WO2017145558A1

WO2017145558A1 - Head-up display device

Info

Publication number: WO2017145558A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/000942
Authority: WO
Inventors: 孝啓南原
Original assignee: 株式会社デンソー
Priority date: 2016-02-23
Filing date: 2017-01-13
Publication date: 2017-08-31

Abstract

This head-up display device displays a virtual image (VI) by causing display light to be reflected by a projection member (3) such that said display light reaches a viewing area (EB). A light-collecting section (14) parallelizes illuminating light from a light source unit (10) by collecting the illuminating light. A liquid crystal element (30) arranges a plurality of liquid crystal pixels (34) in an opening (32) and an image is formed as a result of the opening being illuminated with illuminating light emitted from the light-collecting section. The liquid crystal element emits display light for an image as luminous flux in an emission direction (EXD) corresponding to the entry direction (IND) of the illuminating light. A light guidance/expansion section (40) comprises a positive optical element (44) having a positive refractive power and a negative optical element (42) having a negative refractive power. Both optical elements are arranged on an optical path and guide the display light from the liquid crystal element toward the projection member so that the virtual image (VI) expands. The negative optical element is arranged further to the liquid crystal element side than the positive optical element on the optical path.

Description

Head-up display device

Cross-reference of related applications

This application is based on Japanese Application No. 2016-32259 filed on Feb. 23, 2016 and Japanese Application No. 2016-80579 filed on Apr. 13, 2016. Is used.

The present disclosure relates to a head-up display device that is mounted on a moving body and displays a virtual image.

Conventionally, a head-up display device (hereinafter abbreviated as a HUD device) that is mounted on a moving body and displays a virtual image is known. The HUD device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a light source unit, a light collecting unit, a liquid crystal element, and an enlarged light guiding unit. A condensing part collimates the illumination light emitted by the light source part by condensing. The liquid crystal element arranges liquid crystal pixels in an opening, forms an image by illuminating the opening with illumination light, and emits display light of the image in the form of a light beam in an emission direction according to the incident direction of the illumination light. To do. The enlarged light guide part guides display light from the liquid crystal element toward the projection member so that the virtual image is enlarged.

The magnifying light guide has a plane mirror as an optical element having no refractive power and a concave mirror as an optical element having positive refractive power, and these optical elements are arranged on the optical path.

The directivity of display light is enhanced by forming an image with a liquid crystal element by illumination of parallel illumination light as in Patent Document 1. For this reason, it is considered that the display light can reliably reach the visual recognition area provided on the moving body, and the luminance of the virtual image is improved.

However, there is concern about the effect on the visibility of virtual images due to the configuration of the head-up display device.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-90442

In Patent Document 1, the virtual image is magnified by the concave mirror of the magnifying light guide. The inventor found that the action of the concave mirror can realize a large virtual image while suppressing an increase in the size of the HUD device, but at the same time, the position of the entrance pupil in the optical system of the HUD device approaches the liquid crystal element. .

When the position of the entrance pupil approaches the liquid crystal element, there is a deviation between the display light emission direction according to the incident direction of the illumination light and the direction of the display light that actually reaches the visual recognition region and contributes to visual recognition. Can occur. Since this deviation differs depending on the arranged liquid crystal pixels, a difference in luminance occurs between the liquid crystal pixels, and there is a concern about the adverse effect on the visibility of the virtual image.

This disclosure is intended to provide a HUD device with good visibility of a virtual image while suppressing an increase in physique.

A head-up display device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is mounted on a moving body, projects display light toward a projection member of the moving body, and reflects the display light on the projection member while the moving body The virtual image which can be visually recognized from the inside of the said visual recognition area is displayed by making it reach | attain the visual recognition area provided in. The head-up display device includes a light source unit that emits illumination light. The head-up display device further includes a condensing unit that collimates the illumination light by condensing. The head-up display device includes a plurality of liquid crystal pixels arranged in an opening, and the opening is illuminated by the illumination light emitted from the light collecting unit to form an image, and the incident direction of the illumination light And a liquid crystal element that emits the display light of the image in the form of a light beam in an emission direction according to the above. The head-up display device includes a positive optical element having a positive refractive power and a negative optical element having a negative refractive power, and the virtual image is arranged by arranging both the optical elements on an optical path. Is further provided with an enlarged light guide section that guides the display light from the liquid crystal element toward the projection member. The negative optical element is disposed closer to the liquid crystal element on the optical path than the positive optical element.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawing
It is a schematic diagram which shows the mounting state to the vehicle of the HUD apparatus in one Embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a light source unit, a light condensing unit, and a liquid crystal element in an embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section along the longitudinal direction; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a light source unit, a light condensing unit, and a liquid crystal element in an embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section along a short side direction; It is a graph showing the radiation angle distribution of the light emitting element in an embodiment, It is the figure which looked at the liquid crystal element in one embodiment along the normal line direction of the opening, It is a figure which expands and shows the VI section of FIG. FIG. 7 is a sectional view partially showing a section taken along line VII-VII in FIG. It is a perspective view showing a compound lens array in one embodiment, It is a figure for explaining the condensing Fresnel surface of the compound lens array in one embodiment, It is a figure for demonstrating the compound surface of the compound lens array in one Embodiment, It is a figure which shows typically the optical system by the HUD apparatus of one Embodiment, It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 11 in a comparative example, It is a figure corresponding to Drawing 2 in modification 1, It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3 in modification 9, and FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 11 in Modification 9.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the HUD device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle 1 that is a kind of moving body and is housed in an instrument panel 2. The HUD device 100 projects display light toward a windshield 3 as a projection member of the vehicle 1, and causes the display light to reach a visual recognition area EB provided in the vehicle 1 while being reflected by the windshield 3. As a result, the HUD device 100 displays the virtual image VI that is visible from within the visual recognition area EB. That is, the display light is perceived as a virtual image VI by the passenger of the vehicle 1 whose eyes are located within the visual recognition area EB in the room of the vehicle 1. The occupant can recognize various information displayed as the virtual image VI. Examples of various information displayed as the virtual image VI include vehicle state values such as vehicle speed and fuel remaining amount, or vehicle information such as road information and visibility assistance information.

