JPH0813620B2 - Vehicle interior lighting - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle interior lighting device that illuminates a ceiling surface in a vehicle interior of a vehicle such as a passenger car.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 5 schematically shows a mounting state of a conventional vehicle interior lighting device. In FIG. 5, an illuminating lamp 13 (a room lamp or the like) for illuminating the passenger compartment of a vehicle 12 such as a passenger car is usually attached to a central portion of a ceiling surface 14 in the passenger compartment or in the vicinity thereof (for example, the actual opening 54). No. 3759), all or a part of the illuminating lamp 13 is made of a material such as resin having a diffusion and transmission characteristic, and illuminating the interior of the vehicle with illumination light to illuminate the interior of the vehicle.

Therefore, the vicinity of the illumination lamp 13 attached to the central portion of the ceiling surface 14 becomes bright, and the portion away from the illumination lamp 13, that is, the peripheral portion is darker than the central portion.

Further, since the illumination lamp 13 is directly attached to the ceiling surface 14 or indirectly to a reinforcing member or the like, the illumination lamp 13 is often exposed from the ceiling surface 14.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

Since the illuminating lamp 13 is attached to the central portion of the ceiling surface 14 or in the vicinity thereof, the ceiling surface when the illuminating lamp 13 is turned on
While the central part of 14 becomes brighter, the peripheral parts (each corner) become darker, not only giving a narrow feeling in the vehicle interior, but also the lighting
13 protrudes into the vehicle interior to narrow the vehicle interior space.

Further, since the illumination light (direct illumination light) from the illumination lamp 13 is directly emitted to the vehicle interior, the direct illumination light is reflected by the rearview mirror 15 when the illumination lamp 13 is turned on and enters the driver's 16 visual field ( In Fig. 5, indicated by a solid line a with an arrow), a direct passenger
Not only does it hinder driving or cause discomfort by giving visual dazzling or annoyance to the visual field of 17 (indicated by a solid line b with an arrow in FIG. 5), but also from the following vehicle. 13 is directly visible, and the direct illumination light from there enters the visual field of the driver or fellow passenger of the following vehicle (shown by the solid line c with an arrow in FIG. 5), which causes visual glare and annoyance.

Therefore, in view of such a conventional example, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting device that makes a driver or a passenger feel a wide space in a vehicle interior without visually glaring or annoying.

[Means for solving the problem]

(1) In a passenger compartment of a vehicle such as a passenger car, an illuminating lamp that is supported above an eye point and near or near a ceiling surface, a power supply unit that supplies power to the illuminating lamp, and the illuminating lamp. And a power control unit connected between the power supply unit and the lighting control unit, and the brightness ratio between the front and rear, left and right central portions of the ceiling surface and the portion supporting the illumination lamp is controlled by direct illumination light from the illumination lamp. At times 1:10 or more.

(2) In (1), the irradiation direction of the direct illumination light from the illuminating lamp illuminates only the ceiling surface including at least the front and rear, right and left central portions of the ceiling surface.

(3) In (1), the illumination lamp is stored in a peripheral portion of the ceiling surface or in the vicinity of the ceiling surface.

[Work]

In order to make the surrounding area brighter than the central area by setting the brightness ratio of the brightness of the central area of the front, rear, left and right of the ceiling surface to the area of the surrounding area where the illumination lamp is supported to 1:10 or more, the interior of the vehicle is expanded. Can be perceived.

Since the direction of direct illumination light from the illuminating lamp is only the ceiling surface that includes at least the front, rear, left and right central parts of the ceiling surface, the high-intensity light source (illuminating light) is directly in the driver's or passenger's visual field. Does not enter and does not cause visual glare or annoyance. Similarly, it does not give any visual dazzle or annoyance to the following vehicle.

Place the lighting in the vicinity of the ceiling surface or near the ceiling surface,
Since it is stored so as not to be exposed, there is no protrusion in the central portion of the ceiling surface, and the interior space of the vehicle can be widely used.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

