JP6455230B2 - Head-up display system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a head-up display (hereinafter referred to as HUD) system that displays a virtual image at a predetermined distance in front of a windshield by displaying an image on a windshield (front glass) in a vehicle.

  Conventional projector devices such as HUDs used in vehicles cause motion sickness due to vibrations during running, etc., so the image vibrations are fed back, and lasers of RGB (Red Green Blue) light sources The scanning position is corrected to suppress image shaking. For example, in Patent Document 1, an infrared laser is provided in addition to the RGB light source, an infrared sensor is provided outside the image display area, image fluctuation is detected based on the fluctuation of the infrared laser, and the fluctuation is corrected. A technique for setting the laser scanning position is disclosed. As described above, the fluctuation of the virtual image position due to the shaking is suppressed by correcting the shaking and setting the laser scanning position.

JP 2011-154324 A

  Although the HUD system is widely used for aircraft cockpits, since there are no obstacles like the ground in the sky, the virtual image position displayed by the HUD system is basically as far as possible. Is set.

  However, in a vehicle that travels on the ground, the vehicle ahead is present several meters away, and surrounding buildings and pedestrians exist, so the virtual image position is changed according to the traveling environment of the vehicle. There is a need.

  8, the distance from the LED (light emitting diode) surface light source J1 that outputs an image to the mirror J2, L1, the distance from the mirror J2 to the windshield J3, L2, and the virtual image J4 from the windshield J3 to the virtual image J4, as shown in FIG. Where L is the distance up to and M is the magnification of the reflecting mirror J2.

(Equation 1)
L = L2 + L1 × M
Here, in order to greatly change the range of the distance L, it is effective to change the distance L1 or the enlargement factor M. However, as the mirror J2, mirrors having various sizes with different enlargement factors M are used. Since it is not realistic to apply, it is common to change the distance L1. However, in this case, in order to increase the distance L1, the LED surface light source J1 must be mounted at a position away from the mirror J2, which causes a problem in the optical system such as requiring a large mounting space. .

  Accordingly, it has been studied to develop a mirror that can change the shape of the reflection surface of the mirror J2 to solve the problem of the optical system. For example, it is considered that the shape of the reflecting surface of the mirror J2 can be varied by configuring the mirror J2 using an ion conductive actuator. In that case, the shape of the reflecting surface is changed by changing the voltage applied to the mirror J2. However, since the shape of the reflecting surface is not fixed with respect to the voltage applied to the mirror J2, a configuration capable of feeding back the shape of the reflecting surface of the mirror J2 is required.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, fluctuations in the virtual image position due to vibration are suppressed by detecting fluctuations in the virtual image position due to vibration and feeding back the fluctuations. However, the technique shown in Patent Document 1 detects the movement of the virtual image position on the same plane, that is, the vertical and horizontal movements with respect to the driver, and cannot control the virtual image position in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

  An object of this invention is to provide the HUD system which can control the front-back position of a virtual image position exactly in view of the said point.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a laser output unit (1) for outputting a laser, a laser drive unit (6) for controlling the laser by driving the laser output unit, and a laser output unit A screen (2) on which an image to be a virtual image (10) is drawn by the laser output from the camera, and the image drawn on the screen is magnified and reflected by a concave mirror, and the magnified reflected image is applied to the windshield (9) in the vehicle. A deformable mirror (3) that projects a virtual image forward from the windshield by a predetermined distance by adjusting the curvature of the concave mirror and adjusts the distance at which the virtual image is projected, and a concave mirror formed by the deformable mirror The mirror drive unit (7) for controlling the curvature of the laser beam and the laser output from the laser output unit as a sensing laser can be magnified and reflected by a deformable mirror. And a control unit (8) for detecting the curvature of the concave mirror based on the sensing laser detected by the laser detection unit and controlling the mirror driving unit based on the detected curvature. ).

