JP2015049240A - Vehicular instrument cluster - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular instrument cluster that improves the identification function of a monitor, suppresses heat generation, and achieves a three-dimensional property.SOLUTION: The vehicular instrument cluster has: a light irradiation device emitting a laser beam in a blue or ultraviolet wavelength band; a scanner reflecting the laser beam through scanning operation; and a screen receiving the reflected laser beam and including R, G and B pixel regions. The screen further includes: a light conversion layer converting the received laser beam into white light; and R, G, and B color filter patterns positioned in front of the light conversion layer, and configured on the respective R, G, and B pixel regions.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle instrument cluster.

  Conventionally, instrument clusters used in automobiles and the like have mechanically configured instruments such as speedometers and oil gauges to display information.

  Recently, however, as digital technology and display technology have developed, so-called variable or selective type, in which display information is applied to suit the driver's preference within the legal limits, and instrument information is visualized and realized. Instrument clusters have been adopted for some vehicles. In particular, in providing video information to be displayed on an instrument cluster, the form has changed from simply notifying the driving situation to providing various other information.

  Such a variable instrument cluster is implemented mainly using a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor. However, due to the limitations of brightness due to the characteristics of LCD monitors, it is difficult to identify when driving in a bright place, and a lot of heat is generated by the light source. Is a factor that increases costs. In addition, there is a limit to reducing the weight. In addition, due to the limitations of the technology and economy of flexible display devices, only planar images can be provided, which is a limiting factor for various built-in designs. As a result, the degree of freedom of interior design inside the vehicle is greatly reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to improve various problems caused by using a conventional display device as a display means of an instrument cluster.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention includes a light irradiation device that irradiates a laser having a wavelength band of blue or ultraviolet, a scanner that reflects the laser through a scanning operation, and an incident of the reflected laser. A light conversion layer that converts the incident laser into white light; and is positioned in front of the light conversion layer and includes R, G, B A vehicle instrument cluster including R, G, and B color filter patterns formed in each of the pixel regions is provided.

  From another point of view, the present invention relates to a light irradiation device that irradiates a blue laser; a scanner that reflects the blue laser through a scanning operation; and a pixel region of R, G, and B on which the reflected blue laser is incident. A light conversion layer that includes first and second light conversion patterns that are configured in each of the R and G pixel regions and convert the incident blue laser into red light and green light. The B pixel region of the screen provides a vehicle instrument cluster configured to transmit the blue laser.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a light irradiating device that irradiates LED light in a blue or ultraviolet wavelength band; a digital mirror device that reflects the LED light; and the reflected LED light A light conversion layer that converts the incident LED light into white light; and is positioned in front of the light conversion layer; R, G A vehicle instrument cluster including R, G, and B color filter patterns configured in each of the B and B pixel regions is provided.

The light emitting device for irradiating blue LED light; a digital mirror device for reflecting the LED light; and the R, G, and B pixel regions on which the reflected LED light is incident. The light conversion layer includes first and second light conversion patterns that are configured in the R and G pixel regions, respectively, and convert the incident LED light into red light and green light. The B pixel region of the screen provides a vehicle instrument cluster configured to transmit the blue laser.

The light conversion layer can perform light conversion using a phosphor or quantum dots.

The phosphor may include at least one of a YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) phosphor, a nitride phosphor, and a silicate phosphor.

The quantum dots may have a core-shell structure, and the core material may include at least one of CdSe, CdTe, CdS, and InP.

The screen can be configured as a flat surface or a curved surface.

  There may be provided at least one reflector configured on an optical path between the light irradiation device and the scanner.

  The scanner is a scanner that is driven by one of an electromagnetic drive method, an electrostatic force drive method, a piezoelectric drive method, and a thermal drive method.

  A control module may be provided that controls the light output of the light irradiation device and the scanning operation of the scanner to be synchronized with each other.

  A control module for controlling the light output of the light irradiation device and the operation of the digital mirror device to be synchronized with each other may be provided.

  The B pixel region of the screen may be configured in a blank state where the light conversion layer is not formed, or may be formed of a transparent material.

  A projection lens configured in front of the digital mirror device may be provided.

  According to the present invention, an information image of an instrument cluster is displayed by a method of projecting laser or LED light onto a screen. As a result, a curved screen having a curved shape as well as a flat surface can be used, and the degree of freedom in design can be dramatically improved.

  Further, the optical system can be configured to be minimized, and a lightweight and space efficient cluster can be realized.

