JP2023157262A - Vehicle lamp fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lamp fitting which can form various patterns while having a simple structure formed with a small number of components.SOLUTION: A vehicle lamp fitting 10 includes: a lamp fitting unit 12 having a display area 40; and a control unit 14 which performs lighting control of the lamp fitting unit 12. The lamp fitting unit 12 has: a first linear light emission part 71 and a second linear light emission part 72 which incline relative to a vertical direction while intersecting with each other at a center point C in the display area 40; and an arc shaped light emission part 73 extending in a circumferential direction centered on the center point C.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle lamp.

2. Description of the Related Art Vehicle lamps have been considered to have various patterns in order to notify information to people around the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This vehicle lamp can display various patterns by arranging a large number of light emitting parts (LEDs) vertically and horizontally in a predetermined range on the light emitting surface. It is possible to inform the person of various information.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-154949

However, the above-mentioned vehicle lights have a large number of light-emitting parts arranged in rows and columns, resulting in a complex structure and an increased number of parts. It becomes necessary.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle lamp that has a simple structure with a small number of parts and can form various patterns.

A vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure includes a lamp unit having a display area, and a control section that controls lighting of the lamp unit, wherein the lamp units intersect at a center point in the display area and are arranged in a vertical direction. The light emitting device is characterized in that it has a first linear light emitting portion and a second linear light emitting portion that are inclined at an angle, and an arcuate light emitting portion that extends in a circumferential direction centered on the center point.

According to the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure, various patterns can be formed while having a simple structure with a small number of parts.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an exploded view of each component of the vehicle lamp. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system including a vehicle lamp. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a display area viewed from the front. It is an explanatory view showing the positional relationship of each light source with respect to each light emitting part. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section taken along line II in FIG. 5; 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section taken along line II-II in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section similar to FIG. 6 of Modification 1. FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section similar to FIG. 7 of Modification Example 1; FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section similar to FIG. 6 of modification example 2; FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section similar to FIG. 7 of modification example 2; FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing how a pair of vehicle lamps form a first pattern. It is an explanatory view showing a state where a pair of vehicular lamps form a second pattern. It is an explanatory view showing a state where a pair of vehicular lamps form a third pattern. It is an explanatory view showing a state where a pair of vehicular lamps form a fourth pattern. It is an explanatory view showing a state in which a pair of vehicle lamps form a fifth pattern. It is an explanatory view showing a state where a pair of vehicular lamps form a sixth pattern. It is an explanatory view showing how a pair of vehicle lamps form a seventh pattern. It is an explanatory view showing how a pair of vehicle lamps form an eighth pattern. It is an explanatory view showing how a pair of vehicle lamps form a ninth pattern. It is an explanatory view showing how a pair of vehicle lamps form a tenth pattern. It is an explanatory view showing a state where a pair of vehicle lamps form an 11th pattern. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which one display area of Modification Example 1 is viewed from the front. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing one display area of Modification 2 viewed from the front. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing one display area of Modification 3 viewed from the front.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the vehicle lamp 10 of Example 1 of the vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

A vehicle lamp 10 according to a first embodiment as an example of a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 22. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment is used as a lamp for a vehicle 1 such as an automobile, and is used to illuminate various objects such as people around the vehicle 1 and occupants of an oncoming vehicle. Form a pattern of facial expressions. In the following description, in the vehicle lamp 10, the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 on which it is mounted when traveling straight is referred to as the front-rear direction, and the vertical direction when it is mounted on the vehicle 1 is referred to as the up-down direction, which is orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The direction will be described as the width direction. The vehicle lamps 10 of the first embodiment are provided in pairs at the front of the vehicle 1 with an interval in the width direction. These two vehicle lamps 10 have basically the same configuration except that they are installed at different positions. Therefore, hereinafter, one configuration will be described simply as the vehicle lamp 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle lamp 10 includes an installation stand 11, a lamp unit 12, an outer lens 13, and a control section 14. The installation stand 11 is a place where the corresponding lighting unit 12 is installed, and has a plate-shaped vertical plate part 11a that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction, and a width that is provided at the lower end and perpendicular to the vertical plate part 11a. It has a plate-shaped bottom plate portion 11b that is elongated in the direction. On the installation stand 11, the lamp unit 12 is installed by placing the lamp unit 12 on the bottom plate part 11b and fixing the storage box part 31, which will be described later, to the standing plate part 11a. Note that the structure and installation method of the installation stand 11 may be set as appropriate as long as the lamp unit 12 is installed thereon, and the installation stand 11 is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

This lighting unit 12 is turned on as appropriate under the control of the control unit 14, and by forming a pair at both ends of the vehicle 1 in the width direction to form a pattern, it is possible to show various facial expressions. . The configuration of this lamp unit 12 will be explained later.

