave mirror reflecting the image light reflected by the turning mirror as the virtual image.

In the head-up display device according to the embodiment, the light emitted from the light source is guided to the image generating unit by the light guide unit, thereby reducing the loss of light incident on the image generating unit to improve the luminance of the virtual image, and the shape of the light guide unit (beam shaping). By varying the), the shape of the light guided from the light guide unit to be incident on the image generating unit can be freely changed without the help of a plurality of lenses, thereby reducing the number of lenses required, thereby reducing production costs and simplifying configuration.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a head-up display apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a vehicle equipped with the head-up display device illustrated in FIG. 1.

3A to 3C are respectively enlarged perspective views and cross-sectional views of only a part of the head-up display device illustrated in FIG. 2.

4A to 4E are diagrams for describing luminance distribution of image light according to the size of the second separation distance.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the light guide unit illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C.

6 is a view illustrating another embodiment of the light guide unit shown in FIG. 1.

7 is a partial perspective view of a head-up display apparatus according to an embodiment further including a housing.

8 is a diagram illustrating the head-up display device illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A to 3C.

9 (a) and 9 (b) are diagrams illustrating a virtual image generated by the head-up display device of the comparative example and the embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following examples, and the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, embodiments according to the present invention may be modified in many different forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described below. Embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully describe the present invention to those skilled in the art.

In the description of the embodiment according to the present invention, when described as being formed on the "on" or "on" (under) of each element, the upper (up) or the lower (down) (on or under) includes both the two elements are in direct contact with each other (directly) or one or more other elements are formed indirectly formed (indirectly) between the two elements. In addition, when expressed as "up" or "on (under)", it may include the meaning of the downward direction as well as the upward direction based on one element.

Also, the relational terms used below, such as "first" and "second," "upper" and "lower", 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 the drawings, the thickness or size of each layer is exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of description. In addition, the size of each component does not necessarily reflect the actual size.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a head-up display apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.

The head-up display apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 may include a light source unit 110, a light guide unit 120, an image generator 130, an optical unit 140, and a controller 150.

The light source unit 110 emits light and may include at least one light source 112 and a substrate 114.

At least one light source 112 may be disposed on the substrate 114. The substrate 114 may be formed with an electrode pattern for electrical connection to the light source 112, the PCB (PET) made of any one material selected from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glass, polycarbonate (PC), silicon (Si) ( Printed Circuit Board) It may be a substrate, or may be formed in a film form.

In addition, the substrate 114 may selectively use a single layer PCB, a multilayer PCB, a ceramic substrate, a metal core PCB, and the like.

The controller 150 drives the at least one light source 112 through the substrate 114. Here, the at least one light source 112 may include a plurality of light sources. For example, the at least one light source 112 may be a light emitting device (LED) or a laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation), but the embodiment is not limited to the type of the light source 112.

The at least one light source 112 may be a side view type light emitting diode or a top view type light emitting diode.

When the light source 112 is a light emitting diode chip, the light emitting diode chip is composed of a blue LED chip or an ultraviolet LED chip or a red LED chip, a green LED chip, a blue LED chip, a yellow green LED chip. In addition, the package may be configured by combining at least one or more of the white LED chip.

Here, the white LED may be implemented by combining a yellow phosphor on a blue LED, or using a red phosphor and a green phosphor on a blue LED simultaneously, and a yellow phosphor on a blue LED. Yellow phosphor, red phosphor, and green phosphor may be simultaneously used.

If the at least one light source 112 includes a plurality of light sources, the plurality of light sources may emit light having different wavelengths or may emit light having the same wavelength band. In this case, the controller 150 may control whether the at least one light source of the plurality of light sources 112 emits light through the substrate 114 to control the plurality of light sources 112 to operate alternately.

In addition, when the plurality of light sources 112 emit light of red, green, and blue components, the controller 150 controls the flashing of the plurality of light sources 112 to express the virtual image to be headed up in color. 114 can be controlled.

In addition, when the head-up display apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a motor (not shown) for varying the positions of the plurality of light sources 112, the controller 150 may include the positions of the at least one light source 112. You can also drive a motor to control this.