  With such a configuration, it is possible to detect the curvature of the deformable mirror by detecting the sensing laser by the laser detection unit, and the control unit controls the mirror driving unit based on the detection result, thereby changing the variable shape mirror. The curvature of the mirror can be controlled. As a result, a virtual image can be displayed at an appropriate display location, and a distance from the windshield to the virtual image, that is, a front and back position of the virtual image position can be accurately controlled.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means shows an example of a corresponding relationship with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a HUD system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the block configuration of the HUD system. It is an expanded sectional view of a screen. It is the figure which showed the whole structure of the HUD system concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the upper surface layout of the laser detection part. It is the figure which showed the whole structure of the HUD system concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the perspective layout of the laser detection part. It is the schematic diagram which showed the distance from a windshield to a virtual image, and the relationship of each part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts that are the same or equivalent to each other will be described with the same reference numerals.

(First embodiment)
A HUD system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the HUD system includes a laser scan module 1, a screen 2, a deformable mirror 3, a mirror 4, and a laser detector 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the HUD system also includes a laser drive unit 6, a mirror drive unit 7, and a control unit 8. With these configurations, the HUD system generates a virtual image 10 by projecting an image onto the windshield 9 provided in the vehicle.

  The laser scan module 1 and the screen 2 constitute an image forming unit that forms an image. The laser scan module 1 corresponds to a laser output unit, and is used to draw an image on the screen 2. For example, the laser scan module 1 draws an image on the screen 2 by scanning a laser for each pixel of the image. Specifically, the laser scan module 1 is configured by an LED light source that can emit three colors of red, green, and blue, and projects a virtual image 10 having a desired shape. Output laser. The screen 2 is a portion that displays an image to be a virtual image 10. In the case of the present embodiment, the screen 2 displays an image to be a virtual image 10 by irradiation with a laser output from the laser scan module 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the screen 2 includes a display unit 2 a and a sensor laser reflecting unit 2 b arranged at a position different from the display unit 2 a, in the case of the present embodiment, around the display unit 2 a. Has been.

  The display unit 2a is a part that performs screen display and is, for example, a rectangular plane. The image displayed on the display unit 2 a is reflected by the deformable mirror 3 and displayed on the windshield 9.

  The sensor laser reflector 2 b reflects the laser output from the laser scan module 1 and guides it to the deformable mirror 3 via the mirror 4. Of the lasers output from the laser scan module 1, the laser reflected by the sensor laser reflection unit 2 b is used as a sensing laser, reflected by the mirror 4 and the deformable mirror 3, and guided to the laser detection unit 5. The angle formed by the sensor laser reflection unit 2b and the display unit 2a is determined by the positional relationship between the deformable mirror 3, the mirror 4, and the laser detection unit 5.

  The deformable mirror 3 magnifies and reflects the image projected on the screen 2 and projects an image on the windshield 9. Thus, the image is displayed on the windshield 9 so that the virtual image 10 is generated at a position away from the windshield 9 by a predetermined distance with respect to the driver. The deformable mirror 3 is configured such that the surface facing the screen 2 is a concave mirror, and the curvature of the concave mirror is variable, and a virtual image is generated from the windshield 9 according to the curvature of the concave mirror formed by the deformable mirror 3. The distance to 10 display positions can be changed.

  The deformable mirror 3 can be configured using, for example, an ion conductive actuator. For example, two actuator panels with a plurality of actuators are prepared, and the actuator panels are stacked to form a single plate, and a film having high reflectivity such as Ag or Al is formed on the mirror surface. Thus, the deformable mirror 3 can be configured.

  For example, a quadrangular shape, more specifically, a square or rectangular plate shape having two sets of two parallel sides facing each other is used as the actuator panel. Each actuator panel has a function of curving the other set while keeping one set of two parallel sides facing each other in a straight line. By preparing two such actuator panels and stacking them so that their curved sides are orthogonal to each other, the four corners can be curved so that the four corners are raised, thereby forming a concave mirror. The curvature of the concave mirror is basically controllable based on the potential difference between the electrodes formed on the front and back surfaces of the plurality of actuators constituting each actuator panel, so that the voltage applied to the plurality of actuators is controlled. Can be adjusted. However, in order to accurately control the curvature of the curved mirror, it is necessary to detect and feed back the curvature at that time and control the voltage applied to the plurality of actuators.

  The mirror 4 guides the laser reflected from the sensor laser reflecting portion 2 b in the screen 2 to the deformable mirror 3.

  The laser detection unit 5 inputs the laser beam reflected by the sensor laser reflection unit 2 b, the mirror 4, and the deformable mirror 3 on the screen 2, and transmits the input laser image to the control unit 8. For example, the laser detection unit 5 can be configured by a camera or the like. And the laser image input in the control part 8 is analyzed, and the curvature of the deformable mirror 3 is detected. That is, when the laser output from the laser scan module 1 is reflected by the sensor laser reflecting portion 2b and the mirror 4 and further reflected by the deformable mirror 3, the laser is expanded according to the curvature of the deformable mirror 3. Is input to the laser detector 5. For this reason, the curvature of the deformable mirror 3 can be detected by comparing the laser image output from the laser scan module 1 with the laser image input to the laser detector 5.

  In addition, what kind of thing may be sufficient as the laser image input into the laser detection part 5, For example, a part of image displayed as the virtual image 10 can be used, However, It is good to use a blue laser. Since the blue laser has the highest spatial resolution, the curvature can be detected more accurately.

  The laser drive unit 6 corresponds to a laser drive unit that controls the laser output from the laser scan module 1. Specifically, the laser drive unit 6 includes a red laser drive unit, a green laser drive unit, and a blue laser drive unit. By adjusting the laser output of each color of red, green, and blue by each color laser driving unit, an image having a desired color is displayed on the screen 2. Each color laser drive unit controls the laser output from the laser scan module 1 by being controlled by an image signal from the control unit 8.

  The mirror drive unit 7 corresponds to a mirror drive unit that controls the shape of the deformable mirror 3. For example, as described above, when the deformable mirror 3 is configured by an ion conductive actuator, the mirror driving unit 7 is configured by a control circuit that controls applied voltages to a plurality of actuators provided in the actuator panel. The mirror drive unit 7 is controlled by a control signal from the control unit 8, thereby controlling the shape of the deformable mirror 3 and adjusting the curvature of the concave mirror formed by the deformable mirror 3.

  The control unit 8 inputs various information including an image signal to be displayed as a virtual image 10 and a display position signal from a navigation system or the like, and displays the virtual image 10 according to the contents indicated by the various information and the laser drive unit 6 and The mirror drive unit 7 is controlled. For example, various information desired to be displayed as the virtual image 10 transmitted from the navigation system includes route guidance information based on map information. Since the navigation system recognizes the position of the host vehicle based on the GPS (Global Positioning System) signal and confirms which image should be displayed at which position based on the map information, the navigation system controls the control unit 8. Route guidance information is input to Based on this, the control unit 8 controls the laser driving unit 6 and the mirror driving unit 7 to display the virtual image 10 corresponding to the route guidance information.

  Specifically, the control unit 8 extracts an image signal, that is, image data indicating the content of the image to be displayed, from various information, and outputs the image signal to the laser driving unit 6. Thereby, in the laser drive unit 6, each color laser drive unit is controlled so that the laser output corresponding to the image signal is generated from the laser scan module 1. Further, the control unit 8 extracts a display position signal from the various information, that is, display position data indicating where the display position of the virtual image 10 is, and outputs the display position signal to the mirror driving unit 7. Thereby, the mirror drive unit 7 controls the curvature of the concave mirror formed by the deformable mirror 3 so that the virtual image 10 is displayed at the display position.

  Further, the detection result of the laser detection unit 5 is fed back to the control unit 8. The control unit 8 compares the image indicated by the laser detected by the laser detection unit 5 with the image indicated by the image signal included in the control unit 8, and the curvature of the concave mirror formed by the deformable mirror 3 based on the comparison result. Is detected. Then, the control unit 8 displays the virtual image 10 by performing feedback control so as to suppress the difference between the curvature of the concave mirror adjusted by controlling the mirror drive unit 7 based on the display position signal and the actual curvature. Adjust the position to a more accurate position.

