JP7776378B2 - Vehicle display device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle display device.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle display device equipped with a flat display panel capable of displaying various vehicle information.

JP 2014-46835 A

However, the vehicle display device described in Patent Document 1 above leaves room for further improvement in terms of visibility, as it is difficult to sense depth in images displayed on a flat display.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle display device that can improve the visibility of images displayed on the display.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle display device of the present invention comprises a display mounted on a vehicle and displaying an image, a cylindrical back cover member that protrudes from the display toward a viewing position and surrounds the display , and a control unit that causes the display to display the image, wherein the back cover member has a decorative shape portion that follows the image depth direction of the image displayed on the display, and the control unit is capable of executing a process to cause the display to display the image including a decorative pattern that is connected to the decorative shape portion along the image depth direction .

The vehicle display device according to the present invention has the effect of improving the visibility of images displayed on the display.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross section of the vehicle display device according to the embodiment taken along the width direction. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the inside cover member of the vehicle display device according to the embodiment, and is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing a general configuration of a vehicle display device according to the first modification. FIG. 5 is a schematic front view showing a general configuration of a vehicle display device according to the second modification. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view showing a general configuration of a vehicle display device according to a third modification. FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing a general configuration of a vehicle display device according to a fourth modification.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially identical.

Note that the vehicle display device shown in Figures 4 to 7 shows a simplified view of the end cover member configuration, while the vehicle display device shown in Figures 5 to 7 shows only the end cover member.

[Embodiment]
The vehicle display device 1 shown in Fig. 1 constitutes a so-called meter. The vehicle display device 1 is mounted on an instrument panel provided on the dashboard of a vehicle such as an automobile, and displays various information used for driving the vehicle.

The width direction of the vehicle display device 1 typically corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle to which the vehicle display device 1 is applied. The depth direction of the vehicle display device 1 typically corresponds to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle to which the vehicle display device 1 is applied (in other words, the direction of travel of the vehicle). The front side of the vehicle display device 1 is the side facing the driver's seat of the vehicle, and typically corresponds to the side visible to the driver sitting in the driver's seat. On the other hand, the back side of the vehicle display device 1 is the opposite side to the front side in the depth direction, and typically corresponds to the side housed inside the instrument panel.

Furthermore, the eye point (visual position) EP for the vehicle display device 1 is the position of the driver's viewpoint that is predetermined for each vehicle and is assumed in advance as a spatial region.

The vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment includes a case 10, a printed circuit board 20, a display 30, a dial 40, a face cover 50, and a front glass 60. The vehicle display device 1 displays an image P on the display 30 and allows the driver to view the image P through the face cover 50, thereby improving the visibility of the image P displayed on the display 30. Each component of the vehicle display device 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction will be referred to as the "height direction X," the second direction will be referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction will be referred to as the "depth direction Z." The height direction X and width direction Y are typically the extension directions of the display 30. Therefore, the X direction is typically the height direction of the display 30, and corresponds to the height direction of the case 10, the height direction of the printed circuit board 20, the height direction of the dial 40, the height direction of the face cover 50, etc. The Y direction is typically the width direction of the display 30, and corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle display device 1, the width direction of the case 10, the width direction of the printed circuit board 20, the width direction of the dial 40, the width direction of the face cover 50, etc. The Z direction is a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the display 30, and is typically the thickness direction of the display 30. Therefore, the Z direction corresponds to the depth direction of the vehicle display device 1, the depth direction of the case 10, the thickness direction of the printed circuit board 20, the thickness direction of the dial 40, the protruding direction of the face cover member 50, etc. Unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following explanation will be explained as directions when the vehicle display device 1 is installed in a vehicle.

The case 10 houses the various components that make up the vehicle display device 1 by assembling them. As shown in Figure 2, the case 10 is box-shaped and has an opening 11 formed on the front side in the depth direction Z.

The opening 11 is rectangular in shape and is the area where the display screen 30g of the display 30 can be placed.