In addition, in order to adjust the brightness of the virtual image to be head-up displayed, the controller 150 may control the degree of brightness of the light emitted from the light source 112. This allows high quality light to be provided at night or during the day when strong and direct sunlight is present.

Meanwhile, the light guide unit 120 is disposed on the optical axis of the at least one light source 112 to guide the light emitted from the at least one light source 112 to the image generating unit 130. To this end, the light guide unit 120 may be, for example, an acrylic resin series such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthlate (PET), cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), PS ( Polystyrene) or MS (Mathacylate styrene) resin may include any one, but the embodiment is not limited to the material of the light guide portion 120.

The image generating unit 130 generates an image having information and projects the image having information as 'image light' by the light guided by the light guide unit 120. For example, the image generator 130 may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a digital light processing (DLP), or a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS), but the embodiment may generate an image. It is not limited to the kind of the unit 130.

For example, when the image generating unit 130 is implemented as an LCD, the liquid crystal panel included in the LCD is a liquid crystal is injected between the two panes of glass and a device pattern, that is, dots (pixels) sectioned on the wiring are formed. Each pixel is controlled by a thin film transistor (TFT). In this way, the LCD is a well-known image display apparatus in which image display is performed.

The controller 150 provides image data with information to the image generator 130, and the image generator 130 generates an image using the image data received from the controller 150. To this end, the controller 150 may be electrically connected to an external vehicle information providing unit (not shown) to receive image data. For example, the vehicle information providing unit may include an electronic control unit (ECU), which is a kind of computer containing software capable of executing various functions for a vehicle.

In addition, the controller 150 may serve to supply power required by the head-up display apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. For example, the controller 150 may supply power to each of the substrate 114 and the image generator 130.

The optical unit 140 is projected from the image generating unit 130 and generates a virtual image from the image light obtained from the image and outputs it through the output terminal OUT.

Hereinafter, the head-up display apparatus 100 mounted on the vehicle 200 will be described in order to facilitate understanding of the head-up display apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the head-up display apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be mounted on various vehicles such as an airplane in addition to the vehicle 200 illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a vehicle 200 equipped with the head-up display apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, and the illustration of the controller 150 of FIG. 1 is omitted.

2, the vehicle 200 may include a head-up display apparatus 100, a windshield glass 202, and a light combiner 204. The head up display apparatus 100 may be disposed under the windshield 202, but the embodiment is not limited to the position of the head up display apparatus 100 in the vehicle 200.

3A to 3C are perspective views and cross-sectional views illustrating an enlarged view of only the light source 112, the substrate 114, the light guide unit 120, and the image generator 130 in the head-up display apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 2. Represent each.

Although X, Y, and Z shown in each of the drawings described below, including FIGS. 3A to 3C, represent Cartesian coordinate systems, the embodiment may be described by other coordinate systems.

3A-3C, at least one light source 112 includes six

light sources

112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E, and 112F, although embodiments are not limited to the number of light sources 112. . That is, the light source unit 110 of the head-up display apparatus 100 according to the embodiment may include more or less than six light sources 112.

Six

light sources

112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E, and 112F may be disposed on one substrate 114. The substrate 114 may be disposed to face the image generator 130 with the light guide unit 120 interposed therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the light guide part 120 may include a body part 120BB and at least one leg part 120BL.

The body part 120BB may be disposed in the direction of the optical axes LAX1 and LAX2 between the leg part 120BL and the image generating unit 130. The body part 120BB may include a first body segment 120BB-1 and a second body segment 120BB-2. The first body segment 120BB-1 may face the image generator 130. The second body segment 120BB-2 may be disposed between the first body segment 120BB-1 and the leg 120BL.

The leg portion 120BL may be disposed between the

light sources

112A and 112B and the body portion 1220BB. The leg part 120BL may extend from the body part 120BB toward the

light sources

112A and 112B in the optical axis LAX1 and LAX2.

