Virtual image display device

Abstract

A virtual image display device includes: a projection member that projects an image; and a projection optical system that forms a virtual image. A virtual image distance from an observer to the virtual image is not less than 2,500 mm. The projection optical system has one or more reflectors. A reflection surface of a final reflector that is included in one or more reflectors and finally reflects a light ray satisfies the following Conditional Relation 1:
10|z maxz min|30Conditional Relation 1 where z is an angle between a normal vector perpendicular to a tangent plane passing through an origin of the final reflector and a normal vector with respect to a tangent plane at any given point on the final reflector, z max is a maximum value of z, and z min is a minimum value of z. This arrangement provides a small-size virtual image display device.

Claims

1. A virtual image display device that projects an image on a projection target member to form a virtual image opposing an observer via the projection target member, the virtual image display device comprising: a projection member that projects the image; and a projection optical system that leads the image to the projection target member to form the virtual image, wherein a virtual image distance VID from a center of a visual recognition area of the observer to a center of the virtual image is not less than 2,500 mm, the projection optical system includes, in order from the projection member to the virtual image: a first optical element being either one of a lens element and a reflector; and a final reflector, a reflection surface of the final reflector satisfies Conditional Relation 1, on an optical path extending from the projection member to the virtual image:
10|z maxz min|30Conditional Relation 1 where: z is an angle between a normal vector perpendicular to a tangent plane passing through an origin of a definitional equation defining a shape of the final reflector and a normal vector with respect to a tangent plane at any given point on the final reflector; z max is a maximum value of z; and z min is a minimum value of z, and wherein following Conditional Relation 3 is satisfied:
1.0LM/LD8.0 Conditional Relation 3 where: LM is a distance between the final reflector and the first optical element, on a central optical path of the projection optical system extending from the projection member to the virtual image; and LD is a distance from the projection member to the first optical element, on the central optical path.

2. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein following Conditional Relation 2 is satisfied:
0LWS/VID0.60 Conditional Relation 2 where LWS is a distance from the observer to the projection target member, on a straight line connecting from the center of the visual recognition area of the observer to the center of the virtual image.

3. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein the final reflector is rotationally asymmetric and has a concave shape toward the observer.

4. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein the first optical element is a lens element, and the lens element has a rotationally asymmetric shape.

5. The virtual image display device according to claim 1, wherein the projection target member is a windshield mounted on a mobile object.

6. A virtual image display device that projects an image on a projection target member to form a virtual image opposing an observer via the projection target member, the virtual image display device comprising: a projection member that projects the image; and a projection optical system that leads the image to the projection target member to form the virtual image, wherein a virtual image distance VID from a center of a visual recognition area of the observer to a center of the virtual image is not less than 2,500 mm, the projection optical system includes, in order from the projection member to the virtual image: a first optical element being either one of a lens element and a reflector; and a final reflector, a reflection surface of the final reflector satisfies Conditional Relation 1, on an optical path extending from the projection member to the virtual image:
10|z maxz min|30Conditional Relation 1 where: z is an angle between a normal vector perpendicular to a tangent plane passing through an origin of a definitional equation defining a shape of the final reflector and a normal vector with respect to a tangent plane at any given point on the final reflector; z max is a maximum value of z; and z min is a minimum value of z, and wherein each of the final reflector and the projection target member is a combiner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section of a vehicle on which a virtual image display device of the present disclosure is mounted;

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an optical cross-section for illustrating a head-up display according to a first exemplary embodiment;

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an optical cross-section for illustrating a head-up display according to a second exemplary embodiment;

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an optical cross-section for illustrating a head-up display according to a third exemplary embodiment;

(5) FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a coordinate system of a projection member according to the first to third exemplary embodiments; and

(6) FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an inclination angle z of a final reflector of a projection optical system in the virtual image display device according to the first to third exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(7) Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, an unnecessarily detailed description will not be given in some cases. For example, a detailed description of a well-known matter and a duplicated description of substantially the same configuration will be omitted in some cases. This is to avoid the following description from being unnecessarily redundant and thus to help those skilled in the art to easily understand the description.

(8) Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to help those skilled in the art to sufficiently understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter of the claims.

(9) [1. Configuration]

(10) [1.1 Schematic Configuration]

(11) Schematic configurations of virtual image display devices according to the first to third exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a head-up display mounted on a vehicle will be described as an example of a virtual image display device.

(12) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section of a vehicle on which a head-up display according to the first to third exemplary embodiments is mounted.

(13) As shown in FIG. 1, head-up display 10 that projects an image is disposed inside dashboard 21 of vehicle 20. Head-up display 10 projects an image on windshield 22 (or combiner 60 of FIG. 4 to be described later) that is disposed on vehicle 20 and is a light transmissive projection target member. Thus, virtual image 40 of the image projected by head-up display 10 is formed on a side of windshield 22 opposite to observer 30 side. This arrangement enables observer 30 to visually recognize, through windshield 22, virtual image 40 of the image projected by head-up display 10. Note that a two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 1 represents central optical path L of the projected image. Also in the following description, central optical path L is depicted as a two-dot chain line in a similar way.

