JP2007069808A - Sun visor for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sun visor for a vehicle capable of precluding the generation of glaring and illuminating a user lightly while a control amount (brightness, rotating angle, lighting position, etc.) is adjusted automatically in accordance with the distance between the user and a mirror. <P>SOLUTION: The sun visor 12 for the vehicle is equipped with illuminating mechanisms 22 and 34 in those parts of the visor body 14 (i.e., the left and right ends) which are located out of a view field in order to preclude the generation of glaring. A control circuit 26 (control part) measures the distance between the user and a half mirror 30 (the mirror) using a distance sensor 44, decides brightness etc. to allow the prevention of glaring in accordance with the measured distance, and controls the illuminating mechanisms 22 and 34 so that specified brightness or the like is obtained. Even in the case that the changing control of the brightness or the like is conducted automatically in a manner as described to result in a variation of the distance between the user and the half mirror 30, the user suffers no bothering as he/she is illuminated with light to a degree as not feeling the glare. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle sun visor provided with a mirror on the surface of a sun visor body.

  Conventionally, an example of a vehicle sun visor configured to be capable of adjusting the luminance of illumination has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This vehicle sun visor has illumination means that is provided on the cover of the mirror and illuminates at a position substantially adjacent to the upper side of the mirror, and a slide that is provided on the sun visor body at the periphery of the mirror. The user opens the cover and adjusts the intensity of light emitted by the illumination means by operating the slide.

According to the technique disclosed in the above publication, the user can be illuminated with a desired brightness by operating the slide. However, since the illumination means emits light at a position almost adjacent to the upper side of the mirror, when it is adjusted to be bright, glare occurs due to extreme light in the field of view, and the eye adapts to the illumination means with bright eyes. This makes it difficult to see the image on the screen. On the other hand, when it is adjusted dark, glare does not occur, but the illuminance is insufficient when illuminating the user.
In order to prevent glare from occurring when the brightness is adjusted, it is necessary to prevent direct light from entering the eyes of the user, so it is appropriate to provide illumination means at a position outside the field of view. That is, it is conceivable to provide illumination means at a position as far as possible from the mirror (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-276984 (paragraph 0010, FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-219635 (paragraph 0009, FIG. 1)

However, when the illumination means is provided at a position away from the mirror, when the user approaches the mirror and looks at the image, it is difficult for the user to hit the light and the illuminance is insufficient, making it difficult to see.
Also, the distance between the user and the mirror is likely to change, and in order to ensure the same level of brightness, the slide must be operated each time the distance changes, which is bothersome for the user.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and not only prevents the occurrence of glare but also automatically adjusts the brightness etc. according to the distance between the user and the mirror to the same extent. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle sun visor that can brightly illuminate a user.

(1) Means for solving the problem (hereinafter, simply referred to as “solution means”) 1 is a vehicle sun visor provided with a mirror on the surface of the sun visor body, and the mirror is viewed at a predetermined distance. The distance between the user and the mirror is measured with an illumination mechanism that is provided in a part of the sun visor body that is out of the field of view and can control at least one of the brightness and posture. A control unit that stores a relationship between a distance sensor, a distance measured by the distance sensor, and a control amount of the illumination mechanism, and a control amount that is stored in the storage unit based on the distance measured by the distance sensor And a control unit that controls the illumination mechanism according to the determined control amount.

  According to the solution 1, since the illumination mechanism is provided in a portion of the sun visor main body that is out of the field of view, the occurrence of glare can be prevented. In this case, the user leaves the illumination mechanism, but the brightness of the light emitted by the illumination mechanism according to the control amount according to the distance between the user and the mirror (hereinafter simply referred to as “the distance between users”). Is changed (luminance control method) or the posture of the illumination mechanism is changed (posture control method). In the brightness control method, for example, the brightness is controlled to increase as the distance between users decreases, and the brightness is controlled to decrease as the distance between users increases. For example, a mechanism for changing the brightness of the light emitter itself (for example, a power control method), a mechanism for changing the overall brightness depending on the number of light emitters to emit light (for example, a light emission number control method), A mechanism (for example, a diaphragm mechanism) that changes the transmission amount or transmission range although the brightness is the same is applicable. In the posture control method, for example, the lighting mechanism is controlled so as to face the user (especially the face) as the distance between users decreases, and the lighting mechanism is turned away from the user as the distance between users increases. Control the posture. By automatically performing variable control of brightness and posture in this way, even if the distance between users changes, the user is illuminated brightly, so there is no trouble for the user. Many of the users are vehicle occupants, but are not limited to occupants and include all persons who use mirrors.

(2) The solving means 2 is a vehicle sun visor provided with a mirror on the surface of the sun visor body, an illumination mechanism capable of changing a lighting position within a predetermined area on the surface of the sun visor body, a user and the mirror A distance sensor that measures the distance between the storage unit, a distance that is measured by the distance sensor, and a storage unit that stores a relationship between a lighting position that is out of the field of view when the illumination mechanism is turned on, and the distance sensor The gist of the present invention is to determine a lighting position according to the relationship stored in the storage unit based on the distance, and to control the illumination mechanism so that the lighting mechanism is lit at the determined lighting position.