The number of legs 120BL may be the same as the number of

light sources

112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E, and 112F. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the at least one leg portion 120BL includes six leg portions 120BL-A, 120BL-B, 120BL-C, and 120BL which are equal to the number of light sources 112. -D, 120BL-E, 120BL-F). In this case, the plurality of leg portions 120BL-A, 120BL-B, 120BL-C, 120BL-D, 120BL-E, and 120BL-F may be formed to branch from the body portion 120BB and be spaced apart from each other. The first separation distance d1 between the plurality of leg portions 120BL-A, 120BL-B, 120BL-C, 120BL-D, 120BL-E, and 120BL-F is a plurality of light sources 112A from the body portion 120BB. , 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E, 112F).

For example, referring to FIG. 3C, the first leg part 120BL-A extends from the second body segment 120BB-2 in the direction of the first optical axis LAX1 toward the first light source 112A. . The second leg portion 120BL-B extends from the second body segment 1220BB-2 in the direction of the second optical axis LAX2 toward the second light source 112B. As such, the k-th leg may extend from the second body segment 120BB-2 in the k-th optical axis direction toward the k-th light source. Here, 1 ≦ k ≦ K, and K is a positive integer of 1 or more, which is the number of light sources 112 and corresponds to the number of leg portions.

Each of the plurality of legs 120BL-A, 120BL-B, 120BL-C, 120BL-D, 120BL-E, 120BL-F faces a corresponding

light source

112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E, 112F. It may include a first light incident surface through which the optical axis passes. For example, referring to FIG. 3C, the first leg part 120BL-A faces the first light source 112A and the first-first light incident surface 120-1 through which the first optical axis LAX1 passes. The second leg part 120BL-B includes a first-second light incident surface 120-2 facing the second light source 112B and through which the second optical axis LAX2 passes. As such, the k-th leg may include a first-k light incident surface that faces the k-th light source and through which the k-th optical axis passes.

Further, each of the plurality of

light sources

112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E, and 112F opposes the corresponding first light incident surfaces 120-1, 120-2,..., And the like, through which the optical axis passes. It may include one light emitting surface. For example, referring to FIG. 3C, the first light source 112A is opposed to the first-first light incident surface 120-1 and the first-first light exit surface 112A through which the first optical axis LAX1 passes. -1), the second light source 112B is opposed to the first-second light incident surface 120-2 and the second-light emission surface 112A-2 through which the second optical axis LAX2 passes. It includes. As such, the k-th light source may include the first-k light exit surface facing the first-k light incident surface and through which the k-th optical axis passes.

According to an embodiment, the first light incident surface and the first light emitting surface may be parallel to each other. For example, the 1-1st light incident surface 120-1 and the 1-1st light emitting surface 112A-1 are parallel to each other, and the 1-2th light incident surface 120-2 and the 1st-1st surface are parallel to each other. The two light exit surfaces 112B-1 may be parallel to each other.

In addition, the first body segment 120BB-1 of the body portion 120BB includes a second light exit surface 120-3 facing the image generator 130, and the image generator 130 includes a second The second light incident surface 130-1 facing the light exit surface 120-3 may be included.

The second light incident surface 130-1 and the second light emitting surface 120-3 may extend the first and second virtual vertical surfaces 122 extending in directions perpendicular to the first and second optical axes LAX1 and LAX2. 124 may be inclined respectively. Here, the first and second virtual

vertical planes

122, 124 are parallel to each other.

Hereinafter, the first angle θ1 means an angle at which the second light incident surface 130-1 is inclined with respect to the first virtual vertical plane 122, and the second angle θ2 is a second virtual vertical plane 124. The second light exit surface 120-3 with respect to the mean angle. In this case, the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 may be the same as or different from each other.

If the angle difference Δθ between the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 is 0 °, the luminance efficiency of the image light emitted from the image generator 130 may be maximized. Alternatively, when the angle difference Δθ has a positive value greater than zero, the luminance efficiency of the image light emitted from the upper side than the middle or lower side of the image generating unit 130 may be improved. On the contrary, when the angle difference Δθ has a negative value less than zero, the luminance efficiency of the image light emitted from the lower side than the middle or the upper side of the image generator 130 may be improved.

As such, by changing the angle difference Δθ, the luminance efficiency of the whole, upper or lower portion of the image light emitted from the image generating unit 130 can be partially improved.

