JP2008195123A - Head-up display for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a head-up display for a vehicle capable of providing a visibility of display with extremely high contrast and having increased display quality. <P>SOLUTION: A masking enlarged part 2 used commonly to the reflecting portion of the display of the head-up display in a front windshield 7 is formed by enlarging a masking part 2a covering the peripheral edge of the front windshield 7. A recessed part 3a recessed downward is formed in the upper surface of an instrument panel 3 at the masking enlarged part 2. The masking enlarged part 2 is further enlarged. A vertical stripe pattern 21 forming the design integrated with the portion of a background in the display is formed in the masking enlarged part 2 outside of the display range of the head-up display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of a vehicle head-up display with improved visibility.

In the conventional head-up display, the display is embedded in the instrument, the light from the display is reflected on the transparent part on the front windshield or a separate combiner, and it is wrapped with the background so that the driver can see the display. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-35406 (page 2-7, full view)

  However, in a conventional vehicle head-up display, the light reflected by the front windshield or the substantially transparent part on the combiner appears to wrap with the background scenery, so the background brightness (light / dark), color tone, etc. When the background is bright and the background color is similar to the display color of the head-up display, the visibility is lowered and the image may be hardly visible.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle head capable of obtaining display visibility with a very high contrast and improving display quality. To provide an up-display.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, in a vehicle head-up display that reflects a display near the position of the front windshield and displays a virtual image to the driver, a colored portion that covers the periphery of the front windshield is enlarged. An enlarged coloring part that also serves as a reflection part of the display of the head-up display in the front windshield, the upper surface of the instrument panel at the position of the enlarged coloring part is recessed downward, the enlarged coloring part is further enlarged, and the enlarged coloring Outside display range of the head-up display in the part, external display forming means for forming a design integrated with a background part in the display is provided.

  Therefore, in the present invention, display visibility with very high contrast can be obtained, and display quality can be further improved.

  Hereinafter, the embodiment for realizing the head-up display for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described as Example 1 corresponding to the invention according to claims 1 and 2, Example 2 corresponding to the invention according to claims 1 and 2, A third embodiment corresponding to the inventions according to claims 1 and 2 and a fourth embodiment corresponding to the inventions according to claims 1 and 3 will be described.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the main configuration of the vehicle head-up display system according to the first embodiment.

The vehicle head-up display system according to the first embodiment includes a HUD unit 1 and a masking enlargement unit 2 as main components.
As shown in FIG. 1, the HUD unit 1 is provided behind the partition wall 6 that partitions the vehicle compartment and the engine room of the vehicle and inside the instrument panel 3.
As shown in FIG. 1, this position is a position ahead of the duct 4 inside the meter 4 and the instrument panel 3.

The HUD unit 1 includes a control unit 11, a display unit 12, and a light source 13 as main components.
The control unit 11 obtains information related to display from each device of the vehicle and controls the display content on the display unit 12 and the light source 13.
The display unit 12 generates an image from the display content data of the control unit 11 and performs display.
A liquid crystal display is given as a specific example.
The light source 13 projects light as a backlight of the display unit 12 and has sufficient brightness for virtual image display.

Next, the masking enlargement part of the vehicle head-up display system of Example 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a masking enlargement unit of the vehicle head-up display system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a masking enlargement unit and a masking unit of the vehicle head-up display system according to the first embodiment.

In Example 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the masking part 2a and the masking expansion part 2 are provided in the peripheral part of the front windshield 7. As shown in FIG.
The masking enlargement portion 2 and the masking portion 2a are provided, for example, as a black ceramic coating portion between the glasses 71 and 72 in a front windshield constituted of laminated glass, that is, two glasses 71 and 72, for example. Is.
In the drawings such as FIG. 2, the black ceramic coating portion of the masking enlarged portion 2 is indicated by hatching for the sake of explanation.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the masking enlarged portion 2 is provided by increasing the height of a part of the masking portion 2 a provided at the peripheral portion of the front windshield 7.
The masking enlargement portion 2 is provided from the center of the left and right sides of the passenger compartment from the driver side so that vignetting that is partially invisible by the portion of the instrument panel 3 that becomes the meter cover and the steering 9 does not occur.
Then, the portion of the instrument panel 3 corresponding to the portion where the masking enlargement portion 2 is provided is recessed downward, and the horizontally long substantially hexagonal masking enlargement portion 2 shown in FIG. 2 is provided. FIG. 2 shows the recess 3a.
At this time, the upper surface portion other than the recessed portion 3a of the instrument panel 3, that is, the general surface is set as high as possible, and the recessed portion 3a is formed so that only the portion that performs the HUD reflection display is recessed.

