JP5495110B2 - Display device and method for recognizing sign - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device that performs display by projecting an image on glass and a method for recognizing a sign.

  There has been proposed a head-up display that allows a driver to read information without moving a line of sight by projecting light from an information display source onto a hologram attached to a windshield (Patent Document 1). The hologram diffracts the projected light in the direction of the driver. As a result, an image appears at a certain position in front, and this image is visually recognized by the driver.

  There has been proposed a display device in which an image is formed in front of a driver by projecting light through a transmissive liquid crystal display element onto a combiner as imaging means provided on the windshield (Patent Document 2).

JP-A-6-191325 JP-A-10-97805

  In a conventional display device, a combiner as an imaging means, for example, a hologram or the like must be attached to the windshield. The combiner does not obstruct the driver's field of view, but in the region where the combiner is attached, exactly the same transparency as the windshield in other regions is not obtained. Moreover, the operation | work which attaches a combiner to a windshield is needed.

  A display using the windshield as a simple reflecting mirror without putting image forming means such as a combiner on the windshield has been put into practical use. In this apparatus, the LED light source is arranged at a position where it is reflected on the windshield as viewed from the driver's line of sight. The light emitted from the LED light source is reflected by the windshield and is visually recognized by the driver. This device can transmit only simple information such as blinking of the light source.

  Development of a display device that increases the amount of transmitted information without attaching imaging means or the like to the windshield is desired.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a display state in which an image is displayed with a part of the display surface being in a scattered state, as viewed from the line of sight of a recognizer who should recognize a sign, a scattering type liquid crystal device that takes one of the non-display state entire surface is a transmission state, and a light source for irradiating illumination light to the display surface of the scattering type liquid crystal device possess, the scattering type liquid crystal device Are arranged so as to face each other, a pair of transparent substrates having one outer surface constituting the display surface, a light absorbing plate disposed on the other outer surface of the pair of transparent substrates, and an inner side of each of the pair of transparent substrates A pair of transparent electrodes arranged on the surface and patterned into a predetermined shape, and arranged to be sandwiched between the pair of transparent substrates, including a liquid crystal material and a polymer, and a voltage applied between the pair of transparent electrodes Depending on the display state. A liquid crystal layer that takes one of a state corresponding to the non-display state and a region where a polymerized polymer is formed, the normal direction of the liquid crystal layer, and the normal direction of the glass And a liquid crystal layer forming a predetermined pattern extending in a direction parallel to or perpendicular to a virtual plane parallel to the display.

According to another aspect of the present invention, step a) a display state in which a part of the display surface is in a scattering state and an image is displayed, or a non-display state in which the entire display surface is in a transmissive state. A pair of transparent substrates disposed opposite to each other and having one outer surface constituting the display surface, a light absorbing plate disposed on the other outer surface of the pair of transparent substrates, A pair of transparent electrodes disposed on the inner surface of each of the pair of transparent substrates, patterned to have a predetermined shape, disposed so as to be sandwiched between the pair of transparent substrates, and including a liquid crystal material and a polymer, and the pair of transparent substrates Depending on the voltage applied between the electrodes, the liquid crystal layer takes one of a state corresponding to the display state and a state corresponding to the non-display state, and a region where a polymerized polymer is formed, The normal direction of the liquid crystal layer and A step of preparing a scattering type liquid crystal element including a liquid crystal layer forming a predetermined pattern extending in a direction parallel to or perpendicular to a virtual plane parallel to a normal direction of the glass; and b) the scattering type A step of disposing the liquid crystal element at a position where it is reflected on the glass; and step c) placing the scattering-type liquid crystal element in the display state, irradiating the display surface of the scattering-type liquid crystal element with illumination light, and reflecting on the glass. And a step of causing a recognizer to recognize an image displayed on the display surface of the scattered liquid crystal element .

  Without attaching various optical elements to the glass, the glass can be used as a reflecting mirror and the sign can be reflected on the glass.