For example, when the angle difference Δθ is greater than 30 °, the amount of light transmitted from the light source 112 to the image generating unit 130 may be reduced, and distortion may occur in the image light projected from the image generating unit 130. It may be. Therefore, the angle difference Δθ may be 0 ° to 30 °, for example, 15 °, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

In addition, as the second separation distance d2 between the second light exit surface 120-3 and the second light incident surface 130-1 increases, the light efficiency and the total amount of light decrease, respectively, but light uniformity may increase. Can be. On the contrary, as the second separation distance d2 between the second light exit surface 120-3 and the second light incident surface 130-1 decreases, the light efficiency and the total light amount respectively increase, but the light uniformity decreases. can do.

Accordingly, the second separation distance d2 may be determined in consideration of at least one of desired light efficiency, total light amount, or light uniformity. For example, the second separation distance d2 may be 1 mm to 5 mm. When the second separation distance d2 is 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm, the light efficiency, the total light amount, and the light uniformity may be as shown in Table 1 below.

[Revisions under Rule 91 20.05.2015]
Table 1

4A to 4E are diagrams for describing luminance distribution of image light according to the size of the second separation distance d2.

When the second separation distance d2 is 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm, the luminance distribution of the image light projected from the image generating unit 130 is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and FIG. It may be as shown in 4d and 4e.

Meanwhile, at least one of the aforementioned first or second angles θ1 and θ2 may be determined to have different values according to the structure of the optical unit 140.

In addition, the side surface of the leg portion 120BL may have a cross-sectional shape inclined about the optical axis. For example, referring to FIG. 3C, the side surfaces 122A and 123 of the first leg part 120BL-A may have a cross-sectional shape that is inclined about the first optical axis LAX1, and the second leg part ( Side surfaces 126 and 128A of the 120BL-B may have a cross-sectional shape inclined about the second optical axis LAX2.

In addition, the side surface of the leg portion 120BL may have a symmetrical or asymmetrical cross-sectional shape about the optical axis. For example, referring to FIG. 3C, the side surfaces 122A and 123 of the first leg part 120BL-A may have a cross-sectional shape symmetric about the first optical axis LAX1, and the second leg part ( Side surfaces 126 and 128A of 120BL-B may have a cross-sectional shape symmetric about the second optical axis LAX2. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, unlike illustrated in FIG. 3C, the side surfaces 122A and 123 of the first leg part 120BL-A may have a cross-sectional shape which is asymmetric about the first optical axis LAX1. Side surfaces 126 and 128A of the second leg portion 120BL-B may have a cross-sectional shape which is asymmetric about the second optical axis LAX2.

In addition, the inclination angle of the side of the leg portion 120BL with respect to the optical axis may be within 60 degrees. For example, referring to FIG. 3C, the inclination angle θ3 of one side surface 122A of the first leg part 120BL-A with respect to the first optical axis LAX1 may be within 60 °. Similarly, the inclination angle of the other side surface 123 of the first leg portion 120BL-A with respect to the first optical axis LAX1, and one side surface of the second leg portion 120BL-B with respect to the second optical axis LAX2. Each of the inclination angle of 126 and the inclination angle of the other side 128A of the second leg portion 120BL-B with respect to the second optical axis LAX2 may be within 60 °.

In addition, the side surfaces 122C and 128C of the first body segment 120BB-1 may be parallel to the first and second optical axes LAX1 and LAX2.

In addition, one side surface 122B of the second body segment 120BB-2 may be formed side by side on the same horizontal line as one side surface 122A of the first leg portion 120BL-A, and the second body segment 120BB- The other side surface 128B of 2) may be formed side by side on the same horizontal line as the other side surface 128A of the second leg portion 120BL-B.

5 is a perspective view 120A, a front view 120A-1, a top view 120A-2, and a rear view 120A- of an embodiment 120A of the light guide portion 120 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C. 3), the left side view 120A-4 and the right side view 120A-5 are shown, respectively.

3A to 3C and 5, as described above, when six (K = 6) light sources 112A to 112F are disposed, the light guide part 120A includes six leg parts 120BL−. A to 120BL-F).