The windshield 3 of the vehicle 1 is formed in a plate shape with translucent glass or synthetic resin. In the windshield 3, the surface on the indoor side has a reflective surface 3a that reflects display light in a smooth concave or flat shape. The configuration of the windshield 3 is generally set by a vehicle manufacturer based on the use or design of the vehicle 1.

The visual recognition area EB is a spatial area in which the virtual image VI displayed by the HUD device 100 is visible. That is, the virtual image VI can be visually recognized if the occupant's eyes are within the visual recognition area EB, and the virtual image VI cannot be visually recognized if the occupant's eyes are outside the visual recognition area EB.

In the present embodiment, the visual recognition area EB is provided so as to overlap the eyelips set in the vehicle 1. The iris is set based on an eye range that statistically represents the distribution of the positions of the eyes of the driver as an occupant (see JIS D0021: 1998 for details). The iris is generally set by the vehicle manufacturer according to the position of the seat 4 of the vehicle 1. That is, the HUD device 100 performs display so that the driver sitting on the seat 4 can easily see.

A specific configuration of the HUD device 100 will be described below. The HUD device 100 includes a light source unit 10, a light collecting unit 14, a liquid crystal element 30, and an enlarged light guide unit 40, which are housed and held in a housing 50.

The light source unit 10 has a plurality of light emitting elements 12 arranged with respect to each other, as shown in FIGS. Each light emitting element 12 is a light emitting diode element with little heat generation. Each light emitting element 12 is disposed on a light source circuit board and is electrically connected to a power source through a wiring pattern on the board. In more detail, each light emitting element 12 is formed by sealing a chip-like blue light emitting diode element with a yellow phosphor in which a yellow fluorescent agent is mixed with a translucent synthetic resin. The yellow phosphor is excited by blue light emitted according to the amount of current from the blue light emitting diode element to emit yellow light, and pseudo white illumination light is emitted by combining the blue light and the yellow light.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, each light emitting element 12 of the light source unit 10 emits illumination light with a radiation angle distribution in which the light emission intensity relatively decreases as the light emission intensity deviates from the peak direction PKD where the light emission intensity is maximum. . In the present embodiment, the light emitting elements 12 are arranged so that the peak direction PKD is substantially the same direction between the light emitting elements 12.

The condenser 14 has a condenser lens array 15 and a compound lens array 18 as shown in FIGS. The condensing unit 14 collimates the illumination light from each light emitting element 12 by condensing by the

lens arrays

15 and 18 so as to enter the opening 32 of the liquid crystal element 30. Here, the collimation in the present embodiment means that the illumination light is closer to the parallel light flux than the state where the illumination light is emitted radially from the light emitting element 12, and the illumination light is a completely parallel light flux. There is no need.

The liquid crystal element 30 of the present embodiment is an active matrix type transmissive liquid crystal panel using thin film transistors (TFTs).

Specifically, the liquid crystal element 30 has an opening 32 formed so as to be able to transmit illumination light. As shown in FIG. 5, the opening 32 is formed in a rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction LD and a short direction SD. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 6, the plurality of liquid crystal pixels 34 are arranged in the opening 32 in a two-dimensional direction along the tangential direction of the opening 32.

Each liquid crystal pixel 34 is provided with a transmissive portion 34a provided so as to penetrate in the normal direction of the opening 32, and a wiring portion 34b formed so as to surround the transmissive portion 34a.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the part including the transmission part 34a in which the liquid crystal pixels 34 of the liquid crystal element 30 are arranged, the liquid crystal layer 36a, the pair of transparent electrodes 36b that sandwich the liquid crystal layer 36a, and the pair of polarizing plates that sandwich them. 36c and the like in a stacked state.

The liquid crystal layer 36a is a layer filled with a solution mainly containing liquid crystal molecules such as nematic liquid crystal. The transparent electrode 36b is an electrode formed with translucency. The polarizing plate 36c has a transmission axis and a light shielding axis that are substantially orthogonal to each other. The polarizing plate 36c has such a property that when light having a polarization direction along the transmission axis is incident, the transmittance of the light is maximized. On the other hand, the polarizing plate 36c has such a property that, when light having a polarization direction along the light shielding axis is incident, the transmittance of the light is minimized. Here, the pair of polarizing plates 36c are arranged so that their transmission axes are substantially orthogonal to each other.

It is possible to apply a voltage between the pair of transparent electrodes 36b for each liquid crystal pixel 34 under the control of the electrically connected control unit 60. Depending on the voltage applied between the pair of transparent electrodes 36b, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 36a changes, so that the polarization direction of the light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 36a changes. Thus, the transmittance of light transmitted through the liquid crystal element 30 is individually variable for each liquid crystal pixel 34. Note that the thickness TLC of the liquid crystal layer 36a is such that the polarization direction of light incident from the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 36a (that is, the normal direction of the opening 32) in the case of a predetermined voltage (for example, 0 V) corresponding to the maximum transmittance. The thickness of the liquid crystal layer 36a is set so as to change by 90 degrees.

Therefore, the liquid crystal element 30 can form an image by controlling the light transmittance of each liquid crystal pixel 34 by illuminating the opening 32 with light. Adjacent liquid crystal pixels 34 are provided with color filters 36d of different colors (for example, red, green, and blue), and various colors are realized by combining these color filters 36d.

In addition, a diffusing unit 38 is provided on the light condensing unit 14 side of the liquid crystal element 30. The diffusing portion 38 is a diffusing plate that is provided along the tangential direction of the opening 32 and formed in a film shape, for example. Alternatively, the diffusion portion 38 may be formed by providing minute irregularities on the surface of the liquid crystal element 30. Such a diffusing portion 38 exerts some diffusing action immediately before the collimated illumination light enters the opening 32.