  Further, the control unit 8 has a function of stopping the display of the virtual image 10 when there is no feedback of the detection result from the laser detection unit 5 even though the image signal is output to the laser drive unit 6. ing. In such a case, there is a possibility that laser irradiation is not performed for some reason, or the laser is not output in an appropriate direction. When the laser is not output in an appropriate direction, if the reason is an accident or the like, it is not preferable to output the laser toward the passenger or the outside of the vehicle, and it is preferable to stop the laser irradiation. Therefore, in such a case, the display of the virtual image 10 is stopped so that the laser is not erroneously output toward the driver or the outside of the vehicle.

  As described above, the HUD system according to the present embodiment is configured. With this configuration, the virtual image 10 can be displayed at an appropriate display location. That is, it is possible to accurately control the distance from the windshield 9 to the virtual image 10 (the distance in the same direction as the vehicle front-rear direction).

  For example, if the navigation system informs the HUD system that the second intersection is turned to the right, the image of the right arrow is set as a virtual image 10 at a position overlapping the second intersection in accordance with the actual landscape. indicate. At this time, by making the distance from the windshield 9 to the virtual image 10 correspond to the distance to the second intersection, it is possible to make the driver recognize as if an arrow is written at the second intersection. Become. When the vehicle advances and the distance to the second intersection gradually approaches, the control unit 8 controls the mirror drive unit 7 to control the curvature of the concave mirror formed by the deformable mirror 3. As a result, the distance from the windshield 9 to the virtual image 10 is adjusted as shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the change in the distance to the second intersection, and the image of the right arrow moves with the second intersection. It is displayed.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide a HUD system that can accurately control the distance from the windshield 9 to the virtual image 10, that is, the front and rear positions of the virtual image position.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the configuration of the laser detection unit 5 is changed with respect to the first embodiment, and the other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the screen 2 is configured as a simple flat plate, the mirror 4 is eliminated, and the laser detector 5 is disposed between the deformable mirror 3 and the windshield 9. .

  In the case of the present embodiment, the laser detector 5 is constituted by a position sensor made of a transparent material, and the laser is received before the laser reflected by the deformable mirror 3 reaches the windshield 9. Thus, the curvature of the concave mirror formed by the deformable mirror 3 is detected.

  For example, the laser detection unit 5 of the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. Specifically, a plurality of (M) stripes of gate electrodes 21 made of transparent electrodes are arranged on an insulating transparent substrate 20. On the gate electrode 21, an organic semiconductor thin film 22 such as graphene is arranged in a state of being divided into a plurality through a gate insulating film (not shown). Then, a total of N source electrodes 23 and drain electrodes 24 formed of transparent electrodes are alternately arranged so as to pass through both ends of the organic semiconductor thin film 22. In this manner, the laser detection unit 5 including the transistors that form a plurality of position sensors in a dot shape is configured.

  In the laser detection unit 5 configured as described above, each transistor changes the intensity of the output signal for each wavelength of transmitted light. That is, since the resistance value of the organic semiconductor thin film 22 provided in each transistor changes in accordance with the wavelength of the transmitted light, the current value or voltage value flowing between the source and drain of each transistor changes, and the output signal As a result, the wavelength of transmitted light can be determined.

  Therefore, in the laser detection unit 5, when the laser reflected by the deformable mirror 3 is transmitted, the region of the plurality of transistors that transmits the laser changes the output signal according to the wavelength of the transmitted laser. Thus, the transmitted laser can be detected. This is transmitted to the control unit 8, and the curvature of the deformable mirror 3 can be detected by comparing the transmitted laser and the output image signal.

  As described above, the laser detector 5 may be provided between the deformable mirror 3 and the windshield 9 to detect the transmitted laser by transmitting the laser. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the configuration of the laser detection unit 5 is changed with respect to the first embodiment, and the other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment as well, as in the second embodiment, the mirror 4 is eliminated and the laser detector 5 is disposed between the deformable mirror 3 and the windshield 9. However, in the present embodiment, the laser detection unit 5 is not disposed in the path passing through the region of the windshield 9 from the deformable mirror 3 through which the image display is desired, and the laser detection unit 5 is disposed around the path. doing.

