JP6243288B2 - Light emitting device for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle light emitting device.

Conventionally, a light-emitting device including a plurality of light-emitting units arranged so as to be continuously arranged is known. An LED that employs an LED as a light source of the light emitting unit is referred to as an “LED tape” or an “LED bar”, and is used in, for example, a lighting fixture disclosed in Patent Document 1.
In recent years, there is an increasing number of cases in which such a light emitting device is provided at the front portion of a vehicle and all light sources are turned on simultaneously in conjunction with a vehicle width lamp. In this case, the light emitting device is an illumination lamp and is also a means for enhancing the visibility of the vehicle from the outside.

JP 2014-022125 A

By the way, there is only one lighting pattern of the above-described light emitting device for vehicles, that is, “all the light sources are turned on simultaneously in conjunction with the vehicle width lamp”. Therefore, such a light emitting device for a vehicle has only one function of “the vehicle width lamp is turned on” as a function of transmitting the state of the vehicle to the outside.
This invention is made | formed in view of the above-mentioned point, The objective is to provide the light-emitting device for vehicles which has a function which transmits the several different state of a vehicle outside.

The present invention is a vehicle light-emitting device mounted on a front portion of a vehicle, and includes a plurality of light- emitting units, a plurality of light sources, a storage unit, a selection unit, and an adjustment unit. Each light emission part is arrange | positioned so that it may line up seeing from the vehicle exterior space side. Each light source emits light for causing each light emitting unit to emit light. The storage means stores in advance a plurality of lighting patterns of each light emitting unit. The selection means selects any one of the lighting patterns based on the vehicle information that is information representing the state of the vehicle. The adjusting means adjusts the lighting timing and brightness of each light emitting unit according to the lighting pattern selected by the selecting means.
The area where each light emitting unit is arranged is divided into a plurality of sections arranged so as to be lined up when viewed from the outside of the vehicle. One section includes two or more light emitting units. The number of light sources provided in one section is smaller than the number of light emitting units included in the section. The adjusting means adjusts the lighting timing and brightness of each light emitting unit for each section. Further, the adjusting means performs dimming so that the dimming period of the light source of one section and the dimming period of the light source of the other section of two adjacent sections are shifted in time.

With this configuration, the vehicle light-emitting device is configured so that a plurality of lighting patterns are set so that each light-emitting unit emits different light when different vehicle information is input. Can be sent to the outside.
For example, when a signal for releasing the door lock of the vehicle is input as vehicle information, each light emitting unit shines with a predetermined lighting pattern, so that an outside person can find his / her vehicle from among many vehicles. it can.

Further, when an on signal of an ignition switch of the vehicle is input as vehicle information, each light emitting unit shines with a predetermined lighting pattern, so that a person outside can predict that the vehicle starts to move.
In addition, when a signal indicating that an object has been detected forward is input as vehicle information while the vehicle is traveling, each light emitting unit shines in a predetermined lighting pattern, so that other vehicles traveling in front of the vehicle The driver can know that the following vehicle is approaching.

In addition, when a signal indicating that the acceleration is equal to or greater than a certain value is input as vehicle information while the vehicle is running, each light emitting unit shines in a predetermined lighting pattern, so that an outside person is accelerating the vehicle. You can know that there is.
These uses are only examples, and each light emitting unit may shine based on other vehicle information.
Therefore, according to the present invention, not only the design of the vehicle can be improved as an illumination lamp, but also safety and convenience can be improved.

It is a front view of the vehicle equipped with the light-emitting device for vehicles by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the right side of the front grille in which the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. 1 was provided. It is a figure which shows the state which removed the outer lens of the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the control system of the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. It is a time table which shows the 1st lighting pattern which the microcontroller of the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. 6 memorize | stores. It is a time table which shows the 2nd lighting pattern which the microcontroller of the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. 6 memorize | stores. It is a timetable which shows the 3rd lighting pattern which the microcontroller of the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. 6 memorize | stores. It is a time table which shows the 4th lighting pattern which the microcontroller of the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. 6 memorize | stores. It is a time table which shows the 5th lighting pattern which the microcontroller of the vehicle light-emitting device of FIG. 6 has memorize | stored. It is a time table which shows the 6th lighting pattern which the microcontroller of the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. 6 memorize | stores.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<One Embodiment>
A vehicle light-emitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The vehicle light emitting device 10 is mounted on the front portion of the vehicle 1, that is, the portion that can be seen from the front of the vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, for example, the vehicle light emitting device 10 is provided on the right and left sides of the front grill 2 as viewed from the outside space side. It has been. These vehicle light-emitting devices 10 have the same configuration except that they are symmetrical. The front grille 2 is a decorative part provided between the hood 3 and the bumper 4 of the vehicle 1 and between the headlamps 5 (between the vehicle width lights 6). Below, the light-emitting device 10 for vehicles on the right side of the front grille 2 as viewed from the vehicle exterior side will be described.

[Constitution]
First, the configuration of the vehicle light emitting device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The vehicle light emitting device 10 includes a base 20, a plurality of LEDs 30, an inner lens 40, an outer lens 50, and a control unit 60.

  The base 20 is recessed on the side opposite to the vehicle exterior space, and a recess 21 formed to extend from the center of the front grille 2 to the right side when viewed from the vehicle exterior space side, and a predetermined portion occupied by the recess 21 when viewed from the vehicle exterior space side. And four partition walls 22 partitioning the area into five sections 23-27. The first section 23, the second section 24, and the third section 25 are arranged from the center of the front grill 2 toward the right side. The fourth section 26 and the fifth section 27 are arranged from the third section 25 toward the upper right side when viewed from the vehicle exterior space side.

  The inner surface of the recess 21 and the side surface of the partition wall portion 22 are subjected to a surface treatment that has an effect of reflecting light. In the present embodiment, for example, a white coating film 28 is formed, and this coating film 28 functions as a reflecting means (reflector).

  Two LEDs 30 are provided in each of the sections 23 to 27. In the first section 23, the second section 24, and the third section 25, the LED 30 is fixed on the side opposite to the vehicle exterior space of a light transmitting plate 41 described later. In the fourth section 26 and the fifth section 27, the LED 30 is fixed to the inner surface of the recess 21.

  The inner lens 40 includes a translucent plate 41 provided so as to close the opening of the recess 21, and a light shielding film 42 provided on the vehicle exterior space side with respect to the translucent plate 41. The light shielding film 42 is formed along the edge of the translucent plate 41 when viewed from the outside of the vehicle, and a plurality of grid portions 44 formed so as to divide the inside of the frame portion 43. And have. Between each grating | lattice part 44, the output surface 45 which can radiate | emit the light which LED30 in a corresponding section emits to the vehicle exterior space side is formed. That is, the translucent plate 41 has a plurality of emission surfaces 45 that divide the sections 23 to 27 into a plurality of blocks when viewed from the outside space side. The emission surface 45 corresponds to a “light emitting portion” described in the claims, and is arranged so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the predetermined area, that is, in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle exterior space side.

  A surface treatment that has an effect of diffusing light is applied to the side of the translucent plate 41 opposite to the space outside the vehicle. In the present embodiment, fine irregularities 46 are formed, for example, and the irregularities 46 function as diffusion means.

  The outer lens 50 is provided on the forefront surface of the front grill 2, that is, on the vehicle exterior space side with respect to the inner lens 40. A semi-transparent film 51 is formed on the outer lens 50 on the side opposite to the vehicle exterior space. The semi-transparent film 51 is made of, for example, a very thin vapor-deposited film, and transmits a part of the incident light while reflecting a part of the incident light. Thereby, the outer lens 50 functions as a half mirror.

The control unit 60 includes a driver 61 and a microcontroller 62. The voltage of the battery 63 is distributed to the microcontroller 62 and the driver 61 by the regulator 64.
The driver 61 is a driving device for lighting the LEDs 30 and is electrically connected to each LED 30. The driver 61 has a constant current circuit that controls the current to the LEDs 30 to be constant, a dimming circuit that controls the brightness of light emitted from the LEDs 30, and the lighting timing, brightness, and color of each LED 30. Can be adjusted for each of the sections 23-27.

  The microcontroller 62 includes a CPU, a memory, an input / output unit, and the like incorporated in one integrated circuit, and is electrically connected to the driver 61. The microcontroller 62 is connected to a communication line such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) and a LIN (Local Interconnect Network), for example, and can acquire vehicle information that is information indicating the state of the vehicle detected by various sensors. is there. The vehicle information includes, for example, a door lock signal, an accessory power signal, an illumination power signal (switch on / off signal of the vehicle width lamp 6), a vehicle speed signal, an auto cruise signal, and an obstacle detection signal.

  The microcontroller 62 controls the driver 61 by executing a program process based on the vehicle information. Specifically, the microcontroller 62 includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of lighting patterns in advance, a selection unit that selects one lighting pattern from the lighting patterns based on the vehicle information, and the selected lighting pattern. Driver control means for controlling the driver 61 according to the above. The driver control means and the driver 61 of the microcontroller 62 constitute “adjustment means” described in the claims.

[Operation]
The vehicular light emitting device 10 configured as described above has light that moves smoothly by the control unit 60 adjusting the lighting timing, brightness, and color of each LED 30 for each of the sections 23 to 27. Can be issued. Here, the lighting timing, brightness, and color of each LED 30 do not need to be adjusted for each LED 30, and may be adjusted for each of the sections 23 to 27. At this time, by making the dimming period of the LED 30 in one of the two adjacent sections temporally continuous with the dimming period of the LED 30 in the other section, by the optical illusion, It looks as if the exit surfaces 45 are shining one by one in order.

[Lighting pattern]
Next, lighting patterns of the LEDs 30 of the sections 23 to 27 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12 show the brightness of the LEDs 30 of the sections 23 to 27 at predetermined time intervals. In the present embodiment, the brightness of the LED 30 is adjusted in three stages. The numbers in each figure indicate the brightness of the LED 30, where “0” is a weak level, “1” is a medium level, and “2” is a strong level.

  FIG. 7 is a lighting pattern selected by the microcontroller 62 when a signal for unlocking the door of the vehicle is input as vehicle information. In this lighting pattern, the predetermined time is set to 0.5 seconds. By repeating this lighting pattern, for example, twice, each emission surface 45 shines so that the lighting location moves rhythmically from the inside toward the outside. The light at this time expresses “welcome”.

  FIG. 8 shows a lighting pattern selected by the microcontroller 62 when an illumination power-on signal is input as vehicle information. In this lighting pattern, the predetermined time is set to 0.5 seconds. By performing this lighting pattern, each emission surface 45 shines so that the number of lighting points increases from the inside toward the outside. The light at this time expresses “starting”.

  FIG. 9 is a lighting pattern selected by the microcontroller 62 when a signal for turning on the auto-cruise function for traveling while maintaining the set vehicle speed is input as vehicle information. In this lighting pattern, the predetermined time is set to 0.5 seconds. By repeating this lighting pattern, each emission surface 45 shines so that the lighting location moves rhythmically between sections 25-27.

  FIG. 10 is a lighting pattern that is selected by the microcontroller 62 when an obstacle is detected ahead while the vehicle is traveling, or when there is a risk of vehicle theft. In this lighting pattern, the predetermined time is set to 0.2 seconds. By repeating this lighting pattern, each emission surface 45 shines so as to flash violently to notify the surroundings of the emergency state.

  FIG. 11 shows a lighting pattern selected by the microcontroller 62 when an illumination power-off signal is input as vehicle information. In this lighting pattern, the predetermined time is set to 0.5 seconds. By performing this lighting pattern, each emission surface 45 is extinguished so that the number of lighting points decreases from the outside toward the inside. The light at this time expresses “end”.

  FIG. 12 is a lighting pattern selected by the microcontroller 62 when a signal for locking the vehicle door is input as vehicle information. In this lighting pattern, the predetermined time is set to 0.5 seconds. By performing this lighting pattern, each emission surface 45 is extinguished so that the number of lighting points decreases from the outside toward the inside. At this time, the speed when the light is turned off from the outside toward the inside is set to be gradually reduced.

[effect]
As described above, the vehicle light emitting device 10 according to the present embodiment includes the plurality of emission surfaces 45, the driver 61, and the microcontroller 62. The emission surface 45 is arranged so as to be lined up when viewed from the vehicle exterior space side, and can emit light emitted from the LED 30 to the vehicle exterior space side. The driver 61 can adjust the lighting timing, brightness, and color of the LED 30 for each of the sections 23 to 27. The microcontroller 62 includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of lighting patterns in advance, a selection unit that selects any one of the lighting patterns based on the vehicle information, and a driver 61 according to the lighting pattern selected by the selection unit. And driver control means for controlling.

With this configuration, the vehicular light-emitting device 10 sets a plurality of lighting patterns so that each light-emitting surface 45 emits different light when different vehicle information is input, thereby Different states can be transmitted to the outside.
Therefore, according to this embodiment, not only the design of the vehicle can be improved as an illumination lamp, but also safety and convenience can be improved.

<Other embodiments>
In another embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle light emitting device may be provided in a vehicle exterior product other than the front grille .
In other embodiments of the invention, the number of sections may be other than five. The direction in which the sections are arranged is not limited to the vehicle width direction.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the reflection means formed in the concave portion of the base and the partition wall portion may be constituted by, for example, a vapor deposition film other than the coating film. Further, the reflecting means may be composed of a member different from the base.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the number of LEDs provided in one section may be one, or three or more. Further, the number of LEDs may be different between the sections.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the translucent plate of the inner lens may be composed of a plurality of members.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the light shielding portion may not be in the form of a film. Further, the light shielding portion may be provided on the opposite side of the vehicle exterior space with respect to the translucent plate.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the inner lens may have a light guide plate instead of the translucent plate on which irregularities are formed. In this case, the light from the LED is incident on the end surface of the light guide plate (the surface in the direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction). And the base does not need to have a recessed part.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the width in the vehicle width direction of the exit surface and the grid portion of the light shielding film may be constant.
In other embodiments of the present invention, a semi-translucent film does not necessarily have to be formed on the outer lens.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the brightness of the LED may be adjusted in two steps, four or more steps, or may be adjusted continuously.
In the above-described embodiment, “0” is a weak level among the numbers indicating the brightness of the LED 30 in FIGS. On the other hand, in other embodiment of this invention, "0" may be light extinction among the numbers which show the brightness of LED30 in FIGS.
The lighting pattern described in the above embodiment is an example. In another embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle light emitting device can emit light with a predetermined lighting pattern based on signals other than a door lock signal, an illumination power supply signal, an auto cruise signal, and an obstacle detection signal.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Vehicle 10 ... Light-emitting device for vehicles 45 ... Outgoing surface (light emission part)
61 ... Driver (Adjustment means)
62... Microcontroller (storage means, selection means, adjustment means)

Claims (1)

A light emitting device for a vehicle installed in a front portion of a vehicle,
A plurality of light emitting portions arranged to be lined up as viewed from the outside of the vehicle,
A plurality of light sources emitting light for causing each of the light emitting units to emit light,
Storage means for storing in advance a plurality of lighting patterns of each of the light emitting units;
Selection means for selecting any one of the lighting patterns based on vehicle information which is information representing the state of the vehicle;
Adjusting means for adjusting the lighting timing and brightness of each light emitting unit according to the lighting pattern selected by the selecting means;
Equipped with a,
The area where each light emitting part is arranged is divided into a plurality of sections arranged so as to be lined up when viewed from the outside space side of the vehicle,
One section includes two or more light emitting units,
The number of the light sources provided in one section is smaller than the number of the light emitting units included in the section,
The adjusting means adjusts the lighting timing and brightness of each light emitting section for each section, and among the two adjacent sections, the dimming period of the light source of one of the sections and the light of the other section A vehicle light-emitting device that performs light control so that the light control period of the light source is shifted in time .

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