JP2008105585A - High mount stop lamp structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the visibility of a high mount stop lamp. <P>SOLUTION: A high mount stop lamp structure comprises the high mount stop lamp 12 having a lamp 20 which is disposed inside a rear window 18 of a vehicle 10 and can be lit at the time of braking the vehicle 10, a light control glass 14(a dimming means) which is disposed in the light traveling direction of the lamp 20 and can adjust its light transmission according to an applied voltage, and a controller which can change the voltage applied to the light control glass 14 according to lightness around the vehicle 10. The light transmission of the light control glass 14 is adjusted high if it is relatively light around the vehicle 10, and is adjusted low if it is relatively dark around the vehicle 10 so that the amount of the light of the high mount stop lamp 12 in operation can be adjusted appropriately. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a high-mount stop lamp structure.

Disclosed is a configuration in which light control glass is disposed in a portion covering a lamp and the transmittance is changed by adjusting an applied voltage by a power supply circuit in a case where illumination in a vehicle interior is performed by transmissive indirect illumination. (See Patent Document 1).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-49198

  However, in the above-described conventional example, for interior lighting used in a dark interior such as at night, the occupant operates the light amount adjustment dial according to the purpose of use of the lamp. Application to, for example, high mount stop lamps used is not considered at all.

  In view of the above facts, the present invention aims to improve the appearance of a high-mount stop lamp.

  The invention according to claim 1 is disposed on the vehicle interior side of the back window of the vehicle, and is disposed in the traveling direction of the light emitted from the high-mount stop lamp having a lamp that is lit when the vehicle is braked. And a control device that changes the voltage applied to the light control means according to the brightness of the surroundings of the vehicle.

  In the high-mount stop lamp structure according to claim 1, the high-mount stop lamp structure includes dimming means that changes the light transmittance in accordance with the applied voltage in the traveling direction of the light emitted by the lamp of the high-mount stop lamp. The light transmittance of the light control means can be adjusted by changing the voltage applied to the light control means by the control device in accordance with the brightness around the vehicle. By changing the light transmittance of the light control means according to the brightness around the vehicle, it is possible to improve the appearance of the high-mount stop lamp.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the high mount stop lamp structure according to the first aspect, the light transmittance of the dimming means is adjusted to be low when the high mount stop lamp is not in operation.

  In the high mount stop lamp structure according to claim 2, since the light transmittance of the light control means is adjusted to be low when the high mount stop lamp is not operated, the high mount stop lamp is applied from the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is not braked. It can be made difficult to see, thereby improving the appearance of the vehicle and improving the quality.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the high-mount stop lamp structure according to the first or second aspect, the light transmittance of the light control means is adjusted to be high when the periphery of the vehicle is relatively bright, When the periphery of the vehicle is relatively dark, it is adjusted to be low.

  In the high-mount stop lamp structure according to claim 3, the light transmittance of the light control means is adjusted to be high when the surroundings of the vehicle are relatively bright, and adjusted to be low when the surroundings of the vehicle are relatively dark. Therefore, the light quantity of the high mount stop lamp at the time of operation can be optimized.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the high-mount stop lamp structure according to any one of the first to third aspects, the dimming means corresponds to an installation position of the high-mount stop lamp in the back window. It has the light control glass arrange | positioned in this way, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the high-mount stop lamp structure according to claim 4, since the light control means includes a light control glass disposed corresponding to the installation position of the high mount stop lamp in the back window, By changing the transmittance of the light control glass according to the brightness of the light, it is possible to optimize the amount of light of the high-mount stop lamp during operation.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the high-mount stop lamp structure according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the dimming lens incorporated in the high-mount stop lamp is provided as the dimming means. It is characterized by.

  In the high-mount stop lamp structure according to claim 5, the dimming lens incorporated in the high-mount stop lamp is used as the dimming means. By changing the transmittance, it is possible to optimize the light amount of the high-mount stop lamp during operation.

  As described above, according to the high mount stop lamp structure of the first aspect of the present invention, an excellent effect that the appearance of the high mount stop lamp can be improved is obtained.

  According to the high mount stop lamp structure of the second aspect, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the appearance of the vehicle can be improved and the quality can be improved.

  According to the high mount stop lamp structure of the third aspect, an excellent effect that the light amount of the high mount stop lamp during operation can be optimized can be obtained.

  According to the high mount stop lamp structure according to claim 4, an excellent effect is obtained in that the light amount of the high mount stop lamp can be optimized by changing the transmittance of the light control glass. It is done.