Returning to the description of the light collecting unit 14 here. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the condenser lens array 15 is formed by arranging a plurality of condenser lens elements 15 a made of translucent synthetic resin or glass. Each condensing lens element 15a is provided in the same number as the light emitting elements 12, and individually corresponds to each light emitting element 12.

Each condensing lens element 15a has a condensing surface 17 that condenses the illumination light from the corresponding light emitting element 12. In particular, in the present embodiment, each condensing surface 17 is provided as an exit side surface that faces the liquid crystal element 30 side (that is, the composite lens array 18 side) and emits illumination light. On the other hand, the incident-side surface 16 on which the illumination light is incident is a single flat surface having a smooth flat shape common to the respective condensing lens elements 15a.

In each condensing lens element 15a, the condensing surface 17 is an anamorphic surface formed in a smooth convex shape. The surface vertex 21a of the condensing surface 17 is arranged on a virtual straight line SL extending along the peak direction PKD from the corresponding light emitting element 12.

Here, on a virtual plane orthogonal to the virtual straight line SL, the direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction LD of the opening 32 (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal corresponding direction RLD) and the direction corresponding to the short direction SD of the opening 32 (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal direction LD). , Short direction corresponding direction RSD). The longitudinal corresponding direction RLD corresponds to a direction obtained by projecting the longitudinal direction LD of the opening 32 onto the above-described virtual plane along the optical path of incident light. The short-side corresponding direction RSD corresponds to a direction obtained by projecting the short-side direction SD of the opening 32 onto the above-described virtual plane along the optical path of incident light.

Although details will be described later in the present embodiment, there is no cause for bending the traveling direction of the light emitted along the peak direction PKD of the illumination light on the optical path from the light emitting element 12 to the liquid crystal element 30, and the illumination The light incident direction IND is substantially along the normal direction of the opening 32. For this reason, the longitudinal direction LD and the longitudinal corresponding direction RLD are substantially the same direction, and the lateral direction SD and the lateral correspondence direction RSD are substantially the same direction.

In the condensing surface 17 which is an anamorphic surface, the curvature in the long-side corresponding direction RLD and the curvature in the short-side corresponding direction RSD are different from each other. Here, the magnitude relationship between the curvatures of the two directions RLD and RSD corresponds to the illumination range IR to be illuminated by one light emitting element 12 in the opening 32. For example, in the present embodiment, as a result of the light emitting elements 12 being arranged along the longitudinal corresponding direction RLD, the illumination range IR has a rectangular shape in which the longitudinal direction LD of the opening 32 is short. Correspondingly, on the light condensing surface 17, the curvature in the long-side corresponding direction RLD is larger than the curvature in the short-side corresponding direction RSD. In short, the curvature in the shorter direction in the illumination range IR is larger than the curvature in the longer direction in the illumination range IR.

Further, the condensing surface 17 of each condensing lens element 15a is formed in a parabolic shape in a cross section including the longitudinal corresponding direction RLD and the straight line SL (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, the condensing surface 17 is formed in an arc shape (particularly in a semicircular shape in the present embodiment) in a cross section including the short corresponding direction RSD and the straight line SL (see FIG. 3).

The illumination light incident on the condensing lens array 15 in this way is condensed by the condensing surface 17 while varying the degree of condensing in both directions, passes through each condensing lens element 15a, and then enters the compound lens array 18. .

The compound lens array 18 is provided on the optical path between the condensing lens array 15 and the liquid crystal element 30, and is formed by arranging a plurality of compound lens elements 18a made of translucent synthetic resin or glass. Yes. The compound lens elements 18a are provided in the same number as the light emitting elements 12 and the condenser lens elements 15a, and individually correspond to the light emitting elements 12 and the condenser lens elements 15a. As shown in FIG. 8, each compound lens element 18a faces the condenser lens array 15 and has a condensing Fresnel surface 19 as an incident side surface on which illumination light is incident. On the other hand, each compound lens element 18a faces the liquid crystal element 30 side and has a compound surface 20 as an emission side surface for emitting illumination light. In FIG. 8, a part of the shape is simplified.

As shown in detail in FIG. 9, the condensing Fresnel surface 19 is formed as one divided region obtained by dividing the virtual condensing virtual surface Sip into a short corresponding direction RSD with a predetermined division width Ws. Here, the condensing virtual surface Sip has a smooth curved surface as a convex surface convex toward the condensing lens element 15 a side of the condensing lens array 15. Here, the division width Ws in the division region of the condensing Fresnel surface 19 is set to a substantially constant value. The condensing Fresnel surface 19 further condenses the illumination light from the condensing lens array 15 by refraction, and transmits it to the composite surface 20 side.

As shown in detail in FIG. 10, the composite surface 20 forms an alternating arrangement structure in which parallelizing surfaces 21 and deflecting surfaces 22 are alternately connected.

The parallelized surface 21 is formed as one divided region obtained by dividing the virtual parallelized virtual surface Sic into regions corresponding to the longitudinal direction RLD with a predetermined divided width Wa. Here, the parallelized virtual surface Sic has a smooth curved surface as a convex surface convex toward the liquid crystal element 30 side. The curvature of the parallel virtual surface Sic is set substantially equal to the curvature of the condensing virtual surface Sip.

The deflection surface 22 is formed as one divided region obtained by dividing the virtual deflection virtual surface Sid in the longitudinal corresponding direction RLD with a predetermined division width Wa. The deflection virtual surface Sid is composed of a plurality of inclined surfaces Sis that change in reverse gradient at locations corresponding to the surface vertices of the parallelized virtual surface Sic. In the present embodiment, each inclined surface Sis has a smooth planar shape. . Here, the slope of each slope Sis is set to be opposite to the slope of the corresponding portion of the parallelized virtual surface Sic.