In this installation stand 11, supporting arm portions 11c are provided in pairs in the upper and lower portions near both ends of the vertical plate portion 11a in the width direction. Each of the supporting arm portions 11c is provided to protrude from the upright portion 11a toward the front in the front-rear direction relative to each of the lamp units 12, and has an outer lens 13 attached to its tip. That is, each support arm 11c supports the outer lens 13 so that the outer lens 13 covers the front side of the lamp unit 12 in the front-rear direction.

The outer lens 13 covers the corresponding lamp unit 12, and can be made invisible from the outside (mainly from the front side in the front-rear direction in the first embodiment) when the lamp unit 12 is turned off. . The outer lens 13 is formed of a member that can pass light from the corresponding lamp unit 12 when it is turned on, and has a plate shape that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Note that the outer lens 13 may be a lens that can be seen through the lamp unit 12 when the light is off, and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

The control unit 14 centrally controls the lighting operations of the lamp units 12 of the pair of vehicle lamps 10. As shown in FIG. 3, this control unit 14 is connected to a camera 15, an environment detection unit 16, a vehicle information detection unit 17, and a lighting switch 18, and can receive signals (data) from them. It is said that This connection may be wired or wireless as long as it allows signals from the camera 15, environment detection section 16, vehicle information detection section 17, and lighting switch 18 to be received. The control unit 14 uses signals from the camera 15, the environment detection unit 16, the vehicle information detection unit 17, and the lighting switch 18 to collectively control the lighting operations of the pair of lighting units 12. This control will be described later.

The camera 15 acquires images of the surrounding area including the front of the vehicle 1 on which the vehicle lamp 10 is mounted, and is provided at the front of the vehicle 1 in the first embodiment. When the drive system of the vehicle 1 is started, the camera 15 photographs the surrounding area on the front side of the vehicle 1 and outputs a signal (image data) representing the image to the control unit 14 . This signal (image data) is used for detecting objects existing around the front side of the vehicle 1 by the control unit 14 (information processing unit 22 described later) performing image analysis, as described later. This camera 15 may be provided exclusively for the lighting operation of the vehicle lamp 10, which will be described later. Of the cameras provided on the left and right sides, the camera may be provided at the front of the vehicle 1, or it may be provided as a drive recorder or a collision prevention mechanism. Furthermore, the position of the camera 15 may be set as appropriate as long as it acquires an image of the surroundings of the vehicle 1 on which the vehicle lamp 10 is mounted, and the camera 15 is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment. Therefore, the camera 15 functions as an object detection section that detects objects around the vehicle 1 in cooperation with the information processing section 22 .

The environment detection unit 16 detects the environment around the vehicle 1 on which the vehicle lamp 10 is mounted. The surrounding environment is a criterion for the lighting operation of the lamp unit 12 of the vehicle lamp 10, and includes, for example, the brightness around the vehicle 1 and the weather around the vehicle 1. For this reason, the environment detection unit 16 can be configured with a brightness sensor that detects brightness, or can be configured with an information acquisition unit that can acquire weather information. Note that the environment detection unit 16 may be set as appropriate as long as it detects the surrounding environment that serves as a criterion for the lighting operation of the lamp unit 12 as described later, and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment. .

The vehicle information detection unit 17 detects information about the vehicle 1 on which the vehicle lamp 10 is mounted. This information on the vehicle 1 includes, for example, whether the vehicle 1 is moving or not, actions performed on the vehicle 1 (for example, passing motion, sudden braking, etc.), and the state of the vehicle 1 (for example, whether the warning lamp is on or not). For example, whether the vehicle 1 is lit or not) and whether the vehicle 1 is being charged if the vehicle 1 is configured to be rechargeable. Therefore, the vehicle information detection section 17 can be configured with a vehicle speed sensor, or can be configured with an information acquisition section that can acquire information about the vehicle 1. The vehicle information detection section 17 may be set as appropriate as long as it detects information about the vehicle 1 that serves as a criterion for the lighting operation of the lamp unit 12, as will be described later. Not limited.