The printed circuit board 20 is a so-called PCB assembly (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) on which various electronic components and wiring are mounted to realize the various functions of the vehicle display device 1. As shown in FIG. 2 , the printed circuit board 20 is attached to the rear side of the display 30 in the depth direction Z.

The printed circuit board 20 is equipped with a microcomputer that functions as a control unit 21, which can execute processing to display an image P on the display 30.

More specifically, the control unit 21 is composed of a memory unit and a display control unit. The memory unit is a storage device such as a memory, and is the part that stores the conditions and data necessary for various processes in the control unit 21, as well as the various programs executed by the control unit 21. Therefore, data for the image P to be displayed on the display 30 and the programs for displaying the image P on the display 30 are stored in advance in the memory unit. On the other hand, the display control unit is the part that determines the image P to be displayed on the display 30 based on the image data stored in the memory unit. Therefore, the image displayed on the display 30 is controlled by the display control unit.

The display 30 is a liquid crystal display that displays an image P on a display screen 30g. As shown in Figure 2, the display 30 includes a backlight substrate 31, a backlight 32, and a liquid crystal panel 33.

The backlight board 31 is connected to the backlight 32 to control the light emission of the backlight 32. The backlight board 31 is provided on the rear side of the backlight 32 in the depth direction Z.

The backlight 32 includes light-emitting diodes and the like, and is capable of irradiating the liquid crystal panel 33 with light. The backlight 32 is provided on the rear side of the liquid crystal panel 33 in the depth direction Z, facing the rear surface.

The liquid crystal panel 33 is configured to include, for example, an RGB color filter, a liquid crystal cell, a polarizing filter, etc., and is capable of displaying an image P in color on the display screen 30g. The liquid crystal panel 33 is provided on the front side in the depth direction Z of the display 30. Therefore, the liquid crystal panel 33 uses light emitted from a backlight 32 provided on the rear side in the depth direction Z to display an image P on the display screen 30g, allowing the image P to be viewed from the eyepoint EP.

Note that while the display 30 has been described as an LCD display, it is not limited to this and a plasma display, organic EL display, etc. can also be used.

In addition, the display 30 can display, as images P, for example, patterns P1 such as various symbols, letters, figures, etc., and decorative patterns P2 on the display screen 30g.

As shown in Figure 1, the pattern P1 is a visually flat pattern displayed on the display screen 30g, and is drawn to indicate the status of the vehicle, such as the vehicle's speed, the distance traveled, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, decorative pattern P2 is a pattern displayed on the display screen 30g along the image depth direction Pz. For example, it is drawn using perspective to create a visual sense of depth in order to display information that assists vehicle driving. Note that the image depth direction Pz here refers to the direction toward the vanishing point (vanishing point in perspective) of decorative pattern P2. Furthermore, by drawing decorative pattern P2 along the image depth direction Pz, when decorative pattern P2 is viewed from eyepoint EP, the decorative pattern P2 and other patterns displayed on the display screen 30g create a sense of depth. For example, decorative pattern P21 includes figures P21A and P21B. Figure P21B is a figure including an icon resembling a vehicle, and figure P21A is a figure resembling the lane along which the vehicle is traveling. In the decorative pattern P21, the figure P21A is drawn using perspective projection, so that the figure P21B is visually perceived as being arranged with depth along the image depth direction Pz1. Note that here, the figure P21B, which includes an icon resembling a vehicle, is also drawn using perspective projection, just like the figure P21A. The decorative pattern P22 is also depicted with figures P22A and P22B. In the decorative pattern P22, the figures P22A and P22B extend in a U-shape so as to sandwich the display 30 in the width direction Y, and the corners are arranged along the image depth direction Pz, so that the pattern (e.g., the decorative pattern P21) displayed on the display screen 30g is easily perceived as being arranged with depth.

