JP6187296B2 - Projection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a projection apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an apparatus that is mounted on an automobile, predicts the course of the host vehicle from the running state of the automobile and the driving operation state of the driver, and projects the predicted course on the road surface with a diagram of laser light. This device basically projects the predicted course on the road surface in order to inform the driver of the predicted course on the road surface, but it also provides information on the predicted course to surrounding pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles. Can be projected on the road surface in order to notify the user with a diagram.

JP-A-2005-070352

  However, in the above device, if the road surface is wet or not flat, the projected diagram is not correctly displayed on the road surface, and in the daytime, the projected diagram is projected on the road surface against the brightness of sunlight. Cannot be determined.

  That is, in the above apparatus, since a diagram is projected onto the road surface, there is a problem that it cannot be used if the road surface is wet with rain, the road surface is not flat, or is bright in the daytime. In other words, there is a problem that the display can be recognized by the target person (such as a pedestrian or a driver of an oncoming vehicle) only in a specific ambient environment such as a dry road surface and a dark surrounding.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a projection apparatus capable of causing a subject to recognize a display without depending on the surrounding environment.

In this projection apparatus, a plurality of swingable reflecting portions that selectively reflect light emitted from a light source in a first direction on the optical path or in a second direction outside the optical path are two-dimensionally arranged. And a transparency changing unit on which the light reflected in the first direction by the deflecting unit is incident. The transparency changing unit can switch between a high transparency state and a low transparency state. is configured to be incorporated in the head cover of the vehicle, the predetermined image by light incident on the transparency changing portion from the deflection unit at a low transparency changing unit transparency state is projected onto the head cover, the predetermined image It is a requirement that at least a part of the object moves in a predetermined direction over time .

  According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to provide a projection device that can make a subject recognize the display without depending on the surrounding environment.

It is a figure which illustrates the main structures of the projection apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the deflection | deviation part which comprises the projection apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically a mode that the projection apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment is mounted in a vehicle. It is a figure which shows the usage example of the projection apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the image projected with the projection apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the state of the deflection | deviation part at the time of displaying the image of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the main configuration of the projection apparatus according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the projection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a light source 10, a reflector 20, a deflecting unit 30, a lens 40, a transparency changing unit 50, and a control unit 60.

The light source 10 is, for example, a light emitting diode. The light L ₀ emitted from the light source 10 enters the concave reflector 20. On the inner surface of the reflector 20 (the surface on the light source 10 side), for example, a highly reflective metal film such as aluminum is formed, and the incident light L ₀ is reflected and condensed on the deflecting unit 30.

The deflection unit 30 is an assembly of a large number of reflection units (micromirrors) that can swing independently, and selectively reflects the incident light L ₀ in two directions based on a command from the control unit 60. It has a function. Specifically, the deflecting unit 30 reflects the incident light L ₀ as the light L ₁ traveling in the first direction (on the optical path) incident on the lens 40 or the second direction not incident on the lens 40. It reflects the light L ₂ proceeding (out of the optical path). Details of the deflection unit 30 will be described later.

The light L ₁ enters the lens 40, is enlarged by the lens 40, and enters the transparency changing unit 50. The transparency changing unit 50 is configured to be switchable between at least two states of a high transparency state and a low transparency state based on a command from the control unit 60 (based on an applied voltage value). The transparency changing unit 50 can switch the transparency to at least two states of about 100% (transparent) and about 50% (translucent), for example.

  As the transparency changing unit 50, for example, an electrochromic light control device, a thermochromic light control device, a light control device using the polarization orientation of fine particles, or the like can be used. A device may be used.