The lighting switch 18 is operated to turn on the lamp unit 12 of each vehicle lamp 10 or to start the lighting operation of the lamp unit 12. The lighting switch 18 can be composed of a button, lever, switch, etc. provided within a range that can be operated by the driver or passenger. Note that the lighting switch 18 may have any other configuration as long as it can be operated by the driver or passenger, and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment. Further, the lighting switch 18 may be an automatic lighting switch that detects the illuminance around the vehicle 1 and automatically lights the lamp unit 12, and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

The control section 14 includes a lighting control section 21 and an information processing section 22. The lighting control unit 21 drives the lighting of the lamp unit 12, and simultaneously controls each light source 35 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, in the lamp unit 12 individually or in any combination of any number of light sources 35. It can be turned on. Further, the lighting control section 21 can select a color for lighting each light source 35 of the lamp unit 12. In the first embodiment, the lighting control section 21 drives the lamp unit 12 to turn on in accordance with information input from the information processing section 22 . Although FIG. 3 shows that the control unit 14 is connected to a single lamp unit 12 to constitute the vehicle lamp 10, it is also connected to two lamp units 12 to cooperate with each other. It is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3.

The information processing unit 22 acquires information about objects and the environment around the vehicle 1 based on signals input from the camera 15 and the environment detection unit 16. As an example, the information processing unit 22 identifies an object in an image acquired by the camera 15. Examples of this object include a pedestrian walking in front of the vehicle 1, an oncoming vehicle, and a bicycle. The information processing section 22 identifies a pedestrian in the image taken by the camera 15 and outputs information on the pedestrian's position to the lighting control section 21 . Further, as another example, the information processing unit 22 identifies the brightness around the vehicle 1 based on the signal from the environment detection unit 16 and outputs information on the brightness to the lighting control unit 21. Further, as another example, the information processing unit 22 identifies the weather around the vehicle 1 based on the signal from the environment detection unit 16 and outputs information on the weather to the lighting control unit 21. In addition, as another example, the information processing unit 22 identifies that the vehicle 1 is in the charging state based on the signal from the vehicle information detection unit 17, and transmits information about the charging state to the lighting control unit 21. Output to. As another example, the information processing section 22 identifies an operation performed on the vehicle 1 based on a signal from the vehicle information detection section 17 and outputs information on the operation to the lighting control section 21 .

Next, the configuration of the lamp unit 12 will be explained. The lamp unit 12 includes a housing box portion 31 , a substrate 32 , a plurality of inner lenses 33 , and an inner panel 34 . The storage box portion 31 stores the substrate 32, the inner lens 33, and the inner panel 34, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with the front side open in the front-rear direction. The storage box section 31 is attached to the installation stand 11 to allow the lamp unit 12 to be installed on the installation stand 11.

The board 32 has a plate shape and is provided at the innermost side of the storage box section 31, and is provided with a plurality of light sources 35. This light source 35 is composed of a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light sources 35 are provided corresponding to 21 light emitting sections (41 to 64 (see FIG. 4)), which will be described later. The number of light sources 35 for each light emitting section can be set as appropriate. In the light source 35 of the first embodiment, at least those corresponding to the arcuate light emitting parts 42 and 44 and the section light emitting parts 52 and 54, which will be described later, are white light (first emitting color) and amber light (second emitting color). It is said that it is possible to light up in two types, and the ones corresponding to the remaining light emitting parts can be lit with white light (first emission color) (see Figures 6, 8, and 10). ). Here, the light source 35 of Embodiment 1 has a configuration in which an LED chip for white light (first emission color) and an LED chip for amber color light (second emission color) are arranged in parallel, so that two types of light sources are available. It is possible to emit light in the following colors (see FIGS. 7, 9, and 11). Note that the color (wavelength band), number of colors, configuration, etc. of each light source 35 may be set as appropriate, and are not limited to those in the first embodiment. A lighting control circuit that is driven under the control of the lighting control unit 21 is connected to the board 32 when housed in the storage box 31, and power is appropriately supplied from there to light each light source 35. I can do it.