Next, the configuration of the masking enlargement unit 2 of the vehicle head-up display according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of the masking enlargement unit 2 of the vehicle head-up display according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of components that cause the vertical stripe pattern portion 21 of the masking enlargement portion 2 of the vehicle head-up display of the first embodiment to emit light.
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a vertical stripe pattern portion 21 that emits light is provided in a range where the virtual image display 20 is displayed in the masking enlargement unit 2, that is, outside the display area on the left and right sides, that is, in the non-display area.

The vertical stripe pattern portion 21 is thicker in the display area, that is, closer to the inner side, and gradually becomes thinner toward the outer side.
The vertical stripe pattern portion 21 is assumed to shine with light from a light source 212 provided separately by light guide of the guide light 211.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, light is projected from the lower part of the masking enlargement unit 2.

Next, the operation will be described.
[Action to greatly improve visibility]
In the high-visibility head-up display system according to the first embodiment, the display unit 12 that displays the display contents under the control of the control unit 11 is projected from the back by the light source 13, so that the display light is masked by the optical path 100 and the masking expansion unit 2. Reflect to the driver's eyes. As a result, the driver can see the display at the position of the virtual image 20 shown in FIG. The background of this display is the masking enlargement unit 2.

Since the display background of the reflected virtual image is always black regardless of the surrounding scenery, display visibility with very high contrast can be obtained without being influenced by the surrounding environment.
In addition, since the background is reflected on the black portion, a display with good visibility can be obtained even when the brightness of the display unit 12 is low as compared with the type of reflective display on the substantially transparent portion.
This leads to a reduction in current consumption.

  That is, the brightness of the display unit 12 does not have to be increased compared to a conventional HUD (head-up display) that reflects and displays light from the display unit 12 on the front windshield 7 or a substantially transparent part on a separate combiner. The load on the display unit 12 or the light source 13 can be reduced.

[About the head-up display of Example 1 with high visibility]
Here, the passive display unit 12 of the head-up display of Example 1 that can obtain high visibility will be described.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an ideal display state in the vehicle head-up display of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the vertical stripe pattern portion 21 is not provided in the vehicle head-up display of the first embodiment.
An example of the display unit 12 is an LCD. In this LCD, a passive LCD such as STN or D-STN is usually used unless high-definition display is required.
In the head-up display with high visibility shown in the first embodiment, since the passive type LCD has a large amount of transmitted light from the non-lighted segment, it is reflected by the masking enlargement portion 2 of the front windshield and displayed on the driver. When it is shown, a non-lighted segment is also visible (see FIGS. 6 and 7).
In particular, in the case of a dot matrix, there arises a problem that the entire display area appears to emit light dimly.
This problem is solved in the vehicle head-up display of the first embodiment.

[Action to make non-lighting areas inconspicuous]
In the vehicle head-up display according to the first embodiment, a pattern that emits light with the same brightness as the background portion is displayed in the non-display area on the left and right outside of the display area on the masking enlargement unit 2 where the virtual image display 20 is located. Turn on. For this reason, in the display area on the masking enlargement unit 2, the area where the background is lightly emitted is displayed in a part of the design of the left and right vertical stripe pattern units 21, and is not noticeable and uncomfortable. Display (see FIG. 4).

Explain the effect.
In the vehicle head-up display of the first embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.

  (1) In a vehicle head-up display that reflects the display near the position of the front windshield 7 and displays a virtual image to the driver, the masking portion 2a that covers the periphery of the front windshield 7 is enlarged, and the front windshield 7 The masking enlargement portion 2 is further enlarged by providing a masking enlargement portion 2 that also serves as a reflection part of the display of the head-up display in the above, and a recess 3a in which the upper surface of the instrument panel 3 is recessed downward at the position of the masking enlargement portion 2. Since the vertical stripe pattern portion 21 that forms the design integrated with the background portion in the display is provided outside the display range of the head-up display in the masking enlargement portion 2, display visibility with very high contrast is obtained. In addition, the background part of the display is vertical stripes outside the display range. Becomes pars 21 and the design of the integral, in order to obscure the background of the display, without seem entire display area is emitting light vaguely, thereby making it possible to improve the display quality.

