JP2015182567A - Lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure which further makes presentation of light using a light guide complicated compared to conventional lighting devices.SOLUTION: A lighting device 1 includes: a light guide 2 which transmits light entering from one end therein and leaks the light from a side surface thereby causing the side surface to emit light; an LED array 5 for light flow presentation which is disposed at an exterior part of the light guide 2, radiates light from the exterior part of the light guide 2 to the side surface of the light guide 2, and thereby causes the side surface of the light guide to emit light through scattering of light caused by the light guide; and an LED 7 for position presentation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device.

  Conventionally, various techniques for using a light guide (also called a light string) for illumination are known. A light guide is a member that utilizes the principle of an optical fiber having a core and a cladding. When light is incident from the end face of the light guide, the light propagates in the core and leaks from the cladding on the side surface of the light guide. As a result, it appears that not only the end portion of the light guide but also the side surface emits light.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-179148

  However, the conventional method of using the light guide has a problem that the effect of light becomes monotonous because the side surface of the light guide only shines uniformly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration that can make the effect of light using a light guide more complicated than before.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a light guide (2) in which light incident from one end is propagated inside and the side surface emits light by leaking from the side surface is disposed outside the light guide. And lighting for illuminating the side surface of the light guide by scattering light from the light guide by shining light on the side surface of the light guide from outside the light guide. It is a lighting device.

  In this way, by using the lighting for directing light from the outside of the light guide to the side of the light guide, the light guide can be used to create more complex light effects than the conventional monotonous effects. It becomes feasible.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis in the said and the claim shows the correspondence of the term described in the claim, and the concrete thing etc. which illustrate the said term described in embodiment mentioned later. .

It is a figure which shows the mounting state to the vehicle of the illuminating device 1 for vehicles which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the illuminating device 1 for vehicles. It is a bottom view of the illuminating device 1 for vehicles. It is IV-IV sectional drawing of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the illuminating device 1 for vehicles. It is a figure which illustrates the light emission timing of the illuminating device for vehicles.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicular lighting device 1 according to the present embodiment is disposed in a dashboard 10 of a vehicle, and a part (specifically, the light guide 2) can be seen from an occupant in the vehicle interior. Are arranged as follows.

  The vehicle lighting device 1 is fixed to the dashboard 10, and as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the light guide 2, the main illumination LED 3, the LED substrate 4, and the flow effect LED array 5 are provided. The LED board 6 and the LED 7 for position effect are provided. 2 and 3 omit the components other than the components of the vehicular lighting device 1 in the dashboard 10.

  The light guide 2 (also referred to as a light string) is a linear and easily deformable member that uses the principle of an optical fiber having a core (for example, a transparent acrylic resin) and a clad (for example, a fluorine-based resin) that surrounds the core. When light is incident from the end face of the light guide 2, the light propagates through the core to the other end and leaks from the entire surface of the clad on the side surface of the light guide 2. In this way, it appears that not only the end portion of the light guide 2 but also the side surface emits light. As such a light guide, for example, Ray Milky Flex 63, Ray Milky Flex 35, Ray Super Milky 35 (all registered trademarks) and the like sold by Sumitomo 3M Limited can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the light guide 2 extends laterally from the left end of the dashboard of the vehicle to above the parking brake pedal 11.

  The main illumination LED 3 is main illumination that is disposed in the vicinity of the end face of one end (specifically, the left end) of the light guide 2 and causes light to enter the light guide 2 from the end face.

  The LED board 4 is disposed above the light guide 2 on the left end side of the center of the light guide 2, more specifically, in an accessory case in front of the passenger seat. A flow effect LED array 5 is arranged on the surface of the LED substrate 4 on the light guide 2 side.

  The flow effect LED array 5 includes a plurality (14 in the figure) of LEDs, and the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a line and in a straight line at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the light guide 2. The The light emission colors of all the LEDs belonging to the flow effect LED array 5 are the same (for example, blue), and the light emission color of the main illumination LED 3 is also the same.

  The flow effect LED array 5 is arranged only on the left end side of the center of the light guide 2 by arranging the flow effect LED array 5 only on the LED substrate 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the light guide 2 is shifted from the optical axis direction 5a (direction perpendicular to the LED board 4) of each LED belonging to the flow effect LED array 5 to the front side (vehicle interior side). ing.