6 is a perspective view 120B, a front view 120B-1, a top view 120B-2, a rear view 120B-3, and another embodiment of the light guide 120 shown in FIG. 1. The left side view 120B-4 and the right side view 120B-5 are shown, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 6, when three light sources K = 3 are disposed, the light guide part 120B may include three leg parts.

7 is a partial perspective view of the head-up display apparatus 100 according to the embodiment further including a housing 170.

The head up display apparatus 100 according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3C may further include a housing 170 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

The housing 170 is disposed between the substrate 114 and the image generator 130 to define a position in the space of the substrate 114 and the image generator 130. That is, the substrate 114 and the image generator 130 may be fixedly disposed to face each other by the housing 170.

The housing 170 can include a first housing segment 170A and a second housing segment 170B. The first housing segment 170A may be disposed between the second housing segment 170B and the image generating unit 130 and may be arranged to surround all sides of the body part 120BB. The second housing segment 170B may be disposed between the first housing segment 170A and the substrate 114 and may extend from the first housing segment 170A to surround four sides of the leg 120BL. .

The planar area of the first housing segment 170A may be substantially the same as the planar area of the image generator 130, and the planar area of the second housing segment 170B may be substantially the same as the planar area of the substrate 114. In the case of FIG. 7, since the planar area of the image generating unit 130 is smaller than the planar area of the substrate 114, the first housing segment 170A and the second housing segment 170B are illustrated as having a step difference. Is not limited to this. Here, the planar area may mean a product of the length in the X direction and the length in the Z direction.

The meaning of 'substantially the same', as described above, may mean that they are completely identical or are not completely identical but are nearly identical. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the housing 170 and the substrate 114 may be coupled to each other by an adhesive, but may also be coupled to each other. That is, a protrusion (or recess) is formed at an end facing the substrate 114 in the second housing segment 170B, and a protrusion (or recess) in the second housing segment 170B in the substrate 114 is formed. A recess (or a protrusion) may be formed at the end facing the part. In this case, the substrate 114 and the second housing segment 170B may be engaged with and fixed to each other by the combination of the protrusion and the recess. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the planar area of the second housing segment 170B is smaller than the planar area of the substrate 114, but may be substantially the same. The first housing segment 170A and the image generating unit 130 may also be combined and fixed in the same principle as that of the second housing segment 170B and the substrate 114.

In addition, the housing 170 may be disposed to surround all sides of the light guide portion 120. In this case, the housing 170 may additionally include a reflective layer (not shown) disposed on an inner surface facing the light guide unit 120. As such, when the housing 170 includes the reflective layer, the light escaping from the light guide unit 120 while being guided from the light guide unit 120 to the image generating unit 130 is reflected by the reflective layer and then the light guide unit. The light may be reincident to 120, so that the luminance of the virtual image may be improved.

Although the housing 170 illustrated in FIG. 7 is shown to be transparent, the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, according to another embodiment, the housing 170 may be implemented with an opaque material.

Hereinafter, the path of the virtual image generated by the image light and the optical unit 140 projected from the image generating unit 130 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A to 3C will be described with reference to FIG. 8. Explain as follows.

8 is a diagram illustrating the head-up display apparatus 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A to 3C. Here, illustration of the controller 150 is omitted.

In the head-up display apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 8, the substrate 114, the

light sources

112A and 112B, the light guide unit 120, and the image generator 130 are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A through 3A. Since they correspond to the substrate 114, the

light sources

112A and 112B, the light guide unit 120, and the image generating unit 130 illustrated in 3c, the same reference numerals are used and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

Meanwhile, the optical unit 140A illustrated in FIG. 8 is an example of the optical unit 140 illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes at least one

mirror

142 and 144, a

position adjusting unit

146 and 148, and a mirror driving motor. It may include a portion 149.

The at least one mirror serves to generate a virtual image by reflecting or diffracting the image light projected from the image generator 130. To this end, the at least one mirror may include a turning mirror 142 and a concave mirror 144 as illustrated in FIG. 8.