The inner lens 33 makes the light emitted from each light source 35 uniform and travels forward in the front-rear direction, and is provided corresponding to each light source 35 individually. The inner lens 33 has a shape corresponding to each light emitting section, and has an entrance surface 33a located on the rear side in the front-back direction, that is, facing the corresponding light source 35, and an output surface 33b located on the front side in the front-back direction, that is, on the inner panel 34 side. (See Figure 6, etc.). The inner lens 33 allows the light emitted from the light source 35 to enter from the entrance surface 33a, scatters the light while traveling to the exit surface 33b, and outputs the light from the exit surface 33b. The whole thing is supposed to shine uniformly. Here, the inner lens 33 may scatter light by providing fine irregularities on the output surface 33b.

The inner panel 34 constitutes a partition for individually partitioning the inner lens 33 (its output surface 33b) when the lamp unit 12 is viewed from the front side in the front-rear direction. The inner panel 34 of the first embodiment is configured by providing a plurality of notches 34a in a rectangular plate member. Each notch 34a has a shape corresponding to each inner lens 33 (its output surface 33b), and allows light emitted from each inner panel 34 to pass therethrough.

Therefore, in the lamp unit 12, when each light source 35 is turned on, the light from there is guided to the corresponding inner lens 33 and emitted from the output surface 33b. In the lamp unit 12, each inner lens 33 (output surface 33b thereof) is individually partitioned by the inner panel 34, so that the shape of each inner lens 33 (output surface 33b), that is, each notch of the inner panel 34 It can be illuminated in the shape of 34a. Therefore, in the lamp unit 12, each inner lens 33 and the inner panel 34 cooperate to form a plurality of light emitting parts (41 to 64 (see FIG. 4, etc.)) having mutually different positions and shapes. There will be. In the lamp unit 12, the area where each cutout 34a is provided in the inner panel 34 becomes a display area 40 where each light emitting part is provided and is illuminated as appropriate.

Next, the configuration of each light emitting section in the display area 40 of the lamp unit 12 will be described using FIG. 4. The following description will be made using the top, bottom, left and right sides of FIG. 4, which is a state in which the lamp unit 12 (display area 40) is viewed from the front in the front-rear direction. First, in the lamp unit 12, the display area 40 is divided into four areas by two boundary lines passing through the center point C. Hereinafter, one boundary line will be referred to as a first boundary line Lb1, and the other boundary line will be referred to as a second boundary line Lb2. In the display area 40 of Example 1, the first boundary line Lb1 is set to be inclined at 45 degrees to the right with respect to the vertical direction (plane including the vertical direction) passing through the center point C, and the second boundary line Lb2 is set to the center point C. It is set to be inclined at 45 degrees to the left with respect to the vertical direction passing through C (a plane including the vertical direction). Therefore, the first boundary line Lb1 and the second boundary line Lb2 are orthogonal to each other at the center point C.

In the display area 40, the area above the center point C between the first boundary line Lb1 and the second boundary line Lb2 is defined as an upper light emitting area Au, and the area between the first boundary line Lb1 and the second boundary line Lb2 on the right side of the center point C is defined as an upper light emitting area Au. The area sandwiched between the two boundary lines Lb2 and Lb2 is defined as a right-side light emitting area Ar. In addition, in the display area 40, a portion below the center point C that is sandwiched between the first boundary line Lb1 and the second boundary line Lb2 is defined as a lower light emitting area Ad, and on the left side of the center point C, a first boundary line Lb1 The area sandwiched between the second boundary line Lb2 and the second boundary line Lb2 is defined as the left side light emitting area Al. In the display area 40, a single circumference Cf having a predetermined radius centered on the center point C is set.

On the circumference Cf of the display area 40, the lamp unit 12 includes an upper arc light emitting part 41 located in the upper light emitting area Au and extending along the circumference Cf, and an upper arcuate light emitting part 41 located in the right light emitting area Ar and extending along the circumference Cf. It has a right circular arc light emitting part 42 that extends. Further, on the circumference Cf of the display area 40, the lamp unit 12 includes a lower arcuate light emitting part 43 located in the lower light emitting area Ad and extending along the circumference Cf, and a lower arcuate light emitting part 43 located in the left side light emitting area Al and extending along the circumference Cf. It has a left circular arc light emitting part 44 extending along the circumference Cf.

The lamp unit 12 has a central light emitting section 45 located at the center point C of the display area 40 . This central light emitting section 45 has a substantially square shape, and is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the center point C. