The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-030707 filed on Feb. 22, 2016 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-244147 filed on Dec. 16, 2016. The above applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference, in their entireties, into the present application.
The present disclosure is related to a head up display apparatus reflects display light of images at an image reflection surface that faces an observer, to display the images to the observer via the image reflection surface as virtual images, as well as to an image display apparatus which is employed in such a head up display apparatus.
Conventionally, head up display apparatuses are known as an apparatus that displays directional commands, warnings, and/or traveling speed, etc. to drivers of automobiles and the like. These head up display apparatuses project virtual images of images to be displayed onto image reflection surfaces of windshields or combiners, etc., to enable drivers to discriminate information necessary to drive automobiles or the like, without averting their eyes from their fields of view. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2009-115908 and 2014-149405 propose such a head up display apparatus.
In the head up display apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-115908, if external light such as sunlight and/or interior light of a vehicle that enters the apparatus is reflected within the apparatus and is irradiated onto an image reflection surface which is displaying virtual images, the display of the virtual image and irradiation of the external light will become overlapped. As a result, the contrast of the virtual images will decrease, and there is a problem that the virtual images will become difficult to view.
This phenomenon will be described in greater detail. In the case that a diffusing member such as a diffuser, for projecting images onto a display surface of image display elements within an apparatus or for temporarily projecting images along the optical path of display light, is provided, external light that enters the apparatus in the direction opposite the optical path of the display light from within the apparatus to an image reflection surface will be mirror reflected at the output surface of the diffusing member. If the optical path of the external light and the optical path of the display light which are output to the exterior of the apparatus overlap, the external light will be overlapped and irradiated onto a virtual image display position of the image reflection surface. As a result, the contrast of virtual images will decrease, and the virtual images will become difficult to view.
In order to solve this problem, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-149405 provides a diffusing member for temporarily projecting images along the optical path of display light such that a line normal thereto is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the display light. Thereby, external light that reaches the output surface of the diffusing member along the optical axis of the display light will be reflected in a direction different from the direction of the optical axis of the display light. As a result, external light which is reflected within the apparatus is not overlapped and irradiated onto a virtual image.
However, there is a problem that trapezoidal distortion will be generated onto the shape of images which are projected onto the diffusing member, if the diffusing member is provided such that the line normal thereto is inclined with respect to the optical axis of display light which is output from image display elements as in the apparatus of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-149405.
It is possible to correct such trapezoidal distortion by image processing. However, in the case that trapezoidal distortion is corrected by image processing, there are cases in which images to be displayed as virtual images cannot be displayed dot by dot by the image display elements. As a result, there is a problem that a decrease in resolution and a decrease in sharpness will be generated when displaying the virtual images.
The present disclosure has been developed in view of the foregoing circumstances. The present disclosure provides a head up display apparatus which is capable of improving the visibility of virtual images by suppressing mirror reflection of external light that overlaps with the display of the virtual images, without generating distortion in the shapes of images. The present disclosure also provides an image display apparatus for use in this head up display apparatus.
A head up display apparatus of the present disclosure reflects display light of an image at an image reflection surface that faces an observer to display the image to the observer as a virtual image via the image reflection surface, and comprises:
an image display element configured to output the display light;
a diffusing member configured to receive the display light at the side of a light receiving surface and to output the display light as diffused light from the side of a light output surface; and
a light deflecting means configured to deflect the display light which is output from the image display element, provided between the image display element and the diffusing member;
an image display surface of the image display element and the light output surface of the diffusing member being parallel; and
the image display element, the diffusing member, and the light deflecting means being arranged in a state such that a line normal to the light output surface of the diffusing member is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the display light after being deflected by the light deflecting means.
In the head up display of the present disclosure, the light deflecting means may comprise a projection optical system that deflects and projects the display light which is output from the image display element onto the diffusing member, provided between the image display element and the diffusing member, and further, the image display element, the diffusing member, and the projection optical system may be arranged such that the center position of a displayable region of the image display element and the center position of a displayable region of the diffusing member are positioned opposite each other with the optical axis of the projection optical system interposed therebetween.