  Furthermore, using a laser or LED light as a light source for displaying video information, converting it into white light and displaying the video, the brightness of the video increases, and in addition, the color reproduction rate is increased. Can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Drawing which shows schematically the structure of the instrument cluster which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. The figure which shows schematically the structure of the control module of the meter cluster which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. The top view which shows schematically the screen of the instrument cluster which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the screen of the meter cluster which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the image | video of the instrument cluster displayed on a screen by 1st Example of this invention. The top view which shows schematically the screen of the instrument cluster which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the screen of the meter cluster which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. Drawing which shows roughly the structure of the meter cluster which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an instrument cluster according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a control module of the instrument cluster according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an instrument cluster 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in, for example, an automobile and serves to provide various information necessary for vehicle operation. In particular, the instrument cluster 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention provides information by a method of projecting an image on the screen 200.

  Therefore, the instrument cluster 10 is output from the optical modulator 100 that outputs information video of the instrument cluster to be displayed in the form of light, the control module 150 that controls the optical modulator 100, and the optical modulator 100. A screen 200 may be included to display the corresponding image.

  The light modulator 100 can include a light irradiation device 110 and a scanner 120. On the other hand, in some cases, the light modulator 100 may further include at least one reflector 130.

  The light irradiation device 110 sequentially outputs a plurality of light pulses in order to generate an information image of the instrument cluster. That is, an information image of the instrument cluster can be generated by combining a plurality of lights output continuously from the light irradiation device 110.

  As light output from the light irradiation apparatus 100, it is preferable to use a laser. In particular, it is even more preferable to use a blue or ultraviolet laser. This has the problem that, when using a green laser, the output drops sharply at temperatures above about 40 degrees, but using a blue or ultraviolet laser makes it possible to ensure relatively high efficiency. This is because of this.

  The light output from the light irradiation device 110 is input to the scanner 120 and reflected, but is projected to a corresponding point on the screen 200, that is, a pixel region by the optical scanning operation of the scanner 120.

  In order to reflect the light input from the light irradiation device 110, the surface on which the light is incident in the scanner 120 is formed of a reflective surface having reflection characteristics.

  As the scanner 120, a biaxial drive type scanner can be used. That is, it is possible to use a two-axis scanner capable of rotating along two rotation axes perpendicular to each other. Another example is to use two single-axis scanners whose rotation axes are perpendicular to each other.

  Further, in some cases, a plurality of two-axis scanners can be used, or three or more one-axis scanners can be used.

  Further, as the scanner 120, scanners of various driving methods can be used. For example, an electromagnetic drive scanner, an electrostatic drive scanner, a piezoelectric drive scanner, a thermal drive scanner, and the like can be used.

  On the other hand, at least one reflector 130 can be configured on the light path between the light irradiation device 110 and the scanner 120. The reflector 130 can be configured in a fixed state.

  Such a reflector 130 can be provided when the optical path needs to be expanded. That is, when the installation space of the instrument cluster 10 is insufficient, the light path between the light irradiation device 110 and the scanner 120 is shortened, and as a result, the light projection on the screen 200 is restricted. In consideration of such points, at least one reflector 130 can be provided.

  Further, an optical system such as a beam shaper 140 can be provided in front of the light irradiation device 110.

  The operations of the light irradiation device 110 and the scanner 120 as described above can be controlled through the control module 150.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the control module 150 includes a first driving unit 151 that drives the light irradiation device 110, a second driving unit 152 that drives the scanner 120, and first and second driving units 151 and 152. A system control unit 153 for controlling may be included.

  For example, the first drive unit 151 controls the light output of the light irradiation device 110 under the control of the system control unit 153. The second driving unit 152 controls the scanning operation of the scanner 120 under the control of the system control unit 153.

  The system control unit 153 interlocks and controls the first driving unit 151 and the second driving unit 152, so that the light output of the light irradiation device 110 and the scanning operation of the scanner 120 are synchronized. As a result, the light reflected by the scanner 120 enters the corresponding pixel area on the screen 200, and the corresponding image is displayed to the user.

  3 and 4, the screen 200 may be configured to have a planar or curved shape.

  In the screen 200, pixel regions P that are arranged in a matrix along the row direction and the column direction and that are the minimum unit for displaying an image can be defined. The screen 200 may include a light conversion layer 210 and a color filter 220 disposed along the light traveling direction.

  The light reflected by the scanning operation of the scanner 120 sequentially enters, for example, the pixel regions P arranged along the row line, and when the light incidence on the corresponding row line is completed, the next row line is selected, and there Light is incident on.