First Exemplary Embodiment

(14) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of head-up display 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

(15) As shown in FIG. 2, head-up display 10 of the present exemplary embodiment includes LCD 13 (Liquid Crystal Display) that constitutes a projection member, and a projection optical system. The projection optical system leads an image displayed on LCD 13 to windshield 22 to form virtual image 40.

(16) That is, head-up display 10 projects the image on windshield 22, which is the projection target member. Thus, head-up display 10 forms virtual image 40 opposing observer 30 via windshield 22.

(17) Projection optical system includes reflector 12 and final reflector 11. Final reflector 11 is disposed approximately vertically downward (including the vertical downward direction) from windshield 22 to lead the light from LCD 13 to windshield 22. Final reflector 11 has a rotationally asymmetric shape, and a reflection surface of final reflector 11 is formed in a concave shape. Note that, reflector 12 has a reflection surface configured in a convex shape. Since reflector 12 is provided, projection optical system is downsized.

(18) The above arrangement enables observer 30 to visually recognize, through windshield 22, virtual image 40 of the image. That is, observer 30 can visually recognize virtual image 40 of the image projected on windshield 22, through eye box 31 that is a previously estimated visual recognition area.

(19) Note that on a middle of an optical path that leads the light from LCD 13 to final reflector 11, there may be provided, for example, an optical element such as one or more of lens elements or reflectors in addition to the above-mentioned reflector 12. This arrangement can well correct aberrations, in particular, curvature of field, distortion, and astigmatism. In addition, an effect such as downsizing can be achieved.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

(20) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of head-up display 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment.

(21) As shown in FIG. 3, similarly to the first exemplary embodiment, head-up display 10 of the present exemplary embodiment includes LCD 13, which is a projection member, and a projection optical system. The projection optical system leads an image displayed on LCD 13 to windshield 22 to form virtual image 40. That is, head-up display 10 projects the image on windshield 22, which is the projection target member. Thus, head-up display 10 forms virtual image 40 opposing observer 30 via windshield 22.

(22) The projection optical system includes lens element 50 and final reflector 11. Final reflector 11 is disposed approximately vertically downward (including the vertical downward direction) from windshield 22 to lead the light from LCD 13 to windshield 22. Final reflector 11 is formed to have a surface in a concave shape on observer 30 side of final reflector 11. Note that lens element 50 is rotationally asymmetric and is configured in, for example, a meniscus shape having a positive or negative power. By providing lens element 50, downsizing can be achieved, and aberration of final reflector 11 can be further reduced.

(23) The above arrangement enables observer 30 to visually recognize, through windshield 22, virtual image 40 of the image. That is, observer 30 can visually recognize virtual image 40 of the image projected on windshield 22, through eye box 31 that is a previously estimated visual recognition area.

(24) Note that a plurality of lens elements may be disposed. Further, in order to lead the light from LCD 13 to final reflector 11, one or more reflectors may be disposed in addition to the lens element. This arrangement can well correct aberrations, in particular, curvature of field, distortion, and astigmatism.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

(25) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of head-up display 10 according to the third exemplary embodiment.

(26) As shown in FIG. 4, head-up display 10 of the present exemplary embodiment includes LCD 13, which is a projection member, combiner 60 constituting a projection target member, and a projection optical system. The projection optical system leads an image displayed on LCD 13 to combiner 60 to form virtual image 40. That is, head-up display 10 projects the image on combiner 60. Thus, head-up display 10 forms virtual image 40 opposing observer 30 via combiner 60.

(27) Projection optical system includes reflector 12 and combiner 60. Combiner 60 is configured with a half-transmissive member made of, for example, resin. Combiner 60 is the projection target member and functions also as the final reflector. Combiner 60 is disposed approximately vertically downward (including vertical downward direction) from windshield 22. Combiner 60 is formed to have a surface in a concave shape on observer 30 side of combiner 60. Reflector 12 leads the light from LCD 13 to combiner 60. The above arrangement enables observer 30 to visually recognize virtual image 40 of the image, through combiner 60 and over windshield 22. That is, observer 30 can visually recognize an image projected on combiner 60 as virtual image 40 through eye box 31, which is a previously estimated visual recognition area.

(28) Note that, reflector 12 of projection optical system is not essential, and the light from LCD 13 may be directly led to combiner 60. Alternatively, the projection optical system may have one or more lens elements disposed on an optical path. Further, in addition to the lens element, a plurality of reflectors may be arranged to lead the light from LCD 13 to combiner 60.

(29) [1.2 Projection Member]

(30) FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a coordinate system of the projection member in the first to third exemplary embodiments.

(31) The projection member is configured with LCD 13 or the like as described above and displays projected display image 71.

(32) Note that in the first to third exemplary embodiments, as an example, LCD 13 is described as the projection member; however, the projection member is not limited to LCD 13. The projection member may be a display device such as an organic light-emitting diode (electroluminescence), a fluorescent display device (seven segments), or a plasma display. Alternatively, a projector and a scanning laser may be used.