  According to the high mount stop lamp structure according to claim 5, an excellent effect is obtained in that the light amount of the high mount stop lamp during operation can be optimized by changing the transmittance of the light control lens. It is done.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
In FIG. 1, a high-mount stop lamp structure S1 according to the present embodiment relates to the structure of an auxiliary brake light of a vehicle 10, and includes a high-mount stop lamp 12, a light control glass 14 as an example of light control means, and a control device. 16 (FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the high-mount stop lamp 12 is disposed on the vehicle interior side of the back window 18 of the vehicle 10, and has an auxiliary lamp 22 that lights up together with the brake lamp 24 (FIG. 1) when the vehicle 10 is braked. It is a brake light. In FIG. 1, the high-mount stop lamp 12 is disposed, for example, in the vehicle width direction center of the vehicle upper edge 18 </ b> A of the back window 18. In FIG. 2, the high-mount stop lamp 12 includes, for example, at least one lamp 22 and a light distribution adjustment lens 26 in a lamp case 30. The lamp 22 is, for example, a light bulb or a light emitting diode, and is mounted on the substrate 28 toward the rear of the vehicle. The lens 26 is provided in the lamp case 30 at the rear of the lamp 22 in the vehicle and at the front of the vehicle with respect to the light control glass 14. An opening 30A is provided at the rear end of the lamp case 30. When the high-mount stop lamp 12 is operated, light from the lamp 22 travels rearward through the opening 30A.

  In FIG. 1, the vehicle upper edge 18 </ b> A of the back window 18 is a low-transmittance region of low light transmittance, for example, black, except for the portion of the light control glass 14. In FIG. 2, the vehicle upper edge 18A of the back window 18 is bonded to, for example, a joint portion 36 between a roof outer panel 32 and a roof inner panel 34 via a seal member 38-. A roof spoiler 40 extending in the vehicle direction is provided at the rear edge of the roof outer panel 32 so as not to cover the high-mount stop lamp 12 so as to protrude rearward of the vehicle.

  The light control glass 14 is disposed in the traveling direction of the light emitted from the lamp 22, and is configured such that the transmittance of light, that is, visible light changes according to the applied voltage. Specifically, the light control glass 14 is disposed at the center in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle upper edge 18 </ b> A of the back window 18 corresponding to the installation position of the high mount stop lamp 12 in the back window 18. The size of the light control glass 14 corresponds to the size of the opening 30 </ b> A of the lamp case 30. The light control glass 14 is a light control glass using a light control element such as a liquid crystal, and the light transmittance can be changed by changing a voltage applied to the light control element. Yes.

  The control device 16 is for changing the voltage applied to the light control glass 14 according to the brightness around the vehicle 10. For example, the control device 16 controls the brightness around the vehicle 10 based on a signal from the optical sensor 42. The voltage applied to the light control glass 14 is continuously changed according to the brightness. A signal from a brake switch 44, which is a brake pedal depression detection means, is also input to the control device 16. For example, when a brake pedal (not shown) is depressed, light control is performed using this as a trigger. The light transmittance of the light control glass 14 can be changed by changing the voltage applied to the glass 14.

  In FIG. 1, the light transmittance of the light control glass 14 is adjusted to be low when the high mount stop lamp 12 is not in operation, so that the high mount stop lamp 12 can be assimilated with the vehicle upper edge 18 </ b> A. The light transmittance of the light control glass 14 is adjusted to be high when the surroundings of the vehicle 10 are relatively bright, so that a sufficient amount of light can be obtained even if the lamp 22 has low brightness. On the other hand, the light transmittance of the light control glass 14 is adjusted to be low when the periphery of the vehicle 10 is relatively dark so that the light amount of the high-mount stop lamp 12 can be suppressed.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. In FIG. 3A, in the high mount stop lamp structure S1, the light transmittance of the light control glass 14 is adjusted to be the lowest when the vehicle 10 is not used and not braked. The stop lamp 12 can be assimilated with the vehicle upper edge 18 </ b> A which is a black low transmission region in the back window 18. Thus, in the high-mount stop lamp structure S1, the high-mount stop lamp 12 can be made difficult to see from the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle 10 is not used or not braked, thereby improving the appearance and quality of the vehicle 10. A feeling can be improved.

  Next, the operation when the brake pedal is depressed will be described. In FIG. 2, when the brake switch 44 detects that the brake pedal has been depressed, the lamp 22 of the high-mount stop lamp 12 and the brake lamp 24 (FIG. 1) are turned on. At this time, the brightness of the lamp 22 at the time of lighting is constant, but the control device 16 applies the signal input from the brake switch 44 as a trigger to the light control glass 14 according to the brightness around the vehicle 10. By changing the voltage, the light transmittance of the light control glass 14 is adjusted continuously, that is, steplessly.

  Specifically, when the surroundings of the vehicle 10 are relatively bright, such as during the daytime, the light transmittance of the light control glass 14 is adjusted to be high. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, a sufficient amount of light can be obtained even if the lamp 22 has low brightness. Further, the light transmittance of the light control glass 14 is adjusted to be low when the periphery of the vehicle 10 is relatively long, such as at night. For this reason, the light quantity of the high mount stop lamp 12 can be suppressed. As described above, in the high-mount stop lamp structure S1, the light transmittance of the light control glass 14 is adjusted to be high when the periphery of the vehicle 10 is relatively bright, and is low when the periphery of the vehicle 10 is relatively dark. Since the light amount of the high-mount stop lamp 12 during operation is always adjusted, the appearance of the high-mount stop lamp 12 can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
In FIG. 4, the high mount stop lamp structure S2 according to the present embodiment includes a light control glass 14 and a light control lens 20 incorporated in the high mount stop lamp 12 as light control means.

