MOBILE-BODY-MOUNTED DISPLAY DEVICE

According to the present invention, there is provided a mobile-object-mounted display device (1, 1A) that is mounted on a mobile object (20) and performs display toward the outside of the mobile object (20), including a display unit (3) that performs display by light emission and a semi-transmissive layer (6) that is semi-transmissive and is disposed in front of the display unit (3).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile-object-mounted display device. Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-139769, filed Aug. 21, 2020, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, it has been proposed to install a display device that displays information to pedestrians and other drivers outside a vehicle on the vehicle or the like, assuming the spread or the like of autonomous vehicles in the future. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a driving support system provided with an own vehicle external display device.

CITATION LIST

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, when the display device is not performing display, light is not emitted from the display device, and unlit light emitting elements and the like are likely to be visually recognized by a person outside the vehicle. An outer surface of the vehicle generally has a complicated three-dimensional shape in order to improve an external impression of the vehicle. When the unlit light emitting elements and the like are visually recognized in a wide range on a part of the outer surface of the vehicle, they greatly affect the external impression of the vehicle.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the influence on the external impression of the mobile object when display is not performed in a mobile-object-mounted display device which is mounted on the mobile object and performs display toward the outside of the mobile object.

Solution to Problem

The present invention adopts the following aspects as means for solving the above problems.

A first aspect is a mobile-object-mounted display device that is mounted on a mobile object and performs display toward an outside of the mobile object, the device comprising: a display unit that performs display by light emission; and a semi-transmissive layer that is semi-transmissive and is disposed in front of the display unit.

A second aspect is the mobile-object-mounted display device according to the first aspect, further including a transparent outer cover that is disposed in front of the display unit and covers the display unit from the front, in which the semi-transmissive layer is disposed in front of the outer cover or between the outer cover and the display unit.

A third aspect is the mobile-object-mounted display device according to the second aspect, in which the semi-transmissive layer is provided on a rear surface of the outer cover.

A fourth aspect is the mobile-object-mounted display device according to the second or third aspect, further including a rear member that is coupled to the outer cover from behind and forms a closed space that accommodates the semi-transmissive layer with the outer cover therebetween.

A fifth aspect is the mobile-object-mounted display device according to any one of first to fourth aspects, in which the semi-transmissive layer is composed of a paint layer formed of paint.

A sixth aspect is the mobile-object-mounted display device according to any one of first to fourth aspects, in which the semi-transmissive layer has an ink layer formed of ink, and a film layer that covers the ink layer from behind.

A seventh aspect is the mobile-object-mounted display device according to any one of first to fourth aspects, in which the semi-transmissive layer is composed of a semitransparent plastic sheet.

An eighth aspect is the mobile-object-mounted display device according to any one of first to fourth aspects, in which the semi-transmissive layer is composed of a semitransparent metal layer.

A ninth aspect is the mobile-object-mounted display device according to any one of first to eighth aspects, in which a buffer space is provided between the display unit and the semi-transmissive layer.

A tenth aspect is the mobile-object-mounted display device according to ninth aspect, further including an interposing member that is interposed between the display unit and the semi-transmissive layer, in which the interposing member is disposed to avoid at least a part of a display area of the display unit when viewed from a front of the semi-transmissive layer.

An eleventh aspect is the mobile-object-mounted display device according to the tenth aspect, in which the display area has a rectangular shape having an upper edge portion, a lower edge portion, a left edge portion, and a right edge portion when viewed from an outer cover side, and the interposing member has a bilaterally symmetrical shape that overlaps at least any one of the upper edge portion, the lower edge portion, the left edge portion, and the right edge portion of the display area when viewed from the outer cover side.

A twelfth aspect is the mobile-object-mounted display device according to the eleventh aspect, in which the interposing member has a frame shape surrounding the display area when viewed from the front of the semi-transmissive layer.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, the semi-transmissive layer is disposed in front of the display unit. Therefore, a part of external light incident on the semi-transmissive layer is reflected by the semi-transmissive layer. Therefore, even when the display is not being performed, it is possible to cause a person outside the mobile-object-mounted display device to visually recognize a color of the semi-transmissive layer. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the display unit from being visually recognized from an outside when the display is not performed. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the influence on the external impression of the mobile object when display is not performed in a mobile-object-mounted display device which is mounted on the mobile object and performs display toward the outside of the mobile object.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of a mobile-object-mounted display device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a schematic front view of a vehicle20(mobile object) provided with a screen grille1(mobile-object-mounted display device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG.1, the vehicle20includes an openable and closable hood H disposed below a windshield G, headlamps L that are disposed below the hood H to be separated from each other to the left and right, and a front bumper B disposed below the headlamps L.