(33) [1.3 Detailed Configuration of Final Reflector]

(34) FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating an inclination angle z of final reflector 11 in the first to third exemplary embodiments.

(35) As shown in FIG. 6, the reflection surface of final reflector 11 is formed to have a surface in a concave shape on observer 30 side.

(36) In this arrangement, the reflection surface in a concave shape has an inclination angle z defined as below. First, an origin of a definitional equation defining the shape of the reflection surface is denoted by O. Then, a normal vector with respect to the reflection surface at origin O is denoted by N1, and a normal vector at any given point on the reflection surface is denoted by N2. Thus, the inclination angle z is defined to be an angle between normal vector N1 and normal vector N2.

(37) [2. Condition, Effect, and the Like]

(38) As described in the first to third exemplary embodiments, head-up display 10, which is the virtual image display device, includes LCD 13 and the projection optical system. LCD 13 constitutes the projection member that, projects an image. The projection optical system leads the image to the projection target member to form virtual image 40. That is, head-up display 10 projects the image on windshield 22 or combiner 60, which are respectively the projection target member and the final reflector. Thus, head-up display 10 forms virtual image 40 opposing observer 30 via the projection target member or combiner 60.

(39) In this arrangement, a virtual image distance VID (Virtual Image Distance) of head-up display 10 of the first to third exemplary embodiments is set equal to or greater than 2,500 mm, where the virtual image distance VID is a distance from a center of eye box 31 as visual recognition area of observer 30, through which virtual image 40 is visually recognized, to a center of virtual image 40.

(40) The projection optical system has at least one reflector (final reflector 11, reflector 12, combiner 60, and the like). On an optical path from LCD 13 toward virtual image 40, the reflection surface of final reflector 11 (the first and second exemplary embodiment) that is included in the reflectors (final reflector 11, reflector 12, combiner 60, and the like) and that finally reflects a light ray or the reflection surface of combiner 60 (third exemplary embodiment) satisfies the following Conditional Relation 1:
10|z maxz min|30Conditional Relation 1

(41) where:

(42) z is an angle between normal vector N1 perpendicular to a tangent plane passing through an origin O of a definitional equation defining a shape of final reflector 11 (or combiner 60) and normal vector N2 with respect to a tangent plane at any given point on final reflector 11 (or combiner 60);

(43) z max is a maximum value of z; and

(44) z min is a minimum value of z.

(45) That is, if the value is lower than the lower limit value 10 of Conditional Relation 1, a power of final reflector 11 (or combiner 60) becomes weak. Therefore, a whole optical path length gets longer, and the virtual image display device becomes large. On the other hand, if the value exceeds an upper limit value 30 of Conditional Relation 1, power of final reflector 11 (or combiner 60) becomes too strong. Results of experiments show that if |z maxz min| exceeds 30, a temperature of a member in head-up display 10 exceeds, for example, 90 degrees in some cases due to concentrated sun light or other causes. This can create a defect such as a dead pixel in LCD 13. To avoid this issue, a cooling device or the like is required.

(46) More preferably, the upper limit of |z maxz min| in Conditional Relation 1 is not greater than 27. Further, the upper limit of |z maxz min| in Conditional Relation 1 is especially preferably not greater than 24. Thus, it is possible to further prevent or reduce upsizing of the virtual image display device and a problem of the creation of a defect pixel in LCD 13.

(47) That is, by forming the reflection surface of final reflector 11 within a range of Conditional Relation 1, head-up display 10 can be downsized.

(48) Further, head-up display 10 according to each of the exemplary embodiments preferably satisfies the following Conditional Relation 2:
0.01LWS/VID0.60Conditional Relation 2

(49) where LWS is a distance from observer 30 to windshield 22 (combiner 60 in the case of the third exemplary embodiment) on a straight line connecting a center of eye box 31 of observer 30 and the center of virtual image 40.

(50) If the value is lower than the lower limit value 0.01 of Conditional Relation 2, the optical path length of the projection optical system becomes long. Therefore, head-up display 10 becomes large. On the other hand, if the value exceeds the upper limit value 0.6 of Conditional Relation 2, the optical path length of the projection optical system becomes short. Therefore, interference is caused between a light ray and the projection member or between a light ray and the reflector. That is, there is caused physical interference that a part of the projection member or the reflector blocks the optical path of the light ray, for example.

(51) That is, by configuring head-up display 10 within a range of Conditional Relation 2, head-up display 10 can be downsized, and interference can be prevented from being caused.

(52) More preferably, the upper limit of LWS/VID in Conditional Relation 2 is not greater than 0.50. Further, the upper limit of LWS/VID in Conditional Relation 2 is especially preferably not greater than 0.40. Thus, head-up display 10 can be further downsized, and the occurrence of interference can be further prevented or reduced.