According to the solution 2, the lighting mechanism is configured to be able to change the lighting position within a predetermined area on the surface of the sun visor body. For example, a plurality of light emitters (light sources) provided at intervals can be moved within a predetermined region by lighting up individual light emitters (comprising one or a plurality of light emitting elements) or by driving the driver. For example, a configuration in which one light emitter is provided at the same time is applicable.
In this case, a lighting position is determined according to the distance between users, and the illumination mechanism is controlled so that the lighting is performed at the determined lighting position. In the former case, control is performed to turn on one of the plurality of light emitters (which may be two or more light emitters), and in the latter case, control is performed to move the light emitter to the lighting position. . Since the lighting position is a position outside the field of view, the occurrence of glare can be prevented. Furthermore, even when the distance between users changes, the lighting position control is automatically performed to brightly illuminate the user, so there is no trouble for the user.

(3) The solving means 3 is the vehicle sun visor described in the solving means 2, and the storage unit stores a luminance that does not cause glare in addition to the lighting position of the illumination mechanism. The gist is that the illumination mechanism is controlled to be lit according to a lighting position and brightness determined according to a relationship stored in the storage unit based on a distance measured by the distance sensor.

  According to the solution 3, the control unit controls not only the lighting position but also the luminance with respect to the illumination mechanism. The brightness in this case is suppressed to such a brightness that no glare occurs. Therefore, the user can be illuminated as brightly as possible while preventing the occurrence of glare.

(4) The solving means 4 is the vehicle sun visor described in any one of the solving means 1 to 3, and includes a lid body that opens and closes a mirror and an open / close sensor that detects an open / closed state of the lid body. The control unit controls to turn on the lighting mechanism so that the illumination mechanism gradually becomes bright when the lid is opened by the detection of the opening / closing sensor, and when the lid is closed by the detection of the opening / closing sensor. The gist is that it is configured to perform at least one of the control to turn off the light so that it gradually becomes darker.

  According to the solving means 4, the open / close sensor monitors the open / closed state of the lid, so that it gradually lights up when the lid is opened, and gradually becomes dark when the lid is closed. Turns off. By gradually changing the brightness in this way, the user's eyes can easily adapt.

(5) The solving means 5 is the vehicle sun visor described in any one of the solving means 1 to 4, wherein a mirror is a half mirror and a distance sensor is provided on the back side of the half mirror. This is the gist.

  According to the solution 5, when the distance sensor is provided on the back side of the half mirror, the distance between the user and the mirror can be measured more accurately than when the distance sensor is provided on the periphery of the mirror. Therefore, the control unit can control the illumination mechanism more accurately, and as a result, the occurrence of glare can be prevented more reliably.

  According to the present invention, not only the occurrence of glare can be prevented, but even if the distance between the user and the mirror changes, the brightness etc. can be automatically adjusted to illuminate the user to the same extent. .

[Embodiment 1]
The first embodiment is an example in which an illumination mechanism is provided at an end of a sun visor body, and will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle sun visor mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle sun visor. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. In these drawings, the display of electric wiring is omitted for the sake of easy understanding.

  First. The vehicle sun visor 12 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plate-shaped sun visor body 14, a support shaft 18 that supports the sun visor body 14, and a bracket 20 that attaches the support shaft 18 to the vehicle interior ceiling surface 10. . The support shaft 18 is hollow and has a substantially L-shaped appearance. One end of the support shaft 18 is inserted along the periphery of the sun visor body 14 and the other end is rotatably attached to the bracket 20. With this support shaft 18, the vehicle sun visor 12 in the light-shielding position indicated by the solid line is stored in the storage position (two-dot chain vehicle sun visor 12 a), or the window side position (two-dot chain vehicle sun visor 12 b is used as a sunshade from the side). ).

  The sun visor body 14 shown in FIG. 2 includes a half mirror 30, a mirror lid 16 that opens and closes the half mirror 30, illumination mechanisms 22 and 34, and a control circuit 26 that controls the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34. The half mirror 30 corresponds to a “mirror”, the mirror lid 16 corresponds to a “lid”, and the control circuit 26 corresponds to a “control unit”. The half mirror 30 and the mirror lid 16 are attached together with the trim 28, the illumination mechanism 22 is attached together with the trim 24, and the illumination mechanism 34 is attached together with the trim 32. The control circuit 26 is housed inside the sun visor body 14. Both the control circuit 26 and the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 can be operated with electric power supplied from the power source (battery or the like) of the vehicle through the cable 36 passing through the hollow of the support shaft 18.

  In FIG. 3, the sun visor body 14 is formed in a hollow plate shape by shells 40 and 42, and has a skin 38 that covers the outer surfaces of the shells 40 and 42. When the sun visor body 14 is set to the light shielding position (see FIG. 1), the shell 40 is located on the user side, and the shell 42 is also located on the windshield side (that is, the vehicle side). In the shell 40, a recess 40c is formed near the center of the plate surface. The convex part 40b provided in the concave part of the concave part 40c fulfills the function of fitting and holding the trim 28. When the trim 28 is fitted into the convex portion 40b, it is structured to hold the outer skin 38 with the shell 40 as shown in the figure. The half mirror 30 is placed with a convex portion 42a provided on the shell 42 as a pedestal, and is pressed and held by the convex portion 40b. A distance sensor 44 is installed on the back side (lower side of the drawing) of the half mirror 30. The distance sensor 44 measures the distance between the user and the half mirror 30 (specifically, the back surface of the half mirror 30 as shown). Note that it is possible to determine the open / closed state of the mirror lid 16 based on the measured distance, and this determination is performed by the control circuit 26. In this case, the distance sensor 44 also functions as an open / close sensor.