The surfaces of vehicle parts such as the hood H, the headlamps L, and the front bumper B have complicated three-dimensional shapes corresponding to the type of the vehicle20on which they are mounted. For example, in the present embodiment, an upper surface of the hood H is curved to drop downward as it goes toward the front of the vehicle. The front surfaces of the headlamps L and the front surface of the front bumper B are curved rearward as they go toward ends of the vehicle20in a vehicle width direction.

Note that the vehicle parts mounted on the vehicle20in the present embodiment are only examples, and other vehicle parts can be mounted on the vehicle20. Further, the surface shapes of the vehicle parts according to the present embodiment are also examples, and the surface shapes of the vehicle parts can be changed to a three-dimensional shape instead of a flat surface. However, not all vehicle parts need to have a three-dimensional surface shape. At least one surface shape of the plurality of vehicle parts has a three-dimensional shape.

The screen grille1of the present embodiment is a display device that performs display of pictograms, characters, or the like toward the outside of the vehicle20(outside the mobile object), and as shown inFIG.1, it is disposed in a front part of the vehicle20to be surrounded by the vehicle parts having three-dimensional surfaces as described above. In the present embodiment, the screen grille1is disposed below the hood H, above the front bumper B, and between the left and right headlamps L.

FIG.2is an exploded perspective view of the screen grille1of the present embodiment.FIG.3is a cross-sectional view of the screen grille1of the present embodiment along a vertical plane in a vehicle front-rear direction, and is a cross-sectional view along line A-A inFIG.1. For example, as shown inFIGS.2and3, the screen grille1of the present embodiment includes an inner member2(rear member), a display unit3, a bezel4, an outer cover5, and a semi-transmissive layer6.

Note that, in the following description, a side where information is presented by the display unit3is called a front side, and a side where the information is not displayed by the display unit3is called a rear side. In the present embodiment, the inner member2, the display unit3, the bezel4, and the outer cover5are arranged in a front-rear direction. Among these, the inner member2is disposed on a rearmost side, and the outer cover5is disposed on a frontmost side.

The inner member2is a member that directly or indirectly supports the display unit3, the bezel4, and the outer cover5, and is disposed behind (to the rear of) the display unit3, the bezel4, and the outer cover5. The inner member2is formed of a black ABS, for example. The inner member2has a plate-like portion2aand an inner edge portion2bprovided to surround the plate-like portion2ain the up-down direction and the left-right direction.

The plate-like portion2ais a plate-like portion that is disposed with a certain gap in the front-rear direction with respect to a support substrate3aof the display unit3, which will be described later, and covers the display unit3from behind. The plate-like portion2aof the inner member2is disposed with a certain gap with respect to the support substrate3aof the display unit3, which will be described later.

Further, the plate-like portion2ais provided with a plurality of holes2a1for fixing the display unit3with screws7(seeFIG.3). The display unit3is fixed to the inner member2by screwing the screws7inserted into the holes2a1into threaded portions3bprovided on the support substrate3aof the display unit3, which will be described later. Further, the inner edge portion2bof the inner member2is provided with a plurality of attachment portions2cfor attaching the inner member2to the vehicle body. The screen grille1of the present embodiment is fixed to the vehicle body by fixing these attachment portions2cto the vehicle body with a screw (that is not shown) or the like.

The inner edge portion2bof the inner member2is provided with locking projections2dfor locking the outer cover5. The outer cover5is coupled to the inner member2by the locking projections2d. Such an inner member2is coupled to the outer cover5from behind and forms a closed space that accommodates the semi-transmissive layer6and the LED elements3dwith the outer cover5therebetween.

The display unit3is a device that displays characters and pictograms under the control of a control device (that is not shown), and includes the support substrate3a, the threaded portions3b, a pasting sheet3c, and the LED elements3d(light emitting elements). “LED” means “light emitting diode.”

The support substrate3ais a plate-like portion to which the pasting sheet3cis pasted on the front surface, and supports the LED elements3dvia the pasting sheet3c. Such a support substrate3ais disposed with a certain gap with respect to the outer cover5. The threaded portions3bare cylindrical portions provided to protrude rearward from a back surface of the support substrate3aand a plurality of threaded portions3bare provided to correspond to the plurality of holes2a1provided in the plate-like portion2aof the inner member2. That is, the number of threaded portions3band the number of holes2a1are the same. The screws7are screwed into these threaded portions3b, as shown inFIG.3.