  (2) The external display forming means emits light on the left and right sides of the display range of the head-up display in the masking enlargement portion 2 in the same manner as the background portion in the display and becomes narrower as it goes outward. Since the vertical stripe pattern on both the left and right sides has the same brightness as the display background, the display background becomes a part of the vertical stripe pattern so that it can be made inconspicuous. Quality can be improved.

Example 2 is an example in which horizontal stripe pattern portions are provided on the upper and lower outer sides of the display range of the head-up display in the masking enlargement unit 2.
The configuration will be described.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the masking enlargement unit 2 of the vehicle head-up display according to the second embodiment.
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a horizontal stripe pattern portion 22 that emits light is provided in a range where the virtual image display 20 is displayed in the masking enlargement portion 2, that is, outside the display area in the vertical direction, that is, in the non-display area.

The horizontal stripe pattern 22 is thicker in the display area, that is, closer to the inner side, and gradually becomes thinner toward the outer side.
As in the first embodiment, the horizontal stripe pattern portion 22 is assumed to shine with light from a light source 212 provided separately by light guide of the guide light 211.
Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

The operation will be described.
[Action to make non-lighting areas inconspicuous]
In the vehicle head-up display according to the second embodiment, a pattern that emits light in the same brightness as the background portion is displayed in the non-display area on the upper and lower sides of the display area on the masking enlargement unit 2 where the virtual image display 20 is located. Turn on. For this reason, in the display area on the masking enlargement portion 2, the area where the background is lightly emitted at the time of display is taken into a part of the design of the upper and lower horizontal stripe pattern portions 22 so that it is not noticeable and uncomfortable. Display (see FIG. 8).

Explain the effect.
In the vehicle head-up display of the second embodiment, in addition to the effect (1), the effects listed below can be obtained.
(2) The external display forming means is a horizontal stripe pattern that emits light on the upper and lower sides of the display range of the head-up display in the masking enlargement portion 2 in the same manner as the background portion in the display, and becomes narrower toward the outside. Since the portion 22 is provided, the horizontal stripe pattern on both the upper and lower sides has the same brightness as the display background, so that the display background becomes a part of the horizontal stripe pattern and can be made inconspicuous. Display quality can be improved.
Since other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

The third embodiment is an example in which a frame-like striped pattern portion is provided on the top, bottom, left, and right outside of the display range of the head-up display in the masking enlargement unit 2.
The configuration will be described.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of the masking enlargement unit 2 of the vehicle head-up display according to the third embodiment.
In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a frame-like striped pattern portion 23 that emits light is formed in a range in which the virtual image display 20 is displayed in the masking enlargement unit 2, that is, outside the display area in the vertical and horizontal directions. Provide.

The frame-like striped pattern portion 23 is thicker in the display area, that is, closer to the inner side, and gradually becomes thinner toward the outer side.
Similarly to the first embodiment, the frame-like striped pattern portion 23 shines with light from a light source 212 provided separately by light guide of the guide light 211.
Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

The operation will be described.
[Action to make non-lighting areas inconspicuous]
In the vehicle head-up display according to the third embodiment, a pattern that emits light with the same brightness as the background portion is displayed in the non-display area on the top and bottom sides of the display area on the masking enlargement unit 2 where the virtual image display 20 is located. Turn on. For this reason, in the display area on the masking enlargement unit 2, the area where the background is lightly emitted at the time of display is incorporated into a part of the design of the frame-like striped pattern unit 23 surrounding the display area vertically and horizontally. The display is not conspicuous and does not cause a sense of incongruity (see FIG. 9).