In addition, the light deflecting means may comprise a projection optical system that deflects and projects the display light which is output from the image display element onto the diffusing member, provided between the image display element and the diffusing member, the projection optical system may form an intermediate image, the optical axis of a front group of the projection optical system toward the image display element from the intermediate image and the optical axis of a rear group of the projection optical system toward the diffusing member from the intermediate image may be different, and further, the image display element, the diffusing member, and the projection optical system may be arranged such that the center position of a displayable region of the image display element and the center position of a displayable region of the diffusing member are positioned opposite each other with the optical axis of the projection optical system interposed therebetween.
Here, the expression “the center position of a displayable region of the Image display element” refers to the center position of an all white image region which is projected onto the diffusing member when the image display element displays an all white image. That is, the expression “the center position of a displayable region of the image display element” refers to a position on the light receiving surface of the diffusing member onto which the center position of the displayable region of the image display element is projected.
In addition, a state in which “the center position of a displayable region of the image display element and the center position of a displayable region of the diffusing member are positioned opposite each other with the optical axis of the projection optical system (the entirety of the projection optical system or the rear group) interposed therebetween” refers to a state in which the above two points are arranged in linearly symmetrical directions having the optical axis of the projection optical system (the entirety of the projection optical system or the rear group) as a reference. The positions at which lines normal to each of the points intersect with the optical axis and/or the distances from each of the points to the optical axis are not necessarily the same for the two points. Note that in the case that a reflecting member such as a mirror or a prism is inserted into the optical path of the display light between the image display element and the diffusing member, the above state refers to that which is achieved when bending of the optical path by the reflecting member is not considered, and the optical path extends linearly.
In addition, the light deflecting means may be a Fresnel lens that deflects the display light, which is received at a light receiving surface, and outputs the display light from a light output surface thereof.
An image display apparatus of the present disclosure is an image display apparatus which is incorporated into a head up display apparatus, and comprises:
an image display element configured to output display light;
a diffusing member configured to receive the display light at the side of a light receiving surface and to output the display light as diffused light from the side of a light output surface; and
a light deflecting means configured to deflect the display light which is output from the image display element, provided between the image display element and the diffusing member;
an image display surface of the image display element and the light output surface of the diffusing member being parallel; and
the image display element, the diffusing member, and the light deflecting means being arranged in a state such that a line normal to the light output surface of the diffusing member is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the display light after being deflected by the light deflecting means.
In the case that a reflecting member such as a mirror or a prism is inserted into the optical path of the display light between the image display element and the diffusing member in the head up display apparatus and the image display apparatus above, the expression “a state such that a line normal to the light output surface of the diffusing member is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the display light after being deflected by the light deflecting means” refers to that which is achieved when bending of the optical path by the reflecting member is not considered, and the optical path extends linearly.
The head up display apparatus and the image display apparatus of the present disclosure comprise the image display element configured to output display light; the diffusing member configured to receive the display light at the side of a light receiving surface and to output the display light as diffused light from the side of a light output surface; and the light deflecting means configured to deflect the display light which is output from the image display element, provided between the image display element and the diffusing member. The image display surface of the image display element and the light output surface of the diffusing member are parallel, and the image display element, the diffusing member, and the light deflecting means are arranged in a state such that a line normal to the light output surface of the diffusing member is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the display light after being deflected by the light deflecting means. Therefore, mirror reflection of external light that overlaps with virtual display can be suppressed without generating distortion in image shapes. As a result, the head up display and the image display apparatus which is employed in the head up display can improve the visibility of virtual images.