The dial 40 displays a pattern Q, such as various symbols, letters, or figures. As shown in FIG. 2, the dial 40 is a plate-shaped member on which the pattern Q is drawn, and is provided on the front side of the display 30 in the depth direction Z, surrounding the display screen 30g. Therefore, when light is irradiated from the back side of the dial 40 in the depth direction Z, the light passes through the portion on which the pattern Q is drawn, causing the pattern Q to be illuminated and visible from the eye point EP.

The end cover member 50 is assembled around the display screen 30g of the display 30, allowing components such as the dial 40 to be positioned between it and the case 10, and holds these components together with the case 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the end cover member 50 is assembled to the front side (display screen 30g side) of the display 30 in the depth direction Z, protrudes from the display 30 toward the eyepoint EP, and is formed in a cylindrical shape.

The end cover member 50 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the depth direction Z. Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, the end cover member 50 has corners 50E formed at its four corners.

As shown in FIG. 1, the end cover member 50 has a pair of notches (recesses) located on the upper and lower sides in the height direction X, and has rib portions 50R formed at the ends of the notches and protruding from the inner surface 50a on the display 30 side. As shown in FIG. 1, the notches are formed along the width direction Y of the display 30, and are symmetrical with respect to the width direction Y. The rib portions 50R are also formed at both ends of the notches in the width direction Y. Therefore, the end cover member 50 has a pair of rib portions 50R on each of the upper and lower sides in the height direction X.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the end cover member 50 is formed at an angle relative to the display screen 30g of the display 30. More specifically, the end cover member 50 has its inner and outer surfaces 50a and 50b formed at an angle relative to the display 30 so that the width y1 (see Figure 2) along the width direction Y of the display 30 gradually increases from the display 30 toward the eyepoint EP along the depth direction Z, which is the protruding direction of the end cover member 50. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the end cover member 50 is configured so that the angle of inclination of the outer surface 50b relative to the display 30 is larger than the angle of inclination of the inner surface 50a relative to the display 30. Therefore, the thickness d1 (see Figure 2) of the end cover member 50 along the width direction Y gradually decreases from the display 30 toward the eyepoint EP. The angle of inclination of the outer surface 50b is not particularly limited, and the thickness d1 of the end cover member 50 may be constant from the display 30 toward the eyepoint EP.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the end cover member 50 is configured to include a decorative shape portion 51.

Here, the decorative shape portion 51 is, as an example, a valley line L1 or a ridge line L2 located on the inner surface 50a, and is a portion that is provided along the image depth direction Pz of the image P displayed on the display screen 30g. The valley line L1 is formed by each corner 50E of the end cover member 50 and is provided along the image depth direction Pz1 of the decorative pattern P21. On the other hand, the ridge line L2 is formed by each end of the rib portion 50R of the end cover member 50 and is provided along the image depth direction Pz2 of the decorative pattern P22. Therefore, when the image P including the decorative pattern P21 and the decorative pattern P22 is viewed from the eye point EP, the end cover member 50 allows the image P and the decorative shape portion 51 to be viewed as being connected along the image depth direction Pz.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the end cover member 50 is configured to include multiple recesses 52.

The recesses 52 are provided on the inner surface 50a and are steps formed at positions sandwiching the display 30 in the width direction Y. As shown in FIG. 1, the recesses 52 are located on the left side of the display 30 in the width direction Y and on the right side of the display 30 in the width direction Y. Each recess 52 has a recess 52x extending along the height direction X of the display 30 and multiple recesses 52y located on the upper side in the height direction X of the display 30 and the lower side in the height direction X of the display 30 and extending along the width direction Y of the display 30. The recesses 52x and 52y are connected at corners 50E, and the recesses 52y extend from both ends of the recess 52x. Therefore, the recesses 52 are arranged in a U-shape due to the recesses 52x and 52y being integrally formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the recess 52 has a first planar portion 52a formed along the XY direction, which is the extension direction of the display 30, and a second planar portion 52b formed along the depth direction Z, which intersects with the extension direction. Therefore, when the image P is viewed from the eye point EP, the end cover member 50 allows the first planar portion 52a of the recess 52 to be viewed, thereby allowing the position of the recess 52 relative to the inner surface 50a of the end cover member 50 to be recognized.