Here, the division width Wa in the division area of the parallelizing surface 21 and the deflecting surface 22 is variously set. However, the sag amount is set to be approximately constant on each of the

surfaces

21 and 22, so The entire thickness of the lens array 18 is constant. By arranging the parallel surfaces 21 and the deflection surfaces 22 alternately, a part of the parallel virtual surface Sic and a part of the deflection virtual surface Sid are extracted, and the composite surface 20 is extracted. Reproduced above.

The collimating surface 21 condenses the illumination light from the condensing Fresnel surface 19 by refraction and collimates it. The deflecting surface 22 deflects the illumination light to the side opposite to the refraction by the collimating surface 21.

Among the parallel surfaces 21, the surface vertex 21a of the parallel surface 21 including the surface vertex of the parallel virtual surface Sic is arranged on the straight line SL (see also FIG. 2). The above-described division width Ws is set to be the largest on the parallelizing surface 21 including the surface vertex 21a. The division width Ws changes so that the area ratio of the deflecting surface 22 to the parallelizing surface 21 increases as the distance from the surface vertex 21a in the longitudinal corresponding direction RLD increases.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the condensing unit 14, the condensing lens element 15 a and the compound lens element 18 a individually correspond to each other and are arranged to face each other. One corresponding condensing lens element 15a and one compound lens element 18a are collectively referred to as a lens element group 14a. That is, the condensing unit 14 has a configuration in which lens element groups 14 a are arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of light emitting elements 12.

For each lens element group 14a, the converging focal point (hereinafter referred to as the synthetic focal point of the lens element group 14a) is formed by the condensing surface 17 of the condensing lens element 15a, the condensing Fresnel surface 19 and the parallelizing surface 21 of the compound lens element 18a. Can be defined. Here, as a result of the condensing surface 17 being an anamorphic surface being included in the lens element group 14a, the focal position FPa of the combined focal point of the lens element group 14a in the cross section including the longitudinal corresponding direction RLD and the straight line SL is short. The focal position FPs of the synthetic focus of the lens element group 14a in the cross section including the hand corresponding direction RSD and the straight line SL is shifted in the direction along the straight line SL. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the focal position FPa is located closer to the light collecting unit 14 than the focal position FPs.

Each light emitting element 12 is also arranged between the focal position FPa and the focal position FPs for the corresponding lens element group 14a. In particular, in this embodiment, it is arranged at an intermediate position between the focal position FPa and the focal position FPs.

Each lens element group 14a takes in a partial radiant flux including light in the peak direction PKD among the illumination lights of the light emitting elements 12 in a corresponding relationship. The partial radiant flux of the captured illumination light can be collimated as described above. On the other hand, the other part of the illumination light that has not been captured is captured by the lens element group 14a adjacent to the lens element group 14a that has a corresponding relationship.

In the present embodiment, for example, illumination light having a distribution range in which the light emission intensity of the light emitting element 12 is 90% or more with respect to the peak direction PKD is partially taken into the lens element group 14a in a corresponding relationship as a radiant flux. It has become. That is, regarding the light emitting element 12 with the radiation angle distribution of the present embodiment, referring to the portion where the relative light emission intensity of 0.9 in FIG. 4 is about ± 25 degrees, the lens element group 14a is Of the illumination light from the light emitting elements 12 in a corresponding relationship, an angular range of −25 degrees to +25 degrees is partially captured as a radiant flux.

As the angle range of the partial radiant flux is wider, the entire opening 32 of the liquid crystal element 30 can be illuminated with a smaller total number of the light emitting elements 12, while the luminance unevenness of the virtual image VI becomes relatively conspicuous. As the angle range of the partial radiant flux is narrower, the luminance unevenness of the virtual image VI becomes less conspicuous, while the total number of the light emitting elements 12 necessary for illuminating the opening 32 becomes relatively large.

The illumination light that is collimated by the light collecting unit 14 and emitted from the light collecting unit 14 illuminates the entire opening 32 of the liquid crystal element 30 along the incident direction IND. The light transmitted through the opening 32 in accordance with the transmittance set for each liquid crystal pixel 34 with respect to the incident illumination light is used as the image display light from the liquid crystal element 30 and the light flux according to the shape of the opening 32. Is injected into the shape. That is, the liquid crystal element 30 emits image display light in the emission direction EXD corresponding to the incident direction IND. In the present embodiment, the incident direction IND of the illumination light is substantially along the normal direction of the opening 32, and the liquid crystal pixel 34 in the opening 32 basically has no element that refracts light. The injection direction EXD is also substantially along the normal direction of the opening 32.

Here, due to the action of the deflecting surface 22 and the diffusing unit 38, the display light is emitted from each liquid crystal pixel 34 in the direction other than the emission direction EXD, but the emission direction EXD is still the main direction (that is, the direction with the highest intensity). It is.

Thus, the display light emitted in the emission direction EXD from the liquid crystal element 30 enters the enlarged light guide 40.

The enlarged light guide section 40 has a convex mirror 42 and a concave mirror 44 as shown in FIG. The convex mirror 42 and the concave mirror 44 are disposed on the optical path, and the convex mirror 42 is disposed closer to the liquid crystal element 30 on the optical path than the concave mirror 44 is. Accordingly, the display light from the liquid crystal element 30 first enters the convex mirror 42.

The convex mirror 42 is formed by evaporating aluminum as the reflective surface 43 on the surface of a base material made of synthetic resin or glass. The reflective surface 43 has a negative surface refracting power by being formed into a smooth curved surface as a convex surface curved in a convex shape. In particular, the reflecting surface 43 of this embodiment is a free-form surface that mainly corrects axial aberrations in the virtual image VI. The convex mirror 42 reflects the display light from the liquid crystal element 30 toward the concave mirror 44 by the reflecting surface 43. Thus, the convex mirror 42 functions as a negative optical element having a negative refractive power. Here, the refractive power is represented by the reciprocal of the focal length.