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The image display apparatus 15 is equipped with a projection unit 20 that includes a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) element 35 as an image display element that outputs the display light, a diffuser (diffusing member) 21 that outputs the display light, which is received at the side of a light receiving surface, as diffused light from the side of a light output surface, and a projection optical system (light deflecting means) 22 provided between the DMD element 35 and the diffuser 21, that deflects the display light which is output from the DMD element 31. The image display surfaces of the DMD element 35 and the light output surface of the diffuser 21 are parallel, and the DMD element 35, the diffuser 21, and the projection optical system 22 are arranged in a state in which a line N normal to the light output surface of the diffuser 21 is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the display light after being deflected by the projection optical system 22.
Here, the expression “image display surface of the DMD element 35 and the light output surface of the diffuser 21 are parallel, and the DMD element 35, the diffuser 21, and the projection optical system 22 are arranged in a state in which a line N normal to the light output surface of the diffuser 21 is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the display light after being deflected by the projection optical system 22” means that in the case that a reflecting member such as a mirror or a prism is inserted into the optical path of the display light between the DMD element 35 and the diffuser 21, the above state refers to that which is achieved when bending of the optical path by the reflecting member is not considered, and the optical path extends linearly.
In the present embodiment, the DMD element 35 is incorporated into the projection unit 20, to be described later. A reflecting member within the projection unit 20 is configured to bend the optical path of the display light which is output from the DMD element 35. To facilitate understanding of the configuration,
In the case that the virtual image V is projected without passing through the diffuser 21, the sharpness of the virtual image V will become greater. However, the range of pupil positions at which the virtual image can be clearly discriminated will be limited to an extremely narrow range. Therefore, there is a possibility that visibility will decrease if the head of the driver 14 moves with respect to the windshield 13. However, by projecting the virtual image V through a diffusing member such as the diffuser 21, the range of pupil positions in which the virtual image V can be clearly discriminated can be expanded.
As illustrated in
The projection optical system 22 deflects the display light which is output from the DMD element 35 and projects the deflected display light onto the diffuser 21. By arranging the projection optical system (light deflecting means) 22 such that the optical axis Z thereof is parallel to the optical axis of the display light immediately after being output from the DMD element 35 (the optical axis prior to being deflected by the light deflecting means), distortion in image shape can be minimized when the display light is projected onto the diffuser (diffusing member) 21. Therefore, the projection optical system 22 is arranged such that the optical axis Z thereof is parallel to the optical axis of the display light immediately after being output from the DMD element 35, and such that the center position O of a displayable region of the DMD element 35 and the center position P of a displayable region of the diffuser 21 are opposite each other with the optical axis Z of the projection optical system 22 interposed therebetween. By adopting such an arrangement, it is possible for the projection optical system 22 to deflect the display light which is output from the DMD element 35 toward the diffuser 21 from the DMD element 35 with the optical axis Z interposed therebetween. In addition, distortion of image shape can be prevented from being generated when projecting the display light which is output from the DMD element 35 onto the diffuser 21.
Note that the projection optical system 22 illustrated in
In the head up display 10 which is configured as described above, the line N normal to the light output surface of the diffuser 21 is inclined by an angle denoted as γ in
Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The head up display apparatus 10 of the second embodiment only differs from the head up display apparatus 10 of the first embodiment in the configuration within an image display apparatus 15 thereof. Here, descriptions of portions which are the same as those of the head up display apparatus 10 of the first embodiment will be omitted.
As illustrated in
Note that as will be described later, reflecting members (planar mirrors) are inserted in the optical path of the display light between the DMD element 35 and the diffuser 21 in the present embodiment. However, that the “image display surfaces of the DMD element 35 and the light output surface of the diffuser 21 are parallel, and the DMD element 35, the diffuser 21, and the light deflection means 23 are arranged in a state in which a line N normal to the light output surface of the diffuser 21 is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the display light after being deflected by the light deflecting means 23” means that in the case that a reflecting member such as a mirror or a prism is inserted into the optical path of the display light between the DMD element 35 and the diffuser 21, the above state refers to that which is achieved when bending of the optical path by the reflecting member is not considered, and the optical path extends linearly.
