JP2021054187A - Direction indicating device and saddle-riding type vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a direction indicating device that can perform fluidic lighting with a few light sources.SOLUTION: A direction indicating device 2 includes: a first light source 11 and a second light source 12 for emitting light for direction indicating; a housing 20 for accommodating the first light source 11 and the second light source 12; and a control unit 4 for controlling the first light source 11 and the second light source 12. The control unit 4 controls the first light source 11 to emit light in a first light emission mode and controls the second light source 12 to emit light in a second light emission mode that is different from the first light emission mode while overlapping on light emitted by the first light source 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a turn signal device and a saddle-riding vehicle.

Conventionally, there is a so-called sequential lighting direction indicator that lights a direction indicator so that light moves from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside in the vehicle width direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 includes a turn light guide portion having a property of guiding light and a plurality of light emitting diodes provided in the vehicle width direction, and a plurality of light emitting diodes are provided from a portion inside the vehicle width direction to the vehicle width. A direction indicating means for causing the turn light guide portion to emit light in a sequential manner by lighting toward a portion outside the direction is disclosed.

JP-A-2015-99654

However, when the conventional sequential lighting direction indicator is applied to a saddle-riding vehicle, the number of light sources may be limited due to layout reasons such as dimensional restrictions in the vehicle width direction. As the number of light sources decreases, fluid lighting, which is the purpose of sequential lighting, becomes more difficult.

Therefore, the present invention provides a directional indicator capable of fluid lighting with a small number of light sources, and a saddle-riding vehicle provided with the directional indicator.

The direction indicating device of the present invention includes a first light source (11) and a second light source (12) that emit light for direction instruction, and a housing that houses the first light source (11) and the second light source (12). A control unit (4) for controlling the first light source (11) and the second light source (12) is provided, and the control unit (4) uses the first light source (11) as a first light source. It is characterized in that it emits light in one light emitting mode and causes the second light source (12) to emit light in a second light emitting mode different from the first light emitting mode, which overlaps with the light emission of the first light source (11). ..

According to the present invention, the first light source and the second light source overlap each other in different light emitting modes, so that the light emitting mode of the light source changes in the middle of the lighting mode of the direction indicating device. Therefore, unlike the simple lighting in which the first light source and the second light source emit light in the same manner, the direction indicating device can be lit fluidly even with the two light sources.

In the above-mentioned direction indicating device, the rise of the brightness may be different between the first light emitting mode and the second light emitting mode.

According to the present invention, the time until the brightness reaches the peak can be different between the first light source and the second light source. Thereby, the lighting of the direction indicating device can be expressed more fluidly.

In the direction indicating device, the second light source (12) is arranged outside the vehicle width direction with respect to the first light source (11), and the rise of the brightness of the second light emitting mode is the first light emitting. It may be slower than the rise of the brightness of the embodiment.

According to the present invention, the lighting of the direction indicating device is turned on so that the time until the brightness of the light source outside the vehicle width reaches the peak becomes long. Therefore, the direction indicating device can be turned on so as to flow in the course direction of the vehicle.

In the above-mentioned direction indicating device, the timing at which the brightness of the second light emitting mode peaks may be later than the timing at which the brightness of the first light emitting mode peaks.

According to the present invention, a long light source emits light after a light source having a short time until the brightness reaches a peak. Therefore, the lighting of the direction indicating device can be expressed more fluidly.

The saddle-riding vehicle of the present invention is characterized by including the above-mentioned direction indicating device (2).

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a saddle-riding vehicle provided with a turn signal device that lights up fluidly.

In the saddle-riding vehicle, the control unit (4) may change the blinking cycle of the first light source (11) and the second light source (12) according to the bank angle.

According to the present invention, when the behavior of the vehicle changes significantly such as when traveling on a sharp curve, the state of the vehicle can be expressed by the direction indicating device.

In the saddle-riding vehicle, the control unit (4) may change the blinking cycle of the first light source (11) and the second light source (12) according to the magnitude of acceleration.

According to the present invention, when the behavior change of the vehicle such as sudden braking or sudden acceleration is large, the state of the vehicle can be expressed by the direction indicating device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a direction indicator device capable of fluid lighting with a small number of light sources, and a saddle-riding vehicle provided with the direction indicator device.

It is a left side view of the motorcycle of an embodiment. It is a front view which shows the direction indicator of an embodiment. It is a front view which shows the inside of the direction indicator of an embodiment. It is a graph which shows the relationship between time and brightness in the 1st light source and the 2nd light source of an embodiment. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the time and the brightness at the time of blinking of the direction indicator of an embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The directions such as front-rear, up-down, left-right, etc. in the following description are the same as the directions in the vehicle described below. That is, the vertical direction coincides with the vertical direction, and the horizontal direction coincides with the vehicle width direction. Further, in the drawings used in the following description, the arrow UP indicates the upper side, the arrow FR indicates the front side, and the arrow LH indicates the left side.

FIG. 1 is a left side view of the motorcycle of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment is applied to the motorcycle 1 which is a saddle-riding vehicle. The motorcycle 1 includes a direction indicating device 2. The direction indicator 2 includes a pair of left and right direction indicators 3 arranged at the front and rear of the motorcycle 1, and a control unit 4 for controlling the lighting of the respective direction indicators 3. Since the front, rear, left, and right direction indicators 3 have the same configuration, in the following description of the configuration of the direction indicator 3, the direction indicator arranged on the front left side of the motorcycle 1 is taken as an example. explain.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a direction indicator according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the inside of the direction indicator according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the direction indicator 3 includes a first light source 11 and a second light source 12 that emit light for direction instruction, and a housing 20 that houses the first light source 11 and the second light source 12. .. The housing 20 includes a base portion 21 that supports the first light source 11 and the second light source 12, and a lens 22 that covers the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 from the front. The base portion 21 is formed so that the vehicle width direction is the longitudinal direction when viewed from the front-rear direction. The lens 22 is attached to the base portion 21. The lens 22 follows the shape of the base portion 21 and is formed so that the vehicle width direction is the longitudinal direction when viewed from the front-rear direction. The lens 22 is configured as a winker lens that covers the first light source 11 and the second light source 12.

The first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are, for example, light emitting diodes. The first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction behind the lens 22. The second light source 12 is arranged outside the vehicle width direction with respect to the first light source 11. The light emission of the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 is controlled by the control unit 4.

The control unit 4 controls the voltage applied to the first light source 11 and the second light source 12. The control unit 4 controls the light emitting modes of the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 according to the operation of the winker switch by the occupant, the output of an acceleration sensor, an inclination sensor, or the like (not shown). Specifically, when the winker switch is operated by an occupant, the control unit 4 intermittently applies a voltage to the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 to intermittently apply the first light source 11 and the second light source 12. Make it emit light. As a result, the direction indicator 3 blinks.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between time and brightness in the first light source and the second light source of the embodiment. FIG. 4 shows the brightness of each of the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 in one lighting when the direction indicator 3 is blinking.
As shown in FIG. 4, when blinking the direction indicator 3, the control unit 4 causes the first light source 11 to emit light in the first light source mode A1 for each lighting, and overlaps with the light emission of the first light source 11. Then, the second light source 12 is made to emit light in the second light emitting mode A2 different from the first light emitting mode A1. The first light emitting mode A1 and the second light emitting mode A2 differ in the rise of brightness. The rise in brightness is the process from the start of light emission to the peak brightness. Assuming that the brightness of each of the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 is a function having the time from the start of light emission as a variable, those functions may not be in a proportional relationship with each other. In the present embodiment, the rising brightness of the second light emitting mode A2 is slower than the rising brightness of the first light emitting mode A1. That is, the brightness of the second light source 12 is smaller than the brightness of the first light source 11 until the brightness of the first light source 11 reaches the peak brightness. The timing T2 at which the brightness peaks in the second light emitting mode A2 is later than the timing T1 at which the brightness peaks in the first light emitting mode A1.

The first light emission mode A1 will be described in detail. The first light emitting mode A1 includes a rising period and a falling period. The rising period is a period starting from Ts at the start of light emission of the first light source 11 and ending at the timing T1 when the brightness of the first light source 11 reaches the peak brightness L1. During the rising period, the control unit 4 controls the first light source 11 so as to continuously increase the brightness of the first light source 11 up to the maximum brightness L1. The control unit 4 causes the first light source 11 to emit light so that the maximum value of the brightness gradient (brightness change rate) of the first light source 11 becomes G1 during the rising period. The fall period is continuous with the rise period. The falling period is a period from the time point T1 when the brightness of the first light source 11 starts to decrease from the peak brightness L1 to the timing Te when the first light source 11 is turned off. During the fall period, the control unit 4 controls the first light source 11 so as to continuously reduce the brightness of the first light source 11. The control unit 4 causes the first light source 11 to emit light so that the minimum value of the brightness gradient of the first light source 11 is G2 during the falling period. The absolute value of the luminance gradient G2 is smaller than the luminance gradient G1 during the rising period. The time length of the fall period is larger than the time length of the rise period. In the first light emitting mode A1, a period during which the first light source 11 is made to emit light at a peak brightness L1 for a certain period of time may be provided between the rising period and the falling period.