The recesses 52 are spaced apart at a distance z1 along the depth direction Z, which is the protruding direction of the end cover member 50, and the distance z1 gradually increases from the display 30 side toward the eye point EP side.

The position of the recess 52 relative to the end cover member 50 is not particularly limited as long as it is located in a position that sandwiches the display 30 in the width direction Y, i.e., on the left or right side of the display 30. Furthermore, the recess 52 may be provided continuously or intermittently along the circumferential direction of the inner surface 50a.

The front glass 60 is a protective member that is optically transparent and is attached to the front side of the end cover member 50 in the depth direction Z to protect the display 30 and dial 40 from the outside. The front glass 60 is fixed to the end cover member 50. As shown in Figure 2, the front glass 60 covers the display screen 30g located on the front side of the display 30 in the depth direction Z, while allowing light emitted from the backlight 32 to pass through toward the eyepoint EP.

Next, we will explain an example of how the vehicle display device 1 works.

The control unit 21 is capable of executing processing to display an image P including a decorative pattern P2, etc., on the display screen 30g of the display 30. Therefore, the control unit 21 displays the image P on the display screen 30g of the display 30 so that the decorative shape portion 51 and the decorative pattern P2 are connected along the image depth direction Pz.

The vehicle display device 1 then allows the driver to view the image P, including the decorative pattern P2, displayed on the display 30 through the inside of the end cover member 50. At this time, the ridge line L2, which is the decorative shape portion 51 of the end cover member 50, extends along the image depth direction Pz2, which is the extension direction of the figure P21A that constitutes the decorative pattern P21. This makes it easier for the driver to have the illusion that the figure P21A is positioned along the extension direction of the ridge line L2, which is the decorative shape portion 51, and that the figure P21B that constitutes the decorative pattern P21 is positioned with a depth along the image depth direction Pz2. Therefore, the vehicle display device 1 makes it easier for the driver to perceive depth in the decorative pattern P21 displayed on the display 30.

Furthermore, when the vehicle display device 1 allows the driver to view the decorative pattern P2 displayed on the display 30 through the inside of the end cover member 50, the driver can see the valley line L1, which is the decorative shape portion 51 of the end cover member 50, and the corners of the figures P22A and P22B that make up the decorative pattern P22. At this time, the valley line L1 extends in the direction along the line connecting the corner of the figure P22A and the corner of the figure P22B, i.e., along the image depth direction Pz1 of the decorative pattern P22. This makes it easier for the driver to get the illusion that the decorative pattern P22 is positioned along the extension direction of the valley line L1, which is the decorative shape portion 51, and that the figures P22A and P22B that make up the decorative pattern P22 are positioned with a depth along the image depth direction Pz1. Therefore, the vehicle display device 1 makes it easier for the driver to get a sense of depth from the image P displayed on the display 30.

The end cover member 50 is also formed at an angle relative to the display screen 30g of the display 30, with its opening becoming smaller as it moves from the eye point EP toward the display 30. This makes it easier for the driver to sense the depth of the end cover member 50, and also the depth of the decorative pattern P22, which appears to be connected to the decorative shape portion 51 of the end cover member 50.

Furthermore, the end cover member 50 has, on its inner surface 50a, a plurality of recesses 52 spaced apart along the depth direction Z, which is the protruding direction of the end cover member 50. The recesses 52 have a flat portion (first flat portion 52a) formed along a direction intersecting the eye point EP. Therefore, when the vehicle display device 1 allows the driver to view the decorative pattern P2 displayed on the display 30 through the inside of the end cover member 50, the first flat portion 52a of each recess 52 is visible, thereby allowing the driver to view the recess 52. At this time, the spacing z1 between each recess 52 gradually narrows from the eye point EP side toward the display 30 side. Therefore, the vehicle display device 1 makes it easier for the driver to sense the depth of the end cover member 50 and the decorative pattern P2, which appears to be connected to the decorative shape portion 51 of the end cover member 50.