  The light control lens 20 is provided in the lamp case 30 at the rear of the lens 26 in the vehicle and at the front of the vehicle with respect to the light control glass 14, and light, that is, visible light according to the voltage applied from the control device 16. The transmittance is changed. The light transmittance of the light control lens 20 is adjusted independently of, for example, the light transmittance of the light control glass 14, and the light transmittance of the light control glass 14 is adjusted in two steps, maximum and minimum. The light transmittance of the light control lens 20 is continuously adjusted, and the light control glass 14 is used as a light shielding curtain (not shown), and the light amount of the high-mount stop lamp 12 is finely adjusted. This can be performed by the light control lens 20.

  In the present embodiment, the light control lens 20 is not used, and instead, the lens 26 may be used as the light control lens.

  Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Function)
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. Since the operation when the vehicle 10 is not used and not braked and the appearance of the high-mount stop lamp 12 when the vehicle 10 is braked are the same as those of the first embodiment, the operation of the first embodiment is here. Different parts will be described.

  In FIG. 4, in the high-mount stop lamp structure S <b> 2, when the brake pedal is depressed and the lamp 22 of the high-mount stop lamp 12 is turned on, the control device 16 controls the light control glass 14 according to the brightness around the vehicle 10. The light transmittance of the light control glass 14 and the light control lens 20 can be adjusted by changing the voltage applied to the light control lens 20.

  Specifically, for example, when the surroundings of the vehicle 10 are relatively bright, such as during the daytime, the light transmittance of the light control glass 14 is adjusted to be, for example, the highest. In some cases, the light transmittance of the light control glass 14 is adjusted to be, for example, the lowest. On the other hand, the light transmittance of the light control lens 20 is adjusted continuously, i.e. steplessly, according to the brightness around the vehicle 10. For this reason, fine adjustment of the light amount of the high mount stop lamp 12 can be performed by the light control lens 20 while using the light control glass 14 like a light-shielding curtain, whereby the light amount of the high mount stop lamp 12 during operation can be reduced. It is possible to optimize and improve the appearance of the high-mount stop lamp 12.

  In the present embodiment, on the contrary, it is possible to finely adjust the light amount of the high-mount stop lamp 12 using the light control glass 14 while using the light control lens 20 like a light-shielding curtain.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the light control glass 14 and the light control lens 20 are mentioned as the light control means, but the light control means is not limited to these, and the light transmission is performed by the voltage applied by the control device 16. Anything that can adjust the rate is acceptable. Therefore, a light control film or the like may be used. In addition, the method of adjusting the light transmittance with respect to the light control glass 14 and the light control lens 20 by the control device 16 can be arbitrarily set.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 relate to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle equipped with a high-mount stop lamp structure as viewed from diagonally left rear. It is 2-2 arrow sectional drawing and a block diagram which show a high mount stop lamp structure. (A) It is a perspective view which shows the state which the high mount stop lamp is assimilating with the vehicle upper edge of a back window at the time of non-use of a vehicle, and non-braking. (B) It is a perspective view which shows the state which the transmittance | permeability of the light of the light control glass becomes high at the time of braking of a vehicle, and the lit high mount stop lamp is visible. It is sectional drawing and the block diagram equivalent to FIG. 2 which show the high mount stop lamp structure which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Vehicle 12 High Mount Stop Lamp 14 Light Control Glass (Light Control Means)
16 Control device 18 Back window 20 Light control lens (light control means)
22 Lamp S1 High Mount Stop Lamp Structure S2 High Mount Stop Lamp Structure

Claims (5)

A high-mount stop lamp that is disposed on the vehicle interior side of the back window of the vehicle and has a lamp that lights when the vehicle is braked;
A dimming means disposed in the traveling direction of the light emitted by the lamp, the light transmittance changing according to the applied voltage;
A control device for changing a voltage to be applied to the dimming means according to the brightness around the vehicle;
A high-mount stop lamp structure characterized by comprising:   2. The high-mount stop lamp structure according to claim 1, wherein the light transmittance of the light control unit is adjusted to be low when the high-mount stop lamp is not operated.   The light transmittance of the light control means is adjusted to be high when the surrounding of the vehicle is relatively bright, and is adjusted to be low when the surrounding of the vehicle is relatively dark. The high mount stop lamp structure according to claim 2.   4. The light control unit according to claim 1, wherein the light control unit includes a light control glass disposed corresponding to an installation position of the high-mount stop lamp in the back window. 5. High-mount stop lamp structure as described.   5. The high-mount stop lamp structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a light-control lens incorporated in the high-mount stop lamp as the light-control means.

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