  Further, the dashboard 10 is formed with a first opening 10a surrounding a hole communicating with the passenger compartment at a position where a passenger in the passenger compartment can visually recognize. Further, the dashboard 10 is formed with a second opening 10b surrounding a hole communicating with the foot space in the passenger compartment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the occupant seated in the passenger compartment cannot see the flow effect LED array 5 through the hole surrounded by the first opening 10a, but the entire length (from the left end to the right end) of the light guide 2 is not visible. It can be seen. Moreover, the hole surrounded by the 2nd opening part 10b is arrange | positioned so that the direction of the optical axis 5a of each LED which belongs to the LED array 5 for flow effects may penetrate.

  In this way, a part of the light emitted from each LED belonging to the flow effect LED array 5 hits the light guide 2 and becomes design light. With this design light, a part of the side surface of the light guide 2 (portion close to each LED) emits light. Of the light emitted from each LED belonging to the flow effect LED array 5, the light (other part) that did not hit the light guide 2 is the foot space of the passenger seat through the hole surrounded by the second opening 10 b. Illuminate.

  The LED board 6 is disposed above the light guide 2 on the right end side of the center of the light guide 2, more specifically, in the vicinity of the parking brake pedal 11 (specifically, in the vicinity of the upper side). A position effect LED 7 is arranged on the surface of the LED substrate 6 on the light guide 2 side.

  The position effect LED 7 is composed of one LED. The emission color of the position effect LED 7 is different from the emission color of the main illumination LED 3 and the emission color of the flow effect LED array 5 (for example, red).

  Further, the dashboard 10 is formed with a first opening 10a surrounding a hole communicating with the passenger compartment at a position where a passenger in the passenger compartment can visually recognize. Further, the dashboard 10 is formed with a second opening 10b surrounding a hole communicating with the foot space in the passenger compartment.

  The positional relationship among the light guide 2, the LED board 6, the position effect LED 7, and the first opening 10 a is the same as that of the light guide 2, the flow effect LED array 5, the flow effect LED array 5 shown in FIG. This is the same as the positional relationship of one opening 10a. However, the second opening 10b is not formed in the direction of the optical axis of the position effect LED 7 (the direction perpendicular to the LED substrate 6).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicular illumination device 1 includes a control circuit 8 and a sensor group 9. Based on the detection signal input from the sensor group 9, the control circuit 8 controls lighting, extinguishing, brightening, and the like of the main illumination LED 3, the flow effect LED array 5, and the position effect LED 7.

  The sensor group 9 has a plurality of sensors that detect a specific state of the vehicle and output it as a detection signal to the control circuit 8. Specifically, the sensor group 9 includes a parking brake sensor that detects whether the parking brake of the vehicle is on or off and outputs the detection result detection signal to the control circuit 8. Furthermore, the sensor group 9 includes a shift position sensor that detects a shift position of the vehicle (D: drive, R: reverse, P: parking, N: neutral, etc.).

  When the parking brake pedal 11 is depressed from the off position to the on position, the parking brake is turned on, and when the parking brake pedal 11 returns from the on position to the off position, the parking brake is turned off.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the vehicle lighting device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. When driving the vehicle, the vehicle may be started while the parking brake is applied (while the vehicle is on). Although a warning lamp indicating that the parking brake is on is lit in the meter, the lamp display is small and difficult to notice.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, first, any abnormality is noticed by lighting the LED array 5 with movement, and then the light guide 2 guides to an abnormal place (parking brake pedal 11). Finally, the position effect LED 7 having a color (for example, red) different from that of the flow effect LED array 5 is turned on from behind the light guide 2 in the vicinity of the abnormal part (that is, the target object). Thereby, the driver can be notified of the abnormality.

  First, when the control circuit 8 detects that the shift position of the vehicle has changed from P or N to D or R when the parking brake pedal 11 is on, the parking brake warning process is started. .

  In the parking brake warning process, first, as shown in FIG. 6A, the control circuit 8 starts from the state where the main illumination LED 3, the flow effect LED array 5, and the position effect LED 7 are all turned off. Start lighting the array 5.

