MIRROR UNIT AND DISPLAY DEVICE

• US 20180137791A1
• Filed: 12/21/2017
• Published: 05/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Osumi, Yoshimasa, Hirose, Yuji, Tanaka, Keiichiro, Yamasue, Toshinori
• Application Number:
  US15/850,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20180137791A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5035 electronic displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/16 Signs formed of or incorporating reflecting elements or surfaces, e.g. warning signs having triangular or other geometrical shape
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/18 Edge-illuminated signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/16 involving the use of mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/18 involving the use of optical projection means, e.g. projection of images on clouds projection apparatus per se G03B
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/1886 Special effects

Abstract

A mirror unit includes a mirror element configured to reflect external light entering from a front surface toward the front surface, and a display device configured to show an image. The display device includes a light source configured to emit light, and a light guide element configured to guide incident light from the light source. The light guide element includes an emission surface configured to output incident light, and a plurality of light focusing portions configured to form an image outside the light guide element. The mirror element and the light guide element arranged so that the light focusing portions form an image near the front surface of the mirror element.

Claims

1. A mirror unit configured to be installed on a vehicle, comprising:

a mirror element configured to reflect external light entering from a front surface toward the front surface; and

a display device configured to show an image,

wherein the display device comprises;

a light source configured to emit light, and

a light guide element configured to guide incident light from the light source,

wherein the light guide element comprises;

an emission surface configured to output incident light, and

a plurality of light focusing portions configured to change the path of the incident light toward the emission surface, causing the light output to converge toward a convergence point or convergence line outside the light guide element or to radiate from a convergence point or convergence line outside the light guide element and thereby form an image outside the light guide element, and

wherein the mirror element and the light guide element are arranged so that the light focusing portions form an image near the front surface of the mirror element.

2. The mirror unit according to claim 1, wherein the light guide element is panel-like and is superposed on the mirror element at the front surface of the mirror element.

3. The mirror unit according to claim 1,

wherein the mirror element comprises:

a thin-film transmissive portion configured with one surface as a front surface, and

a reflective layer formed on the other surface of the transmissive portion and configured to reflect external light entering from the front surface and passing through the transmissive portion, and

wherein the light guide element is arranged at the other surface of the mirror element.

6. The mirror unit according to claim 1, wherein the light focusing portions are configured to form light showing an image that spreads in a direction other than a direction parallel to the emission surface.

7. The mirror unit according to claim 1, wherein the light focusing portions are configured to form light showing an image that indicates direction.

8. The mirror unit according to claim 1,

wherein the mirror unit is provided with a plurality of light guide elements;

and

wherein each of the light guide elements forms light showing a different image.

9. The mirror unit according to claim 1,

wherein the mirror unit is provided with a plurality of light guide elements;

and

wherein each of the light guide elements forms light showing an image indicating a different direction.

10. The mirror unit according to claim 1,

wherein a single light guide element is configured with a plurality of light sources that emit light, and

wherein the plurality of light focusing portions in the light guide element comprises:

a first light focusing group that changes the optical path of light emitted from a first light source and forms light to show a first image, and

a second light focusing group that changes the optical path of light emitted from a second light source and forms light to show a second image.

11. The mirror unit according to claim 10, wherein the first light focusing group and the second light focusing group each forms light showing a different image.

12. The mirror unit according to claim 10, wherein the first light focusing group and the second light focusing group each forms light showing an image indicating a different direction.

13. The mirror unit according to claim 2, wherein the light focusing portions are configured to form light showing an image that spreads in a direction other than a direction parallel to the emission surface.

14. The mirror unit according to claim 3, wherein the light focusing portions are configured to form light showing an image that spreads in a direction other than a direction parallel to the emission surface.

17. The mirror unit according to claim 2, wherein the light focusing portions are configured to form light showing an image that indicates direction.

18. The mirror unit according to claim 3, wherein the light focusing portions are configured to form light showing an image that indicates direction.

4. A mirror unit configured to be installed on a vehicle, comprising:

a display device configured to show an image, comprising;

a light source configured to emit light; and

a panel-like light guide element configured to guide incident light from the light source, and comprising;

an emission surface configured to output incident light, and

a plurality of light focusing portions configured to change the path of the incident light toward the emission surface, causing the light output to converge toward a convergence point or convergence line outside the light guide element or to radiate from a convergence point or convergence line outside the light guide element and thereby form an image outside the light guide element; and

a reflective layer formed on the surface facing the emission surface of the light guide element and configured to reflect external light entering from the emission surface and passing through the light guide element toward the emission surface.

15. The mirror unit according to claim 4, wherein the light focusing portions are configured to form light showing an image that spreads in a direction other than a direction parallel to the emission surface.

19. The mirror unit according to claim 4, wherein the light focusing portions are configured to form light showing an image that indicates direction.

5. A mirror unit configured to be installed on a vehicle, comprising:

a display device configured to show an image, and comprising;

a light source configured to emit light, and

a panel-like light guide element configured to guide incident light from the light source, and comprising;

an emission surface configured to output incident light from the light source, and

a plurality of light focusing portions configured to change the path of the incident light toward the emission surface, causing the light output to converge toward a convergence point or convergence line outside the light guide element or to radiate from a convergence point or convergence line outside the light guide element and thereby form an image outside the light guide element;

a transmissive layer formed on the surface facing the emission surface of the light guide element and configured to allow external light entering from the emission surface and passing through the light guide element to pass therethrough; and

a reflective layer configured to reflect external light passing through the transmissive layer toward the emission surface.

16. The mirror unit according to claim 5, wherein the light focusing portions are configured to form light showing an image that spreads in a direction other than a direction parallel to the emission surface.

20. The mirror unit according to claim 5, wherein the light focusing portions are configured to form light showing an image that indicates direction.