(1A) is a schematic diagram of the vehicle display device according to the first embodiment, and (1B) is a schematic diagram showing a modification thereof. (2A) is a schematic view of a projection device used in the vehicle display device according to the first embodiment, (2B) is a plan view of a mask, and (2C) is a plan view of an image projected on a screen. It is. (3A) is a cross-sectional view of a scattering state of a scattering-type liquid crystal element used as a screen, and (3B) is a cross-sectional view of its non-scattering state. It is a figure which shows typically the polymer superposition | polymerization area | region of the liquid crystal layer of a scattering type liquid crystal element. (5A) and (5B) are plan views of a screen used in the vehicle display device according to the second embodiment.

  FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle display device according to a first embodiment. A screen 11 is arranged at a position reflected on the windshield 10 when viewed from the driver's line of sight 20. As an example, the screen 11 is disposed between the tip of the dashboard 13 and the lower edge of the windshield 10. An instrument panel 14 is mounted on the surface of the dashboard 13 on the driver side. A projection device 12 is attached on the dashboard 13. The projection device 12 projects images of various signs on the screen 11. The windshield 10 acts as a partial reflector, and the driver can visually recognize the image projected on the screen 11. The windshield 10 acts as a simple partial reflecting mirror, and does not cause an image forming action or a diffraction action. The control device 15 controls the screen 11 and the projection device 12.

  An xyz orthogonal coordinate system in which the surface of the screen 11 is the xy plane and the normal direction is the z axis is defined. The x-axis direction and the y-axis direction correspond to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as viewed from the driver, respectively. That is, the x-axis is parallel to a virtual plane (paper surface in FIG. 1A) parallel to both the normal of the windshield 10 and the z-axis. The y axis is perpendicular to this virtual plane.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the projection device 12 may be stored inside the dashboard 13.

  FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of the projection device 12. A light emitting diode 20 is attached to one end (incident end) of the cylindrical light guide 21. On / off of the light emitting diode 20 is controlled by the control device 15 (FIG. 1A). The light emitted from the light emitting diode 20 propagates through the inner cavity 21A while being reflected by the inner surface of the light guide 21, and reaches the other end (outgoing end). A mask 22 is attached to the light emitting end of the light guide 21.

  FIG. 2B shows a plan view of the mask 22 (viewed from the position of the alternate long and short dash line 2B-2B in FIG. 2A). The mask 22 has a light transmitting region 22A and a light shielding region 22B. A part of the opening surface on the emission end side of the light guide 21 is shielded from light by the light shielding region 22B. Light is emitted to the outside from a region where the opening surface on the emission end side and the light transmitting region 22A overlap.

  Returning to FIG. 2A, the description will be continued. The projection lens 23 forms an image of the emission end of the light guide 21, that is, the mask 22 on the screen 11.

  FIG. 2C shows a plan view of the image 25 projected onto the screen 11 (viewed from the position of the alternate long and short dash line 2C-2C in FIG. 2A). The shape of the image 25 is similar to a region where the opening surface of the light guide 21 on the emission end side and the light transmitting region 22A overlap. When the optical axis of the projection lens 23 is tilted with respect to the screen 11, the shape of the image 25 is the shape of the region where the opening surface on the emission end side of the light guide 21 and the light transmitting region 22A overlap. It is similar to the shape that is stretched in one direction.

  By arranging a plurality of projection devices 12, images having various shapes can be projected on the screen 11.

  FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of the screen 11. The screen 11 is composed of a scattering-type liquid crystal element, for example, a liquid crystal element that shows a scattering state when no voltage is applied.

  A pair of glass substrates 31 and 32 face each other with a gap therebetween. Transparent electrode films 33 and 34 are formed on the opposing surfaces of the glass substrates 31 and 32, respectively. For the transparent electrode films 33 and 34, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO) is used. An alignment film (not shown) is formed on the surfaces of the transparent electrode films 33 and 34. The alignment film is subjected to an alignment treatment so that the alignment direction is antiparallel. Note that the alignment treatment of the alignment film may not be performed, and the alignment film may not be formed. A liquid crystal layer 35 containing a liquid crystal material is disposed between the glass substrates 31 and 32.