The turning mirror 142 may change a direction of the image light projected by the image generating unit 130. That is, the turning mirror 142 may reflect the image light toward the concave mirror 144. The concave mirror 144 may reflect the image light reflected by the turning mirror 142. Light reflected from the concave mirror 144 may correspond to the virtual image 182.

Alternatively, unlike the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the optical unit 140 may have a structure in which at least one of a flat mirror, a concave mirror, a convex mirror, or a customized free form mirror is disposed in various forms. If a preform mirror is used, optical aberrations can be compensated for and thus high quality illustrations can be provided.

As described above, the optical unit 140A arranges the at least one

mirror

142 and 144 in various ways so that the image light projected from the image generating unit 130 is transmitted through the windshield glass 202 in front of the plane or vehicle. 190) can be directed towards the pilot or driver. To this end, mirrors of the optics 140A may be arranged to meet the space requirements of an airplane or vehicle interior compartment, and the distance between the virtual image 190 to be headed up and the driver (or observer) 210 is adjusted. And can be optimized.

In addition, the first position adjusting unit 146 serves to adjust the position and / or orientation of at least one mirror (eg, the turning mirror 142), and the second position adjusting unit 148 is at least another one. May serve to adjust the position and / or orientation of the mirror (eg, concave mirror 144). To this end, the first position controller 146 may be controlled in response to the first control signal C1, and the second position controller 148 may be controlled in response to the second control signal C2.

The mirror driving motor unit 149 controls the first and second

position adjusting units

146 and 148 by using the first and second control signals C1 and C2, respectively, so that at least one of the at least one of the optical units 140A is provided. At least one of the reflection angle or the diffraction angle of the

mirrors

142 and 148 may be adjusted.

Meanwhile, the light propagation path of the head-up display apparatus 100 according to the embodiment is as follows.

Referring to FIG. 8, light emitted from at least one

light source

112A and 112B disposed on the substrate 114 is guided in the arrow direction 180 through the light guide unit 120. In this case, the light emitted through the light guide unit 120 is incident to the image generating unit 130 and then is projected as the image light that is generated by the image generating unit 130 and acquires an image having information. Is emitted. Thereafter, as described above, the optical unit 140A having the mirrors of various shapes may generate a virtual image from the image light and emit the generated virtual image in the arrow direction 182. For example, when the virtual image is irradiated with the light combining unit 204 illustrated in FIG. 2, the light combining unit 204 diffracts the irradiated light so that the driver 210 can recognize the virtual image 190. Can be. The light combiner 204 may include a hologram (not shown) that may be disposed on the windshield 202, and may be omitted in some cases.

In addition, the optical unit 140 shown in FIG. 1 may further include a lens (not shown) or a hologram that performs a function of a collimator. Referring to FIG. 2, such a lens or hologram may be disposed between the optical unit 140 and the photosynthetic unit 204.

In the above-described embodiment, the internal structure of the

optical parts

140 and 140A shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 and the components from the

optical parts

140 and 140A to the driver 210 to the driver 210 are shown. 204 and 202 are only examples, and the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, if the light guide unit 120 may be disposed as described above between the light source unit 110 and the image generating unit 130, the embodiment may include an internal structure of the optical unit 140 and a driver from the optical unit 140. It is not limited to the principle or structure of operation for the virtual image 190 is shown to (210).

Compared with the brightness of the virtual image 190 illustrated in FIG. 9 (a) displayed by the head-up display device not employing the light guide portion 120, the head up according to the embodiment employing the light guide portion 120 is shown. The virtual image 190 displayed by the display apparatus 100 may be brighter as illustrated in FIG. 9B.

Since the head-up display apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment guides the light emitted from the light source 112 to the image generating unit 130 by the light guide unit 120, the head-up display apparatus 100 enters the image generating unit 130. The luminance of the virtual image 190 may be improved by reducing the loss of light.

