HEAD-UP DISPLAY DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a head-up display device having a structure such that the procurement cost of a bezel can be suppressed. A bezel part is integrally formed on a curved wall portion of an upper cover. Since the upper cover is a die-cast product, the curved wall part can be manufactured by one-time casting (die-casting) with a through-hole and the bezel part. Since the bezel part is integral with the upper cover, it is possible to reduce the procurement cost of the bezel part compared to when the bezel part is a separate part. If the bezel is configured as a separate part having a high heatproof temperature, the procurement cost of the bezel increases. However, if the bezel part is formed integrally with the case simply by partially deforming the case, as described in the present invention, it is possible to reduce the procurement cost of the bezel part.

Claims

1. A head-up display device comprising: a first mirror; a second mirror; and a case configured to house the first mirror and the second mirror, the head-up display device being formed with a cross optical path between the second mirror and the first mirror, wherein the first mirror is disposed at a position receiving external light from the second mirror, wherein the case is provided integrally with a frame-like bezel part configured to cover an outer peripheral portion of the first mirror as viewed from the second mirror side, wherein the first mirror is supported by a mirror holder configured to cover a backside of a reflective surface, and the mirror holder is connected to the case, whereby the first mirror is attached to the case, and wherein the mirror holder comprises a resin material having a heat resistance temperature lower than that of the bezel part.

2. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the case has a general part and a special part formed of a material having higher thermal conductivity or a higher heat resistance temperature than that of the general part, and wherein the bezel part is integrally provided in the special part.

3. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the bezel part is provided with, at a portion where external light from the second mirror strikes, an anti-reflection portion configured to weaken or prevent reflection of the external light.

4. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the case comprises: a center frame configured to support the second mirror; an upper cover configured to be attached onto the center frame, to be integrally provided with the bezel part, and to support the first mirror; and a lower cover configured to be attached below the center frame.

5. The head-up display device according to claim 4, wherein the upper cover comprises a metal material.

6. The head-up display device according to claim 4, wherein the upper cover comprises a metal portion and a resin portion, and wherein the bezel part is formed in the metal portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view and an action view of a head-up display device according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating action of external light.

[0037] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the head-up display device.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a first mirror.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a view showing a modification example of an upper cover.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0040] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment

[0041] First, a basic configuration and basic action of a head-up display device 10 will be described with FIG. 1, the action of external light will be described with FIG. 2, and a detailed structure of the head-up display device 10 will be described with in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, a head-up display device 10 is provided with a first mirror 11, a second mirror 12, and a case 30 that houses the first mirror 11 and the second mirror 12. A light source 13, a display 14, a substrate 15 are also housed in the case 30. A cross optical path is formed between the first mirror 11 and the second mirror 12.

[0043] Furthermore, the first mirror 11 is a concave mirror and has a curvature at which reflected light 17 is crossed above and below before reaching the second mirror 12 (a reciprocal of a radius), and the second mirror 12 is a concave mirror that serves to reflect the reflected light 17 received. That is, the first mirror 11 has a curvature such that a focal point of the first mirror 11 is positioned between the first mirror 11 and the second mirror 12. In other words, a distance from the first mirror 11 to the second mirror 12 is set to be longer than a focal length of the first mirror 11. In this manner, the cross optical path is formed between the first mirror 11 and the second mirror 12 in accordance with the curvature and a positional relationship of the first mirror 11 and the second mirror 12.

[0044] In the head-up display device 10, display light 16 is emitted from the display 14 disposed on the light source 13, and this display light 16 is reflected by the first mirror 11. The reflected light 17 is reflected by the second mirror 12 after crossing at a cross point 18 and reaches a windshield 19 of a vehicle.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2 (a), external light (e.g. sunlight) 22 from an external light emitting source (for example, the sun. the light source in the right side of the FIG. 21 penetrates through the windshield 19 and enters into the case 30, is reflected by the second mirror 12, and is blocked by the first shielding portion 31 when an angle of the external light emitting source 21 with respect to an exit aperture 23 of the reflected light 17 of the case 30 is small (when a solar altitude is low).

[0046] In addition, when the angle of the external light emitting source 21 with respect to the exit aperture 23 of the reflected light 17 of the case 30 is large (when the solar altitude is high), the external light 22 penetrates through the windshield 19 and enters into the case 30, is reflected by the second mirror 12, and is blocked by a second light shielding portion 32. The first shielding portion 31 and the second shielding portion 32 extend to a vicinity of the cross point (FIG. 1, reference sign 18) so as to narrow the optical path.

[0047] In most angles (solar altitudes) of the external light emitting source 21, since the external light 22 is blocked by the first shielding portion 31 and the second shielding portion 32, a temperature rise in the first mirror 11 is reduced.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2 (b), when the angle of the external light emitting source 21 with respect to the exit aperture 23 of the reflected light 17 of the case 30 is a predetermined angle (when the solar altitude is a predetermined value), the external light 22 penetrates through the windshield 19 and enters the case 30, is reflected by the second mirror 12, passes between the first light shielding portion 31 and the second light shielding portion 32 while converging, and crosses in a vicinity of the first mirror 11.

[0049] In the head-up display device 10 in which the cross optical path is formed between the first mirror 11 and the second mirror 12, there are cases where a temperature in a frame-like bezel part 33 that covers an outer periphery portion of the first mirror 11 increases more than other part (general part) due to condensing of the external light 22. The external light emitting source 21 may be exterior lighting in addition to the sun.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the case 30 is comprised of, for example: a center frame 35 that supports the second mirror 12, the light source 13 and the display 14; an upper cover 36 that is disposed on the center frame 35, is provided integrally with the bezel part 33 and supports the first mirror 11; and a lower cover 37 that is disposed below the center frame 35 and supports the substrate 15. The upper cover 36 and the lower cover 37 are fastened to the center frame 35 by a bolt 34. The fastening method may be a screw, a clip, or an adhesive in addition to the bolt.

[0051] The center frame 35 is a backbone of the head-up display device 10, and strength is required. While both resins and metals can be employed for a material, a metal is desired in terms of the strength and a heat resistance temperature.

[0052] A common metal and a light metal can be employed for the metal, and a lighter light metal is more preferable.

[0053] Among light metals, an aluminum alloy is particularly desirable. In case of the aluminum alloy, an aluminum die-cast product is preferable. The aluminum die-cast product is a casting product, and thus mass production is possible, and the cost can be reduced by the mass production. A magnesium alloy can also be employed for a lightweight metal. Therefore, a metallic material can be arbitrarily selected from metals including a lightweight metal, and kinds of the metals are not exceptionally limited.

[0054] The second shielding portion 32 is included in the center frame 35, and while this second shielding portion 32 is heated by the external light (FIG. 2 (a), the reference sign 22), if case of a metal (e.g., aluminum die casting), sufficient heat resistance performance can be obtained.

[0055] The lower cover 37 is only for housing the substrate 15, and thus temperature conditions are less stringent. Thus, the lower cover 37 can be a resin having a heat resistance temperature lower than that of the aluminum die-casting, for example, an ABS resin molded product. The resin molded product is much less expensive than the aluminum die-cast product.

[0056] Regarding the upper cover 36, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the heat resistance performance is required in the bezel part 33 and the first shielding portion 31. Suppose that the upper cover 36 is the aluminum die-cast product. The bezel part 33 and the first shielding portion 31 necessarily become an aluminum alloy. In case of the aluminum alloy, sufficient heat resistance performance can be obtained.

[0057] The upper cover 36 includes the exit aperture 23 of the reflected light 17 and a curved wall part 38, a through-hole 39 is provided in the curved wall part 38, and the bezel part 33 is integrally formed around the through-hole 39. The exit aperture 23 is closed with a cover glass (not shown).

[0058] The first mirror 11 is formed by depositing a reflective film on an inorganic glass or a transparent resin. An outer peripheral portion of the glass or resin is gripped at the time of the deposition. While a gripping trace is inevitably generated, this gripping trace is hidden by the bezel part 33.

[0059] Such first mirror 11 is affixed to a mirror holder 42 with the use of an adhesive 41. The mirror holder 42 is a member that covers a rear surface (a surface opposite to a reflective surface) of the first mirror 11 and is not directly struck by the external light 22, and thus is composed of an inexpensive resin having a heat resistance temperature lower than that of the bezel part 33.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the bezel part 33 is integrally formed in the curved wall part 38 of the upper cover 36. In a case where the upper cover 36 is a die-cast product, the curved wall part 38 can be manufactured with the through-hole 39 and the bezel part 33 in a single casting (die casting). As compared with a case where the case bezel part 33 is a separate component, since the bezel part 33 is integrated, the procurement cost of the bezel part 33 can be reduced.

[0061] The mirror holder 42 is placed on such upper cover 36 from a back and fixed to the upper cover 36 by a screw 43 for example. The bezel part 33 is integrated with the upper cover 36 whereas the mirror holder 42 is a component separated from the case 30; however, the mirror holder 42 is composed of a resin material that is more inexpensive (having lower heat resistance) than that of the bezel part 33, and thus, as compared with a case where the bezel part 33 is a separate component, the procurement cost of the separate component can be reduced.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 4 (b), when viewed from the second mirror 12, the first mirror 11 is attached to the upper cover 36 in such a manner that an outer peripheral portion of the first mirror 11 is covered by the bezel part 33. A small gap 44 is provided between the bezel part 33 and the first mirror 11. When the bezel part 33 and the first mirror 11 are heated by the external light 22, a difference comes out in an expansion amount between the bezel part 33 and the first mirror 11. If there is the gap 44, there would be no concern that expansion or contraction of the bezel part 33 would affect the first mirror 11.