(53) Further, head-up display 10 according to each of the exemplary embodiments preferably satisfies the following Conditional Relation 3:
1.0LM/LD8.0 Conditional Relation 3

(54) where:

(55) LM is a distance between final reflector 11 (or combiner 60) and the optical element that is one element before final reflector 11 (or combiner 60), on central optical path L of the projection optical system extending from LCD 13 to virtual image 40; and

(56) LD is a distance between LCD 13 and the optical element that is one element before final reflector 11 (or combiner 60), on central optical path L.

(57) Note that the optical element that is one element before final reflector 11 (or combiner 60) corresponds to reflector 12 in the case of the first and third exemplary embodiments, and corresponds to lens element 50 in the case of the second exemplary embodiment.

(58) If the value is lower than the lower limit value 1.0 of Conditional Relation 3, the distance between LCD 13 and the optical element becomes long, and the device therefore becomes large. If the value exceeds the upper limit value 8.0 of Conditional Relation 3, the distance between LCD 13 and the optical element becomes too short. Therefore, interference is caused between LCD 13 and a light ray. That is, there is caused physical interference that a part of LCD 13 blocks the optical path of the light ray, for example.

(59) That is, by configuring head-up display 10 within a range of Conditional Relation 3, head-up display 10 can be downsized, and interference can be prevented from being caused.

(60) In this arrangement, it is more preferable that either one or both of the following Conditional Relation 3a and Conditional Relation 3b be satisfied.
1.2LM/LDConditional Relation 3a
LM/LD6.5Conditional Relation 3b

(61) These conditions allow the above-mentioned effects to be more improved.

(62) More preferably, either one of or both of the following Conditional Relation 3c and Conditional Relation 3d are satisfied.
1.5LM/LDConditional Relation 3c
LM/LD4.5Conditional Relation 3d

(63) These conditions allow the above-mentioned effects to be more improved.

NUMERICAL EXAMPLES

(64) Hereinafter, the virtual image display device in the present disclosure will be described with reference to concrete numerical examples. Note that in the numerical examples to be described below, the unit of length in the tables is millimeter (mm), and the unit of angle is degree.

(65) In the numerical examples, a free-form surface is defined by the following Equations 1 and 2.

(66) $\begin{matrix} z = \frac{{cr}^{2}}{\sqrt{1 - (1 + k) c^{2} r^{2}}} + \underset{j = 2}{.Math.} c_{j} x^{m} y^{n} & [Equation 1] \\ j = \frac{{(m + n)}^{2} + m + 3 n}{2} + 1 & [Equation 2] \end{matrix}$

(67) In the equations, z is a sag amount at a position (x, y) with respect to an axis defining a surface, r is a radius of curvature at the origin of the axis defining the surface, c is a curvature at the origin of the axis defining the surface, k is a conic constant, m and n are integers satisfying Equation 2, and Cj is a coefficient in the monomial x.sup.my.sup.n.

(68) Further, in each of the numerical examples, an origin of a coordinate is at a center of display image 71 of LCD 13 shown in FIG. 5, where an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis are defined.

(69) Further, in eccentricity data in each numerical example, ADE represents an amount of rotation about the X-axis from a Z-axis direction to a Y-axis direction, BDE represents an amount of rotation about the Y-axis from an X-axis direction to the Z-axis direction, and CDE represents an amount of rotation about the Z-axis from the X-axis direction to the Y-axis direction.

Numerical Example 1

(70) Numerical Example 1 is an example of the projection optical system of the first exemplary embodiment. Configuration data of the projection optical system of Numerical Example 1 is shown in Table 1, curvatures of windshield 22 are shown in Table 2, and coefficients of a polynomial free-form surface are shown in Table 3.

(71) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 SURFACE ECCENTRICITY DATA NUMBER SHAPE X Y Z ADE BDE CDE DISPLAY 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 SURFACE FIRST 2 FREE-FORM 3.39872 10.83487 40.4358 27.6184 4.1592 3.92 MIRROR SURFACE SECOND 3 FREE-FORM 31.07079 148.91145 7.09733 45.4009 3.7141 21.3265 MIRROR SURFACE WINDSHIELD 4 TOROIDAL 47.90601 72.30522 226.41961 41.7542 7.2771 4.7861 OBSERVER 5 204.386 731.8566 454.8508 101.2507 11.4079 9.6586

(72) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 SURFACE NUMBER X-CURVATURE Y-CURVATURE 4 6.18E05 0.000318

(73) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 SURFACE NUMBER POLYNOMIAL COEFFICIENT 2 c 7.4090.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 2.9570.E09 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 1.5965.E09 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 3.9738.E10 C4 2.3515.E03 C22 2.3512.E12 C5 5.9997.E04 C23 1.1346.E11 C6 3.0920.E03 C24 2.2866.E11 C7 5.9971.E06 C25 1.8275.E11 C8 1.5161.E05 C26 3.8750.E11 C9 7.8670.E07 C27 5.0893.E12 C10 1.0625.E05 C28 3.3364.E11 C11 1.8157.E07 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 1.5198.E07 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 6.5411.E08 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 2.5476.E07 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 6.2195.E08 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 6.5831.E10 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 1.7682.E09 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 2.7623.E09 C36 0.0000.E+00 3 c 2.8120.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 2.3064.E11 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 8.9372.E12 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 2.2712.E13 C4 2.5419.E03 C22 1.9168.E14 C5 2.2052.E04 C23 2.4337.E14 C6 2.4841.E03 C24 8.3718.E14 C7 7.8162.E07 C25 1.6095.E13 C8 7.9813.E07 C26 1.8556.E13 C9 6.7979.E07 C27 1.1520.E13 C10 9.2832.E07 C28 1.0864.E14 C11 3.2581.E09 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 1.3527.E09 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 8.3043.E09 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 1.2279.E09 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 2.3378.E09 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 8.2290.E13 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 2.4031.E12 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 8.4603.E12 C36 0.0000.E+00