The concave mirror 44 is formed by evaporating aluminum as the reflecting surface 45 on the surface of a base material made of synthetic resin or glass. The reflective surface 45 has a positive surface refractive power by being formed into a smooth curved surface as a concave surface curved in a concave shape. In particular, the reflecting surface 45 of the present embodiment is a free-form surface that mainly corrects distortion aberration in the virtual image VI. The concave mirror 44 reflects the display light from the convex mirror 42 toward the windshield 3 by the reflecting surface 45. Thus, the concave mirror 44 functions as a positive optical element having a positive refractive power.

Also, a drive mechanism 46 that swings and drives the concave mirror 44 located on the windshield 3 side in the enlarged light guide 40 is provided in the enlarged light guide 40. The drive mechanism 46 swings and drives the concave mirror 44 around the rotation axis 44a by driving a stepping motor, for example, in accordance with a drive signal from the electrically connected control unit 60. By swinging the concave mirror 44, the imaging position of the virtual image VI moves up and down and can be adjusted to a position that is easy for the passenger to see.

Such an enlarged light guiding unit 40 guides display light from the liquid crystal element 30 toward the windshield 3 so that the virtual image VI is enlarged. That is, the combined refractive power of the convex mirror 42 and the concave mirror 44 is a positive refractive power.

A window-like window portion is provided in the housing 50 between the concave mirror 44 and the windshield 3. The window portion is closed by a dustproof cover 52 formed in a light-transmitting thin plate shape. Accordingly, the display light from the concave mirror 44 passes through the dustproof cover 52 and is reflected by the windshield 3. Thus, the display light reflected by the windshield 3 reaches the visual recognition area EB.

The optical system constituted by such a HUD device 100 will be discussed in detail below with reference to FIGS. In addition, the shape of each element shown in FIG.11, 12 and a positional relationship, the direction of a light ray, etc. are typically shown for description.

In the following, in the optical path of the optical system shown in FIG. 11, the interval from the virtual image VI to the visual recognition area EB is Id (however, Id <0 for a virtual image), and the interval from the visual recognition area EB to the windshield 3 is Ed. The distance from the windshield 3 to the reflecting surface 45 of the concave mirror 44 is Wd, the distance from the reflecting surface 45 of the concave mirror 44 to the reflecting surface 43 of the convex mirror 42 is D1, and the opening of the liquid crystal element 30 from the reflecting surface 43 of the convex mirror 42 The interval up to 32 is D2. Further, the surface refractive power of the reflective surface 3a of the windshield 3 is Φws, the surface refractive power of the reflective surface 45 of the concave mirror 44 is Φ1 (where Φ1> 0), and the surface refractive power of the reflective surface 43 of the convex mirror 42 is Φ2. (However, Φ2 <0). In addition, the half value of the size of the virtual image VI is Is, the half value of the size of the visual recognition area EB is Es, and the half value of the size of the opening 32 of the liquid crystal element 30 is Os.

Here, first, a comparative HUD apparatus 900 in which the convex mirror 42 of the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 12 is replaced with a flat mirror 942 having a flat reflecting surface 943 will be considered. In the comparative example, D1 is read as an interval from the reflecting surface 945 of the concave mirror 944 to the reflecting surface 943 of the plane mirror 942, D2 is read as an interval from the reflecting surface 943 of the plane mirror 942 to the opening 932 of the liquid crystal element 930, and the plane mirror 942 is further read. The surface refractive power of the reflecting surface 943 is set to zero.

For such a comparative example, the angle of the imaging light beam IMR and the height of the imaging light beam IMR are sequentially obtained by tracing back rays from the visual recognition area EB to the liquid crystal element 930 side. Here, the angle of the imaging light ray IMR means that the light ray that passes through the center of the visual recognition area EB and the center of the opening 932 (hereinafter referred to as the principal light ray PRR) is visually recognized between the visual recognition area EB and the windshield 3. This is an angle at which a light beam (hereinafter referred to as an imaging light beam IMR) extending along a direction connecting the end of the region EB and the center of the virtual image VI. The height of the imaging light ray IMR is an interval between the main light ray PRR and the imaging light ray IMR along a direction perpendicular to the main light ray PRR.

Between the viewing area EB and the windshield 3, the angle of the imaging light ray IMR is -Es / Id. In the windshield 3, the height of the imaging light ray IMR is Es + (Es / Id) · Ed. Between the windshield 3 and the concave mirror 944, the angle of the imaging ray IMR is −Es / Is + Φws · (Es + (Es / Id) · Wd), which is set as the HUD constant A. In the concave mirror 944, the height of the imaging ray IMR is Es + (Es / Id) · Ed + (Es / Id) · Wd−Φws · Ws · (Es + Es / Id · Wd), which is set as the HUD constant B. Between the concave mirror 944 and the plane mirror 942, the angle of the imaging light ray IMR is A + B · Φ1. In the plane mirror 942, the height of the imaging light beam IMR is B−D1 · (A + B · Φ1). Between the plane mirror 942 and the liquid crystal element 930, the angle of the imaging light ray IMR is A + B · Φ1. The height of the imaging light ray IMR in the liquid crystal element 930 is zero. Therefore, a state where an image is formed in the opening 932 of the liquid crystal element 930 is realized.

For the comparative example, the angle of the pupil image-forming light beam PUR and the height of the pupil image-forming light beam PUR are sequentially obtained by back ray tracing from the visual recognition area EB to the liquid crystal element 930 side. Here, the angle of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is a light ray (hereinafter referred to as the light ray along the direction connecting the center of the visual recognition area EB and the end of the virtual image VI between the visual recognition area EB and the windshield 3 with respect to the principal ray PRR. , This is the pupil imaging light ray PUR). The height of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is the interval between the principal light ray PRR and the pupil imaging light ray PUR along the direction perpendicular to the main light ray PRR.