The pasting sheet3cis a sheet material having the LED elements3dfixed on the surface side and an adhesive surface on the back surface side. The pasting sheet3cis pasted on the front surface of the support substrate3a, and fixes the LED elements3dwith respect to the support substrate3a.

The LED elements3dare fixed to the front surface of the support substrate3avia the pasting sheet3c, and the plurality of LED elements3dare arranged in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. These LED elements3dare collectively disposed in a display area R (seeFIG.2) provided in the central portion of the support substrate3awhen viewed from the front. Each of the LED elements3dis coupled to a lead wire (that is not shown) for supplying power to the LED elements3d. These lead wires are extended laterally from the display area R, drawn out via openings provided in the support substrate3aand the plate-like portion2aof the inner member2, for example, and coupled to the control device. Note that it is preferable to seal the openings for passing the lead wires. Desired characters or pictograms are displayed in the display area R by selectively causing these LED elements3dto emit light. Note that, instead of the configuration of fixing the LED elements3dto the support substrate3avia the pasting sheet3c, a circuit board may be provided and the LED elements3dmay be mounted on the circuit board.

In addition, as shown inFIG.2, an area in which the LED elements3dare not disposed is provided annularly around the display area R in the support substrate3a, and the threaded portions3bare provided on the back surface of the area where the LED elements3dare not provided.

Further, a buffer space K is provided between the LED elements3dand the semi-transmissive layer5. The buffer space K is a space that prevents the LED elements3dfrom coming into contact with the semi-transmissive layer6even when the LED elements3dand the outer cover5move relative to each other due to running vibrations of the vehicle20. Further, by providing the buffer space K, it is possible to make it more difficult to visually recognize the LED elements3dfrom the front of the outer cover5when the LED elements3dare turned off.

As shown inFIG.2, the bezel4is an annular plate member having an opening4ain the center, and has a frame shape surrounding the display area R when viewed from the outer cover5side. The bezel4is an interposing member interposed between the display unit3and the outer cover5, and is formed of a black ABS, for example. The opening4aof the bezel4has a shape slightly smaller than the display area R when viewed from the front side of the outer cover5, such that the emitting LED elements3dcan be visually recognized from the outer side of the outer cover5.

The bezel4is disposed slightly ahead of the LED elements3d, and is disposed with a slight gap from the LED elements3d. As shown inFIG.3, the bezel4is disposed such that an inner edge portion slightly overlaps the LED element3darranged at the end of the display area R when viewed from the front. Since the inner edge portion forming the opening4aof the bezel4slightly overlaps the LED element3dat the end when viewed from the front, even when a gap is provided between the bezel4and the LED element3d, it is possible to prevent the outer side of the display area R from being visually recognized from the outside. That is, it is possible to prevent the outer edge portion of the display area R from being visually recognized via the opening4aof the bezel4when the opening4aof the bezel4is viewed from the front side of the outer cover5.

Further, such a bezel4functions as a stopper that restricts the display unit3from approaching the semi-transmissive layer6due to running of the vehicle20or the like. Therefore, even when the vehicle20is stopped in an emergency, the bezel4can be prevented from approaching the semi-transmissive layer6of the display unit3, the LED element3dcan be prevented from coming into contact with the semi-transmissive layer6, and the distance between the LED elements3dand the semi-transmissive layer6can be prevented from changing.

The outer cover5is a transparent cover member disposed in front of the display unit3(that is, the LED elements3d). The outer cover5is formed of, for example, PMMA or the like. Such an outer cover5has a transparent plate-like portion5aand an outer edge portion5bprovided to surround the transparent plate-like portion5ain the up-down direction and the left-right direction.

The transparent plate-like portion5ais a plate-like portion that is disposed in front of the LED elements3dand covers the display unit3from the front. The transparent plate-like portion5aof such an outer cover5is disposed with a certain gap with respect to the LED elements3d(that is, display area R) of the display unit3. The outer edge portion5bof the outer cover5is provided with locking claws5cfor locking the outer cover5to the inner member2. The outer cover5is coupled to the inner member2by locking the locking claws5cwith the locking projections2dof the inner member2. Note that a boundary portion between the outer edge portion5band the inner edge portion2bis sealed as necessary. Such sealing seals the closed space between the inner member2and the outer cover5, making it possible to protect the LED elements3dfrom moisture or the like in the air.