In addition, the difference between the second distance d2, the first angle θ1, and the second angle θ2 between the second light incident surface 130-1 and the second light emitting surface 120-3 described above (Δθ), the inclination angle of the side surface of the at least one leg portion 120BL, the symmetrical / asymmetrical shape around the optical axis of the side surface of the at least one leg portion 120BL, and the like. By changing the shape, the beam shaping of the light guided by the light guide unit 120 and incident on the image generating unit 130 may be freely changed. If the light guide unit 120 does not exist as in the embodiment, the above-described change of the shape of the light is implemented using the plurality of lenses in the optical unit 140. Therefore, according to the embodiment, the shape of the light may be changed by using the light guide unit 120 instead of the lens, thereby reducing the number of lenses required, thereby reducing the production cost and simplifying the configuration.

Although the above description has been made with reference to the embodiments, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are not illustrated above without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiments. It will be appreciated that many variations and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiment can be modified. And differences relating to such modifications and applications will have to be construed as being included in the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Embodiments for carrying out the invention have been described fully in the foregoing "Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention".

The head up display apparatus according to the embodiment may be used in a vehicle or the like.

Claims

An image generator for generating an image having information;

At least one light source emitting light;

A light guide part disposed on an optical axis of the at least one light source to guide the light emitted from the light source to the image generator; And

And an optical unit configured to generate, as a virtual image, the image light projected from the image generating unit by the light guided by the light guide unit and obtaining the image.
The head-up display device of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to provide the image data having the information to the image generator and to drive the at least one light source.
The method of claim 1, wherein the light guide portion

A body part disposed in the optical axis direction between the at least one light source and the image generating part; And

And at least one leg portion extending between the at least one light source and the body portion from the body portion toward the at least one light source in the optical axis direction.
The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one light source comprises a plurality of light sources,

And the at least one leg portion includes a plurality of leg portions branched from the body portion toward each of the plurality of light sources and spaced apart from each other.
4. The light emitting device of claim 3, wherein the at least one leg includes a first light incident surface opposite the light source and through which the optical axis passes, the light source facing the first light incident surface and through which the optical axis passes. A head up display device comprising a light exit surface.
The head-up display device of claim 5, wherein the first light incident surface and the first light emitting surface are parallel to each other.
The head-up display apparatus of claim 3, wherein the body portion includes a second light emitting surface facing the image generating portion, and the image generating portion includes a second light incident surface facing the second light emitting surface. .
The head-up display device of claim 7, wherein each of the second light incident surface and the second light exit surface is inclined with respect to a virtual vertical plane extending in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
The method of claim 8, wherein the angle difference between the first angle in which the second light incidence plane is inclined with respect to the virtual vertical plane and the second angle in which the second light emission plane is inclined with respect to the virtual vertical plane is 0 ° to 30 °. Head-up display device.
The head-up display apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second angles is determined to have a different value according to the structure of the optical unit.
The head-up display device of claim 3, wherein a side surface of the at least one leg portion is inclined about the optical axis.
The head-up display device of claim 3, wherein a side surface of the at least one leg portion has a cross-sectional shape which is asymmetric about the optical axis.
12. The head-up display device according to claim 11, wherein an inclination angle of the side surface of the at least one leg portion with respect to the optical axis is within 60 degrees.
The method of claim 3, wherein the body portion

A first body segment facing the image generator; And

And a second body segment disposed between the first body segment and the at least one leg portion.
The head-up display device of claim 3, further comprising a substrate on which the at least one light source is disposed and facing the image generator.
The head-up display device of claim 15, further comprising a housing disposed between the substrate and the image generating unit to define a position on a space of the substrate and the image generating unit.
The method of claim 16, wherein the housing

A first housing segment disposed between the substrate and the image generating unit and disposed to surround all sides of the body part; And

And a second housing segment disposed between the first housing segment and the substrate and extending from the first housing segment to surround all sides of the at least one leg portion.
The head-up display device of claim 16, wherein the housing includes a reflective layer disposed on an inner surface facing the light guide part.
The method of claim 1, wherein the optical unit

At least one mirror that reflects or diffracts the projected image light to produce the virtual image;

Position adjusting unit for adjusting the position of the at least one mirror; And

And a mirror driving motor unit controlling the position adjusting unit to adjust at least one of a reflection angle and a diffraction angle of the at least one mirror.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one mirror is

A turning mirror for changing a direction of the projected image light; And

And a concave mirror for reflecting the image light reflected by the redirection mirror as the virtual image.