The vehicle display device 1 described above is mounted on a vehicle and comprises a display 30 that displays an image P, and a cylindrical end cover member 50 that protrudes from the display 30 toward the eye point EP (viewing position) and surrounds the display 30. The end cover member 50 has a decorative shape portion 51 that aligns with the image depth direction Pz of the image P displayed on the display 30.

With this configuration, when the vehicle display device 1 allows the driver to view the image P displayed on the display 30, the image P can be viewed through the inside of the end cover member 50, which is positioned forward of the display 30 in the depth direction Z. As a result, the vehicle display device 1 makes it easier for the driver to perceive the image P displayed on the display 30 as being positioned along the extension direction of the decorative shape portion 51, and makes it easier for the driver to perceive the image P as being positioned with depth. Therefore, the vehicle display device 1 makes it easier for the driver to perceive the image P displayed on the display 30 as having depth, thereby improving the visibility of the image P.

Furthermore, the vehicle display device 1 described above includes a control unit 21 that displays an image P on the display 30, and the control unit 21 is capable of executing processing to display on the display 30 an image P that includes a decorative pattern P2 that is continuous with the decorative shape portion 51 along the image depth direction Pz. With this configuration, the vehicle display device 1 can control the image displayed on the display 30 using the control unit 21 and can determine the type of image to display on the display 30. By displaying an image P that includes the decorative pattern P2 on the display 30 as necessary, the control unit 21 can more easily create a sense of depth for the image P. Therefore, the vehicle display device 1 can improve the visibility of the image P displayed on the display.

Furthermore, the end cover member 50 of the vehicle display device 1 described above has an inner surface 50a on the display 30 side that is inclined relative to the display 30 so that the width y1 along the width direction Y of the display 30 increases from the display 30 side toward the eye point EP along the depth direction Z, which is the protruding direction of the end cover member 50. The end cover member 50 also has recesses 52 on the inner surface 50a, positioned to sandwich the display 30 from the width direction Y and extending along a direction intersecting the width direction Y (depth direction Z). The recesses 52 are spaced apart along the depth direction Z, which is the protruding direction, and the spacing z1 gradually increases from the display 30 side toward the eye point EP. With this configuration, when the driver views the image P displayed on the display 30 through the inside of the end cover member 50, the recesses 52 can be viewed by viewing the first flat portion 52a of each recess 52. Furthermore, the spacing z1 between each recess 52 gradually narrows from the eye point EP toward the display 30. This makes it easier to sense the depth of the vehicle display device 1 relative to the end cover member 50, and also easier to sense the depth of the decorative pattern P2 that appears to be connected to the decorative shape portion 51 of the end cover member 50.