Numerical Example 2

(74) Numerical Example 2 is another example of the projection optical system of the first exemplary embodiment. Configuration data of the projection optical system of Numerical Example 2 is shown in Table 4, curvatures of windshield 22 are shown in Table 5, and coefficients of the polynomial free-form surface are shown in Table 6.

(75) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 SURFACE ECCENTRICITY DATA NUMBER SHAPE X Y Z ADE BDE CDE DISPLAY 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 SURFACE FIRST 2 FREE-FORM 2.43576 10.33355 38.56533 28.6109 3.4249 3.6107 MIRROR SURFACE SECOND 3 FREE-FORM 26.878 167.75641 10.41221 50.6795 2.4557 12.2642 MIRROR SURFACE WINDSHIELD 4 TOROIDAL 40.89275 60.26763 207.28836 33.8254 6.7179 4.3545 OBSERVER 5 247.195 755.5801 359.24694 93.6384 10.5797 9.2937

(76) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 SURFACE NUMBER X-CURVATURE Y-CURVATURE 4 1.06E04 0.000309

(77) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 SURFACE NUMBER POLYNOMIAL COEFFICIENT 2 c 6.0465.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 7.4033.E09 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 3.4565.E09 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 4.5553.E09 C4 1.4248.E03 C22 1.4455.E11 C5 1.2817.E04 C23 1.6716.E11 C6 2.6737.E03 C24 6.2089.E11 C7 2.3419.E06 C25 1.0251.E11 C8 1.0763.E05 C26 1.8361.E11 C9 3.1828.E06 C27 2.9951.E11 C10 1.7057.E05 C28 2.4835.E10 C11 2.6033.E07 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 1.0927.E07 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 7.5508.E09 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 2.5065.E10 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 6.1043.E07 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 3.8848.E10 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 1.7274.E09 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 1.5050.E10 C36 0.0000.E+00 3 c 3.4906.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 2.3641.E11 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 8.3467.E12 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 2.4309.E11 C4 2.9247.E03 C22 5.7955.E14 C5 1.3972.E04 C23 9.3766.E16 C6 2.7378.E03 C24 1.3337.E13 C7 4.5889.E07 C25 7.9522.E14 C8 6.9524.E07 C26 2.7386.E13 C9 2.2392.E07 C27 1.3314.E13 C10 2.9543.E07 C28 2.5418.E13 C11 5.3597.E09 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 4.1093.E10 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 1.1795.E08 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 1.0759.E09 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 2.7512.E09 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 4.4084.E13 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 1.8777.E12 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 6.7894.E12 C36 0.0000.E+00

Numerical Example 3

(78) Numerical Example 3 is still another example of the projection optical system of the first exemplary embodiment. Configuration data of the projection optical system of Numerical Example 3 is shown in Table 7, curvatures of windshield 22 are shown in Table 8, and coefficients of the polynomial free-form surface are shown in Table 9.

(79) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 SURFACE ECCENTRICITY DATA NUMBER SHAPE X Y Z ADE BDE CDE DISPLAY 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 SURFACE FIRST 2 FREE-FORM 0 24.55719 91.64868 4.5529 5.9181 16.1886 MIRROR SURFACE SECOND 3 FREE-FORM 30.901 89.5987 51.08911 3.7742 9.8653 16.9701 MIRROR SURFACE WINDSHIELD 4 TOROIDAL 1.10167 216.53135 172.69537 97.4684 4.9215 7.3888 OBSERVER 5 27.54195 28.10958 934.46107 159.3289 1.4449 13.0207

(80) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 SURFACE NUMBER X-CURVATURE Y-CURVATURE 4 8.75E05 0.000371

(81) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 SURFACE NUMBER POLYNOMIAL COEFFICIENT 2 c 4.4131.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 8.0175.E10 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 6.0289.E11 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 1.0100.E10 C4 1.6067.E03 C22 0.0000.E+00 C5 7.2191.E05 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6 1.9192.E03 C24 0.0000.E+00 C7 1.1617.E06 C25 0.0000.E+00 C8 4.2715.E06 C26 0.0000.E+00 C9 5.3771.E06 C27 0.0000.E+00 C10 8.4759.E06 C28 0.0000.E+00 C11 1.1129.E08 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 8.7451.E09 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 1.8185.E08 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 1.2828.E08 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 1.9920.E08 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 4.8471.E12 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 2.1453.E10 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 5.3282.E10 C36 0.0000.E+00 3 c 2.9140.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 2.3989.E11 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 9.9696.E12 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 2.5720.E13 C4 2.3038.E03 C22 0.0000.E+00 C5 1.2979.E04 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6 2.0921.E03 C24 0.0000.E+00 C7 1.3564.E08 C25 0.0000.E+00 C8 7.7120.E07 C26 0.0000.E+00 C9 2.7921.E07 C27 0.0000.E+00 C10 9.8937.E07 C28 0.0000.E+00 C11 3.6325.E09 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 2.4436.E10 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 7.4354.E09 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 1.4554.E09 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 3.7965.E09 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 5.0576.E13 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 5.6881.E12 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 1.3012.E11 C36 0.0000.E+00

Numerical Example 4

(82) Numerical Example 4 is still another example of the projection optical system of the first exemplary embodiment. Configuration data of the projection optical system of Numerical Example 4 is shown in Table 10, curvatures of windshield 22 are shown in Table 11, and coefficients of the polynomial free-form surface are shown in Table 12.

(83) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 SURFACE ECCENTRICITY DATA NUMBER SHAPE X Y Z ADE BDE CDE DISPLAY 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 SURFACE FIRST 2 FREE-FORM 0.4157 9.05801 33.80502 30.132 2.195 3.2509 MIRROR SURFACE SECOND 3 FREE-FORM 8.33509 125.19773 3.52092 50.1257 0.5926 33.2773 MIRROR SURFACE WINDSHIELD 4 TOROIDAL 19.52742 29.73566 230.26281 37.2674 7.5258 3.4212 OBSERVER 5 159.8021 792.7372 395.2009 96.7615 10.368 10.5764

(84) TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 SURFACE NUMBER X-CURVATURE Y-CURVATURE 4 6.18E05 0.000318

(85) TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 SURFACE NUMBER POLYNOMIAL COEFFICIENT 2 c 9.9474.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 1.2928.E08 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 4.1116.E09 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 1.6182.E08 C4 2.7874.E03 C22 1.2822.E10 C5 3.1220.E04 C23 8.5762.E11 C6 3.9205.E03 C24 2.7323.E10 C7 2.5867.E06 C25 1.4425.E10 C8 8.7058.E08 C26 4.3563.E10 C9 8.8369.E07 C27 5.7801.E10 C10 4.2905.E05 C28 1.8765.E09 C11 8.6851.E07 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 2.5282.E07 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 2.9363.E07 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 2.9756.E07 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 2.3471.E06 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 3.5614.E10 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 1.4889.E10 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 1.8041.E09 C36 0.0000.E+00 3 c 2.2258.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 1.3193.E10 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 1.4048.E10 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 3.9000.E11 C4 2.6561.E03 C22 8.7257.E15 C5 3.0955.E04 C23 6.6300.E14 C6 2.5907.E03 C24 4.9183.E13 C7 1.0666.E06 C25 9.5936.E13 C8 3.9048.E07 C26 2.1778.E12 C9 1.3366.E07 C27 2.4363.E12 C10 5.2022.E07 C28 9.2220.E13 C11 2.8793.E09 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 1.3957.E09 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 8.1263.E09 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 1.6218.E08 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 4.5654.E09 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 4.5848.E13 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 1.0740.E11 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 2.1002.E11 C36 0.0000.E+00

Numerical Example 5

(86) Numerical Example 5 is still another example of the projection optical system of the first exemplary embodiment. Configuration data of the projection optical system of Numerical Example 5 is shown in Table 13, curvatures of windshield 22 are shown in Table 14, and coefficients of the polynomial free-form surface are shown in Table 15.

(87) TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 SURFACE ECCENTRICITY DATA NUMBER SHAPE X Y Z ADE BDE CDE DISPLAY 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 SURFACE FIRST 2 FREE-FORM 1.14724 10.1204 33.48524 28.7028 2.437 5.9176 MIRROR SURFACE SECOND 3 FREE-FORM 1.67099 111.12287 4.92722 44.3799 1.0038 32.8683 MIRROR SURFACE WINDSHIELD 4 TOROIDAL 131.1246 718.9349 555.14822 107.6615 9.9718 13.8129 OBSERVER 5 131.1246 718.9349 555.14822 107.6615 9.9718 13.8129

(88) TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 14 SURFACE NUMBER X-CURVATURE Y-CURVATURE 4 6.18E05 0.000318

(89) TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 15 SURFACE NUMBER POLYNOMIAL COEFFICIENT 2 c 1.0098.E02 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 1.3542.E08 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 9.0933.E09 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 8.8017.E09 C4 1.8583.E03 C22 3.7032.E11 C5 5.6895.E04 C23 6.5607.E11 C6 4.1186.E03 C24 2.7940.E10 C7 4.7234.E06 C25 1.3790.E11 C8 4.5758.E05 C26 1.8564.E10 C9 5.5342.E06 C27 1.3910.E10 C10 7.2004.E06 C28 3.0544.E10 C11 7.1443.E07 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 1.5873.E07 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 1.5710.E07 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 4.7735.E07 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 6.9026.E07 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 1.4776.E09 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 1.3956.E08 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 3.5130.E09 C36 0.0000.E+00 3 c 1.7525.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 1.5271.E10 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 9.0838.E11 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 3.8238.E11 C4 2.6523.E03 C22 5.4280.E14 C5 4.6597.E04 C23 1.8517.E13 C6 2.4375.E03 C24 5.7799.E15 C7 1.7384.E06 C25 2.6338.E13 C8 1.7762.E06 C26 3.7790.E13 C9 3.8386.E07 C27 2.5262.E13 C10 1.6548.E06 C28 6.9553.E14 C11 4.0060.E09 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 4.0743.E09 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 6.8299.E09 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 2.2004.E09 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 1.3564.E09 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 2.6466.E12 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 4.3317.E11 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 1.2544.E10 C36 0.0000.E+00

Numerical Example 6

(90) Numerical Example 6 is an example of the projection optical system of the second exemplary embodiment. Configuration data of the projection optical system of Numerical Example 6 is shown in Table 16, curvatures of windshield 22 are shown in Table 17, and coefficients of the polynomial free-form surface are shown in Table 18.

(91) TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 16 SURFACE ECCENTRICITY DATA NUMBER SHAPE X Y Z ADE BDE CDE DISPLAY 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 SURFACE LENS R1 2 FREE-FORM 1.08117 12.16169 45.38639 15.0005 1.3181 1.2288 SURFACE LENS R2 3 FREE-FORM 1.30755 14.70817 54.88966 15.0005 1.3181 1.2288 SURFACE MIRROR 4 FREE-FORM 3.52234 67.44536 162.6574 1.2385 1.5726 21.4761 SURFACE WINDSHIELD 5 TOROIDAL 3.89623 166.39526 55.4058 87.3882 6.0267 2.5112 OBSERVER 6 48.01393 239.4276 801.19965 146.7925 4.5127 12.1499

(92) TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 17 SURFACE NUMBER X-CURVATURE Y-CURVATURE 5 0.000126 0.000316

(93) TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 18 SURFACE NUMBER POLYNOMIAL COEFFICIENT 2 c 0.0000.E+00 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 0.0000.E+00 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 0.0000.E+00 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 0.0000.E+00 C4 9.3227.E03 C22 0.0000.E+00 C5 0.0000.E+00 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6 0.0000.E+00 C24 0.0000.E+00 C7 1.1488.E06 C25 0.0000.E+00 C8 0.0000.E+00 C26 0.0000.E+00 C9 0.0000.E+00 C27 0.0000.E+00 C10 0.0000.E+00 C28 0.0000.E+00 C11 6.3387.E07 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 0.0000.E+00 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 0.0000.E+00 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 0.0000.E+00 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 0.0000.E+00 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 3.4387.E12 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 0.0000.E+00 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 0.0000.E+00 C36 0.0000.E+00 3 c 9.8310.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 8.7787.E10 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 6.2481.E09 C3 3.7432.E01 C21 1.3134.E08 C4 7.6845.E03 C22 5.8173.E08 C5 1.7986.E04 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6 2.0104.E03 C24 0.0000.E+00 C7 1.5035.E07 C25 0.0000.E+00 C8 6.0979.E06 C26 0.0000.E+00 C9 9.9234.E06 C27 0.0000.E+00 C10 1.5275.E04 C28 0.0000.E+00 C11 1.0952.E07 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 1.5392.E08 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 3.8938.E07 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 7.2298.E07 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 7.5414.E07 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 1.6094.E10 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 2.2914.E09 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 8.7787.E10 C36 0.0000.E+00 4 c 3.2029.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 6.6696.E11 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 1.1333.E10 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 4.6679.E11 C4 2.9873.E03 C22 4.0969.E14 C5 1.8251.E04 C23 3.2624.E14 C6 2.7611.E03 C24 2.4682.E13 C7 3.5711.E07 C25 5.3677.E13 C8 1.0881.E06 C26 1.1448.E12 C9 7.5889.E07 C27 1.0882.E12 C10 1.1734.E06 C28 5.1824.E13 C11 5.2778.E09 C29 1.5400.E17 C12 1.6606.E09 C30 7.6869.E17 C13 9.4412.E09 C31 1.4488.E15 C14 6.2471.E09 C32 7.5014.E15 C15 6.8826.E10 C33 2.0177.E14 C16 1.9435.E12 C34 2.8689.E14 C17 7.2150.E12 C35 2.0761.E14 C18 1.1475.E11 C36 5.8967.E15

Numerical Example 7

(94) Numerical Example 7 is an example of the projection optical system of the third exemplary embodiment. Configuration data of the projection optical system of Numerical Example 7 is shown in Table 19, and coefficients of the polynomial free-form surface are shown in Table 20.

