JP2001191848A - Mirror device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mirror device for a vehicle confirmable on whether a heater for defrosting or defogging a mirror, is actuated, without touching the mirror. SOLUTION: In this mirror device 10 for the vehicle, the mirror 16 for visualizing the rear of the vehicle is defrosted or defogged by actuating the heater 24 provided at the mirror 16, to heat the mirror 16. When the heater 24 is actuated, a semiconductor light emitting element 26 provided on the back face side of the mirror 16 normally emits light to light a display part 22. Whether the heater 24 is actuated can thereby be confirmed only by seeing whether the display part 22 is lighted, without touching the mirror 16. Consequently, a person can be warned of the working state of the heater 24 and therefore prevented from touching the high temperature mirror 16 heated by the heater 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a vehicle mirror device provided with a heater for defrosting or demisting a mirror.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional mirror device for a vehicle includes, for example, a mirror for visually confirming the rear of the vehicle. A heater is provided on the back side of the mirror, and the heater is operated to heat the mirror. Thereby, defrosting or demisting of the mirror can be performed.

However, in such a vehicle mirror device, when the heater is operated to heat the mirror, the temperature of the mirror becomes high. Here, since there is no way to visually check whether or not the heater is operating, it is considered that there is a case where the user may try to check whether or not the heater is operating by touching the mirror with a sense of warmth. However, there is a possibility that the mirror which is heated by the heater and becomes high in temperature will feel hot when touched.

[0004] Further, it is difficult to check whether or not the heater is activated by touching the mirror while the vehicle is running.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above facts, the present invention makes it possible to confirm whether or not the heater has been activated without touching the mirror, and has a bad influence on other vehicles such as a following vehicle. It is an object to obtain a vehicle mirror device that can be realized without exertion.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle mirror device provided on a back side of a mirror for visually confirming the rear of a vehicle, and a heater for heating the mirror when activated. A light emitting member provided on the back side and emitting light when the heater is actuated, and formed on the mirror corresponding to the light emitting member, and transmits light from the light emitting member to the front side of the mirror to be turned on. And a control unit for prohibiting light emission of the light emitting member when the heater is operated during traveling of the vehicle.

In the vehicle mirror device according to the first aspect,
The heater provided on the back side of the mirror for viewing the rear of the vehicle is operated to heat the mirror, so that the mirror is defrosted or demisted.

Here, when the heater is actuated, the light emitting member provided on the back side of the mirror usually emits light, and the light from this light emitting member passes through the display portion formed on the mirror to the front side of the mirror. I do. For this reason, when the heater is activated, the display unit is normally lit, so that it is possible to confirm whether the heater is activated simply by checking whether the display unit is lit without touching the mirror. it can. Therefore, it is possible to warn that the heater is operating, and to prevent a person from touching the mirror heated by the heater and having a high temperature.

Further, the vehicle mirror device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a control unit, and the control unit inhibits light emission of the light emitting member when the heater is operated while the vehicle is running. This inhibits the display unit from being turned on even when the heater is operated while the vehicle is running, and the other vehicle such as a following vehicle unnecessarily recognizes the light on the display unit and misrecognizes it (errors caused by confusing light). Recognition) can be prevented.

A vehicle mirror device according to a second aspect of the present invention is provided on a back side of a mirror for visually confirming the rear of a vehicle, and is provided on a back side of the mirror when the heater is operated to heat the mirror. A light-emitting member that emits light when the heater is operated, and a display unit that is formed on the mirror corresponding to the light-emitting member and is lit by transmitting light from the light-emitting member to the surface side of the mirror. Restricting means for restricting the direction of light irradiation from the display unit to substantially only the occupant direction.

[0011] In the vehicle mirror device according to the second aspect,
The heater provided on the back side of the mirror for viewing the rear of the vehicle is operated to heat the mirror, so that the mirror is defrosted or demisted.

Here, when the heater is actuated, the light emitting member provided on the back side of the mirror emits light, and the light from this light emitting member passes through the display portion formed on the mirror to the front side of the mirror. . For this reason, when the heater is activated, the display is turned on, so that it is possible to confirm whether the heater is activated just by checking whether the display is turned on without touching the mirror. . Therefore, it is possible to warn that the heater is operating, and to prevent a person from touching the mirror heated by the heater and having a high temperature.

Further, the vehicle mirror device according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a restricting device, and the restricting device changes the direction of irradiation of light from the display section substantially in the occupant direction (for the occupant of the vehicle whose display section is turned on). Direction). For this reason,
Only the occupant can recognize the light on the display unit, and cannot recognize other vehicles such as a following vehicle. Thus, it is possible to prevent another vehicle such as a following vehicle from unnecessarily recognizing the light on the display unit and causing erroneous recognition (erroneous recognition due to confusing light).

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG.
Vehicle mirror device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention
Is shown in a cross-sectional view, and FIG.
The vehicle mirror device 10 is shown in a front view.

The vehicle mirror device 10 according to the present embodiment.
Has a door mirror stay 12, and the vehicle mirror device 10 is fixed to a vehicle door (not shown).
A door mirror visor 14 is connected to the door mirror stay 12, and the door mirror visor 14 holds a mirror 16 for viewing the rear of the vehicle. The mirror 16 includes a substrate glass 18, and a reflection film 20 is provided on the back surface of the substrate glass 18. The reflection film 20 reflects the light transmitted through the substrate glass 18 so that the rear of the vehicle can be visually recognized by the mirror 16.

A display portion 22 having a mark shape is formed on a peripheral portion of the mirror 16. The display unit 22 is formed by partially removing the reflection film 20 on the back surface side of the substrate glass 18, whereby the display unit 22 transmits light from the back surface side of the mirror 16 to the front surface side (front side) of the mirror 16. It is permeable.

On the back side of the reflection film 20, a heater 24 is provided. The heater 24 activates the mirror 1
6 is heated, whereby the mirror 1 is heated.
The defrosting or demisting of 6 is performed. The reflection film 20
The heater 24 is not provided at a portion corresponding to the display portion 22 on the back surface side of FIG.

A semiconductor light emitting element 26 (so-called LED) as a light emitting member is provided on the back side of the display section 22. As will be described in detail later, the semiconductor light emitting element 26 is configured to emit light when the heater 24 is normally operated, and therefore, the light from the semiconductor light emitting element 26 is
The display unit 22 is turned on by transmitting 2 to the front side of the mirror 16. Thus, it is possible to confirm whether or not the heater 24 is operated simply by checking whether or not the display unit 22 is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 3, a heater switch 28 is connected to the heater 24 in series, and when the heater switch 28 is turned on, the heater 24 is operated. Further, a semiconductor light emitting element 26, a resistor 30, and a shift position switch 32 as control means are connected in parallel to the heater 24. The shift position switch 32 is connected to a shift lever device (not shown).
When the shift of the shift lever device is in the parking position (P
ON in case of (range) (connect circuit)
At the same time, when the shift of the shift lever device is not at the parking position, the shift lever device is turned off (the circuit is disconnected). The resistor 30 limits the current flowing through the semiconductor light emitting element 26 to an appropriate value.

Here, when the shift of the shift lever device is in the parking position, the shift position switch 32 is turned on. In this case, when the heater switch 28 is turned on and the heater 24 is operated, the semiconductor When a current flows through the light emitting element 26, the semiconductor light emitting element 26 emits light and the display unit 22 is turned on. On the other hand, when the shift of the shift lever device is other than the parking position, the shift position switch 32 is turned off. In this case, even if the heater switch 28 is turned on and the heater 24 is operated, the semiconductor light emitting element 26 Is turned off, and the display unit 22 is prohibited from being turned on.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the vehicle mirror device 10 having the above configuration,
The heater 24 provided on the back side of the mirror 16 for viewing the rear of the vehicle is operated to heat the mirror 16, so that the mirror 16 is defrosted or demisted.

Here, when the heater switch 28 is turned on and the heater 24 is operated, the semiconductor light emitting element 26 normally provided on the back side of the mirror 16 emits light, and the light from the semiconductor light emitting element 26 is emitted. The display unit 22 formed on the mirror 16 transmits to the surface of the mirror 16. For this reason,
When the heater 24 is actuated, the display unit 22 is normally turned on, so that the display unit 22 can be operated without touching the mirror 16.
It is possible to confirm whether or not the heater 24 is operated simply by checking whether or not is turned on. Therefore, heater 2
It is possible to warn that the mirror 4 is in operation, and to prevent a person from touching the mirror 16 heated by the heater 24 and having a high temperature.

Further, when the shift of the shift lever device (not shown) is in the parking position (when the vehicle is stopped), the shift position switch 32 is turned on.
In this case, when the heater 24 is operated,
When a current flows through the semiconductor light emitting element 26, the semiconductor light emitting element 26 emits light as described above, and the display unit 22 is turned on.
On the other hand, when the shift of the shift lever device is other than the parking position (during the traveling of the vehicle), the shift position switch 32 is turned off.
Even if 4 is operated, current does not flow through the semiconductor light emitting element 26 and the display section 22 is prohibited from being turned on. This can prevent another vehicle such as a following vehicle from unnecessarily recognizing the light of the display unit 22 and causing erroneous recognition (erroneous recognition due to confusing light). (Modification) FIG. 4 shows a control circuit of a vehicle mirror device 40 according to a modification of the first embodiment.

In the vehicle mirror device 40 according to this modified example, the semiconductor light emitting element 26, the resistor 30, and the switch 42A of the relay 42 as control means are connected in parallel to the heater 24. The relay 42 is connected to a vehicle speed detecting device (not shown) for detecting the vehicle speed. When the vehicle speed detected by the speed detecting device is 0, the switch 42A of the relay 42 is turned on (connects the circuit) and the speed is changed. When the vehicle speed detected by the detection device is other than 0, the vehicle is turned off (the circuit is disconnected).

Here, the vehicle speed detected by the speed detecting device is 0.
In this case (when the vehicle is stopped), the switch 42A of the relay 42 is turned ON. In this case, when the heater switch 28 is turned ON and the heater 24 is operated, the semiconductor light emitting element 26 , The semiconductor light emitting element 26 emits light, and the display unit 22 is turned on.
On the other hand, when the vehicle speed detected by the speed detecting device is other than 0 (during traveling of the vehicle), the switch 42A of the relay 42 is turned off.
In this case, even if the heater switch 28 is turned ON and the heater 24 is operated in this case, no current flows through the semiconductor light emitting element 26 and the display section 22 is prohibited from being turned on. This can prevent another vehicle such as a following vehicle from unnecessarily recognizing the light of the display unit 22 and causing erroneous recognition (erroneous recognition due to confusing light).

In this modification, the switch 42A of the relay 42 is turned on when the vehicle speed detected by the speed detecting device is 0, and is turned off when the vehicle speed detected by the speed detecting device is other than 0. However, the switch unit of the relay is turned on when the vehicle speed detected by the speed detection device is less than a predetermined value, and is turned off when the vehicle speed detected by the speed detection device is equal to or more than the predetermined value. It may be configured.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the configuration is omitted. [Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a main part of a vehicle mirror device 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Mirror device 50
Is shown.

The vehicle mirror device 50 according to the present embodiment.
In the example, a semiconductor light emitting element 52 (so-called LED) as a light emitting member is provided on the back side of the display unit 22. As will be described in detail later, the semiconductor light emitting element 52 emits light when the heater 24 is operated. Therefore, the display unit 22 transmits light from the semiconductor light emitting element 52 to the front side of the mirror 16. Thus, the display unit 22 is turned on. Thus, it is possible to confirm whether or not the heater 24 is operated simply by checking whether or not the display unit 22 is turned on.

Further, the semiconductor light emitting element 52 is offset (offset) to the outside of the vehicle (non-occupant side) with respect to the display section 22 (restriction means). Accordingly, the direction of light irradiation from the display unit 22 is substantially limited to only the occupant direction (the direction of the occupant of the vehicle whose display unit 22 is turned on).

As shown in FIG. 6, a heater switch 54 is connected to the heater 24 in series.
The heater 24 is operated by turning ON the heater 4. Further, a semiconductor light emitting element 52 and a resistor 56 connected in series are connected in parallel to the heater 24. Note that the resistor 56 limits the current flowing through the semiconductor light emitting element 52 to an appropriate value. Here, the heater switch 54
Is turned on to operate the heater 24, a current flows through the semiconductor light emitting element 52, the semiconductor light emitting element 52 emits light, and the display unit 22 is turned on.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the vehicle mirror device 50 having the above configuration,
The heater 24 provided on the back side of the mirror 16 for viewing the rear of the vehicle is operated to heat the mirror 16, so that the mirror 16 is defrosted or demisted.

Here, when the heater switch 54 is turned on and the heater 24 is operated, the semiconductor light emitting element 52 provided on the back side of the mirror 16 emits light. The display section 22 formed on the mirror 16 transmits to the front side of the mirror 16. For this reason, when the heater 24 is operated, the display unit 22 is turned on, so that the heater 24 is operated only by checking whether the display unit 22 is turned on without touching the mirror 16. You can confirm whether or not. Therefore, it is possible to warn that the heater 24 is operating, and to prevent a person from touching the mirror 16 heated by the heater 24 and having a high temperature.

Further, in the vehicle mirror device 50 according to the present embodiment, the semiconductor light emitting element 52 is displaced (offset) to the outside of the vehicle (non-occupant side) with respect to the display unit 22. The irradiation direction of the light from the light source 22 is substantially limited only to the occupant direction (the direction of the occupant of the vehicle whose display unit 22 is turned on). Therefore, the light of the display unit 22 can be recognized only by the occupant, and cannot be recognized by other vehicles such as a following vehicle. As a result, the light of the display unit 22 is unnecessarily recognized by another vehicle such as a following vehicle and is erroneously recognized (erroneously recognized by confusing light).
Can be prevented. (Modification) FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a main part of a vehicle mirror device 60 according to a modification of the second embodiment.

In the vehicle mirror device 60 according to this modification, the semiconductor light emitting element 52 is offset (offset) to the outside of the vehicle (non-occupant side) with respect to the display unit 22. Further, a louver 62 (light deflecting plate) is provided between the semiconductor light emitting element 52 and the display unit 22 as a restricting means, and the louver 62 transmits light from the semiconductor light emitting element 62 substantially in the occupant direction (display unit). 22 in the direction of the illuminated vehicle occupant). Thus, the irradiation direction of the light from the display unit 22 is limited to substantially only the occupant direction.

Therefore, the light of the display unit 22 can be recognized only by the occupant, and cannot be recognized by other vehicles such as a following vehicle.
Accordingly, it is possible to further prevent the other vehicle such as the following vehicle from unnecessarily recognizing the light of the display unit 22 and causing erroneous recognition (erroneous recognition due to confusing light).

In the first embodiment (including the modification) and the second embodiment (including the modification), the reflection film 20 is provided on the mirror 16 on the back surface of the substrate glass 18 and the reflection film 20 is provided. The display unit 22 is formed by partially removing the display unit 22. For example, the vehicle mirror device 7 shown in FIG.
Like the 0 mirror 72, the entire reflection film on the back surface side of the substrate glass 18 is made thin to form a semi-transmissive film 74 (a film that transmits a part of light and reflects a part of light, a so-called half mirror). A configuration in which a light-shielding film 76 such as a coating is provided on the back surface side of the transmission film 74 and the light-shielding film 76 is partially removed to form the display unit 78 in this portion may be adopted. With such a configuration, the function as a mirror can be maintained even in the display unit 78, so that an effect that the display unit 78 is not normally visible (when the display unit 78 is not turned on) can be obtained. Further, a light shielding film 76 is provided on the back side of the semi-transmission film 74.
The effect that the internal mechanism (including the heater 24 on the back surface side of the light-shielding film 76) inside the door mirror visor 14 cannot be seen from the outside can also be obtained. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the reflective film on the rear surface side of the substrate glass is partially thinned and this portion is formed as a semi-transmissive film, so that a display section is formed on this portion. Even with such a configuration, the function as a mirror can be maintained in the display unit similarly to the above, whereby the effect that the display unit is not normally visible (when the display unit is not turned on) can be obtained. .