  An antireflection film 37 that transmits visible light is arranged on the outer surface of the glass substrate 32. A black antireflection plate 36 is arranged on the outer surface of the other glass substrate 31. In FIG. 1A, the screen 11 is disposed between the dashboard 13 and the windshield 10 so that the light from the projection device 12 enters the antireflection film 37. The drive power supply 40 applies an alternating drive voltage to the transparent electrodes 33 and 34 via the switch 41. FIG. 3A shows a state where the switch 41 is opened.

  When the switch 41 is opened, the liquid crystal layer 35 of the screen 11 is in a scattering state. For this reason, the light from the projection device 12 (FIG. 1A) is scattered by the liquid crystal layer 35. As a result, an image projected from the projection device 12 appears on the screen 11. This state is referred to as a scattering state.

  FIG. 3B shows a state when the switch 41 is closed. The liquid crystal layer 35 of the screen 11 is in a transmissive state. Light from the projection device 12 (FIG. 1A) passes through the liquid crystal layer 35 and reaches the antireflection plate 36. Since the antireflection plate 36 absorbs light from the projection device 12, the image cannot be visually recognized, and the screen 11 looks black. This state is referred to as a black state.

  Next, a manufacturing method of the scattering type liquid crystal element used for the screen 11 will be described.

  Transparent electrode films 33 and 34 are formed on one surface of the glass substrates 31 and 32, respectively. For the glass substrates 31 and 32, for example, blue plate glass having a thickness of 0.7 mm is used. For the transparent electrode films 33 and 34, for example, an ITO film having a thickness of 200 nm is used. The transparent electrode films 33 and 34 are not patterned and are solid films (solid films). An alignment film is formed on the surfaces of the transparent electrode films 33 and 34, and the alignment film is subjected to a rubbing process.

  A main seal is formed by applying a sealant to a region along the outer periphery of the facing surface of one glass substrate 31. A main seal is not formed in a portion which becomes an injection port for injecting a liquid crystal material or the like in a later process. 2-5 wt% of a gap control agent was added to a sealing agent ES-7500 manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals to obtain a sealing agent. For the application of the sealing agent, a screen printing method or a dispenser application method is used. In the examples, a glass fiber having a diameter of 5 μm was used as the gap control agent.

  A gap control agent is sprayed on the opposite surface of the other glass substrate 32. As the gap control agent, a plastic ball having a diameter of 5 μm was used.

  The two glass substrates 31 and 32 are overlapped, and the sealant is cured by performing a heat treatment in a state where a uniform pressure is applied by a press. For example, the sealing agent can be cured by performing a heat treatment at 130 ° C. for 3 hours. Through the steps so far, an empty cell having a cell thickness of 5 μm is obtained.

  An acrylate monomer and a photopolymerization initiator were added to the host liquid crystal material to prepare a precursor. The amount of monomer added to the host liquid crystal material is 2 to 40 wt%. The addition amount of the photopolymerization initiator with respect to the monomer is 0.1 to 0.5 wt%. As the host liquid crystal, for example, one having a positive dielectric anisotropy and a refractive index anisotropy of 0.23 can be used. As a photopolymerization initiator, for example, Irgacure manufactured by Ciba Chemical Co., Ltd. can be used. This precursor is vacuum injected into the empty cell. After the vacuum injection, an end sealant is applied to the inlet and sealed.

The monomer is polymerized by irradiating the empty cell into which the precursor has been injected with ultraviolet rays through a photomask. The photomask has a striped light shielding region. As the ultraviolet light source, a high-pressure mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, a metal halide lamp, a low-pressure mercury lamp, or the like can be used. The irradiance of ultraviolet rays in the wavelength region of 350 nm is, for example, 83 mW / cm ² (wavelength 350 nm), and the irradiation time is 30 seconds. That is, the exposure amount is about 2.5 W · s / cm ² . In the liquid crystal layer 35, a polymerization reaction occurs in a region exposed to ultraviolet rays, and a polymer is formed.

  FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a polymerization region formed in the liquid crystal layer 35. The polymerized regions 35A where the polymer is formed and the unpolymerized regions 35B where the monomer remains are alternately arranged to form a striped pattern (line and space pattern). The width of each of the superposed region 35A and the unpolymerized region 35B is 20 μm. The superposed region 35A and the unpolymerized region 35B extend in the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1A. The superposed region 35A and the unpolymerized region 35B may extend in a direction parallel to the x-axis direction in FIG. 1A.

  A suitable value for the width of the overlapping region 35A depends on the cell thickness. When the cell thickness is 5 μm, if the width of the overlapping region 35A is wider than 30 μm, high scattering properties cannot be obtained. In order to obtain high scattering properties, it is preferable that the width of each of the polymerization regions 35A be 30 μm or less.

If the amount of ultraviolet light exposure is too small, high scattering properties cannot be obtained. Further, it was confirmed that the scattering property hardly changed even when the exposure amount was 2.5 W · s / cm ² or more.

  Further, the planar shape of the overlapping region 35A is not limited to the striped pattern, and may be various patterns such as a lattice pattern, a concentric pattern, and a random pattern.

  A polymer network liquid crystal may be used for a scattering-type liquid crystal element that is in a scattering state when no voltage is applied.

  Instead of the liquid crystal element that is in a scattering state when no voltage is applied, a scattering type liquid crystal element that is in a scattering state when a voltage is applied may be used for the screen 11. In this case, as the precursor of the liquid crystal layer 35, a mixture of a host liquid crystal, a chiral agent, a liquid crystalline monomer, and a photopolymerization initiator is used. For example, a host liquid crystal having a positive dielectric anisotropy, a refractive index anisotropy of 0.298, and a phase transition temperature Tni of 128 ° C. is used. S-811 manufactured by Merck is used as a chiral agent. The addition amount of the chiral agent is 0.1 to 3 wt%, typically 0.376 wt% with respect to the host liquid crystal. The chiral pitch is 28 μm. The chiral agent has a function of increasing the scattering property when a voltage is applied. When the added amount of the chiral agent is reduced, the scattering property is decreased. On the other hand, when the amount is increased, hysteresis occurs in the voltage-transmittance characteristic or the transparency when no voltage is applied is decreased. As the liquid crystalline monomer, for example, UCL-001 manufactured by DIC Corporation can be used.

  The amount of liquid crystalline monomer added to the liquid crystal containing a chiral agent is 2 to 15 wt%, typically 5 wt%. If the amount of monomer added is too small, a sufficient polymer network cannot be formed. If the amount of added monomer is too large, the responsiveness of the liquid crystal material to a voltage change is lowered. The addition amount of the photopolymerization initiator with respect to the monomer is 0.1 to 0.5 wt%. As a photopolymerization initiator, for example, Irgacure manufactured by Ciba Chemical Co., Ltd. can be used.

  Other processes are the same as the manufacturing process of the scattering type liquid crystal element that is in a scattering state when no voltage is applied. Since the liquid crystalline monomer is polymerized in an aligned state with the liquid crystal molecules, it does not scatter light when no voltage is applied. In this scattering type liquid crystal element, the liquid crystal layer is in a transmission state when no voltage is applied, and when a voltage is applied, the liquid crystal layer is in a scattering state.

  When no voltage is applied, a thin disclination line, which is thought to be caused by uneven alignment directions, is observed, but a substantially uniform alignment can be obtained. When a voltage is applied, large domains corresponding to the linear regions of the striped pattern of the superposed region 35A and the unpolymerized region 35B are observed. The alignment states of domains adjacent to each other are different from each other. This domain is clearly visible as the applied voltage is increased. It is thought that scattering occurs at the boundary and inside of the domain.