  In this embodiment, the laser detection unit 5 is configured by arranging a plurality of photosensors 5a in a frame shape as shown in FIG. 7, for example. Then, when the laser passes through the inside of the frame formed by the laser detection unit 5, the laser reflected from the deformable mirror 3 reaches the windshield 9 and displays the image while detecting the curvature. The laser scan module 1 is scanned so that the laser is intentionally irradiated to the laser detector 5.

  As described above, the laser detector 5 may be provided in a portion different from the path through which the laser passes for image display, between the deformable mirror 3 and the windshield 9. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be appropriately changed within the scope described in the claims.

  That is, the configuration of the laser detection unit 5 described in the first to third embodiments is merely an example. For example, the laser detection unit 5 using any of the sensors that can configure the laser detection unit 5 described in each embodiment, such as the laser detection unit 5 of the first embodiment configured by the photosensor described in the third embodiment. May be configured.

  Further, in the present invention, the case of adjusting the virtual image position where the virtual image 10 is displayed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle has been described. However, by changing the size of the virtual image 10 instead of changing the display position, Alternatively, a situation may be created in which the distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is changed and displayed.

  In addition, as a laser output unit, a configuration capable of drawing an image with one laser scan module 1 has been described as an example, but other configurations may be used as long as a laser is used as a light source for drawing a virtual image 10. Also good.

  Furthermore, in each said embodiment, although the laser drive unit 6, the mirror drive unit 7, and the control part 8 were comprised separately, any or all of these may be comprised by one.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser scan module 2 Screen 2a Display part 2b Sensor laser reflection part 3 Variable shape mirror 5 Laser detection part 6 Laser drive unit 7 Mirror drive unit 8 Control part 9 Wind shield 10 Virtual image

Claims (8)

A laser output unit (1) for outputting a laser;
A laser driving section (6) for controlling the laser by driving the laser output section;
A screen (2) on which an image to be a virtual image (10) is drawn by the laser output from the laser output unit;
The image drawn on the screen is magnified and reflected by a concave mirror, and the magnified and reflected image is projected onto the windshield (9) in the vehicle, so that the virtual image is projected forward by a predetermined distance from the windshield, A deformable mirror (3) for adjusting a distance at which the virtual image is projected by controlling a curvature of the concave mirror;
A mirror drive unit (7) for controlling the curvature of the concave mirror formed by the deformable mirror;
A laser detector (5) for detecting the sensing laser that is magnified and reflected by the deformable mirror, using the laser output from the laser output unit as a sensing laser;
And a controller (8) for detecting a curvature of the concave mirror based on the sensing laser detected by the laser detector and controlling the mirror driving unit based on the detected curvature. Head-up display system. The screen reflects the display unit in which the image for drawing the virtual images are displayed as (2a), is arranged at a position different from the said display unit, said sensing laser wherein the laser output unit by Ride force And a laser reflecting portion (2b) that leads to the deformable mirror.
Head-up display system according to claim 1 wherein the laser sensing unit, characterized that you enter the sensing laser reflected by further said deformable mirror after being reflected by the laser reflector unit.   The laser detection unit is disposed between the deformable mirror and the windshield, and detects the laser that draws the image as the virtual image as the sensing laser, and detects the laser by transmitting the laser. The head-up display system according to claim 1. The laser detection unit, wherein disposed between the deformable mirror and said windshield is disposed around the path of the laser to draw the image to the virtual image passes, the laser output unit by Ride force The head-up display system according to claim 1, wherein the sensing laser is irradiated.   The head-up display system according to claim 1, wherein the sensing laser is a blue laser.   The control unit controls the mirror driving unit to change the curvature of the concave mirror formed by the deformable mirror, thereby adjusting the distance at which the virtual image is projected according to the scenery while the vehicle is traveling. The head-up display system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein   The control unit performs feedback control on the curvature of the concave mirror formed by the deformable mirror via the mirror driving unit based on the detected curvature. The head-up display system described in 1.   The said control part stops the output of the laser from the said laser output part, when the said sensing laser is not detected by the said laser detection part at the time of the output of the said sensing laser, The laser output from the said laser output part is stopped. The head-up display system as described in one.

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