  Specifically, the flow effect LED array 5 is lit in order from the one close to the end (one end) on the main illumination LED 3 side of the light guide 2. When each LED belonging to the flow effect LED array 5 is lit, each LED is lit so that it gradually becomes brighter, rather than simply changing from the unlit state to the maximum luminance state. More specifically, each LED is gradually or gradually increased from zero to the maximum luminance in a well-known method such as current adjustment or PWM control in multiple steps (three steps or more, more preferably eight steps or more). Turn on to light up. The LED that has been lit once continues to be lit until the parking brake warning process is completed.

  By doing so, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the light emitted from the lit LED in the flow effect LED array 5 is scattered by the light guide 2 and the first opening 10 a. Exit. As a result, it appears to the driver of the vehicle that only the side surface of the light guide 2 in the vicinity of the lit LED emits light.

  In addition, since the flow effect LED array 5 is lit in order from the left side to the right side, it is possible to give the driver an impression that light flows in the light guide 2 from left to right.

  Moreover, since the light guide 2 is brightened continuously or in multiple stages, the flow of light in the light guide 2 becomes smooth, and the driver feels as if the liquid shining in the light guide 2 slowly moves to the right. Can be given to.

  The lighting timing (brightening start timing) of each LED belonging to the flow effect LED array 5 may be controlled so that one LED is lit (brightening start) every 0.3 seconds from the left to the right. In this case, the LEDs are turned on one by one at regular time intervals. As another example, the time interval at which the LEDs are turned on one by one is increased with the passage of time (that is, the flow of light). (Slow down). Or conversely, the time interval at which the LEDs are turned on one by one may be controlled to decrease with the passage of time (that is, to speed up the flow).

  Here, for each LED belonging to the flow effect LED array 5, the length of the period from the start of the light increase of the LED to the end of the light increase (that is, the period from when the luminance reaches zero to the maximum) is T1. And Also, let T2 be the length of the period from the timing when the LED starts to increase to the timing when the LED next to the LED (right adjacent) starts. This T1 may be longer than T2, may be the same as T2, or may be shorter than T2. However, when T1> T2, the flow of light looks smoother than when it is not.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6D, all the LEDs belonging to the flow effect LED array 5 emit light at the maximum luminance. Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, part of the light emitted from the flow effect LED array 5 directly illuminates the foot space of the passenger seat from the second opening 10 b without passing through the light guide 2.

  When the state shown in FIG. 6D is reached, the control circuit 8 turns on the main illumination LED 3 as shown in FIG. For controlling the lighting of the main illumination LED 3, the main illumination LED 3 may be brightened from the extinguished state to the maximum luminance state, or may be gradually brightened continuously or in multiple stages.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6E, the light that has exited from the main illumination LED 3 and entered the light guide 2 from the left end face of the light guide 2 propagates in the core of the light guide 2 from the left end to the right end. At the same time, the light guide 2 leaks from the side cladding. Therefore, the entire side surface of the light guide 2 emits light by the light of the main illumination LED 3.

  The time it takes for the light entering from the left end of the light guide 2 to reach the right end is very short, compared to the time from when the first LED in the flow effect LED array 5 is lit until the last LED is lit. For example, it is short enough to be regarded as zero. Therefore, the portion of the side surface of the light guide 2 that did not emit light due to the light from the flow effect LED array 5 emits light instantaneously with the lighting of the main illumination LED 3.

  However, in the present embodiment, as described above, first, the LEDs of the flow effect LED array 5 are lit in order from left to right so that light flows through a part of the light guide 2 (portion close to the left end). show. After that, the main illumination LED 3 is turned on so that the entire side surface of the light guide 2 emits light. Therefore, the driver has the illusion that light has flowed from the left to the right even in the portion of the side surface of the light guide 2 where light is emitted for the first time when the main illumination LED 3 is turned on. In this way, if the human illusion is used, light is not emitted on the entire side surface of the light guide 2 (corresponding to an example of a side light-emitting portion) without arranging the flow effect LED array 5 over the entire length of the light guide 2. It is possible to produce an effect that has flowed. Therefore, the number of LEDs in the flow effect LED array 5 can be reduced.

  Note that the light emission luminance when light is emitted from the side of the light guide 2 by the light emitted from the main illumination LED 3 becomes darker as the distance from the main illumination LED 3 as the light source increases, that is, toward the right side (the other end side) due to distance attenuation. Tend to be.