[0063] In FIG. 1, when the external light 22 striking the bezel part 33 is reflected and returns to the second mirror 12, the external light 22 is reflected again by the second mirror 12, and it is concerned that the re-reflected light is directed to the first mirror 11 without striking the first and second shielding portions 31 and 32. A countermeasure against this is desired.

[0064] Accordingly, in the bezel part 33 shown in FIG. 4 (b), it is desired that an anti-reflection portion 45 that weakens or prevents reflection of external light 22 is provided at a portion where the external light 22 strikes.

[0065] The anti-reflection portion 45 can be formed of a black paint, a black film, a black tape, and if a base material is aluminum, the anti-reflection portion 45 can be formed of a black alumite. Alternatively, the anti-reflection portion 45 can be roughened by sandblasting a smooth surface.

[0066] For the same reason, it is preferable that the first shielding portion 31 and the second shield portion 32 shown in FIG. 1 are subjected to an anti-reflection treatment.

[0067] Next, a modification example of the upper cover 36 will be described.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 5, the upper cover 36 is composed of a resin portion 47 and a metal portion 48, and the bezel part 33 and the first shielding portion 31 are included in the metal portion 48. The resin portion 47 does not include the bezel part 33 and the first shielding portion 31, and thus it is possible to lower the heat resistance temperature. As a result, a resin material that is less expensive than that of the metal portion 48 can be used for the resin portion 47.

[0069] The metal portion 48 is placed on a resin molding die, and then a molten resin is injected into a cavity, whereby the upper cover 36 is obtained. In this case, a bond strength is enhanced when a boundary portion between the metal portion 48 and the resin portion 47 has a sawtooth appearance.

[0070] Alternatively, the metal portion 48 and the resin portion 47 can be each manufactured and be bonded to each other via adhesion, bolting or the like. Therefore, a manufacturing method of the upper cover 36 is arbitrary.

[0071] While the case 30 has been divided into three: the center frame 35, the upper cover 36 and the lower cover 37 in FIG. 3, the case 30 may be two separate components or an undivided integral component.

[0072] In any of the three separate components, the two separate components or the undivided integral component, the case 30 can be composed of a general part and a special part (e.g. the curved wall part 38) formed of a material having higher thermal conductivity or a higher heat resistance temperature than that of the general part. In addition, the bezel part 33 is provided integrally in the special part.

[0073] The general part can be formed of a less expensive material than that of the special part, and a material cost of the case 30 can be reduced.

[0074] For the special part, it is better to have higher thermal conductivity or a higher heat resistance temperature than that of the general part, and thus a specific resin can be used in addition to metals. A specific example thereof will be described in detail.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 General Part of Case Special Part of Case Combination ABS resin (110 C.) PC resin (150 C.) Example 1 Combination PP resin (168 C.) epoxy resin [180 C.] Example 2 Combination PC resin (150 C.) aluminium die-cast (580 C.) Example 3 ( ) is a molten temperature (reference value) [ ] is a heat resistance temperature (reference value)

[0075] The heat resistance temperature is shown only for an epoxy resin that is a thermosetting resin. Molten temperatures are shown for others.

[0076] Generally, there is a correlation between the heat resistance temperature and the molten temperature. That is, there is a tendency that the higher the molten temperature is, the higher the heat resistance temperature is, and the lower the molten temperature is, the lower the heat resistance temperature is.

[0077] In Combination Example 1 and Combination Example 2, resins have been combined. In Combination Example 3, a resin and a light metal have been combined.

[0078] In Combination Example 3, a resin and an aluminum die-cast have been combined.

[0079] Instead of enhancing the heat resistance, thermal conductivity may be enhanced.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 General Part of Case Special Part of Case Combination PC resin (about 0.2 W/m .Math. k) aluminium die-cast (about Example 3 100 W/m .Math. K) ( ) is thermal conductivity

[0080] When thermal conductivity is enhanced, heat transfer is promoted. So-called heat accumulation is prevented, and an overall temperature of the die-cast aluminum decreases. That is, a temperature of the special part decreases, and strength of the special part (the bezel part 33, etc.) against heat can be enhanced.

[0081] The head-up display device 10 of the present invention is suitable for a passenger car, and may be applied to a general vehicle, ship, and aircraft.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0082] The head-up display device of the present invention is suitable for a vehicle with a windshield.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0083] 10 head-up display device [0084] 11 first mirror [0085] 12 second mirror [0086] 18 cross point [0087] 22 external light [0088] 30 case [0089] 33 bezel part [0090] 35 center frame [0091] 36 upper cover [0092] 37 lower cover [0093] 42 mirror holder [0094] 45 anti-reflection portion [0095] 47 resin portion [0096] 48 metal portion