Between the visual recognition area EB and the windshield 3, the angle of the pupil imaging light ray PUR corresponds to the half angle of view θ of the virtual image VI, and θ = −Is / Id. In the windshield 3, the height of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is −θ · Ed. Between the windshield 3 and the concave mirror 944, the angle of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is θ−θ · Ed · Φws, which is set as the HUD constant C. In the concave mirror 944, the height of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is −θ · Ed + (θ−θ · Ed · Φws) · Wd, which is set as the HUD constant D. Between the concave mirror 944 and the plane mirror 942, the angle of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is C + D · Φ1. In the plane mirror 942, the height of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is D− (C + D · Φ1) · D1. Between the plane mirror 942 and the liquid crystal element 930, the angle of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is C + D · Φ1. The height of the pupil imaging light ray PUR in the liquid crystal element 930 is Os.

From the above, in the comparative example, the half angle of view θ is
θ = (Os / Es) · (A + B · Φ1) (Formula 1).

The pupil distance Pd from the opening 932 of the liquid crystal element 930 to the entrance pupil ENP may be obtained as a distance at which the height of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is 0.
Pd = Os / (C + D · Φ1) (Formula 2)

Further, the optical path length Lm from the opening 932 of the liquid crystal element 930 to the concave mirror 944 is
Lm = D1 + D2 = (Os / Es) · (B / θ) (Formula 3)

That is, from Equation 1, the half angle of view θ of the virtual image VI increases as the surface refractive power Φ1 of the concave mirror 944 increases. In other words, it is necessary to increase the surface refractive power Φ1 in order to enlarge the virtual image VI. On the other hand, however, from Equation 2, the pupil distance Pd decreases as the surface refractive power Φ1 increases. That is, the enlargement of the virtual image VI and the long pupil distance Pd cannot be realized at the same time. From Equation 3, the optical path length Lm decreases as the surface refractive power Φ1 increases.

Next, the HUD device 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG.

The angle of the imaging light beam IMR and the height of the imaging light beam IMR are sequentially obtained by back ray tracing from the visual recognition area EB to the liquid crystal element 30 side.

Between the viewing area EB and the windshield 3, the angle of the imaging light ray IMR is -Es / Id. In the windshield 3, the height of the imaging light ray IMR is Es + (Es / Id) · Ed. Between the windshield 3 and the concave mirror 44, the angle of the imaging light ray IMR is −Es / Is + Φws · (Es + (Es / Id) · Wd), which is set as the HUD constant A as in the comparative example. In the concave mirror 44, the height of the imaging light ray IMR is Es + (Es / Id) .Ed + (Es / Id) .Wd-.PHI.ws.Ws. (Es + Es / Id.Wd). Put constant B. Between the concave mirror 44 and the convex mirror 42, the angle of the imaging light ray IMR is A + B · Φ1. In the convex mirror 42, the height of the imaging light ray IMR is B−D1 · (A + B · Φ1). Between the convex mirror 42 and the liquid crystal element 30, the angle of the imaging light ray IMR is A + B · Φ1 + Φ2 · (B−D1 · (A + B) · Φ1). The height of the imaging light ray IMR in the liquid crystal element 30 is zero. Therefore, an image formed in the opening 32 of the liquid crystal element 30 is realized.

The angle of the pupil imaging light ray PUR and the height of the pupil imaging light ray PUR are sequentially obtained by tracing back rays from the visual recognition area EB to the liquid crystal element 30 side.

Between the visual recognition area EB and the windshield 3, the angle of the pupil imaging light ray PUR corresponds to the half angle of view θ of the virtual image VI, and θ = −Is / Id. In the windshield 3, the height of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is −θ · Ed. Between the windshield 3 and the concave mirror 44, the angle of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is θ−θ · Ed · Φws, which is set as the HUD constant C as in the comparative example. In the concave mirror 44, the height of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is −θ · Ed + (θ−θ · Ed · Φws) · Wd, which is set as the HUD constant D as in the comparative example. Between the concave mirror 44 and the convex mirror 42, the angle of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is C + D · Φ1. In the convex mirror 42, the height of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is D− (C + D · Φ1) · D1. Between the convex mirror 42 and the liquid crystal element 30, the angle of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is C + D · Φ1 + Φ2 · (D−D1 · (C + D · Φ1)). The height of the pupil imaging light ray PUR in the liquid crystal element 30 is Os.

From the above, in the comparative example, the half angle of view θ is
θ = (Os / Es) · (A + B · Φ1 + Φ2 · (B−D1 · (A + B · Φ1)))
(Equation 4)

As the pupil distance Pd from the opening 32 of the liquid crystal element 30 to the entrance pupil ENP, a distance at which the height of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is 0 can be obtained.
Pd = Os / ((C + D · Φ1) · (1−Φ2 · D1) + Φ2 · D) (Formula 5)

Furthermore, the optical path length Lm from the opening 32 of the liquid crystal element 30 to the concave mirror 44 is
Lm = D1 + D2
= D1 + (B-D1 ・ (A + B ・ Φ1))
/ (A + B · Φ1 + Φ2 · (B−D1 · (A + B · Φ1))) (Formula 6)

That is, Formulas 4, 5, and 6 are simultaneous equations with three variables of surface refractive powers Φ1 and Φ2 and a distance D1. As a result, the half angle of view θ and the pupil distance Pd do not have a simple relationship depending on the surface refractive power Φ1 as in the comparative example. By appropriately setting the surface refractive powers Φ1 and Φ2 and the distance D1, it is possible to increase the pupil distance Pd while increasing the half angle of view θ. Specifically, when Φ2 is negative, the angle of the pupil imaging light ray PUR between the convex mirror 42 and the liquid crystal element 30 acts to be small. In other words, since the denominator of Equation 5 becomes smaller, the pupil distance Pd can be increased.

By increasing the pupil distance Pd, the emission direction EXD of the display light emitted from the liquid crystal element 30 and the direction of the pupil imaging light ray PUR between the convex mirror 42 and the liquid crystal element 30 are spread over the entire image. Can be combined. For example, the pupil distance Pd is preferably larger than the interval D1 or D2. Here, in the present embodiment, Pd> 150 mm is set for both the longitudinal direction LD and the short direction SD of the opening 32. By doing so, it is possible to consider that the deviation between the exit direction EXD and the direction of the pupil imaging light ray PUR is sufficiently small.