  The control unit 60 has a function of giving commands to the deflection unit 30 and the transparency changing unit 50 to control them. The control unit 60 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a main memory, and the like, and various functions of the control unit 60 are realized by a control program recorded in the ROM or the like being read into the main memory and executed by the CPU. The However, a part or all of the control unit 60 may be realized only by hardware. Moreover, the control part 60 may be physically comprised by several apparatus. The control unit 60 can be provided in, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

  2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a deflection unit constituting the projection apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2A is a plan view, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, the deflecting unit 30 includes, for example, a large number (for example, several hundred thousand to one million) of reflecting units 32 (for example, several hundred thousand to one million) that can swing independently on a semiconductor substrate 31 (for example, a CMOS substrate). This is a digital mirror device (DMD) having a structure in which micromirrors are two-dimensionally arranged. The light L ₀ is applied to the entire deflection unit 30 (a large number of reflection units 32).

  The reflecting surface of each reflecting portion 32 is a small square of about 10 μm square, for example, and can be tilted (oscillated) by a predetermined angle (for example, about several tens of degrees) with the diagonal line of the reflecting surface of the square as a rotation axis. be able to).

Each reflection part 32 is selectively turned on / off by the control unit 60, for example, the reflection portion 32 in the ON state so as to reflect the light L ₁ proceeding direction of the incident light L ₀ incident on the lens 40 Lean on. Further, the reflecting portion 32 turned off is inclined so as to reflect the incident light L ₀ as the light L ₂ traveling in a direction not incident on the lens 40.

However, the inclination to reflect as light L ₁ proceeding direction of the incident light L ₀ reflection portion 32 which is turned off is incident on the lens 40, the light L ₀ reflection portion 32 is incident, which is turned on it may be configured so as to be inclined so as to reflect the light L ₂ proceeding direction not incident on the lens 40.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the projection apparatus according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 3, the projection apparatus 1 can be incorporated in a headlight portion of the vehicle 200, for example. An arrow shown on the head cover 210 of the vehicle 200 corresponds to an image 250 described later. Note that the light source 10 of the projection apparatus 1 is provided separately from the headlight of the vehicle 200.

  The transparency changing unit 50 can be incorporated in the head cover 210 of the vehicle 200, for example. The transparency changing unit 50 can be fixed so as to be sandwiched from both sides by a transparent plate 211 (a glass plate or the like) constituting the head cover 210 via the adhesive layer 212, for example. An electrode (not shown) is taken out from the transparency changing unit 50 and is electrically connected to the control unit 60.

By using the projection apparatus 1 configured as described above, the transparency changing unit 50 is controlled so that the head cover 210 is in a low transparency state (for example, translucent), and the light L incident from each reflecting unit 32 of the deflecting unit 30 is obtained. ₁ , a predetermined image can be projected (displayed) on the head cover 210.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a pedestrian 300 is about to cross an intersection or a pedestrian crossing, the driver of the vehicle 200 stops the vehicle 200 and presses a switch arranged in the vicinity of the driver's seat. When the switch is pressed, the projection device 1 projects a predetermined image 250 on the head cover 210. Note that an image 250 shown in FIG. 4 schematically shows an image projected on the head cover 210 and is not an image displayed on the road surface.

  From the pedestrian 300, the image 250 projected on the head cover 210 can be visually recognized. As a result, the driver's intention can be displayed to the pedestrian 300 via the image 250 projected on the head cover 210. In order to prevent malfunction during driving, it is preferable to detect the vehicle speed with a vehicle speed sensor so that the switch can be pressed only when the vehicle 200 is stopped.

As an example of the image 250 projected on the head cover 210, there can be mentioned arrows displayed sequentially as shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5 (a) → FIG. 5 (b) → FIG. 5 (c), the image changes with the passage of time (the arrow becomes larger). At the same time, the driver's intention can be displayed to the pedestrian 300. In other words, the driver's intention to cross the pedestrian 300 can be displayed. In order to display the arrow as shown in FIG. 5 on the head cover 210, the head cover is controlled by controlling the transparency changing unit 50. After making 210 a state with low transparency (for example, translucent), as shown in FIG. 6, in the deflection unit 30, the reflection unit 32 arranged at a position corresponding to the arrow is turned on and arranged at other positions. What is necessary is just to make the reflected part 32 made into an OFF state.

