Virtual image display device

A virtual image display device includes: an image projection device that projects an image light; a diverging element on which the image light emitted from the image projection device is incident, spreading the image light out over a range of a predetermined angle; and a light branching element that reflects the image light emitted from the diverging element, while transmitting the incident light from the surface other than the reflecting surface. The image light from the image projection device is formed into an image on the diverging element. A virtual image of the image formed on the diverging element is generated on an extension line in the opposite direction to the emission direction of the image light reflected from the light branching element. Further, an optical axis converting element is provided to convert the optical axis of the image light emitted from the image projection device, into a predetermined direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-049868 filed Mar. 13, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a structure of a display device that allows users to view virtual images.

Augmented reality (hereinafter, AR) is a technology that overlays image information on a real space. In recent years, the AR technology has been drawing attention in the fields of entertainment and work support system. A means for achieving the AR is a display device that generates a virtual image by reflecting an optically generated image on the user side by using an optical branching element, overlays the virtual image on a real space, and displays the virtual image to the user. In particular, the AR display device installed in the plane or vehicle is referred to as a head up display (hereinafter, HUD). HUD displays speed and the like to reduce the visual line movement of the operator, contributing to safe driving.

The technology of a display device for providing such a virtual image is disclosed in Patent document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-20605) and Patent document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-197493).

More specifically, Patent document 1 describes a head up display that provides a virtual image by reflecting a real image on a display unit by a concave mirror, and by reflecting a display light by a windshield. Patent document 1 discloses a technology for downsizing by providing a prism sheet in the optical path from the concave mirror to the windshield.

Further, Patent document 2 discloses a technology that allows virtual images to be visible from different viewpoints, by providing a movement mechanism to adjust the incident angle of an image light projected from the optical unit to the windshield, and a lens optical system to correct the distortion of the image projected on the windshield.

SUMMARY

In HUD, the position where the virtual image can be observed is referred to as an observation point, and the range where the virtual image can be observed when the observation point is moved is referred to as an observation range. In the case of in-car HUD, in general, the generation range of the image in the view of the observer is such that the vertical dimension is smaller than the horizontal dimension. Also in the observation range, the vertical dimension is narrower than the horizontal dimension.

Further, in the case of in-car HUD, in order to observe the image overlaid on a bright real space such as daytime outdoor, the brightness of the virtual image must be higher than the brightness of the real space. Thus, highly energy efficient light must be projected as much as possible in order to increase the brightness of the virtual image.

Further, in the case of in-car HUD, the observation range may vary due to the body type of the observer. Thus, it is desirable that the HUD has a mechanism that can adjust the observation range vertically according to the body type of the observer, and has a wide observation range to cover the estimated range of the observer.

In the technology disclosed in Patent document 1, the in-car HUD can be downsized but the observation range is not taken into account. Further, in the technology disclosed in Patent document 2, there is no description of the brightness of the virtual image.

An object of the present invention is to address the above problems and provide a HUD with a wide observation range and allowing a highly bright virtual image to be viewed.

In order to address the above problems, a virtual image display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: an image projection device that projects an image light; a diverging element on which the image light emitted from the image projection device is incident, spreading the image light out over a range of a predetermined angle; and a light branching element that reflects the image light emitted from the diverging element, while transmitting the incident light from the surface other than the reflecting surface. The image light from the image projection device is formed into an image on the diverging element. Then, a virtual image of the image formed on the diverging element is generated on an extension line in the opposite direction to the emission direction of the image light reflected from the light branching element. It is possible to adjust the observation range by adjusting the divergence angle of the diverging element.

Further, a virtual image display device according to another aspect of the present invention includes an optical axis converting element that converts the optical axis of the image light emitted from the image projection device, into a predetermined direction. In this way, it is possible to adjust the position of the observation range and prevent the reduction of the brightness of the virtual image.

According to the aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a virtual image display device with a wide observation range, allowing users to view high brightness virtual images.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a view schematically showing a virtual image display device according to the embodiment. The figure shows the cross-sectional structure perpendicular to the ground, in which the y-axis direction is the direction perpendicular to the ground, and the surface along the x and z axes is parallel to the ground. When the virtual image display device according to the present embodiment is applied to in-car HUD, the vertical direction of the observation range corresponds to the y-axis direction, and the horizontal direction of the observation range corresponds to the x-axis direction.