Explain the effect.
In the vehicle head-up display of the third embodiment, in addition to the effect (1), the effects listed below can be obtained.
(2) '' The external display forming means emits light on the top, bottom, left, and right outside of the display range of the head-up display in the masking enlargement unit 2 in the same manner as the background part in the display, and becomes narrower as going outward. Since the frame-like striped pattern portion 23 is provided, the horizontal stripe pattern on both the upper and lower sides has the same brightness as the display background, so that the display background becomes a part of the horizontal stripe pattern and is inconspicuous. Thus, the display quality can be improved.
Since other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

The fourth embodiment is an example in which one dot that is the outer peripheral edge of the display range is always lit.
The configuration will be described.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the virtual image display 20 of the vehicle head-up display according to the fourth embodiment.
In Example 4, the range in which the virtual image display 20 is displayed in the masking enlargement unit 2, that is, the lighting outer peripheral part 201 in which one dot at the outermost peripheral edge of the display area is always lit and out of the display area is shown in FIG. Provide as shown. That is, one dot at the re-periphery edge of the display unit 12 is used not for display but for this outer peripheral frame.
The lighting outer peripheral portion 201 may be colored by a color filter.
Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

The operation will be described.
[Action to make non-lighting areas inconspicuous]
In the vehicle head-up display of the fourth embodiment, the outer peripheral edge 201 which is a frame-like non-display area is always lit by lighting one dot at the outermost peripheral edge of the display area on the masking enlarged portion 2 where the virtual image display 20 is located. Is provided. For this reason, in the display area on the masking enlargement unit 2, when displaying, the frame-shaped lighting outer peripheral part 201 that surrounds the display area vertically, horizontally, and clearly shows the outer peripheral edge of the display, so that the display part and the non-display part are displayed. Show them clearly. As a result, the area where the background light is emitted dimly becomes inconspicuous. Therefore, the display is not uncomfortable (see FIG. 10).

Explain the effect.
In the vehicle head-up display of the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effect (1), the effects listed below can be obtained.
(3) Since the external display forming means is the lighting outer peripheral part 201 in which the outermost peripheral end of the display range of the virtual image display 20 of the head-up display is displayed in an outer frame shape, by clearly showing the outer frame part of the display area By making the background part of the display area inconspicuous, the display can be made without any sense of incongruity.
Since other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  As mentioned above, although the vehicle head-up display of this invention has been demonstrated based on Example 1- Example 4, it is not restricted to these Examples about a concrete structure, Each claim of a claim Design changes and additions are permitted without departing from the spirit of the invention according to the paragraph.

1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a main configuration of a vehicle head-up display system according to a first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the masking expansion part of the head-up display system for vehicles of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the masking expansion part and masking part of the head-up display system for vehicles of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the masking expansion part of the head-up display for vehicles of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the component which light-emits the vertical stripe pattern part of the masking expansion part of the head-up display for vehicles of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the ideal display state in the head-up display for vehicles of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which does not provide the vertical stripe pattern part in the vehicle head-up display of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the masking expansion part of the head-up display for vehicles of Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the masking expansion part of the head-up display for vehicles of Example 3. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the virtual image display of the head-up display for vehicles of Example 4. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 HUD unit 11 Control part 12 Display part 13 Light source 2 Masking expansion part 2a Masking part 20 Virtual image display 21 Vertical stripe pattern part 22 Horizontal stripe pattern part 23 Frame-like stripe pattern part 201 Lighting outer peripheral part 211 Guide light 212 Light source 3 Instrument panel 3a Concave part 4 Meter 5 Duct 6 Bulkhead 7 Front windshield 9 Steering 71 Glass 72 Glass 100 Optical path

Claims (3)

In the vehicle head-up display that reflects the display near the position of the front windshield and displays a virtual image to the driver,
Enlarging the colored part that covers the periphery of the front windshield, providing an enlarged colored part that also serves as the reflective part of the head-up display on the front windshield,
The upper surface of the instrument panel at the position of the enlarged coloring portion is recessed downward to further enlarge the enlarged coloring portion,
Outside display range of the head-up display in the enlarged coloring portion, provided an external display forming means for forming a design integrated with the background portion in the display,
A head-up display for a vehicle. The vehicle head-up display according to claim 1,
The external display forming means includes
Provided on at least one pair of opposed outer sides of the display range of the head-up display in the enlarged coloring portion is a striped pattern portion that emits light as much as the background portion in the display and becomes narrower toward the outside Is,
A vehicle head-up display. The vehicle head-up display according to claim 1,
The external display forming means includes
The outermost periphery of the display range of the head-up display is displayed in an outer frame shape,
A head-up display for a vehicle.

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