In the present embodiment, the DMD element 35 is incorporated into the projection unit 20, to be described later. A reflecting member within the projection unit 20 is configured to bend the optical path of the display light which is output from the DMD element 35. To facilitate understanding of the configuration,
As illustrated in
By combining the projection optical system 23b and the three planar mirrors 23a, 23c, and 23d in this manner, the degree of freedom in the placement of the projection unit 20 can be improved. Further, providing the projection unit 20 toward the concave mirror 16 with the optical axis Z of the projection optical system 23b as a reference contributes to the miniaturization of the head up display apparatus 10 as a whole.
Note that the number of planar mirrors to be combined with the projection optical system is not limited to three, and one or a plurality of planar mirrors may be employed. In addition, the arrangement position of the projection unit 20 is also not limited to that described above.
The configuration of the second embodiment also exhibits similar advantageous effects as those exhibited by the first embodiment.
Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The head up display apparatus 10 of the third embodiment only differs from the head up display apparatus 10 of the first embodiment in the configurations of a projection unit and a projection optical system. Here, descriptions of portions which are the same as those of the head up display apparatus 10 of the first embodiment will be omitted.
As illustrated in
In addition, as illustrated in
Note that the front group 36 and the rear group 22a of the projection optical system illustrated in
The configuration of the third embodiment also exhibits similar advantageous effects as those exhibited by the first embodiment. In addition, advantageous effects which are unique to the present embodiment are also exhibited.
If light is output by setting a portion of the lenses of the projection optical system between the DMD element (image display element) 35 and the diffuser (diffusing member) 21 to be eccentric (optical axis shifting or lens tilting), normally, an image which is projected onto the diffuser 21 will be asymmetrically distorted, and the influence on aberrations such as field curvature will increase. Therefore, such eccentricities are not preferable in projection optical systems, in which it is desired for distortion in projected images to be small. In addition, use of rotationally asymmetrical lenses and free curved surface lenses in projection optical systems to avoid such a problem is not preferable, as such lenses will increase costs.
In the case that a projection optical system between the DMD element (image display element) 35 and the diffuser (diffusing member) 21 is divided into two groups, which are the front group 36 provided within the projection unit 20a that includes the DMD element 35 and the rear group 22a at a rear stage, and the optical axes of the two groups are shifted as in the present embodiment, a projected image can be caused to be symmetrical similarly to a case in which only the DMD element 35 is set eccentric with respect to the optical axis of the projection optical system, by configuring the projection optical system to form the intermediate image X between the front group 36 and the rear group 22a. As a result, the influence which is exerted on aberrations can be sufficiently decreased.
In addition, by forming the intermediate image X within the projection optical system, the diameters of the lenses within the rear group 22a, which is beyond the intermediate image X, can be decreased for a same wide angle. Enlargement of display sizes of virtual images is desired in head up display apparatuses. Accompanying this demand, there is also a desire for a projection optical system which is provided at the front surface of the DMD element (image display element) 35 to have a wide angle. For this reason, in the case that a projection optical system is divided into two groups, the projection optical system can be miniaturized while maintaining a desired level of wide angle performance, by forming the intermediate image X within the projection optical system and dividing the projection optical system into the front group 36 and the rear group 22a at either side of the intermediate image X. Such a configuration contributes to miniaturization of the apparatus as a whole.
The present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments and examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and examples described above, and various modifications are possible.
For example, the image display element may not be that which is incorporated into a projection unit as those described above. An image display element 24 such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel or a direct view type LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel may be employed to directly output display light, as illustrated in
In addition, a Fresnel lens 25 may be employed instead of the projection optical systems described above as the light deflecting means, as illustrated in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2016-030707 | Feb 2016 | JP | national |
2016-244147 | Dec 2016 | JP | national |