(Function and effect)
The operational effects of the present embodiment described above will be described below.

According to the present embodiment, the enlarged light guide 40 guides the display light from the liquid crystal element 30 toward the windshield 3. Here, the enlarged light guide 40 includes a concave mirror 44 that functions as a positive optical element having a positive refractive power, and a convex mirror 42 that functions as a negative optical element having a negative refractive power. The convex mirror 42 is disposed closer to the liquid crystal element 30 on the optical path than the concave mirror 44. In the optical system of the HUD device 100 in which both the optical elements 42 and 44 are arranged on the optical path, the virtual pupil VI is enlarged using the concave mirror 44 and the convex pupil 42 is used to make the entrance pupil ENP more than the liquid crystal element 30. It can be kept away from the light source unit 10 side. By moving the entrance pupil ENP away, it is possible to configure an optical path that looks into the opening 32 of the liquid crystal element 30 along the display light emission direction EXD from within the visual recognition area EB. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a deviation between the direction of the display light contributing to visual recognition and the emission direction EXD from the liquid crystal element 30. Since the emission direction EXD corresponds to the incident direction IND of the collimated illumination light to the liquid crystal element 30, the illumination light is efficiently used as image display light while reducing the luminance difference between the liquid crystal pixels 34. It is possible to reach the visual recognition area EB well.

Further, on the optical path between the convex mirror 42 and the liquid crystal element 30, the direction of the display light contributing to visual recognition approaches the emission direction EXD corresponding to the incident direction IND of the illumination light collimated by the condenser 14. Thus, the display light can be guided while suppressing the physique expansion of the convex mirror 42. As described above, even when the image is enlarged, it is possible to provide the HUD device 100 in which the visibility of the virtual image VI is good while suppressing an increase in the physique.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the positive optical element is the concave mirror 44 having the concave curved curved reflection surface 45, and the negative optical element has the convex curved curved surface 43. This is a convex mirror 42. Since the function of the enlarged light guide 40 is realized by the reflection by the reflecting

surfaces

43 and 45, the virtual image VI is enlarged while suppressing the occurrence of chromatic aberration in the enlarged light guide 40, and the entrance pupil ENP is liquid crystal. The light source unit 10 can be moved away from the element 30.

Moreover, according to this embodiment, the compound surface 20 provided in the compound lens array 18 as a compound lens of the condensing part 14 includes the parallelizing surface 21 that collimates the illumination light by refraction and the collimation of the illumination light. The deflecting surface 22 that deflects in the direction opposite to the refraction of the surface 21 forms an alternately arranged structure. In this arrangement structure, the directivity of the display light can be adjusted by mixing the illumination light from the light source unit 10 via the parallelizing surface 21 and the illumination light via the deflection surface 22 with each other. Therefore, in combination with the configuration of the above-described enlarged light guide 40, the luminance difference between the liquid crystal pixels 34 can be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the condensing surface 17 provided in the condensing lens array 15 as a condensing lens is an anamorphic surface in which the curvature in the long-side corresponding direction RLD and the curvature in the short-side corresponding direction RSD are different. . By doing in this way, the illumination light from the light source part 10 can be equalized according to the rectangular opening part 32, Therefore The brightness | luminance difference between the liquid crystal pixels 34 can be reduced.

(Other embodiments)
Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not construed as being limited to the embodiment, and can be applied to various embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. it can.

Specifically, as a first modification, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the light emitting element 12 of the light source unit 10 overlaps the focal position FPa located on the light collecting unit 14 side among the focal position FPa and the focal position FPs. It may be arranged. With such an arrangement of the light emitting element 12, the proportion of light that travels inclined from the outer periphery side to the inner periphery side of the opening portion 32 decreases as it travels to the enlarged light guide portion 40 side in the illumination light that passes through the opening portion 32. To do. Therefore, combined with the action of the entrance pupil ENP moving away from the light source unit 10, the luminance in the direction of the display light contributing to visual recognition is increased, and the visibility of the virtual image VI is improved.

As a second modification, the condensing unit 14 may not include a compound lens provided with the compound surface 20 like the compound lens array 18 in the above-described embodiment. For example, instead of the compound lens array 18, a general convex lens or a convex lens array may be adopted.

As a third modification, the condensing unit 14 may not include a condensing lens provided with the condensing surface 17 that is an anamorphic surface, like the condensing lens array 15 in the above-described embodiment. Good. For example, the condensing surface 17 may be a spherical surface or a rotationally symmetric aspheric surface, and a general convex lens or convex lens array may be employed instead of the condensing lens array 15.

As a fourth modification, the light collecting unit 14 may be configured by one or three or more optical elements.

As a fifth modification, the light emitting elements 12 may be arranged in a two-dimensional direction.

As a sixth modification, a reflective liquid crystal element may be employed as the liquid crystal element 30.

As a modified example 7, a convex lens may be employed as a positive optical element.

As a modified example 8, a concave lens may be employed as the negative optical element.

As a modified example 9, as shown in FIG. 14, the transmissive liquid crystal element 30 is arranged in a state in which the normal direction of the opening 32 is inclined with respect to the incident direction IND of the illumination light and the straight line SL. May be. Specifically, it is preferable that the normal direction of the opening 32 forms an angle of, for example, about 10 to 25 degrees with respect to the incident direction IND and the straight line SL. Since the liquid crystal pixel 34 in the opening 32 basically has no element for deflecting light, the emission direction EXD of the display light substantially coincides with the incident direction IND. Therefore, the normal direction of the opening 32 is arranged in a state inclined with respect to the injection direction EXD.

More specifically, the liquid crystal element 30 in FIG. 14 is inclined with the longitudinal direction LD as the rotation axis. Therefore, the liquid crystal element 30 is disposed to be inclined with respect to the short-side corresponding direction RSD. As a result of this arrangement, the distance between the compound lens array 18 and the liquid crystal element 30 varies depending on the position in the cross section along the short direction SD and the short corresponding direction RSD.