  Therefore, as described above, the control circuit 8 controls the main illumination LED 3 to slowly increase the brightness when the main illumination LED 3 is lit after the LEDs of the flow effect LED array 5 are lit in order from left to right. May be. More specifically, the main illumination LED 3 is gradually or gradually increased from zero to the maximum luminance in a well-known method such as current adjustment and PWM control in multiple steps (three steps or more, more preferably eight steps or more). You may light up so that it may become bright.

  At this time, the length of the period from the start of the light increase of the main illumination LED 3 to the end of the light increase (that is, the period until the luminance reaches the maximum from zero) is T3, and the first of the flow effect LED arrays 5 Let T4 be the time from when the first LED is lit until the last LED is lit. This T3 is set to the same order as T4 (specifically, 1/10 or more and 10 times or less of T4). In this way, even in a portion of the side surface of the light guide 2 that emits light for the first time when the main illumination LED 3 is turned on, light extends toward the right end of the light guide 2 instead of an illusion as the main illumination LED 3 becomes brighter. Looks like.

  The light of the vehicle lighting device 1 based on the control of the control circuit 8 (see (a) to (e) of FIG. 6) attracts the driver's attention in the direction of light flow. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6F, the control circuit 8 lights the position effect LED 7 in the vicinity of the parking brake pedal 11 which is the final point of interest (object).

  By doing so, as shown in FIG. 6F, the light emitted from the position effect LED 7 is scattered by the light guide 2 and exits the first opening 10a. As a result, from the driver of the vehicle, it appears that only the side surface of the lit position effect LED 7 of the light guide 2 emits light.

  In this way, the driver's attention can be effectively guided to the parking brake pedal 11. As already described, the emission color of the position effect LED 7 is different from the emission color of the main illumination LED 3 and the emission color of the flow effect LED array 5, so that the point of interest can be clearly shown.

  As described above, the vehicular lighting device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the light guide 2 that causes light incident from one end to propagate inside and leaks from the side surface to emit light from the side surface. Furthermore, the vehicular illumination device 1 is disposed outside the light guide 2 and shines light on the side surface of the light guide 2 from the outside of the light guide 2, so that the light guide 2 scatters the side surface of the light guide 2. Illumination lights 5 and 7 for emitting light are provided.

  As described above, by using the lighting for directing the light on the side surface of the light guide 2 from the outside of the light guide 2, the light guide 2 can produce more complicated light than the conventional monotonous effect. It becomes realizable using.

  Further, the light guide 2 utilizing the principle of the optical fiber and the flow effect LED array 5 are combined, and light is irradiated from two directions of the side surface and the end surface of the light guide 2. As a result, two types of illumination, that is, direct light (light from the main illumination LED 3) and indirect light (light from the flow effect LED array 5) can be realized, and a more effective light effect can be achieved.

  Further, since the light from the flow effect LED array 5 is scattered by the light guide 2 and shown to the driver, the spot of each LED belonging to the flow effect LED array 5 does not appear discretely, and smooth gradation light is obtained. Can be shown to the driver.

  Further, since the light guide 2 can be easily deformed, it is easy to dispose the light guide 2 so as to fit the shape of the dashboard 10 or the like in the vehicle.

(Other embodiments)
In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, In the range described in the claim, it can change suitably. Further, the above embodiments are not irrelevant to each other, and can be combined as appropriate unless the combination is clearly impossible. In each of the above-described embodiments, it is needless to say that elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential unless explicitly stated as essential and clearly considered essential in principle. Yes. Further, in each of the above embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc. of the constituent elements of the embodiment are mentioned, it is clearly limited to a specific number when clearly indicated as essential and in principle. The number is not limited to the specific number except for the case. Further, in each of the above embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of the component, etc., the shape, unless otherwise specified and in principle limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. It is not limited to the positional relationship or the like. For example, the following modifications are allowed. In addition, the following modifications can select application and non-application to the said embodiment each independently. In other words, any combination of the following modifications can be applied to the above-described embodiment.

(Modification 1)
In the above embodiment, when the portion of the light guide that emits the side surface by the light incident from the one end is the side light emitting portion, the entire light guide 2 is the side light emitting portion, but only a part is the light emitting portion. Also good. For example, the side light emitting portion may be from one end side to the center portion of the light guide 2.