  An illumination mechanism 22 is provided at one end portion (left end portion in the drawing) of the sun visor body 14, and an illumination mechanism 34 is provided at the other end portion (right end portion in the drawing). The illumination mechanism 22 includes a lens 22a, a light emitter 22b, a trim 24, and the like, and the illumination mechanism 34 includes a lens 34a, a light emitter 34b, a trim 32, and the like. For each of the light emitters 22b and 34b, for example, a light emitting element such as a light bulb, LED, or organic EL is used. The number of light emitting elements (excluding surface light emission) is arbitrary, but it is usually composed of several or several tens according to the luminance to be controlled. The lenses 22a and 34a serve to diffuse light emitted from the light emitters 22b and 34b in a predetermined direction.

  The trim 24 used in this embodiment has a structure that is attached so as to be inserted into a recess 40 a provided in the shell 40. Similarly, the trim 32 is attached so as to be inserted into a recess 40d provided in the shell 40. Since the light emitters 22b and 34b need to be electrically connected to the control circuit 26, the trim 24 and the recess 40a and the trim 32 and the recess 40d each have a connector (not shown). Instead of the connector, a plug / jack or the like may be provided. According to this structure, the simple operation of inserting the trims 24 and 32 into the recesses 40a and 40d, the function of attaching the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34, the function of holding the skin 38, and the electrical circuit of the control circuit 26 And the function of making a simple connection. Therefore, the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 can be assembled to the sun visor body 14 in a short time.

  Here, the electrical connection centering on the control circuit 26 will be described with reference to FIG. For example, the control circuit 26 shown in FIG. 4 is configured around a CPU 26a, and includes a ROM 26b, a RAM 26c, an input / output circuit 26d, and the like. The ROM 26b corresponds to a “storage unit”. The CPU 26a executes a control program stored in the ROM 26b to realize a light emission control process described later. The RAM 26c stores distance data input from the distance sensor 44 through the input / output circuit 26d, data relating to the luminance of the light emitters 22b and 34b output through the input / output circuit 26d, and the like.

  The relationship between the user distance and the visual field will be briefly described with reference to FIG. The field of view is the range of peripheral vision that can be perceived without moving the eye, and the range (size) can be expressed by the line of sight and the angle formed around the field of view. As is well known, as the distance between a certain point and the eye increases, the range visible around the certain point increases. In the example of FIG. 5, when the fixed point is the half mirror 30, the size of the field of view varies depending on the distance between the half mirror 30 and the user's eyes. That is, the field of view at a certain distance D2 is only the size of the range C2, but the field of view expands to the size of the range C3 when the distance D3 is greater than the distance D2.

  At the distance D2 where the distance between the users is small, glare is not generated even if the luminance of the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 is increased, so that the glare is not generated. The user does not care about the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 and the half mirror 30 You can see the image on the screen. On the other hand, since the one illumination mechanism 34 enters the visual field range C3 at the distance D3 where the distance between users is large, glare is likely to occur when the luminance of the illumination mechanism 34 is increased. Therefore, in order to prevent glare at the distance D3, the luminance of the illumination mechanism 34 may be increased, but the luminance of the illumination mechanism 34 needs to be reduced. If the distance becomes further larger than the distance D3, the illumination mechanism 22 also enters the field of view. In this case, in order to prevent glare, both the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 need to have low brightness.

FIG. 6 shows the relationship as described above as a graph. FIG. 6 shows the relationship when the horizontal axis is the distance between users and the vertical axis is the luminance of the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34. Since the illumination mechanism 34 is disposed closer to the half mirror 30 than the illumination mechanism 22, glare is likely to occur, and the illumination mechanism 34 illuminates with a lower brightness than the illumination mechanism 22 as a whole. Both the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 increase the luminance as the distance decreases, and decrease the luminance as the distance increases. For example, when the distance between users is the distance D2, the illumination mechanism 22 is set to have the luminance B1, and the illumination mechanism 34 is set to have the luminance B3. Similarly, when the distance between users is the distance D3, the illumination mechanism 22 is set to have a luminance B2 (B2 <B1), and the illumination mechanism 34 is set to have a luminance B4 (B4 <B3). In this manner, control data that changes in luminance according to the distance between users is stored in the ROM 26b. The method for expressing the control data is arbitrary. For example, the data may be luminance data that is set stepwise for each predetermined distance interval, or may be data of a functional expression that provides luminance when a distance is given. These luminance data and function formula data are set to optimum values through experiments.
In addition, not only data in a form in which the luminance changes linearly as shown by a solid line in FIG. 6, but also data in a form in which the luminance changes in a curve as shown by a two-dot chain line may be stored.

  However, when the distance between the half mirror 30 and the closed mirror lid 16 is a distance D1, it is difficult to consider the half mirror 30 by making the distance D1 smaller than this distance D1, and therefore the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 are set below the distance D1. It is desirable to turn off the light. Further, when the distance between users when the user's arm is extended is a distance D4, it is difficult to consider the half mirror 30 with a distance larger than the distance D4. It is desirable to turn off the light.

  In the vehicle sun visor 12 configured as described above, a light emission control process for preventing glare and illuminating the user when the half mirror 30 is used will be described with reference to FIG. The light emission control process shown in the flowchart is repeatedly executed from when power is supplied to the control circuit 26 until it is disconnected.

  In the light emission control process, it is first determined whether or not the mirror cover 16 is closed (or closed) [step S10]. This determination is made based on whether or not the distance measured by the distance sensor 44 is equal to or less than the distance D1. If the mirror cover 16 is closed (YES) and the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 are turned on (YES in step S12), the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 are turned off so as to gradually become dark [step S14]. However, when the mirror cover 16 is already closed (YES in step S10), the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 are turned off (NO in step S12), and the process returns without doing anything.

On the other hand, when the mirror cover 16 is opened from the closed state (NO in step S10, YES in step S12), the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 are not suddenly turned on with high brightness, but are gradually brightened. 22 and 34 are turned on [step S22].
When the mirror cover 16 is opened (including when the mirror cover 16 is opened from the closed state), the distance between the users is measured by the distance sensor 44 [step S24] and stored in the ROM 26b based on the measured distance. An appropriate luminance is determined using the control data thus obtained [step S26]. For example, if the data is set stepwise for each predetermined distance interval, the luminance at a distance close to the distance measured in step S24 is determined by interpolation. If it is a function formula that can obtain luminance when a distance is given, the luminance is determined by substituting the distance into the function formula.

  If the brightness | luminance corresponding to the distance between users is determined by step S26, it will illuminate by controlling the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 so that it may become the said brightness | luminance [step S28]. For example, in the case where the light emitters 22b and 34b are light bulbs, the magnitude of voltage and current is controlled (power control method), and in the case of LEDs, the number of lights is controlled (light emission number control method), and the brightness determined in step S26. To.

According to Embodiment 1 described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(A1) Since the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 are provided in portions of the sun visor main body 14 that are out of the field of view (that is, the left and right ends shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), the occurrence of glare can be prevented. The control circuit 26 measures the distance between users with the distance sensor 44 (step S24 in FIG. 7), determines the luminance to prevent the occurrence of glare corresponding to the measured distance (step S26 in FIG. 7), and The illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 were controlled so as to have luminance (step S28 in FIG. 7). Thus, even if the brightness control is automatically performed and the distance between users is changed, the user is brightly illuminated so as not to be dazzled.

(A2) The sun visor main body 14 includes a mirror lid 16 that opens and closes the half mirror 30 and a distance sensor 44 (open / close sensor) that detects the open / closed state of the mirror lid 16. The control circuit 26 performs control to turn on the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 so that the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 gradually become bright when the mirror lid 16 is opened (step S22 in FIG. 7), and when the mirror lid 16 is closed, the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 are controlled. Was controlled to turn off the light so that it gradually became darker (step S14 in FIG. 7). Since the brightness is gradually changed in this way, the user's eyes can easily adapt. Further, since the distance sensor 44 has a function as an open / close sensor, the cost can be reduced by the amount that a separate open / close sensor is not required.

(A3) A half mirror 30 is used as a mirror, and a distance sensor 44 is provided on the back side of the half mirror 30 (see FIG. 3). According to this configuration, the distance between the user and the half mirror 30 can be accurately measured. Therefore, since the control circuit 26 can control the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 more accurately, the occurrence of glare can be prevented more reliably as a result.

[Embodiment 2]
The second embodiment is an example in which the illumination mechanism provided at the end of the sun visor body is configured to change the light emission direction, and will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 7. The other components of the vehicle sun visor 12 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the second embodiment will be described with respect to differences from the first embodiment in order to simplify the illustration and description. Therefore, the same elements as those used in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  Although the front surface of the vehicle sun visor 12 is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 2), the internal structure is different, so that a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. What is different from FIG. 3 of the first embodiment is the structure of the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34. That is, the illumination mechanism 22 includes a motor 22d that changes the light emission direction of the light emitter 22b, and the illumination mechanism 34 includes a motor 34d that changes the light emission direction of the light emitter 34b. In addition to the lens and trim, the illumination mechanism 22 is provided with a light emitter 22b on a circuit board 22c, and the circuit board 22c is fixed to a rotating shaft 22e of a motor 22d. Similarly, in the illumination mechanism 34, the light emitter 34b is provided on the circuit board 34c, and the circuit board 34c is fixed to the rotating shaft 34e of the motor 34d. The type of the motors 22d and 34d is not limited, but a motor capable of controlling the rotation angle such as a pulse motor is used.

  The motors 22d and 34d are electrically connected to the control circuit 26 by inserting the trims 24 and 32 into the recesses 40a and 40d. When this electrical connection is made, the rotation angles of the motors 22d and 34d are controlled according to the signal output from the control circuit 26 (see FIG. 4), and the light emission direction of the light emitters 22b and 34b is controlled.

  Here, according to the relationship between the distance between users and the visual field (see FIG. 5), the visual field range becomes narrower as the user approaches the half mirror 30. This means that the closer the user (especially the face) is to the half mirror 30, the more the light emitting direction of the light emitters 22b and 34b is directed toward the user side (the posture of the light emitters 22b and 34b shown by solid lines in FIG. 8). Means that it is hard to occur. On the other hand, the further away the user is from the half mirror 30, the more the glare occurs even when the light emitting direction of the light emitters 22 b and 34 b is turned away from the user (the posture of the light emitters 22 b and 34 b shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8). It means that it is easy to occur. Therefore, both of the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 may be directed toward the user as the distance between the users decreases, and away from the user as the distance between the users increases.

  Refer to FIGS. 9 and 7 for a method of controlling the rotation angles of the motors 22d and 34d while preventing the occurrence of glare in changing the light emission direction of the light emitters 22b and 34b based on the distance measured by the distance sensor 44. While briefly explaining. Although the method for setting the rotation angle is arbitrary, in this embodiment, both the motors 22d and 34d become smaller angles toward the user (the postures of the light emitters 22b and 34b shown by solid lines in FIG. 8). The angle is set to be larger as it is turned away (the posture of the light emitters 22b and 34b indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8).

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the distance between users and the rotation angle. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents the distance between users, and the vertical axis represents the rotation angle of the motors 22d and 34d (that is, the light emitting direction of the light emitters 22b and 34b). Since the light emitter 34b is disposed at a position closer to the half mirror 30 than the light emitter 22b, glare is likely to occur, and the light is illuminated at an angle (in other words, a larger angle) that is more distant from the user than the motor 22d. Both of the motors 22d and 34d decrease the angle as the distance decreases, and increase the angle as the distance increases. For example, when the distance between users is the distance D2, the motor 22d is set to the angle A4, and the motor 34d is set to the angle A3. Similarly, when the distance between users is the distance D3, the motor 22d is set to have an angle A2 (A2> A4), and the motor 34d is set to have an angle A1 (A1> A3). In this way, control data that changes the rotation angle in accordance with the distance between users is stored in the ROM 26b. The control data may be set in the same manner as the control data set in Embodiment 1 (data whose content changes depending on the distance between users).
In addition, not only data in a form in which the rotation angle changes linearly as shown by a solid line in FIG. 9, but also data in a form in which the rotation angle changes in a curve as shown by a two-dot chain line may be stored. In addition, it is desirable to turn off the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 at a distance D1 or less or a distance D4 or more.

  In the vehicle sun visor 12 configured as described above, a light emission control process for preventing glare and illuminating the user when the half mirror 30 is used will be described with reference to FIG. The overall flow is the same as in the first embodiment, but differs in the following points. That is, when the distance between the users is measured by the distance sensor 44 (step S24), the control circuit 26 determines a rotation angle for preventing the occurrence of glare corresponding to the measured distance (step S26), and becomes the rotation angle. Thus, control is performed by sending a signal to the motors 22d and 34d (step S28).

According to the second embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(B1) Since the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 are provided in the portion of the sun visor main body 14 that is out of the field of view (that is, the left and right ends shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), the occurrence of glare can be prevented. The control circuit 26 determines the rotation angle corresponding to the distance measured by the distance sensor 44 (step S26 in FIG. 7), and controls the motors 22d and 34d (step S28 in FIG. 7). In this way, even when the distance between users is changed by automatically performing variable control of the rotation angle, the user is brightly illuminated to such an extent that it is not dazzled.

(B2) In addition to the rotation angle described above, the brightness for preventing the occurrence of glare is determined corresponding to the distance measured by the distance sensor 44 (step S26 in FIG. 7), and the illumination mechanism 22, 34 may be controlled (step S28 in FIG. 7). Thus, by automatically performing not only the rotation angle but also variable control of the brightness, the user can be illuminated more brightly even when the distance between the users changes, and it is not bothersome for the user.

(B3) Other requirements, configurations, operations, and the like are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained {see the above-described matters (a2) and (a3)}.

[Embodiment 3]
The third embodiment is an example in which the lighting position can be changed within a predetermined region of the sun visor body 14, and will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 7. FIG. The other components of the vehicle sun visor 12 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the third embodiment will be described with respect to differences from the first embodiment in order to simplify the illustration and description. Therefore, the same elements as those used in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The front of the vehicle sun visor 12 in this embodiment is as shown in FIG. What is different from the plan view of FIG. 2 is the size and structure of the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 provided in the sun visor body 14. That is, in FIG. 2, it is provided to emit light at both left and right ends of the sun visor body 14, whereas in FIG. 10, the illumination mechanism 22 and the illumination mechanism 34 are provided to emit light in most of the front of the sun visor body 14 (half Excluding the part provided with the mirror 30 and both upper and lower ends). However, since glare occurs when the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 emit light as a whole, entering the user's field of view, a part of each illumination mechanism emits light as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. That is, since the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 have the same structure, the structure of the illumination mechanism 22 is represented as a representative. In addition to the lens 22a and the trim 24, the illumination mechanism 22 includes a movable member 22f provided with a light emitter 22b on the surface on the user side, a rotary shaft 22h and a support shaft 22i that support the movable member 22f, and a movable member 22f on the left and right sides A motor 22g or the like serving as a drive source when moving in a direction (direction W1 shown in the drawing) is included. Although not shown, the illumination mechanism 34 includes a movable member 34f, a rotating shaft 34h, a support shaft 34i, a motor 34g, and the like. In this configuration, the motor 22g has a rotating shaft 22h, and the motor 34g has a rotating shaft 34h.

  The motors 22g and 34g are electrically connected to the control circuit 26 by inserting the trims 24 and 32 into the recesses 40a and 40d. When this electrical connection is made, the rotation angles of the motors 22g and 34g are controlled according to the signal output from the control circuit 26 (see FIG. 4), and consequently the lighting positions of the light emitters 22b and 34b are controlled.

  Here, according to the relationship between the distance between users and the visual field (see FIG. 5), the visual field range becomes narrower as the user approaches the half mirror 30. This means that the closer the user is to the half mirror 30, the less the glare is generated even if the light emitters 22b and 34b are closer to the half mirror 30 (the position of the light emitter 22b shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 11). To do. On the other hand, it means that as the user moves away from the half mirror 30, glare is more likely to occur even if the light emitter 22b is separated from the half mirror 30 (position of the light emitter 22b shown by a solid line in FIG. 11). Accordingly, both of the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 may be lit closer to the half mirror 30 as the distance between users decreases, and illuminate away from the half mirror 30 as the distance between users increases.

  12 and 7 show a method for controlling the lighting positions of the light emitters 22b and 34b while preventing the occurrence of glare in changing the lighting positions of the light emitters 22b and 34b based on the distance measured by the distance sensor 44. A brief description will be given with reference. The lighting position can be set by any method, but in this embodiment, both of the light emitters 22b and 34b are expressed with smaller values as they approach the half mirror 30 (the position of the light emitter 22b indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 11). The position is set so as to be expressed by a larger value as the position is farther from the mirror 30 (the position of the light emitter 22b shown by a solid line in FIG. 11).

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the distance between users and the lighting position. In FIG. 12, the horizontal axis represents the distance between users and the vertical axis represents the lighting position of the light emitters 22b and 34b. As apparent from the installation area of the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 shown in FIG. 10, the light emitter 34b has a narrower range of movement than the light emitter 22b. Both of the light emitters 22b and 34b move the lighting position closer to the half mirror 30 as the distance between users decreases, and move away from the half mirror 30 as the distance between users increases. For example, when the distance between users is the distance D2, the light emitter 22b is set to the position P3, and the light emitter 34b is set to the position P4. Similarly, when the distance between users is the distance D3, the light emitter 22b is set to the position P1, and the light emitter 34b is set to the position P2. In this way, control data for the motors 22g and 34g (for example, rotation angle data for the rotating shafts 22h and 34h) such that the lighting positions change according to the distance between the users is stored in the ROM 26b. The control data may be set in the same manner as the control data set in Embodiment 1 (data whose content changes depending on the distance between users).
In addition, you may memorize | store not only the data of the form in which a lighting position changes linearly as shown by a continuous line in FIG. 12, but the form in which a lighting position changes in a curve as shown by a dashed-two dotted line. In addition, it is desirable to turn off the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 at a distance D1 or less or a distance D4 or more.

  In the vehicle sun visor 12 configured as described above, a light emission control process for preventing glare and illuminating the user when the half mirror 30 is used will be described with reference to FIG. The overall flow is the same as in the first embodiment, but differs in the following points. That is, when the distance between users is measured by the distance sensor 44 (step S24), the control circuit 26 determines a lighting position that prevents the occurrence of glare corresponding to the measured distance (step S26), and becomes the lighting position. Thus, control is performed by sending signals to the motors 22g and 34g (step S28).

According to the third embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(C1) Illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 that can change the lighting position within a predetermined region on the surface of the sun visor body 14 are provided (see FIG. 10). The control circuit 26 determines the lighting position according to the distance between users measured by the distance sensor 44 (step S26 in FIG. 7), and controls the light emitters 22b and 34b to be lit at the lighting position (FIG. 7). Step S28). Thus, since the lighting position is a position outside the field of view, the occurrence of glare can be prevented. Furthermore, even when the distance between users changes, the lighting position control is automatically performed to brightly illuminate the user, so there is no trouble for the user.

(C2) In addition to the lighting position described above, luminance that prevents the occurrence of glare is determined corresponding to the distance measured by the distance sensor 44 (step S26 in FIG. 7), and the illumination mechanism 22, 34 may be controlled (step S28 in FIG. 7). In this way, if not only the lighting position but also the variable brightness control is automatically performed, the user can be illuminated more brightly even when the distance between users changes, and it is not bothersome for the user.

(C3) Other requirements, configurations, operations, and the like are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained {see the above-described matters (a2) and (a3)}.

[Embodiment 4]
The fourth embodiment is an example in which the lighting position can be changed within a predetermined area of the sun visor main body 14, and is a different configuration example from the third embodiment. The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 12, and 7. FIG. The other components of the vehicle sun visor 12 are the same as those in the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment will be described with respect to differences from the third embodiment in order to simplify the illustration and description. Therefore, the same elements as those used in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  Although the front surface of the vehicle sun visor 12 is the same as that of the third embodiment (see FIG. 10), the internal structure is different, so the cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10 is shown in FIG. What is different from FIG. 11 of the third embodiment is the structure of the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34. That is, in addition to the lens and trim, the illumination mechanism 22 includes a circuit board 22c in which a large number of light emitters 22b are arranged vertically and horizontally, and the illumination mechanism 34 includes a circuit board 34c in which a large number of light emitters 34b are arranged vertically and horizontally. The illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 having this configuration do not have mechanically operated parts / members as in a so-called electric display panel.

  The relationship between the distance between users and the lighting position is the same as in the third embodiment, and it is necessary to light the light emitters 22b and 34b according to the graph shown in FIG. Therefore, both of the light emitters 22b and 34b move the lighting position closer to the half mirror 30 as the distance between users decreases, and move away from the half mirror 30 as the distance between users increases. For example, a lighting example at a position slightly distant from the half mirror 30 is shown in FIG. 14A, a lighting example at an intermediate position is shown in FIG. 14B, and a lighting example at a position slightly close to the half mirror 30 is shown in FIG. Represented in (C). In each of these lighting examples, the light emitters 22b for two rows are turned on, and the remaining light emitters 22b are turned off. Thus, it is necessary to store in the ROM 26b control data (for example, data for specifying a light emitter to be turned on among a large number of light emitters) such that the lighting position changes according to the distance between users.

  In the vehicle sun visor 12 configured as described above, a light emission control process for preventing glare and illuminating the user when the half mirror 30 is used will be described with reference to FIG. The overall flow is the same as in the first embodiment, but differs in the following points. That is, when the distance between users is measured by the distance sensor 44 (step S24), the control circuit 26 determines a lighting position that prevents the occurrence of glare corresponding to the measured distance (step S26), and corresponds to the lighting position. A signal is sent to the light emitters 22b and 34b to be turned on (step S28).

According to the fourth embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(D1) Although the structure concerning the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 is different, since the operation and the like are the same as those in the third embodiment, the same effects as in the third embodiment can be obtained {the above-mentioned matters (c1) to ( see c3)}. In addition, the failure rate can be greatly reduced in that there are no mechanically actuated parts / members, and there is no fear of running out of the balls when LEDs are used for the light emitters 22b and 34b.

  Even when the light emitters 22b and 34b (for example, LEDs) whose brightness cannot be controlled are used, the brightness can be adjusted by changing the number of the light emitters 22b and 34b to be lit. In other words, the luminance can be easily adjusted by increasing the number and number of columns to be lit to increase the luminance and decreasing the number and number of columns to be lit to decrease the luminance. Therefore, since it can implement | achieve using an inexpensive light-emitting body, the whole cost can be reduced.

(D2) Since the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 in this embodiment have a large number of light emitters 22b and 34b arranged vertically and horizontally, they can function not only as an illumination device but also as an information transmission device. . That is, the function as the information transmission device is such that the control circuit 26 is communicably connected to a computer (for example, an ECU for engine control) mounted on the vehicle, and the illumination mechanism 22 according to the information content transmitted from the computer. This can be realized by displaying a character or the like on 34. Moreover, it is implement | achieved also as a structure which equips the sun visor main body 14 with the receiver of a radio signal, and displays the character information received with the said receiver on the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34. FIG. Therefore, it can be used not only as a tool to illuminate users but also as an information source.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this mode. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following forms may be realized.

(E1) In Embodiment 1-4, the distance sensor 44 also functions as an open / close sensor. Instead of this form, the sun visor body 14 may be provided with an open / close sensor separately from the distance sensor 44. For example, FIG. 15 showing a cross-sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. 2 shows that at least one of the open / close sensor 46a shown by the solid line and the open / close sensor 46b shown by the two-dot chain line is the sun visor body 14 (specifically, The shell 40) is provided. The open / close sensor 46a is turned on when the mirror cover 16 is opened, and is turned off when the mirror cover 16 is closed. On the other hand, the open / close sensor 46b is turned on when the mirror lid 16 is closed and turned off when the mirror lid 16 is opened. The control circuit 26 performs a light emission control process in accordance with ON / OFF of the open / close sensors 46a and 46b (see FIG. 7). As described above, even when the open / close sensors 46a and 46b are used, the occurrence of glare is prevented and the user is brightly illuminated. Therefore, the same operational effects as those of Embodiment 1-4 can be obtained.

(E2) In the first embodiment, the luminance of the illumination mechanisms 22 and 34 is controlled, in the second embodiment, the light emission direction of the light emitters 22b and 34b is controlled, and in the third and fourth embodiments, the light emitters 22b and 34b are turned on. The position was controlled. Instead of these forms, a configuration in which a light emitter whose brightness does not change and a mechanism for changing a transmission amount and a transmission range of light emitted from the light emitter may be provided.
The first configuration corresponds to a backlight as a light emitter and a liquid crystal device that controls the amount of light transmitted through the backlight. When the liquid crystal body of the liquid crystal device is turned on, light is not transmitted. When the liquid crystal body is turned off, light is transmitted. Therefore, the amount of light transmitted is controlled by controlling the number and range of the liquid crystal bodies.
The second configuration corresponds to a light bulb or LED as a light emitter and a diaphragm mechanism that controls the amount of light transmitted through the light emitter. The diaphragm mechanism corresponds to a diaphragm mechanism mounted on an imaging device such as a camera. If the aperture amount of the aperture mechanism is increased, light is not transmitted. If the aperture amount is decreased, light is transmitted. Therefore, the amount of transmitted light is controlled by controlling the aperture amount.
These configurations also prevent glare from occurring and brightly illuminate the user, so that the same operational effects as in Embodiment 1-4 can be obtained.

(E3) In Embodiment 1-4, the half mirror 30 is used as a mirror, but a general mirror may be used. In this case, it is necessary to provide the distance sensor 44 in another part. Although it was set as the structure provided with the mirror cover 16 as a cover body, it is good also as a structure which is not provided with a cover body. Although the control circuit 26 mainly including the CPU 26a is provided as the control unit, a one-chip microcomputer, a custom chip (for example, ASIC) may be provided. The power of the control circuit 26 is supplied from the power source of the vehicle. However, a solar cell may be provided on the windshield side (for example, the shell body 42) of the sun visor body 14 and the power may be supplied from the solar cell. .
These configurations also prevent glare from occurring and brightly illuminate the user, so that the same operational effects as in Embodiment 1-4 can be obtained.

(E4) The structure of the solving means 1-5 is applied to the vehicle sun visor 12 having the mirror (half mirror 30) on the surface of the sun visor main body 14 in the embodiment 1-4. Other than the vehicle sun visor 12, for example, a vanity mirror or a make-up mirror provided in the vehicle is applicable. In these cases, the same effect as the embodiment can be obtained.

It is a perspective view showing the wearing state of the sun visor for vehicles. It is a top view of the sun visor for vehicles. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a schematic diagram showing the electrical connection centering on a control circuit. It is a figure explaining the relationship between a user distance and a visual field. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the distance between users, and a brightness | luminance. It is a flowchart figure showing the example of a procedure of light emission control processing. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the distance between users and a rotation angle. It is a top view of the sun visor for vehicles. It is the XI-XI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the distance between users and a lighting position. It is the XI-XI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure showing the example of lighting of a light-emitting body. It is the XV-XV sectional view taken on the line of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

12 Sun visor for vehicle 14 Sun visor body 16 Mirror lid (lid)
22, 34 Illumination mechanism 22a, 34a Lens 22b, 34b Light emitter 22c, 34c Circuit board 22d, 22g, 34d, 34g Motor (drive source)
22e, 22h, 34e, 34h Rotating shaft 22f, 34f Movable member 22i, 34i Support shaft 24, 28, 32 Trim 26 Control circuit 26a CPU
26b ROM (storage unit)
26c RAM (storage unit)
30 half mirror (mirror)
44 Distance sensor 46a, 46b Open / close sensor

Claims (5)

A vehicle sun visor with a mirror on the surface of the sun visor body,
An illumination mechanism that is provided in a portion that is out of the field of view of the sun visor body when viewing the mirror at a predetermined distance, and that can control a control amount of at least one of brightness and posture;
A distance sensor for measuring the distance between the user and the mirror;
A storage unit that stores a relationship between a distance measured by the distance sensor and a control amount of the illumination mechanism;
A vehicle sun visor comprising: a control unit that determines a control amount according to a relationship stored in the storage unit based on a distance measured by the distance sensor, and that controls the illumination mechanism according to the determined control amount. A vehicle sun visor with a mirror on the surface of the sun visor body,
An illumination mechanism capable of changing the lighting position within a predetermined area on the surface of the sun visor body;
A distance sensor for measuring the distance between the user and the mirror;
A storage unit that stores a relationship between a distance measured by the distance sensor and a lighting position that is out of the field of view when the illumination mechanism is turned on;
A vehicle sun visor having a control unit that determines a lighting position according to a relationship stored in the storage unit based on a distance measured by the distance sensor, and controls the illumination mechanism to light up at the determined lighting position. The vehicle sun visor according to claim 2,
In addition to the lighting position of the illumination mechanism, the storage unit stores a luminance that does not cause glare,
The vehicle sun visor configured to control the illumination mechanism so that the control unit is lit according to a lighting position and brightness determined according to a relationship stored in the storage unit based on a distance measured by the distance sensor. The vehicle sun visor according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A lid that opens and closes the mirror;
An open / close sensor for detecting an open / closed state of the lid,
The control unit controls lighting so that the illumination mechanism gradually becomes bright when the lid is opened by detection of the opening / closing sensor, and the illumination mechanism is gradually darkened when the lid is closed by detection of the opening / closing sensor. A vehicle sun visor configured to perform at least one of the control to turn off the light. The vehicle sun visor according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A vehicle sun visor using a half mirror as a mirror and having a distance sensor on the back side of the half mirror.

Images