  The light conversion layer 210 formed behind the color filter 220 is configured to convert a laser having a wavelength band of blue or ultraviolet into white light, and is uniform so as to have uniform optical characteristics along the entire surface. Formed. The light conversion layer 210 may be formed by applying a phosphor or a quantum dot for wavelength conversion of light on a substrate.

  When a phosphor is applied to the light conversion layer 210, for example, at least one of a YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) phosphor, a nitride phosphor, and a silicate phosphor can be used, but is not limited thereto. .

On the other hand, when quantum points are applied to the light conversion layer 210, for example, two or more quantum points having different average sizes can be used in a form dispersed in a base such as epoxy. The quantum dots have a core-shell structure, and the core material can be composed of at least one of CdSe, CdTe, CdS, and InP, for example.

The color filter 220 positioned in front of the light conversion layer 210 has R, G, and B color filter patterns 221 and 222 configured to correspond to R (red), G (green), and B (blue) pixel regions. 223.

  The R, G, and B color filter patterns 221, 222, and 223 can be formed by patterning in the form of dots for each corresponding pixel region P, or can be formed in stripes along the column lines. On the other hand, a black matrix can be formed along the periphery of each pixel region P.

  White light output from the light conversion layer 210 is converted into light of a corresponding color through the R, G, and B color filter patterns 221, 222, and 223, and is output to the outside. As a result, an image of the instrument cluster as shown in FIG. 5 can be finally displayed.

  On the other hand, optical films, prism patterns, etc. to which a bid or haze pattern was applied were applied to reduce speckle phenomenon due to the use of laser, to adjust the viewing angle, to improve light extraction, and to protect the screen. Optical means and mechanical means such as BEF (Bright Enhanced Film) and a protective film can be applied to the screen 200.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the information image of the instrument cluster is displayed by projecting the laser onto the screen. Accordingly, a curved screen having a curved shape as well as a flat surface can be used, and the degree of freedom in design can be improved dramatically.

  Further, the optical system can be configured to be minimized, and a lightweight and space efficient cluster can be realized.

  Furthermore, by using a laser as a light source for displaying video information and converting it to white light to display the video, the brightness of the video is increased, and in addition, the color reproduction rate is improved. Can do.

  In the first embodiment, the light conversion layer 210 and the color filter 220 are used together, and the incident laser is converted into red light, green light, and blue light, thereby realizing a color image.

  On the other hand, unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, a light conversion layer is formed in the R and G pixel regions without using the color filter layer, and a separate light conversion is performed in the B pixel region. By not forming a layer, a color image can be displayed. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a screen of an instrument cluster according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a screen of the instrument cluster according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a blue laser is input to the screen 200 through the light modulator 100.

  The light conversion layer 210 of the screen 200 may use a phosphor or a quantum dot as described in the above embodiments.

  In particular, the light conversion layer 210 includes a first light conversion pattern 211 corresponding to the R pixel region and a second light conversion pattern 212 corresponding to the G pixel region.

  The light conversion patterns 211 and 212 can be formed by patterning in the form of dots for each corresponding pixel region P, or can be formed in stripes along the column lines. On the other hand, a black matrix can be formed along the periphery of each pixel region P.

  The first light conversion pattern 211 converts the blue laser into red light to be implemented by the corresponding pixel region. The second light conversion pattern 212 converts the blue laser into green light to be implemented by the corresponding pixel region.

  Further, the B pixel region can be configured in a blank state in which the light conversion layer 210 is not formed. As another example, a transparent material can be formed in the B pixel region corresponding to the light conversion layer 210 in the R and G pixel regions. As a result, the blue pixel region transmits the incident blue laser as it is.

  With the above-described configuration, the R, G, and B pixel regions emit red light, green light, and blue light, and as a result, a color image can be realized. That is, a color image can be displayed without using a separate color filter.

  In the above-described embodiment, a laser is used as a light source, and an optical modulator that projects the light onto a screen using a scanner is taken as an example.

  In contrast, a DLP (digital light processing) device using an LED (light emitting diode) as a light source can be used as an optical modulator. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a drawing schematically showing a configuration of an instrument cluster according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the light modulator 100 of the instrument cluster 10 includes a light irradiation device 110 configured by LEDs, and a digital mirror device 125 (digital) that reflects light output from the light irradiation device 110 toward the screen 200. mirror device).

  The light irradiation device 110 configured by an LED outputs light in a blue or ultraviolet band.