  And what is necessary is just to change the area | region of the reflection part 32 made into an ON state with progress of time. As a result, arrows brighter than the background are sequentially displayed on the head cover 210. In FIG. 6, the portion indicated by the satin pattern schematically shows the reflecting portion 32 that is turned on.

  Alternatively, in the deflection unit 30, the reflection unit 32 arranged at a position corresponding to the arrow may be turned off, and the reflection unit 32 arranged at another position may be turned on. And the area | region of the reflection part 32 made into an OFF state should just be changed with progress of time. Accordingly, arrows that are darker than the background are sequentially displayed on the head cover 210.

  However, the image 250 is not limited to an arrow, and may be a symbol other than an arrow, a character (for example, “Please come first”), or the like. Moreover, the target person who alerts and displays the intention by the image 250 is not limited to a pedestrian, and may be a driver of an oncoming vehicle, for example.

  While the vehicle 200 is traveling, the head cover 210 functions in the same manner as a normal head cover by controlling the transparency changing unit 50 of the projection device 1 to a high transparency state, which may hinder the operation of the headlight. There is no.

  Further, the projection device 1 may be mounted on both the left and right headlights, or may be mounted on only one of them. When the projector 1 is mounted on both the left and right headlights, a predetermined image can be displayed sequentially from one headlight cover to the other headlight cover.

  Alternatively, different images can be displayed simultaneously on the left and right headlight covers. For example, “first” can be displayed on one headlight cover, and “please” can be displayed on the other headlight cover. When the projection apparatus 1 is mounted on both the left and right headlights, the control unit 60 can be shared.

  In this way, by displaying a predetermined image on the head cover of the vehicle, for example, not on the road surface, the subject person does not depend on the surrounding environment such as the road surface being wet in the rain or in a bright state in the daytime. A projection device capable of recognizing a display (such as a pedestrian or a driver of an oncoming vehicle) can be realized.

  In addition, since the predetermined image displayed on the head cover or the like is generated by independently driving a plurality of reflecting portions, the shape of the projected light (image to be projected) is appropriately changed without holding image data in advance. be able to.

  The preferred embodiment has been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and replacements are made to the above-described embodiment without departing from the scope described in the claims. Can be added.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Projection apparatus 10 Light source 20 Reflector 30 Deflection part 31 Semiconductor substrate 32 Reflection part 40 Lens 50 Transparency change part 60 Control part 200 Vehicle 210 Head cover 211 Transparent board 212 Adhesive layer 250 Image 300 Pedestrian

Claims (6)

A deflecting unit in which a plurality of swingable reflecting units that selectively reflect light emitted from a light source in a first direction on the optical path or in a second direction outside the optical path are two-dimensionally arranged;
A transparency changing unit on which the light reflected in the first direction by the deflecting unit is incident,
The transparency changing unit is configured to be switchable between a state with high transparency and a state with low transparency, and is built in the head cover of the vehicle.
When the transparency changing unit is in a low transparency state, a predetermined image is projected onto the head cover by light incident on the transparency changing unit from the deflecting unit ,
A projection apparatus in which at least a part of the predetermined image moves in a predetermined direction over time . The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined image increases with time . The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined image is an arrow, and the at least part is a tip of the arrow . The reflection unit at a position corresponding to the predetermined image is selected, and the selected reflection unit reflects light emitted from a light source in the first direction,
Projection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the transparency change unit displays a bright predetermined image than the background. The reflecting portion at a position corresponding to the predetermined image is selected, and the selected reflecting portion reflects light emitted from a light source in the second direction,
The reflection part other than the selected reflection part reflects light emitted from the light source in the first direction,
Projection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the transparency change unit displays a dark predetermined image than the background. The vehicle is traveling, the projection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the transparency changing unit is controlled to a high degree of transparency state.