The second light emitting mode A2 will be described in detail. The second light emitting mode A2 includes a rising period and a falling period. The rising period is a period starting from Ts at the start of light emission of the second light source 12 and ending at the timing T2 when the brightness of the second light source 12 reaches the peak brightness L2. The peak luminance L2 of the second light source 12 is equal to the peak luminance L1 of the first light source 11. The light emission start Ts of the second light source 12 coincides with the light emission start Ts of the first light source 11. During the rising period, the control unit 4 controls the second light source 12 so as to continuously increase the brightness of the second light source 12 up to the peak brightness L2. The control unit 4 causes the second light source 12 to emit light so that the maximum value of the brightness gradient of the second light source 12 becomes G3 during the rising period. The luminance gradient G3 is smaller than the luminance gradient G1 of the first light source 11. As a result, the rise in the brightness of the second light emission mode A2 is slower than the rise in the brightness of the first light emission mode A1. The control unit 4 has a second light source 11 so that the brightness of the second light source 12 reaches the peak brightness L2 in a state where the first light source 11 is after the rising period (that is, the state where the first light source 11 is in the falling period). The light source 12 is controlled. As a result, the timing T2 at which the brightness peaks in the second light emitting mode A2 is later than the timing T1 at which the brightness peaks in the first light emitting mode A1.

The fall period is continuous with the rise period. The falling period is a period from the time point T2 when the brightness of the second light source 12 starts to decrease from the peak brightness L3 until the second light source 12 is turned off. During the fall period, the control unit 4 controls the second light source 12 so as to continuously reduce the brightness of the second light source 12. The control unit 4 causes the second light source 12 to emit light so that the minimum value of the brightness gradient of the second light source 12 is G4 during the falling period. The luminance gradient G4 is smaller than the luminance gradient G3 of the first light source 11. The extinguished Te of the second light source 12 coincides with the extinguished Te of the first light source 11. That is, the time length of the falling period of the second light emitting mode A2 is smaller than the time length of the falling period of the first light emitting mode A1. In the second light emitting mode A2, a period may be provided between the rising period and the falling period so that the second light source 12 emits light at the peak brightness L2 for a certain period of time.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the time and the brightness when the direction indicator of the embodiment is blinking.
As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 4 changes the blinking cycle of the direction indicator 3 according to at least one of the bank angle of the vehicle body and the magnitude of acceleration. Specifically, the control unit 4 has the first light source 11 and the second light source so that the blinking cycle becomes smaller as the bank angle of the vehicle body increases in a state where the blinker switch is operated and the direction indicator 3 is blinking. 12 is controlled. Further, the control unit 4 sets the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 so that the blinking cycle becomes smaller as the absolute value of acceleration increases in a state where the blinker switch is operated and the direction indicator 3 is blinking. Control. The control unit 4 does not change the first light emitting mode A1 and the second light emitting mode A2, but changes the blinking cycle by changing the extinguishing period. The control unit 4 may change the first light emitting mode A1 and the second light emitting mode A2 so as to shorten the light emitting time of the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 when changing the blinking cycle.

As described above, the direction indicating device 2 of the present embodiment includes a control unit 4 that controls the first light source 11 and the second light source 12. The control unit 4 causes the first light source 11 to emit light in the first light emission mode A1, and emits light from the second light source 12 in a second light source mode A2 different from the first light source mode A1 by overlapping the light emission of the first light source 11. Let me. According to this configuration, the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 overlap each other in different light emitting modes, so that the light emitting mode of the light source changes in the middle of the lighting mode of the direction indicating device. Therefore, unlike the simple lighting in which the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are made to emit light in the same manner, the direction indicator 3 can be lit fluidly even with two light sources.

Further, since the fluid lighting is realized by the two light sources, it is possible to prevent the dimension of the direction indicator 3 in the vehicle width direction from becoming too large with respect to the dimension in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is possible to provide the direction indicating device 2 that is less susceptible to layout restrictions in the motorcycle 1.

Further, the first light emitting mode A1 and the second light emitting mode A2 have different brightness rises. According to this configuration, the time until the brightness reaches the peak can be different in each of the first light source 11 and the second light source 12. Thereby, the direction indicator 3 can be expressed more fluidly.

Further, since the brightness of each of the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 is continuously changing, the direction indicator 3 can be turned on so that the brightest part moves smoothly.

Further, the second light source 12 is arranged outside the vehicle width direction with respect to the first light source 11. The rising brightness of the second light emitting mode A2 is slower than the rising brightness of the first light emitting mode A1. According to this configuration, the lighting of the direction indicator 3 is turned on so that the time until the brightness of the light source outside the vehicle width reaches the peak becomes long. Therefore, the direction indicator 3 can be turned on so as to flow in the course direction of the vehicle.

Further, the timing T2 at which the brightness of the second light emitting mode A2 peaks is later than the timing T1 at which the brightness of the first light emitting mode A1 peaks. In this configuration, a light source that takes a short time to reach its peak brightness emits light, and then a light source that takes a long time to reach its peak brightness emits light. Therefore, the lighting of the direction indicator 3 can be expressed more fluidly.

Further, the motorcycle 1 includes the above-mentioned direction indicating device 2. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a motorcycle 1 provided with a direction indicating device 2 that lights up fluidly.

Further, the control unit 4 changes the blinking cycle of the direction indicator 3 according to the bank angle of the vehicle body. Therefore, when the behavior of the vehicle changes significantly, such as when traveling on a sharp curve, the state of the vehicle can be expressed by the direction indicator 3.

Further, the control unit 4 changes the blinking cycle of the direction indicator 3 according to the magnitude of the acceleration. Therefore, when the behavior change of the vehicle such as sudden braking or sudden acceleration is large, the state of the vehicle can be expressed by the direction indicator 3.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment described with reference to the drawings, and various modifications can be considered within the technical scope thereof.
For example, in the above embodiment, the housing 20 is formed so that the vehicle width direction is the longitudinal direction when viewed from the front-rear direction, but the outer shape of the direction indicator 3 is not limited to this. For example, the turn signal may be formed in a circular shape when viewed from the front.

Further, in the above embodiment, the maximum brightness L1 of the first light source 11 in the first light emitting mode A1 and the maximum brightness L2 of the second light source 12 in the second light emitting mode A2 are equal to each other, but are different. May be good.

Further, the control unit 4 of the above-described embodiment has a timing T1 at which the brightness of the first light source 11 peaks and the brightness of the second light source 12 peaks in accordance with changes in behavior such as the bank angle and acceleration of the vehicle body. At least one of the timing T2 may be changed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control unit 4 is configured to change the blinking cycle of the direction indicator 3 in a state where the blinker switch is operated and the direction indicator 3 is blinking. However, the control unit blinks the direction indicator 3 when the behavior of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value due to, for example, sudden braking, and changes the blinking cycle of the direction indicator 3 according to the magnitude of the behavior change. You may let me.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the direction indicating device of the present invention is applied to a motorcycle is shown, but for example, a motorcycle may be combined with the configuration of the above embodiment.

Further, in the above embodiment, the front / rear / left / right direction indicators 3 are configured in the same manner, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied only to the front left and right turn signals or the rear left and right turn signals.

In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiment with well-known components as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 ... Motorcycle (saddle-riding vehicle) 2 ... Direction indicator 4 ... Control unit 11 ... 1st light source 12 ... 2nd light source 20 ... Housing A1 ... 1st light emission mode A2 ... 2nd light emission mode

Claims (7)

A first light source (11) and a second light source (12) that emit light for direction indication,
A housing (20) accommodating the first light source (11) and the second light source (12),
A control unit (4) that controls the first light source (11) and the second light source (12),
With
The control unit (4) causes the first light source (11) to emit light in the first light emitting mode, and also causes the second light source (12) to emit light in the first light emission mode in an overlapping manner with the light emitted from the first light source (11). Light is emitted in a second light emitting mode different from the mode.
A direction indicating device characterized by the fact that. The first light emitting mode and the second light emitting mode differ in the rise of brightness.
The direction indicating device according to claim 1. The second light source (12) is arranged outside the vehicle width direction with respect to the first light source (11).
The rise in brightness of the second light emission mode is slower than the rise in brightness of the first light emission mode.
The direction indicating device according to claim 1 or 2. The timing at which the brightness of the second light emitting mode peaks is later than the timing at which the brightness of the first light emitting mode peaks.
The direction indicating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the direction indicating device is characterized by the above. A saddle-riding vehicle comprising the direction indicating device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The control unit (4) changes the blinking cycle of the first light source (11) and the second light source (12) according to the bank angle.
The saddle-riding vehicle according to claim 5. The control unit (4) changes the blinking cycle of the first light source (11) and the second light source (12) according to the magnitude of acceleration.
The saddle-riding vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the saddle-riding vehicle is characterized in that.

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