[Modification]
Next, a modified example of the embodiment will be described. Although the display 30 and the end cover member 50 have been described as being formed in a rectangular shape, the present invention is not limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the vehicle display device 1A according to Variation 1, the exposed portion on the eyepoint side of the display 30A and the end cover member 50A are formed in an oval shape. The end cover member 50A has a valley line L1A as a decorative shape portion 51A. The valley line L1A is provided along the image depth direction of the image P displayed on the display screen 30gA of the display 30A, and the control unit (not shown) of the vehicle display device 1A can display on the display 30A an image P including a decorative pattern that is connected to the decorative shape portion 51A along the image depth direction. The end cover member 50A also has multiple recesses 52A formed on its inner surface and arranged along the circumferential direction of the end cover member 50A, and the recesses 52A are arranged at intervals along the depth direction Z, which is the protruding direction of the end cover member 50A.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, in the vehicle display device 1B according to Variation 2, the exposed portion on the eyepoint side of the display (not shown) and the end cover member 50B are formed in a rectangular shape, and the portion located lower in the height direction X is formed in a shape that curves toward the display side. The end cover member 50B has a valley line L1B as a decorative shape portion 51B, which is provided along the image depth direction of the image displayed on the display screen. The end cover member 50B also has a plurality of recesses 52B formed on its inner surface and provided along the circumferential direction of the end cover member 50B, and each recess 52B is provided at intervals along the depth direction Z, which is the protruding direction of the end cover member 50B.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, in the vehicle display device 1C according to Variation 3, the exposed portion on the eyepoint side of the display (not shown) and the end cover member 50C are formed in a polygonal shape. The end cover member 50C has a valley line L1C as a decorative shape portion 51C, which is provided along the image depth direction of the image displayed on the display screen. The end cover member 50C also has a plurality of recesses 52C formed on its inner surface and provided along the circumferential direction of the end cover member 50C, with each recess 52C provided at intervals along the depth direction Z, which is the protruding direction of the end cover member 50C.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, in the vehicle display device 1D according to Variation 4, the exposed portion on the eyepoint side of the display (not shown) and the end cover member 50D are formed in an oval shape, and the portion located lower in the height direction X is formed in a shape that curves toward the display. The end cover member 50D has a valley line L1D as a decorative shape portion 51D, which is provided along the image depth direction of the image displayed on the display screen. The end cover member 50D also has multiple recesses 52D formed on its inner surface and provided along the circumferential direction of the end cover member 50D, and each recess 52C is provided at intervals along the depth direction Z, which is the protruding direction of the end cover member 50D.

With this configuration, vehicle display devices 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, like vehicle display device 1, allow the driver to view an image displayed on the display through the inside of end cover members 50A, 50B, 50C, and 50D, which are positioned forward of the display in the depth direction Z. Therefore, vehicle display devices 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D tend to create the illusion that the image displayed on the display is positioned along the extension direction of decorative shapes 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, creating the illusion that the pattern depicted as the image is positioned with depth. Therefore, vehicle display devices 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D can improve the visibility of the image by making it easier for the driver to perceive depth in the image displayed on the display. As shown in Figure 4, when a visually flat pattern with no sense of depth is displayed on display 30A, the vehicle display device displays the visually flat pattern on the vanishing point of an image that includes a decorative pattern, which can easily give the driver the illusion that the pattern is displayed larger than its actual size. Therefore, the vehicle display device can improve the visibility of images displayed on the display.

Note that the vehicle display devices 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

For example, the end cover member does not have to be formed at an angle relative to the display.

The end cover member does not have to have a recess on its inner surface that is visible from the eyepoint side. The spacing between the recesses may also be constant.

Furthermore, the vehicle display device according to this embodiment may be constructed by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments and variations described above.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D Vehicle display device 21 Control unit 30, 30A Display 50, 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D End cover member 50a Inner surface y1 of end cover member Width 51, 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D of end cover member Decorative shape portion 52, 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D Recess z1 Recess spacing EP Eye point (visual position)
P Image P2 Decorative pattern Pz Image depth direction X Height direction Y Width direction Z Depth direction (direction of protrusion of end cover member)

Claims (2)

a display mounted on the vehicle and displaying an image;
an end cover member that protrudes from the display toward a viewing position and is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the display ;
a control unit that causes the display to display the image ,
the end cover member has a decorative shape portion along the image depth direction of the image displayed on the display,
The control unit is capable of executing a process of displaying, on the display, the image including a decorative pattern that is continuous with the decorative shape portion along the image depth direction .
Vehicle display device. the inside surface of the end cover member is formed with an inclination relative to the display so that the width of the end cover member along the width direction of the display increases from the display side toward the viewing position side along the protruding direction of the end cover member, and the end cover member has a recess provided on the inside surface, formed at a position sandwiching the display in the width direction, and extending in a direction intersecting the width direction;
a plurality of the recesses are provided at intervals along the protruding direction, and the intervals become wider stepwise from the display side toward the viewing position side;
The vehicle display device according to claim 1 .