  For example, as in the first embodiment, when the screen 200 is configured to include a light conversion layer 210 and a color filter 220 that convert incident light into white light, the light irradiation device 110 has a blue or ultraviolet band. It is possible to configure so as to output the light.

  On the other hand, when the screen 200 is configured to include the light conversion layer 210 without using a color filter as in the second embodiment, the light irradiation device 110 is configured to output blue light. Can do.

  The digital mirror device 125 has a plurality of mirrors arranged in an array shape, and operates the plurality of mirrors to output an information image of the instrument cluster.

  Meanwhile, the light modulator 100 may include a projection lens 160 configured in front of the digital mirror device 125. The information image of the instrument cluster output from the digital mirror device 125 is projected onto the screen 200 through the projection lens 160.

  Further, an optical system such as a beam shaper 140 can be provided in front of the LED light irradiation device 110.

  On the other hand, although not specifically shown, a control module for controlling the LED light irradiation device 110 and the digital mirror device 125 can be configured similar to the control module shown in FIG.

  As described above, an instrument cluster that uses an LED as a light source and performs light modulation with a digital mirror device can be configured.

The above-described embodiment of the present invention is an example of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention includes modifications within the scope of the claims and the equivalent scope described later.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Instrument cluster, 100 ... Light modulator, 110 ... Light irradiation apparatus, 120 ... Scanner, 130 ... Reflector, 140 ... Beam shaper, 150 ... Control module, 200 ... Screen, 210 ... Light conversion layer, 220 ... Color filter

Claims (14)

A light irradiation device for irradiating a laser in a blue or ultraviolet wavelength band;
A scanner that reflects the laser through a scanning operation;
The reflected laser is incident, and includes a screen including R, G, and B pixel regions;
The screen is
A light conversion layer for converting the incident laser into white light;
R, G, B color filter patterns that are located in front of the light conversion layer and are respectively formed in the R, G, B pixel regions;
Vehicle instrument cluster. A light irradiation device for irradiating a blue laser;
A scanner that reflects the blue laser through a scanning operation;
The reflected blue laser is incident, and includes a screen including R, G, and B pixel regions,
The screen includes a light conversion layer that is configured in each of the R and G pixel regions and includes first and second light conversion patterns for converting the incident blue laser into red light and green light,
The B pixel region of the screen is configured to transmit the blue laser,
Vehicle instrument cluster. A light irradiation device for irradiating LED light in a blue or ultraviolet wavelength band;
A digital mirror device that reflects the LED light;
The reflected LED light is incident, and includes a screen including R, G, and B pixel regions,
The screen is
A light conversion layer for converting the incident LED light into white light;
R, G, B color filter patterns that are located in front of the light conversion layer and are respectively formed in the R, G, B pixel regions;
Vehicle instrument cluster. A light irradiation device for emitting blue LED light;
A digital mirror device for reflecting the LED light;
The reflected LED light is incident, and includes a screen including R, G, and B pixel regions,
The screen includes a light conversion layer that is configured in each of the R and G pixel regions and includes first and second light conversion patterns that convert the incident LED light into red light and green light,
The B pixel region of the screen is configured to transmit the blue laser,
Vehicle instrument cluster. The light conversion layer performs light conversion using a phosphor or quantum dots.
The vehicle instrument cluster according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The phosphor includes at least one of a YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) phosphor, a nitride-based phosphor, and a silicate phosphor.
The vehicle instrument cluster according to claim 5. The quantum dots have a core-shell structure, and the core material includes at least one of CdSe, CdTe, CdS, and InP.
The vehicle instrument cluster according to claim 5. The screen is configured in a flat or curved shape,
The vehicle instrument cluster according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Comprising at least one reflector configured on an optical path between the light irradiation device and the scanner;
The vehicle instrument cluster according to claim 1 or 2. The scanner is a scanner that is driven by any one of an electromagnetic driving method, an electrostatic force driving method, a piezoelectric driving method, and a thermal driving method.
The vehicle instrument cluster according to claim 1 or 2. A control module for controlling the light output of the light irradiation device and the scanning operation of the scanner to be synchronized with each other;
The vehicle instrument cluster according to claim 1 or 2. A control module for controlling the light output of the light irradiation device and the operation of the digital mirror device to be synchronized with each other;
The vehicle instrument cluster according to claim 3 or 4. The B pixel region of the screen is configured in a blank state in which the light conversion layer is not formed, or formed of a transparent material.
The vehicle instrument cluster according to claim 2 or claim 4. A projection lens configured in front of the digital mirror device;
The vehicle instrument cluster according to claim 3 or 4.

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