(Modification 2)
In the above embodiment, the main illumination LED 3 is turned off during the period of (a) to (d) in FIG. However, also during this period, the control circuit 8 causes the main illumination LED 3 to emit light with a luminance much lower than the light emission luminance of the flow effect LED array 5, and at the timing of FIG. The light may be increased.

(Modification 3)
In the said embodiment, although LED 7 for position effects is comprised from one LED, as another example, you may be comprised from several LED.

(Modification 4)
In the above embodiment, the light emission color of the main illumination LED 3 and the light emission color of the flow effect LED array 5 are the same, but the light emission color of the main illumination LED 3 and the light emission color of the flow effect LED array 5 may be different. .

(Modification 5)
The main illumination LED 3, the LED substrate 4, and the flow effect LED array 5 may be illumination other than LEDs.

(Modification 6)
In the parking brake warning process, the control circuit 8 may simply change each LED from the off state to the maximum luminance state when turning on each LED belonging to the flow effect LED array 5.

(Modification 7)
In the said embodiment, although the vehicle illuminating device 1 is attached to the dashboard 10 of a vehicle, you may attach to the other part of a vehicle interior. For example, the vehicular lighting device 1 may be attached to a portion of the driver's seat door and the passenger seat door on the passenger compartment side. In this case, for example, when the doors are opened, the vehicle illumination device 1 is arranged and the control circuit 8 is controlled so that light flows from the front end side to the root side of the doors or in the opposite direction. Set the contents. This makes it possible to produce a more effective presentation when getting on or off the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle illumination device 2 Light guide 3 Main illumination LED (main illumination)
5 LED array for flow production (lighting for production, lighting group for flow production)
7 LED for position effect (light for effect, illumination for position effect)
10 Dashboard (housing)
10a 1st opening part 10b 2nd opening part 11 Parking brake (target object)

Claims (9)

A light guide (2) in which light incident from one end is propagated inside and leaked from the side surface to emit light from the side surface;
Illumination for presentation (5, which emits light on the side surface of the light guide by scattering of light by the light guide by illuminating the side surface of the light guide from the outside of the light guide by being arranged outside the light guide 7). Main illumination (3) for allowing light to enter the one end of the light guide;
A control circuit (8) for controlling the illumination for production and the main illumination,
The stage lighting has a stream stage lighting group (5) arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the light guide,
If a portion of the light guide that emits a side surface by light incident from the one end is defined as a side light emitting portion, the flow effect illumination group is disposed on the side of the side light emitting portion close to the one end of the light guide. And
2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit turns on the flow effect lighting group in order from the one near the one end of the light guide, and then increases the light of the main lighting. .   The control circuit lights the flow effect illumination group in order from the one near the one end of the light guide, and then increases the light of the main illumination continuously or in multiple stages. The lighting device according to claim 2.   The control circuit illuminates the flow effect illumination group continuously or in multiple stages in order from the one near the one end of the light guide, and then increases the light of the main illumination. Item 4. The lighting device according to Item 2 or 3. The stage lighting further includes a position stage lighting (7) that shines light on the side surface of the light guide near the predetermined object (11),
The control circuit illuminates the flow effect lighting group in order from the one near the one end of the light guide, then increases the light of the main illumination, and then turns on the position effect illumination. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the lighting device is a light emitting device.   The illuminating device according to claim 5, wherein a light emission color of the position effect illumination is different from a light emission color of the main illumination and a light emission color of the flow effect illumination group. Main illumination (3) for allowing light to enter the one end of the light guide;
A control circuit (8) for controlling the lighting for production and the main lighting,
The stage lighting includes a position stage lighting (7) that shines light on a side surface of a portion near the predetermined object (11) in the light guide,
The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit turns on the position effect lighting after increasing the light of the main lighting.   The illuminating device according to claim 7, wherein an emission color of the position effect illumination is different from an emission color of the main illumination.   The light guide and the effect lighting are surrounded by a casing (10) having a first opening (10a) and a second opening (10b), and the light emitted by the effect lighting is partially The light guide is scattered and exits from the first opening to the outside of the casing, and another part directly exits from the second opening to the outside of the casing without the interposition. Item 9. The lighting device according to any one of Items 1 to 8.

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