(95) TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 19 SURFACE ECCENTRICITY DATA NUMBER SHAPE X Y Z ADE BDE CDE DISPLAY 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 SURFACE MIRROR 2 FREE-FORM 0 19.81411 52.86912 21.9549 0 0 SURFACE COMBINER 3 FREE-FORM 0 123.5722 3.27818 36.7612 0 0 SURFACE OBSERVER 4 0 18.3365 892.4407 9.0678 0 0

(96) TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 20 SURFACE NUMBER POLYNOMIAL COEFFICIENT 2 c 8.1463.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 0.0000.E+00 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 0.0000.E+00 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 0.0000.E+00 C4 5.4488.E04 C22 0.0000.E+00 C5 0.0000.E+00 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6 2.3566.E03 C24 0.0000.E+00 C7 0.0000.E+00 C25 0.0000.E+00 C8 3.7671.E05 C26 0.0000.E+00 C9 0.0000.E+00 C27 0.0000.E+00 C10 1.9474.E05 C28 0.0000.E+00 C11 7.3479.E08 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 0.0000.E+00 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 2.5860.E08 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 0.0000.E+00 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 1.8545.E08 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 0.0000.E+00 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 0.0000.E+00 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 0.0000.E+00 C36 0.0000.E+00 3 c 2.4826.E03 (CURVATURE) C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 0.0000.E+00 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 0.0000.E+00 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 0.0000.E+00 C4 2.9314.E03 C22 0.0000.E+00 C5 0.0000.E+00 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6 2.5668.E03 C24 0.0000.E+00 C7 0.0000.E+00 C25 0.0000.E+00 C8 2.2485.E06 C26 0.0000.E+00 C9 0.0000.E+00 C27 0.0000.E+00 C10 1.7560.E06 C28 0.0000.E+00 C11 4.5664.E09 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 0.0000.E+00 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 6.2913.E09 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 0.0000.E+00 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 1.6992.E09 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 0.0000.E+00 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 0.0000.E+00 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 0.0000.E+00 C36 0.0000.E+00

Summary of Numerical Examples

(97) Table 21 shows examples of image display sizes (corresponding to display image 71 of LCD 13), virtual image sizes (corresponding to an angle of view), and virtual image distances VID from a virtual image to a viewpoint of an observer with respect to Numerical Examples 1 to 7 of the first to third exemplary embodiments. Further, Table 22 shows the values of Conditional Relations 1 to 3 of Numerical Examples 1 to 7 corresponding to the first to third exemplary embodiments.

(98) TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 21 NUMERICAL NUMERICAL. NUMERICAL NUMERICAL NUMERICAL NUMERICAL. NUMERICAL EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3 EXAMPLE 4 EXAMPLE 5 EXAMPLE 6 EXAMPLE 7 DISPLAY X 66.50 66.69 67.12 39.14 39.95 62.90 66.41 SIZE Y 27.15 22.10 29.17 15.72 15.88 27.46 23.29 VIRTUAL X 10 13 7 9 8 10 10 IMAGE Y 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 SIZE (deg) VID(mm) 2800 7000 2500 4000 3000 3000 2500

(99) TABLE-US-00022 TABLE 22 NUMERICAL NUMERICAL NUMERICAL NUMERICAL NUMERICAL NUMERICAL NUMERICAL EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3 EXAMPLE 4 EXAMPLE 5 EXAMPLE 6 EXAMPLE 7 |zmax - zmin| 14.9 14.6 10.7 20.4 23.4 17.3 20.7 (deg) LM/LD 3.5 4.2 1.7 3.4 3.0 2.6 2.0 LWS/VID 0.30 0.12 0.33 0.21 0.28 0.28 0.36

(100) As shown in Table 22, it is understood that the projection optical systems implemented in Numerical Examples 1 to 7 satisfy the above Conditional Relation 1 to Conditional Relation 3.

(101) These values show that it possible to achieve a virtual image display device that is small and causes no interference or the like.

(102) Note that, since the above exemplary embodiments are for illustrating the technique in the present disclosure, various modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, or the like can be made without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims or the equivalent thereof.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(103) The virtual image display device according to the present disclosure is suitable for a head-up display to be mounted on a vehicle or the like.

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

(104) 10: head-up display (virtual image display device) 11: final reflector 12: reflector 13: LCD 20: vehicle 21: dashboard 22: windshield 30: observer 31: eye box 40: virtual image 50: lens element 60: combiner 71: display image L: central optical path N1, N2: normal vector

Virtual image display device

Assignee

Inventors

Cpc classification

Classification Explorer

G02B2027/0123

PHYSICS

Classification Explorer

B60K2360/334

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

Classification Explorer

G02B27/0149

PHYSICS

Classification Explorer

G02B27/18

PHYSICS

Classification Explorer

G02B2027/011

PHYSICS

Classification Explorer

B60K35/00

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

Classification Explorer

G02B27/0101

PHYSICS

International classification

Classification Explorer

G02B27/01

PHYSICS

Classification Explorer

G02B27/18

PHYSICS

Classification Explorer

B60K35/00

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

Abstract

Claims

Description