1 to 3, 1 is a vehicle and 2 is a vehicle 1.
2a, 2b are peripheral parts on the front seat side of the ceiling surface 2 (two corners on both sides), 2c, 2d are peripheral parts on the rear seat side of the ceiling surface 2 (two corners on both sides), 2e is a central part of each of the front, rear, left and right sides of the ceiling surface 3, 3 is an illuminating lamp including a lamp 4 and a reflector 5 having a light distribution control function, and 6 is a lamp 4 of the illuminating lamp 3 being turned on or off at any time. A lighting control unit 7 that causes the lamp 4 to supply power to the lamp 4 via the lighting control unit 6;
8 is the exterior of the vehicle 1, 9 is a detection unit that is connected to the lighting control unit 6 and detects the brightness outside the vehicle 1, 10a and 10b are front seats, 10c and 10d are rear seats, and 11a is a front seat. The driver of the vehicle 1 seated in 10a, 11b is a passenger seated in the front seat 10b, 11c and 11d are passengers seated in the rear seats 10c and 10d, and Ea is an eye of the driver 11a. Points, Eb is the eyepoint of passenger 11b, Ec, Ed is the eyepoints of passengers 11c and 11d, X
Is a surface including eye points Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed, and W is an opening provided in each peripheral portion 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the ceiling surface 2.

In the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1, of the peripheral parts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d above the surface X and on the front seats 10a, 10b side peripheral parts 2a, 2b and the rear seats 10c, 10d side of the peripheral parts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. The illumination lamp 3 is supported and installed on the peripheral parts 2c and 2d. Further, the lighting control unit 6 is connected to a detection unit 9 for detecting the brightness outside the passenger car 1. The detection unit 9 has a function of switching the lighting lamp 3 connected to the lighting control unit 6 between lighting and extinction and steady output / high output state in accordance with the brightness of the outside of the vehicle 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion where the illuminating lamp 3 is supported / installed on the ceiling surface 2 (a portion taken along the line YY ′ in FIG. 1), and the peripheral portions 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the ceiling surface 2 are shown. The peripheral part 2a will be described as a representative of the above. That is, the illuminating lamp 3 is stored in the area formed by the ceiling surface 2 and the exterior 8 and is not exposed on the surface of the ceiling surface 2, and the high brightness is obtained from the position of each eye point (Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed) in the vehicle interior. The main part (mainly the lamp 4) cannot be seen directly. By storing the illuminating lamp 3 in this way, the space in the vehicle interior can be used widely and effectively.

In FIG. 3, illumination light (indicated by a solid line and an arrow in the figure) is applied to the ceiling surface 2 from the illuminating lamp 3 along the ceiling surface 2 through an opening W provided in the ceiling surface 2.
The illumination light applied to the ceiling surface 2 is diffusely reflected on the ceiling surface 2 and then illuminates the entire passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 to indirectly illuminate the passenger compartment. The reflector 5 of the illuminating lamp 3 has a function of controlling the light distribution so that the direct illumination light from the illuminating lamp 3 illuminates only the ceiling surface 2.

With the above-described configuration, the illumination light from the illumination lamp 3 does not directly enter the eyes (field of view) of the driver 11a or the passengers 11b, 11c, 11d, and thus gives a visual glare or annoyance. Never.

In the above, the brightness level of the ceiling surface 2 while the vehicle 1 is traveling is 200 cd / m at the peripheral portions 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the ceiling surface 2.
² or less, 0.1 cd at the front and rear, left and right center parts 2e of the ceiling surface 2
/ m ² or more, and peripheral areas 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and central area
The brightness ratio with 2e is set to 10: 1 or more.

FIG. 4 shows the luminance distribution characteristics of the ceiling surface 2 obtained by experiments in this embodiment.

As described above, the illumination lights 3 are provided on the peripheral parts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the ceiling surface 2 and the peripheral parts are arranged with respect to the central part 2e of the ceiling surface 2.
By making 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d brighter, the ceiling surface 2 can be perceived widely. The reason for this is as follows. That is, in a general indoor living space, it is known that brightening the surrounding area with respect to the central area allows the living space to be perceived more widely than brightening the central area with respect to the surrounding area. Volume: Writing Handbook (See P.267, Fig. 11 ・ 32 and P.431, Fig.19 ・ 12), the interior of the vehicle is often smaller than a typical indoor living space,
Even in this case, the same effect, that is, the spread can be perceived by applying the above idea. The reason why the luminance ratio between the peripheral portions 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and the central portion 2e is 10: 1 or more is as follows.

In general offices, it is recommended that the brightness ratio of the brightness of the visual object (mainly what you want to see) on the desk top surface to the brightness around it is 10: 1 or less (ideally 3: 1 or less). Iru (Illumination Society); Writing Handbook P.252
See Table 11.2. It is said that with this brightness ratio, a comfortable working environment can be set. However, considering the condition of the vehicle interior, visual work is not always continued unlike in offices, so even if the above luminance ratio is 10: 1 or more, it is acceptable as long as it does not become uncomfortable. Therefore, in this example, the ratio is set to 10: 1 or more. By doing so, the spread can be perceived as described above.