In such a liquid crystal element 30, as shown in FIG. 15, a planar reflecting surface 39 is formed on the side facing the convex mirror 42, for example, by a mirror surface configured as a surface of a glass substrate. For example, when external light such as sunlight passes through the windshield 3 and is reflected by the concave mirror 44 and the convex mirror 42 to reach the liquid crystal element 30, the external light can enter the liquid crystal element 30 in the direction opposite to the emission direction EXD. High nature. Here, since the normal direction of the opening 32 is inclined with respect to the emission direction EXD, the reflection surface 39 reflects external light in a direction different from the emission direction EXD. Therefore, it can suppress that the external light reflected by the reflective surface 39 reaches | attains the visual recognition area EB with display light.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the inclination direction or angle of the liquid crystal element 30 is set so as to satisfy the Scheimpflug condition or the conditions in consideration of the arrangement angle of the convex mirror 42, the concave mirror 44, and the windshield 3. It is preferable to set so as to be close to. According to such an inclination direction and angle, the inclination of the virtual image VI with respect to the principal ray PRR can be suppressed.

As a tenth modification, in the compound lens array 18, the division width Wa in the area division of the parallelizing surface 21 and the deflection surface 22 may be set to be substantially the same width at each location.

As a modification 11, the composite surface 20 in the composite lens array 18 may have a configuration in which the shape of the parallelizing surface 21 is replaced with an inclined flat surface.

As a twelfth modification, the present disclosure may be applied to various moving bodies (transportation equipment) such as ships or airplanes other than the vehicle 1.

The head-up display device described above is mounted on the moving body 1, projects display light toward the projection member 3 of the moving body, and reflects the display light on the projection member 3 in a visual recognition area EB provided on the moving body. By making it reach | attain, the virtual image VI which can be visually recognized from the inside of a visual recognition area | region is displayed. The light source unit 10 emits illumination light. The condensing part 14 collimates illumination light by condensing. The liquid crystal element 30 arranges a plurality of liquid crystal pixels 34 in the opening 32 and forms an image by illuminating the opening with illumination light emitted from the condensing part, according to the incident direction IND of the illumination light. The display light of the image is emitted in the form of a light flux in the emission direction EXD. The magnifying light guide unit 40 includes a positive optical element 44 having a positive refractive power and a negative optical element 42 having a negative refractive power. By arranging both optical elements on the optical path, a virtual image is obtained. , The display light from the liquid crystal element is guided toward the projection member. The negative optical element is disposed closer to the liquid crystal element on the optical path than the positive optical element.

According to such disclosure, the enlarged light guide unit guides display light from the liquid crystal element toward the projection member. Here, the enlarged light guide section includes a positive optical element having a positive refractive power and a negative optical element having a negative refractive power. The negative optical element is arranged closer to the liquid crystal element on the optical path than the positive optical element. In the optical system of the HUD device in which both of these optical elements are arranged on the optical path, the positive pupil is used to enlarge the virtual image, but the negative optical element is used so that the entrance pupil is closer to the light source unit than the liquid crystal element. You can keep away. By moving the entrance pupil away, it is possible to configure an optical path that looks into the opening of the liquid crystal element along the emission direction of the display light from within the viewing region. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a deviation between the direction of display light contributing to visual recognition and the direction of emission from the liquid crystal element. The emission direction corresponds to the incident direction of the collimated illumination light to the liquid crystal element, so that the illumination light is efficiently used as the image display light in the viewing area while reducing the luminance difference between the liquid crystal pixels. Can be reached.

Furthermore, on the optical path between the negative optical element and the liquid crystal element, the direction of the display light contributing to visual recognition approaches the emission direction according to the incident direction of the illumination light parallelized by the condensing unit, Display light can be guided while suppressing the physique expansion of the negative optical element. As described above, even if the image is enlarged, it is possible to provide a HUD device with good visibility of a virtual image while suppressing an increase in physique.

Although the present disclosure has been described based on the embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and structures. The present disclosure includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more or less, are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

Mounted on the moving body (1), projecting display light toward the projecting member (3) of the moving body, and reflecting the display light on the projecting member (3), provided on the moving body A head-up display device that displays a virtual image (VI) that is visible from within the visual recognition region (EB) by reaching the region (EB),
A light source unit (10) for emitting illumination light;
A condensing part (14) for collimating the illumination light by condensing;
A plurality of liquid crystal pixels (34) are arranged in the opening (32), and the opening (32) is illuminated with the illumination light emitted from the light collecting part (14) to form an image, A liquid crystal element (30) for emitting the display light of the image in the form of a light beam in an emission direction (EXD) corresponding to an incident direction (IND) of illumination light;
A positive optical element (44) having a positive refractive power and a negative optical element (42) having a negative refractive power, and both the optical elements (44, 42) are disposed on an optical path; And an enlarged light guide (40) for guiding the display light from the liquid crystal element (30) toward the projection member (3) so that the virtual image (VI) is enlarged,
The negative optical element (42) is a head-up display device arranged closer to the liquid crystal element (30) on the optical path than the positive optical element (44).
The positive optical element (44) is a concave mirror having a curved reflecting surface (45) curved in a concave shape,
The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the negative optical element (42) is a convex mirror having a curved reflecting surface (43) curved in a convex shape.
The condensing part (14) has a compound lens (18) provided with a compound surface (20),
The composite surface (20) includes a collimating surface (21) that collimates the illumination light by refraction, and a deflection surface (22) that deflects the illumination light to the opposite side of the refraction of the collimating surface. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein an alternately arranged structure is formed alternately.
The opening (32) is formed in a rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction (LD) and a short direction (SD),
The condensing part (14) has a condensing lens (15) provided with a condensing surface (17) for condensing the illumination light,
The said condensing surface is an anamorphic surface from which the curvature of the direction (RLD) corresponding to the said longitudinal direction and the curvature (RSD) corresponding to the said transversal direction differ. The head-up display device described in 1.