A body100of the virtual image display device includes an image projection device10, an optical axis converting element20, and a diverging element30. Here, the image light emitted from the image projection device10passes through the optical axis converting element20, and forms an image of a predetermined size on the diverging element30. At this time, it is assumed that Sv is the size on the side of the image projected on the diverging element30, and the point30ois the central position of the image. As shown in the figure, the image projection device10is provided parallel to the bottom of the body100. The image projection device10projects the image in the z direction in the figure.

For example, the image projection device10used here is a device for two-dimensional scanning of laser beam on the diverging element30by a small mirror such as MEMS, or a small projector with an LED (light emitting diode) light source that modulates the intensity of light by a small mirror called DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) to form an image on the diverging element by a projection lens.

The optical axis converting element20has a function to bend the light emitted in the z axis direction from the image projection device10, into the θp direction in the figure. Further, the optical axis converting element20is designed to rotate around the x axis in the figure as a rotation axis to adjust the position of the virtual image.

The diverging element30spreads light out at different angles in the parallel and vertical directions to the paper. The light spread out by the diverging element30reaches the light branching element50provided outside the body100.

The light branching element50is a semi-transmissive mirror that reflects a predetermined power while transmitting the other remaining power. For example, the light branching element50may be formed of glass or plastic, and may be a car windshield. The light branching element50is provided to reflect light on the user side.

As shown inFIG. 1, the light emitted from the point30oon the diverging element30is reflected from the point50oon the light branching element50to reach the observation point60. When viewed from the observation point60, the point30ois observed to be the same as the point70oon the line connecting the observation point60and the point50o. The other light projected on the diverging element30also reaches the observation point60through the same optical path. As a result, a real image centered on the point30oon the diverging element30is observed as a virtual image70centered on70owith the same size Iv as the image size Sv, from the observation point60.

The next describes the relationship between beam angles at this time. The angle θw is the angle of the rotation in the direction from the z axis to the y axis, around the x axis of the light branching element50. Similarly, the angle θe is the angle of the beam connecting the observation point60and the point70owhich is the center of the virtual image70. For example, assuming the case of installation in a car, the angle θw corresponds to the angle of the windshield, and the angle θe corresponds to a predetermined position of the virtual image.

Here, the predetermined position of the virtual image is the position where the user does not feel discomfort in driving, such as, for example, the position where the user can view by moving the eyes slightly down. As described above, the angles θw and θe are typically determined by the device including the virtual image display device according to the present embodiment.

The angle θp must be θp=2×θw−θe due to the relationship of the reflection of light on the light branching element50. The optical axis converting element20according to the present embodiment is designed to bend the optical axis of the light emitted from the image projection device10in the z axis direction at the angle of θp=2×θw−θe, according to predetermined angles θw and θe.

Next, the function of the diverging element30will be described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

As described above, the diverging element30has the function to spread the incident light out at different angles in the parallel and vertical directions to the paper. In this way, the diverging element30adjusts the size and shape of the observation range where the observer views.

For example, the diverging element30is the element for emitting the divergent light in the direction of a rectangular shape as shown inFIG. 2, or the element for emitting the divergent light in the direction of an elliptical shape as shown inFIG. 3. The diverging elements32and33can be realized, for example, by a micro-lens array with different focal lengths in the x and y directions in the figure, a Fresnel element, a holographic element, and a bead diffuser with different particle densities in the x and y directions.

FIG. 4is a view of the directivity of the beam emitted from the diverging element30. The horizontal axis represents the divergence angle, and the vertical axis represents the light intensity normalized by the light intensity passing at 0 degrees. For example,FIG. 4corresponds to the case where the diverging element30is formed by a micro-lens array, and the like. The intensity of the light emitted from the diverging element is the maximum when the divergence angle is 0 degrees. The light intensity is small as the divergence angle increases. In the present embodiment, the divergence angle ω is defined as the angle at which the light intensity is approximately half the central intensity at a divergence angle of 0 degrees.

Next, the relationship between the observation range D and the divergence angle ω of the diverging element30will be described with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6. In the figures, the suffixes of the observation range D and the divergence angle ω are as follows: h indicates the direction parallel to a line connecting two observation points corresponding to the right and left eyes of the user, and v indicates the direction perpendicular to the line.