In the above, the brightness of the peripheral parts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d is set to 200
The reason for setting cd / m ² or less is as follows.

Considering the case of driving on a general road at night,
It is said that the driver or fellow passenger of the vehicle adapts to the brightness of the environment around the vehicle (eyes get accustomed to the surrounding brightness) at a brightness level of about 1 to ² cd / m ² . In such a state, the brightness of the illumination lamp (mainly the light source) provided in the passenger compartment is about 2,000 cd / m ² as the brightness that gives the driver and passengers an uncomfortable feeling such as glare and annoyance. (Illumination Society of Japan; Writing Handbook, P.255, Figure 11.1)
See 9).

Also, in a typical office, the brightness of the ceiling surface Lc
It is known that the luminance ratio between Lc and L ₁ is about 1:10 as an example of the relative relationship between the luminance L ₁ and the luminance L _{1 of} the lighting fixture (illumination lamp) attached to the ceiling surface. Academic Society; Writing Handbook P.253 (See Figures 11 and 15). It is considered that this relationship can be almost applied to the relationship between the ceiling surface in the passenger compartment and the illumination lamp provided on the ceiling surface.

Think From the above, the peripheral portion 2a of the ceiling surface 2, 2b, 2c, and the upper limit of the 2d luminance is reasonable to the ^{2,000cd / m 2/10 = 200cd} / m 2.

Further, the brightness of the central portion 2e is set to 0.1 cd / m ² or more,
As shown in FIG. 4, the limit value of the brightness at which the depth and spread of the ceiling surface 2 can be visually recognized is set based on the results obtained by experiments.

In such a configuration, the operation will be described below.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when the brightness of the outside of the vehicle 1 decreases while the vehicle 1 is traveling (for example, at dusk, at night, or while traveling in a tunnel), the vehicle 1 is illuminated. The detection unit 9 installed detects a decrease in external brightness (illuminance, brightness, etc.) and sends a signal to the lighting control unit 6. In response to this signal, the lighting control unit 6 determines whether or not the lighting lamp 3 needs to be lit, and when it determines that lighting is necessary, it sends a command signal of "lighting" to the lighting lamp 3 to illuminate it. The light 3 is turned on.

In contrast to the above, when the external brightness of the vehicle 1 rises, the detection unit 9 detects the increase in the external brightness, sends a signal to the lighting control unit 6, and the lighting control unit 6 The illumination lamp 3 is turned off by the command signal of "turn off". (The functions up to this point are the same as the conventional functions.) The lighting control unit 6 of the present embodiment has a function of turning on or off the illumination lamp 3 according to the change of the brightness outside the conventional vehicle 1. In addition, the brightness signal from the detection unit 9 is analyzed, and when the vehicle 1 is traveling and the lighting lamp 3 is turned on, the lighting state of the lighting lamp 3 (hereinafter, referred to as a steady output state)
There are two types of steady output states, that is, when the outside of the vehicle 1 is traveling in a relatively bright place due to store lighting, signboard lighting, street lighting, road lighting, tunnel lighting, etc. It has a function of setting to an output state (hereinafter, L mode) and a dark output state (hereinafter, D mode) when traveling in a place where the outside of the vehicle 1 is dark, such as a dark road without illumination. ing.

Further, when the vehicle 1 is stopped and the lighting lamp 3 is turned on, the lighting state of the lighting lamp 3 is set to a steady output state when there is no possibility of visually dazzling or annoying the surroundings of the following vehicle or the own vehicle. It has a function to set a higher (bright) output state (hereinafter referred to as a high output state).

Here, the reason why the steady output state (L mode, D mode) and the high output state are set will be described below.

In the front seats 10a, 10b and the rear seats 10c, 10d of the vehicle 1, the driver 11a and the front seats 10 seated on the front seat 10a.
Both the passenger 11b seated in b and the passengers 11c, 11d seated in the rear seats 10c, 10d usually have their eyes directed in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1. Driver at this time
It is considered that the eyes of the passenger 11b of the passenger seat 11b and the front seat 10b are adapted to the brightness of the road surface or the building in front, or the signal lights and traffic signs. Similarly, the eyes of the passengers 11c and 11d of the rear seats 10c and 10d are, in addition to the road surface and surrounding buildings,
It adapts to the scene in the vehicle interior, for example, the rear surface of the front seats 10a and 10b, the ceiling surface, the door and the floor surface.

Considering a case where the outside of the vehicle 1 is dark while the vehicle 1 is traveling, the illumination lamp 3 is set to the D mode as described above. At this time, since the eyes of the driver 11a and the passengers 11b, 11c, and 11d are in a state where the sensitivity of the eyes is high (the adaptation brightness of the eyes is low), the illumination level of the ceiling surface 2 is relatively low (dark). Even if it is set to the state, when the ceiling surface 2 is seen, the effect such as a feeling of spaciousness can be sufficiently obtained. However, when the outside of the vehicle 1 becomes bright, the sensitivity of the eyes of the driver 11a and the passengers 11b, 11c, 11d decreases (the adaptation brightness of the eyes increases). It feels dark and cannot produce its effect. Therefore, it is necessary to set the illumination level of the ceiling surface 2 to a higher (bright) state. At such time, the illumination lamp 3 is set to the L mode.

On the other hand, when the vehicle 1 is at a stop and there is no possibility of visually dazzling or annoying the surroundings of the following vehicle or the own vehicle, the illumination lamp 3 is set to a high output state higher than the steady output state. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the brightness such that the faces, appearances, and behaviors of the driver 11a and the passengers 11b, 11c, 11d can be sufficiently confirmed.

In the present embodiment, the output state of the illuminating lamp 3 is set to two types of steady output state and one type of high output state.
By setting more output states, it is possible to realize efficient illumination that further matches the adaptation characteristics of the eyes of the driver 11a and the passengers 11b, 11c, 11d.

〔The invention's effect〕

By setting the brightness ratio of the brightness of the front and rear, left and right central parts of the ceiling surface to the part of the peripheral part where the illumination lamp is supported to 1:10 or more, and making the peripheral parts brighter than the central part, Can perceive the spread.

By directing the direct illumination light from the illumination lamp only to the ceiling surface that includes at least the front, rear, left and right central portions of the ceiling surface, the high-intensity light source (illumination lamp) can be used directly by the driver or passengers. It doesn't go into and does not cause visual glare or annoyance. Similarly, it does not give any visual dazzle or annoyance to the following vehicle.

Place the lighting in the vicinity of the ceiling surface or near the ceiling surface,
By storing the vehicle so that it is not exposed, there is no protrusion in the central portion of the ceiling surface, and the space in the vehicle compartment can be widely used.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle interior lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the same, and FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line YY 'of FIG. FIG. 4 and FIG. 4 are characteristic diagrams of the luminance distribution of the ceiling surface by the vehicle interior lighting device of the present invention.
The figure is a schematic side view of a conventional vehicle interior lighting device. 1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Ceiling surface, 2a, 2b ... Front seat side peripheral area, 2c, 2b ... Rear seat side peripheral area, 2e ... Front / rear / left / right center area of ceiling surface 2 3 ... Lighting, 4 ...
... lamp, 5 ... reflector, 6 ... lighting control part, 7 ... power supply part, 8 ... exterior, 9 ... detection part, 10a, 10b ... front seat, 10c, 10d ... rear seat, 11a …… Driver, 11b, 11c, 11
d …… Passenger, Ea …… Eye point of driver 11a, Eb, Ec,
Ed: Eyepoints of passengers 11b, 11c, 11d, X: Faces including eyepoints Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed, W: Opening.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shigeta Lighting 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshinori Tanabe 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 56) References JP-A-57-167838 (JP, A) Actually opened 63-176741 (JP, U) Actually opened 56-71447 (JP, U) JP-B 36-11357 (JP, B1)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An illuminating lamp supported in an interior of a vehicle above an eye point and at a peripheral portion of the ceiling surface or in the vicinity of the ceiling surface, a power supply section for supplying electric power to the illuminating lamp, the illuminating lamp, and The lighting control unit is connected between the power supply units, and the brightness ratio between the front, rear, left and right central portions of the ceiling surface and the supported portion of the illumination lamp is lit by the direct illumination light from the illumination lamp. The vehicle interior lighting device is characterized by being 1:10 or more at the time. 2. The vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation direction of the direct illumination light from the illuminating lamp is set only to the ceiling surface including at least the central portions of the front and rear and the right and left of the ceiling surface. 3. The vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination lamp is stored in a peripheral portion of the ceiling surface or in the vicinity of the ceiling surface.