  In particular, when a chiral agent is added, the liquid crystal molecules are twisted. Although the twisted state is gradually eliminated by application of voltage, it is considered that the twisted state still remains. Since the twisted state is disturbed by the polymer network inside the liquid crystal layer, even in the polymerization region 35A, it is influenced by the polymer network, and a fine alignment state difference occurs. It is considered that the polymerization region 35A exhibits strong scattering properties due to the difference in the orientation state.

  It was confirmed that the scattering type liquid crystal element operates without problems even at an environmental temperature of 85 ° C. Therefore, it is considered that the scattering type liquid crystal element has sufficient stability as a vehicle-mounted element.

  In the vehicle-mounted display device according to the first embodiment, the scattered light from the screen 11 is reflected by the windshield 10 when the screen 11 shown in FIG. Thus, the driver can visually recognize the image projected on the screen 11 and further projected on the windshield 10. When the screen 11 is in a black state, the screen 11 is hardly reflected on the windshield 10.

  The control device 15 puts the screen 11 into a scattering state during a period when the sign image is projected from the projection device 12 onto the screen 11, and during a period when the sign image is not projected onto the screen 11 from the projection device 12. The screen 11 is made black. Thereby, when the sign image is not projected on the screen 11, it is possible to maintain a good visibility in front of the driver.

  When the sign is not projected on the screen 11 and used in an application in which no problem occurs even when the screen 11 in the scattering state is projected on the glass, the screen 11 is simply used without using a scattering type liquid crystal element. A white scattering plate may be used.

  By changing the shape of the light transmitting region 22A of the mask 22 shown in FIG. 2B, various signs can be visually recognized by the driver. By using a sign corresponding to the content of the warning, the driver can intuitively grasp the content of the warning. By arranging a plurality of projection devices 12 that project images of different shapes, it is possible to display various signs simultaneously or selectively. Further, the color of the light source of the projection device 12 may be varied according to the urgent level of the sign. For example, it is effective to change the color of the light source of the projection device 12 that projects a sign of high urgency to red, and to yellow the color of the light source of the projection device 12 that projects a sign of low urgency.

  In the first embodiment, the windshield 10 is used as a simple partial reflecting mirror. For this reason, it is not necessary to attach to the windshield 10 an optical element having a diffractive action, a condensing action, an imaging action, and the like.

  Next, a display device according to Example 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. In Example 1, an image of a sign that should be recognized by the driver was projected onto a screen 11 on which no pattern was formed. In the display device according to the second embodiment, various patterns are formed in advance on the screen 11.

  FIG. 5A shows an example of a pattern formed on the screen 11. For example, a sign 60 in which an exclamation mark “!” Is arranged inside a triangular frame and a sign 61 in which a question mark “?” Is arranged inside a square frame are formed on the screen 11. These marks are formed by patterning the transparent electrodes 33 and 34 shown in FIG. 3A. The background of the sign is always black. Usually, the sign part is also in a black state, and when the driver recognizes the sign, the sign part is in a scattering state.

  In the second embodiment, a simple illumination device is used instead of the projection device 12 shown in FIG. 1A. The lighting device is controlled to be turned on / off by the control device 15 and illuminates the screen 11 when the lighting device is in the on state. When the marker portion of the screen 11 is in the scattering state, the lighting device is turned on, and the lighting device is turned off during other periods.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, a dot matrix pattern 62 may be formed on the screen 11. In this case, the control device 15 can display various signs such as symbol patterns and characters on the screen 11 by selecting the dots to be scattered.

  An illumination device that can selectively irradiate illumination light of a plurality of colors may be used. By changing the color of the illumination light according to the urgency level of the sign to be recognized by the driver, the urgency level can be intuitively recognized by the driver.

  In the second embodiment, it is possible to use outside light without arranging the illumination device.