In the first embodiment (including the modification) and the second embodiment (including the modification), the heater switches 28 and 54 are provided to operate the heater 24. (See FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 6.) Instead of the heater switches 28 and 54, a control circuit for automatically operating the heater may be provided.

In the first embodiment (including the modification) and the second embodiment (including the modification), the semiconductor light-emitting elements 26 and 52 (so-called LEDs) are used as the light-emitting members. However, a configuration using an electroluminescent element (so-called EL) as a light emitting member may be adopted.

Further, in the first embodiment (including the modified example) and the second embodiment (including the modified example), the display portions 22 and 78 are configured to have a mark shape (see FIG. 2). ), Such as a vehicle mirror device 80 shown in FIG.
The display unit 82 may be configured to have a character shape.

[0042]

In the vehicle mirror device according to the first aspect, when the heater is activated, the display portion is normally turned on, so that a person touches the mirror heated by the heater and becomes high in temperature. Can be prevented.

Further, when the heater is operated while the vehicle is running, the control means inhibits the light emission of the light emitting member. (Misrecognition due to confusing light) can be prevented.

In the vehicle mirror device according to the second aspect,
Since the display is turned on when the heater is operated, it is possible to prevent a person from touching the mirror heated by the heater and having a high temperature.

Also, since the direction of light irradiation by the display section is limited to substantially only the occupant direction by the restricting means, the light of the display section cannot be recognized by another vehicle such as a succeeding vehicle. Can be prevented from being unnecessarily recognized by another vehicle such as a following vehicle, and erroneous recognition (erroneous recognition due to confusing light) can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of a vehicle mirror device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle mirror device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a control circuit diagram of the vehicle mirror device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a control circuit diagram of a vehicle mirror device according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a vehicle mirror device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a control circuit diagram of a vehicle mirror device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of a vehicle mirror device according to a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a mirror (including a display unit).

FIG. 9 is a front view showing another example of the vehicle mirror device (including the display unit).

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 vehicle mirror device 16 mirror 22 display unit 24 heater 26 semiconductor light emitting element (light emitting member) 32 shift position switch (control means) 40 vehicle mirror device 42 relay (control means) 50 vehicle mirror device 52 semiconductor light emitting element (light emitting device) Member) 60 Mirror device for vehicle 62 Louver (restriction means) 70 Mirror device for vehicle 72 Mirror 78 Display unit 80 Mirror device for vehicle 82 Display unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Noriyuki Takai Inventor 3-260 Toyota, Oguchi-cho, Niwa-gun, Aichi Prefecture F-term in Tokai Rika Electric Works, Ltd. (Reference) 2H042 DB12 DE01 3D025 AA04 AB01 AC10 AD13 AG74 3D053 FF19 GG06 JJ20 MM09 MM10 MM44 MM45

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A heater provided on the back side of a mirror for visually confirming the rear of a vehicle and heating the mirror when activated, and provided on the back side of the mirror and emits light when the heater is activated. A light-emitting member; a display unit formed on the mirror corresponding to the light-emitting member; and a display unit that is lit by transmitting light from the light-emitting member to a surface side of the mirror; and the heater is operated while the vehicle is running. And a control unit for prohibiting light emission of the light emitting member when the light is emitted. 2. A heater provided on the back side of a mirror for visually confirming the rear of the vehicle and heating the mirror when activated, and provided on the back side of the mirror and emits light when the heater is activated. A light-emitting member, a display unit formed on the mirror corresponding to the light-emitting member, the display unit being lit by transmitting light from the light-emitting member to the front surface side of the mirror, and irradiating the light from the display unit with light. A vehicle mirror device comprising: a restricting means for restricting the direction substantially only to the occupant.