FIG. 5is a view of the relationship between the size of the observation range in the direction parallel to the y axis, and the divergence angle in the virtual image display device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in the figure, a predetermined range centered on the observation point60is defined as the observation range Dv, the distance between the observation point60and the virtual image70is defined as the distance L, the divergence angle formed from the point70o, which is the center of the virtual image, to the observation range Dv is defined as ωv′, and the divergence angle of the light passing through the point30oof the diverging element30is defined as ωv. Here it is also assumed that the divergence angles ωv′ and ωv are the intensity that is approximately half the maximum intensity. The figure shows the diffusion range with the size of 2ωv′, 2ωv.

In order to observe the point70owhich is the center of the virtual image70in the entire observation range Dv, it is necessary to satisfy the following relationship between the virtual image point70oand the observation range Dv.

From the figure, the relationship between the divergence angle ωv′ and the observation range Dv, as well as the distance L can be expressed as Equation 1. More specifically, the distance L can be considered as the optical path length from the observation point to the virtual image.
ωV′=tan−1(Dv/2/L)  (1)

If the divergence angle ωv′=tan−1(Dv/2/L), the point70oof the virtual image70can be observed in the entire observation range Dv.

Since the divergence angle ωv′ is the angle at which the intensity is approximately half the maximum value, the intensity of the light incident on both ends of the observation range Dv is also approximately half. Thus, the brightness of the virtual image70observed from both ends of the observation range Dv is approximately half the maximum value. However, it is enough that the brightness observed at both ends of the observation range Dv is approximately half or more the maximum value. The observation range Dv may be smaller than the divergence angle ωv, namely, ωv′<=tan−1(Dv/2/L).

The divergence angle ωh′ of the point70ocan be adjusted to a predetermined angle by adjusting the divergence angle of the point30owhich is the conjugate of the point70o. Thus, the diverging element30according to the present embodiment is such that the divergence angle ωv is ωv<=tan−1(Dh/2/L).

Similarly, the observation range60in the horizontal direction will be described with reference toFIG. 6.

FIG. 6is a plan view of the display device according to the first embodiment, showing the relationship between the size of the observation range in the direction parallel to the x axis, and the divergence angle. Note that it is assumed that the x axis is the direction parallel to two observation points of the user.

As shown in the figure, there are two observation points60rand60lin the observation range Dh, corresponding to the right eye and the left eye.

The divergence angle in the direction from the point70o, which is the center of the virtual image, to the xz plane in the figure is defined as ωh′. The divergence angle of the point30oof the diverging element30is defined as ωh. Here, it is also assumed that the divergence angles ωh′ and ωh are the angles at which the intensity is approximately half the maximum intensity. To simplify the figure, the virtual image70and the divergence angle ωh′ are omitted.

In order to observe the point70o(not shown), which is the center of the virtual image, in the entire observation range Dh, the light emitted from the point70oof the virtual image must pass through the entire observation range Dh. Using the observation range Dh and the distance L, the relationship for the divergent angle ωh′ is given as ωh′=tan−1(Dh/2/L). Similar to the angle ωv′, it is enough that ωh′<=tan−1(Dh/2/L) in order to observe the virtual image70while keeping the brightness approximately half or more the maximum value on both ends of the virtual image range Dh.

The divergence angle ωh′ is adjusted to a predetermined angle by adjusting the divergence angle of the point30owhich is the conjugate of the point70o. In other words, the diverging element30according to the present embodiment is such that the divergence angle ωh in the xz plane in the figure is ωh<=tan−1(Dh/2/L).

As described above, the diverging element30can spread light out over a wider area in the x direction than in the y direction in the figure. The divergence angle ωh corresponds to a predetermined angle in the x direction, and the divergence angle ωv corresponds to the divergence angle in the y direction, which are given by the following equations: ωh<=tan−1(Dh/2/L) and ωv<=tan−1(Dv/2/L).

Here, the size of the observation ranges Dv and Dh, as well as the brightness of the virtual image70observed from the observation point60will be described.

In general, the movement range of the head of the user is smaller in the direction parallel to the ground than perpendicular to it. In addition, there are two observation points in the direction parallel to the ground, but one in the vertical direction. The observation range Dv can cover the movement range of the user if the range is smaller than the observation range Dh.

It is well known that the brightness of the virtual image is inversely proportional to the divergence angle.

In order to observe the virtual image in the entire observation range, the light is spread out beyond the observation range. However, if the light is spread over more than required, the light density in the observation range is reduced and the brightness of the virtual image is reduced.

When the divergence angle of the virtual image is optimized according to the observation range, it is possible to effectively take light in the observation range. As described above, the divergence angles ωv′, ωh′, and the observation ranges Dv, Dh are approximately proportional to each other. According to the present invention, the divergence angles ωv, ωh of the diverging element30are determined based on the observation ranges Dv, Dh and on the distance L between the virtual image70and the observation point60, according to the installation condition of the virtual image display device. In this way, the divergence angles ωv′, ωh′ are optimized to increase the efficiency of the light. As a result, a high brightness virtual image can be displayed.

Next, the optical axis converting element20will be described in detail below.

The optical axis converting element20has a function to bend the optical axis in a predetermined direction. For example, the optical axis converting element20includes one prism21shown inFIG. 7, a prism plate22shown inFIG. 8, a lens23shown inFIG. 9, and a mirror24shown inFIG. 10, and the like.

When the virtual image display device according to the present embodiment is installed in a car or other vehicle, the position of the observation range Dv and angle θe appropriate for the observation of the virtual image70vary according to the body type of the user. Thus, it is desirable that the position of the observation range Dv and the angle θe can be adjusted by adjusting the optical axis converting element20, which will be described in detail below.

The adjustment of the observation range Dv and the angle θe will be described with reference toFIGS. 11 and 12.FIG. 11is a view of the relationship between the drive of the optical axis converting element20and the change of the optical axis. InFIG. 11, only the optical axis converting element20and the diverging element30in the display device shown inFIG. 1are extracted, and the other parts are omitted. Further,FIG. 12is a view of the relationship between the optical axis converting element20and the angle θp, as well as the position of the observation range Dv.

As shown inFIG. 11, the optical axis converting element20rotates from the position of optical axis converting element20ato20b. Thus, the optical axis incident on the diverging element30rotates from the angle θpa to the angle θpb. The light passing through the diverging element30travels in the direction of the angle θpb at the divergence angle ωv.

As described above, using the angle θw of the light branching element50, the relationship between the angle θe at which the center of the virtual image can be observed from the observation point, and the angle θp at which the light is emitted from the body, is given as θp=2×θe−θw. Assuming that the angle θw is fixed, the angle θpb for adjusting the angle θeb can be obtained from the equation. In order to adjust the angle θea to the angle θeb, the angle θpa is replaced by the angle θpb.

Further, when the angle θpa is changed to the angle θpb, as shown in the figure, the incident position of the light branching element50is also changed from50oato50ob. Thus, the observation point is also changed from the observation point60ato the observation point60b. Assuming that the divergence angle ωv of the diverging element30is constant, the position of the observation range Dv moves according to the change of the observation point.

As described above, it is possible to change the observation range Dv and the angle θe at which the virtual image can be observed, by rotating the optical axis converting element20. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to adjust the observation range Dv and the angle θe by the rotation of the optical axis converting element20, according to the user condition.

Here, the optical axis converting element20also has the effect of downsizing the body100. The details will be described below.

It is also possible to change the angle θp by varying the angle of the image projection device10, instead of the optical axis converting element20.

The image projection device10projects an image at a predetermined angle of view. In order to obtain an image at a predetermined size by the diverging element30, it is necessarily to provide a predetermined optical path length between the image projection device10and the diverging element30. If the angle of the image projection device10is changed, the change in the position of the image on the diverging element30increases, requiring the diverging element30to increase in size. With the increase in the size of the diverging element30, the size of the body100also increases.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the angle θp is adjusted by the rotation of the optical axis converting element20, so that the change in the position of the image on the diverging element30is small. Thus, the size of the diverging element30is reduced, and the effect of downsizing the body100can be obtained.

Further, it is also possible to adjust the incident angle of the image light for forming a real image in the image projection device10, into the direction of the light branching element50by adjusting the bending direction of the optical axis of the optical axis converting element20. In particular, when a beam scanning type projection device is applied to the image projection device10, the incident angle of the beam varies depending on the surface direction of the image forming surface. Thus, a brightness distribution occurs. The bending direction of the optical axis of the optical axis converting element20is set to compensate the change in the incident angle within the plane. In this way, it is possible to eliminate the brightness distribution in the image forming surface and increase the illumination efficiency.

Second Embodiment

Next, an example of the structure using a reflection type diverging element33, instead of the diverging element30of the first embodiment, will be described. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13is a view of the structure of a virtual image display device according to a second embodiment. In the virtual image display device according to the second embodiment, the light projected from the image projection device10is irradiated on the optical axis converting element20, to convert the direction of the optical axis. Then, the light is reflected in the direction of the light branching element50by the reflection type convergent element33.

Also, the structure of the second embodiment is such that the rotation of the optical axis converting element20around the x axis can change the angle θe at which the virtual image70can be observed, as well as the position of the observation range Dv. Thus, the observation range can be adjusted. At this time, similarly to the first embodiment, the adjustment may be made by rotating the optical axis converting element20solely, or by rotating the optical axis converting element20together with the reflection type diverging element33.

Third Embodiment

Next,FIG. 14shows an example of the virtual image display device in which a bend mirror40is inserted between the image projection device10and the optical axis converting element20. The same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this example, it is possible not only to adjust the angle θp by the rotation of the optical axis converting element20, but also to adjust the angle θp by the rotation of the bend mirror40.

Further, the bend mirror40has a shape of a concave surface or a free curved surface, and may have a function of correcting the angle of view of the light projected from the image projection device10, to a greater value.

Fourth Embodiment

Next,FIG. 15shows an example of the virtual image display device in which a lens80is inserted between the image projection device10and the optical axis converting element20. The same components of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

More specifically, inFIG. 15, the distance between the points30oand50ois L1, the distance between the points50oand70ois L2, and the focal distance of the lens is f. Using the distance L1and the focal distance f, the relationship for the distance L2is given as 1/L2=1/L1+1/f. Using the lateral magnification obtained by the ratio of the distance L1and the distance L2, the relationship between the image size Sv on the diverging element30and the size Iv of the virtual image70is given as Iv=Sv×M. Thus, it is possible to adjust the distance L2of the virtual image and the size Sv by adjusting the focal distance f of the lens80.

The relationship between the divergence angle ωv of the diverging element30and the divergence angle ωv′ of the virtual image70is obtained, using the magnification M, as follows: ωv=ωv′×M. From the figure, it can be found that the divergence angle ωv′ is expressed, using the observation range Dv and the distance L between the observation point60and the virtual image70, as follows: ωv′=tan−1(Dv/2/L). Thus, in order to obtain the predetermined observation range Dv, the divergence angle of the diverging element30is adjusted to at least ωv<=M×tan−1(Dv/2/L).

Similarly, although not shown, the divergence angle ωh with respect to the x direction is given as ωh<=M×tan−1(Dh/2/L), using a predetermined observation range Dh, the distance L, and the lateral magnification M.

Note that the lens80is not included in the display element according to the third embodiment, which can be considered as the form of the lateral magnification M=1 according to the fourth embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment

A fifth embodiment will be described.FIG. 16is a view of the structure of a display device according to the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, a concave mirror81is provided between the light branching element50and the diverging element30in the display device according to the first embodiment. The other components are the same as those of the first embodiment and designated by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be described.

In the case of installing the concave mirror81, similar to the lens80according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to adjust the size of the virtual image70and the distance L2by adjusting the focal distance f of the concave mirror81. Further, using the observation range Dv, the lateral magnification M, and the distance L, the divergence angle ωv of the diverging element30in the direction perpendicular to the paper is expressed as ωv=M×tan−1(Dv/2/L). Although not shown in the figure, the divergence angle ωh of the diverging element30in the direction parallel to the paper is also expressed as ωh=M×tan−1(Dh/2/L), using the observation range Dh, the lateral magnification M, and the distance L.

When the virtual image display according to the present embodiment is applied to the in-car system, the light branching element50corresponds to the windshield of the car. At this time, the angle θw of the light branching element50may vary locally depending on the light incident position. The local displacement of the light branching element50from the angle θw is defined as the angle ΔθN. The concave mirror81may have a shape of a free curved surface, so that the angle at which the virtual image70can be observed from the observation point60is the predetermined angle θv, even if the light branching element50has the local displacement angle Δθw.

Sixth Embodiment

This embodiment is an example of the case providing a semi-transmissive concave mirror51as the light branching element with a function of both the light branching element50and the concave mirror81, instead of those in the display device according to the fifth embodiment. The structure of the sixth embodiment is shown inFIG. 17.

As described above, it is enough that the display device according to the present invention includes the image projection device10, the optical axis converting element20, the diverging element30, and the light branching element50. There is no problem if a mirror or a diffraction grating is placed in the middle of the optical path to separate the optical path.

Further, it is enough that the angle of the light incident on the light branching element50is the angle θp. There is no problem if two or more angle converting elements are inserted before and after the diverging element30.