  In the said Example 1, 2, although the vehicle-mounted display apparatus was demonstrated, the above-mentioned display apparatus is not restricted to vehicle-mounted, the display apparatus for construction machines, the display apparatus for rail vehicles, the display apparatus for aircrafts, The present invention can be applied to various devices in which transparent glass is arranged in front of the operator, such as a display device in a helmet.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, improvements, combinations, and the like can be made.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Windshield 11 Screen 12 Projector 13 Dashboard 14 Instrument panel 15 Controller 20 Light emitting diode 21 Light guide 21A Internal cavity 22 Mask 22A Translucent area 22B Light-shielded area 23 Projection lens 25 Image 31, 32 Glass substrates 33, 34 Transparent electrode 35 Liquid crystal layer 36 Antireflection plate 37 Antireflection film 40 Driving power supply 41 Switch 50 Light shielding pattern 51 Transmission pattern 60, 61 Marking 62 Dot matrix

Claims (7)

When viewed from the line of sight of the recognizer who should recognize the sign, it is placed at a position where it is reflected on the glass, a display state in which a part of the display surface is in a scattered state and an image is displayed, and the entire display surface is in a transparent state. A scattering type liquid crystal element that takes one of the non-display states ;
A light source for irradiating illumination light onto the display surface of the scattering-type liquid crystal element;
I have a,
The scattering liquid crystal element is
A pair of transparent substrates disposed opposite to each other and having one outer surface constituting the display surface;
A light absorbing plate disposed on the other outer surface of the pair of transparent substrates;
A pair of transparent electrodes disposed on the inner surface of each of the pair of transparent substrates and patterned into a predetermined shape;
The liquid crystal material and the polymer are disposed so as to be sandwiched between the pair of transparent substrates, and correspond to the display state and the non-display state according to a voltage applied between the pair of transparent electrodes. A region where the polymerized polymer is formed is parallel to a virtual plane parallel to the normal direction of the liquid crystal layer and the normal direction of the glass, or The liquid crystal layer forming a predetermined pattern extending in a vertical direction;
Including a display device. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the region where the polymerized polymer is formed in the liquid crystal layer is a striped pattern, a lattice pattern, a concentric pattern, or a random pattern . The display device according to claim 1, wherein the scattering liquid crystal element and the light source are physically separated from each other . The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a control device that controls voltage applied between the pair of transparent electrodes or light emission from the light source. Step a) A scattering-type liquid crystal element that takes one of a display state in which a part of the display surface is in a scattering state and an image is displayed and a non-display state in which the entire display surface is in a transmission state,
A pair of transparent substrates disposed opposite to each other and having one outer surface constituting the display surface;
A light absorbing plate disposed on the other outer surface of the pair of transparent substrates;
A pair of transparent electrodes disposed on the inner surface of each of the pair of transparent substrates and patterned into a predetermined shape;
The liquid crystal material and the polymer are disposed so as to be sandwiched between the pair of transparent substrates, and correspond to the display state and the non-display state according to a voltage applied between the pair of transparent electrodes. A region where the polymerized polymer is formed is parallel to a virtual plane parallel to the normal direction of the liquid crystal layer and the normal direction of the glass, or The liquid crystal layer forming a predetermined pattern extending in a vertical direction;
A step of preparing a scattering-type liquid crystal element including:
Step b) The step of disposing the scattering type liquid crystal element at a position where it is reflected on the glass;
Step c) The scattering-type liquid crystal element is set to the display state, and the display surface of the scattering-type liquid crystal element is irradiated with illumination light and displayed on the display surface of the scattering-type liquid crystal element reflected on the glass. Allowing the recognizer to recognize the image;
A method for recognizing a sign having One electrode of the pair of transparent electrodes has a plurality of independent marker patterns spaced apart from each other,
In the step c), the scattering-type liquid crystal is controlled by controlling a voltage applied between one of the marker patterns of the pair of transparent electrodes and the other electrode of the pair of transparent electrodes. Including a step of switching an image displayed on the display surface of the element,
A method for recognizing the label according to claim 5. The pair of transparent electrodes has a dot matrix pattern,
The step c) includes a step of switching an image displayed on the display surface of the scattering liquid crystal element by controlling a voltage applied to the pair of transparent electrodes.
A method for recognizing the label according to claim 5.

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