The semi-transmissive layer6is a layer that transmits some incident light and reflects the rest, and is provided on the rear surface of the outer cover5. That is, the semi-transmissive layer6is disposed between the outer cover5and the display unit3and is disposed in front of the display unit3to cover the display unit3from the front. In the present embodiment, the semi-transmissive layer6is composed of a paint layer formed by applying paint to the rear surface of the outer cover5and drying the paint. Note that it is preferable that a color component reflected by the semi-transmissive layer6be the same color as or a similar color to those of the surrounding vehicle parts. As a result, a person viewing from the outside can visually recognize the semi-transmissive layer6integrally with the surrounding vehicle parts, such that the influence of the screen grille1on the external impression of the vehicle20can be further reduced.

In the screen grille1of the present embodiment, characters or pictograms are displayed in the display area R by selectively causing the LED elements3dto emit light. At this time, at least a part of light emitted in the display area R is transmitted through the semi-transmissive layer6and reaches the outside person. Also, a part of external light is reflected by the semi-transmissive layer6. Therefore, when characters or pictograms are not displayed in the display area R, the component of light transmitted from the outside through the semi-transmissive layer6, reflected on the display unit3, transmitted again through the semi-transmissive layer6, and emitted to the outside is extremely small compared to the component of external light reflected by the semi-transmissive layer6. Therefore, when no characters or pictograms are displayed in the display area R, it is possible to prevent the outside person from visually recognizing the display unit3.

The screen grille1of the present embodiment as described above is mounted on the vehicle20and performs display toward the outside of the vehicle20. Further, the screen grille1of the present embodiment includes a display unit3that performs display by light emission, and a semi-transmissive layer6that is semi-transmissive and is disposed in front of the display unit3.

According to the screen grille1of the present embodiment, the semi-transmissive layer6is disposed in front of the display unit3. Therefore, a part of external light incident on the semi-transmissive layer6is reflected by the semi-transmissive layer6. Therefore, even when the display is not performed, it is possible to cause a person outside the screen grille1to visually recognize a color of the semi-transmissive layer6. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the display unit3from being visually recognized from an outside when the display is not performed. Therefore, according to the screen grille1of the present embodiment, in the screen grille1that is mounted on the vehicle20and performs display toward the outside of the vehicle20, the influence of the screen grille1on the external impression of the vehicle20when the display is not performed can be reduced.

Further, the screen grille1of the present embodiment includes a transparent outer cover5that is disposed in front of the display unit3and covers the display unit3from the front, and the semi-transmissive layer6is disposed between the outer cover5and the display unit3. Therefore, according to the screen grille1of the present embodiment, the semi-transmissive layer6is disposed between the outer cover5and the display unit3, and the semi-transmissive layer6can be protected by the outer cover5from wind and rain.

Further, in the screen grille1of the present embodiment, the semi-transmissive layer6is provided on the rear surface of the outer cover5. Therefore, the semi-transmissive layer6can be supported without separately providing a member for supporting the semi-transmissive layer6.

Further, the screen grille1of the present embodiment includes an inner member2that is coupled to the outer cover5from behind and forms a closed space that accommodates the semi-transmissive layer6with the outer cover5therebetween. Therefore, it is possible to prevent external moisture or the like from entering the space between the inner member2and the outer cover5, thereby protecting the semi-transmissive layer6and the LED elements3dfrom moisture or the like.

Further, in the screen grille1of the present embodiment, the semi-transmissive layer6is composed of a paint layer formed of paint. Therefore, the semi-transmissive layer6can be easily formed by drying the applied paint.

Moreover, in the screen grille1of the present embodiment, a buffer space K is provided between the display unit3and the semi-transmissive layer6. Therefore, even when the LED elements3dand the outer cover5move relative to each other due to running vibrations of the vehicle20or the like, the LED elements3dcan be prevented from coming into contact with the semi-transmissive layer6. Further, by providing the buffer space K, it is possible to make it difficult to visually recognize the LED elements3dfrom the front of the outer cover5when the LED elements3dare turned off.

Further, the screen grille1of the present embodiment includes a bezel4interposed between the display unit3and the semi-transmissive layer6, and the bezel4is disposed to avoid at least a part of the display area of the display unit3when viewed from the front of the semi-transmissive layer6. Such a bezel4functions as a stopper that restricts the display unit3from approaching the outer cover5due to running of the vehicle20or the like. Therefore, even when the vehicle20is stopped in an emergency, the bezel4can prevent the display unit3from approaching the outer cover5, the LED element3dcan be prevented from coming into contact with the semi-transmissive layer6, and the distance between the LED elements3dand the outer cover5can be prevented from changing.

Further, in the screen grille1of the present embodiment, the bezel4has a frame shape surrounding the display area when viewed from the front of the semi-transmissive layer6. Therefore, the bezel4can hide the up-down direction and the left-right direction of the area where the LED elements3dare disposed, and the lead wires and the like coupled to the LED elements3dcan be hidden. That is, the bezel4can hide the outer edge portions extending in the up-down direction and the left-right direction of the area where the LED elements3dare disposed, and the lead wires and the like coupled to the LED elements3dcan be hidden. Therefore, the screen grille1of the present embodiment can improve the external impression of the screen grille1by including the bezel4.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that, in the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

FIG.4is a cross-sectional view of a screen grille1A of the present embodiment along a vertical plane in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. As shown in this figure, in the screen grille1A of the present embodiment, the semi-transmissive layer6has an ink layer6aformed of ink and a film layer6bcovering the ink layer6afrom behind.

The ink layer6ais a layer that transmits a part of the incident light and reflects the rest, and is formed by printing ink on the film layer6bby printing or the like and drying the ink. The film layer6bis a transparent supporting member that supports the ink layer6a. Note that the film layer6bmay also be a layer that transmits a part of the incident light and reflects the rest.

In the screen grille1A of the present embodiment, the semi-transmissive layer6can be easily formed by printing ink on the film layer6band attaching the film layer6bto the rear surface of the outer cover5together.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The various shapes, combinations, and the like of each of the constituent members shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration including the LED elements3das the light emitting elements has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an organic EL (that is, electroluminescence) element or the like can be used as the light emitting element.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the mobile-object-mounted display device of the present invention is mounted as the screen grille1A on the front portion of the vehicle20has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to install the mobile-object-mounted display device on the side, rear, or upper portion of the vehicle20.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the mobile object on which the mobile-object-mounted device of the present invention is mounted is the vehicle20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to mount the mobile-object-mounted device of the present invention on an aerial mobile object such as a drone or an airship.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration including the outer cover5has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the semi-transmissive layer6has weather resistance, it is possible to adopt a configuration without the outer cover5. Also, when the semi-transmissive layer6has weather resistance, it is possible to dispose the semi-transmissive layer6in front of the outer cover5.

Further, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which the semi-transmissive layer6is composed of a paint layer formed of paint, and a configuration in which the semi-transmissive layer6is composed of the ink layer6aformed of ink and the film layer6bcovering the ink layer6afrom behind have been described. However, the semi-transmissive layer6may also be a semi-transparent plastic sheet. Such a plastic sheet can be molded by injection molding, extrusion, or the like. Also, the semi-transmissive layer6may be a semi-transparent metal layer. Such a metal layer can be produced by semi-transparent plating, vapor deposition, sputtering, or the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the bezel4is an annular plate member has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When viewed from the front of the vehicle, the bezel4may be bilaterally symmetrical to overlap at least one of the upper edge portion, lower edge portion, left edge portion, and right edge portion of the display area R. For example, the shape of the bezel4may be a shape that overlaps only the upper edge portion, a shape that overlaps only the lower edge portion, a shape that overlaps only the left and right sides, and a shape that overlaps either the upper edge portion or the lower edge portion and both the left and right sides. In such a case, the bezel4functions as a stopper that restricts the display unit3from approaching the outer cover5. Moreover, the bezel4can prevent the outer side of the display area R from being visually recognized from the outside. Note that although the bezel4functions as the stopper when the bezel4overlaps with at least one of the upper edge portion, the lower edge portion, the left edge portion, and the right edge portion of the display area R, it is preferable that the bezel4be bilaterally symmetrical when viewed from the front of the vehicle in terms of aesthetics of the vehicle.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, the semi-transmissive layer is disposed in front of the display unit. Therefore, a part of external light incident on the semi-transmissive layer is reflected by the semi-transmissive layer. Therefore, even when the display is not performed, it is possible to cause a person outside the mobile-object-mounted display device to visually recognize a color of the semi-transmissive layer. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the display unit from being visually recognized from the outside when the display is not performed. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the influence on the external impression of the mobile object when display is not performed in a mobile-object-mounted display device which is mounted on the mobile object and performs display toward the outside of the mobile object.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST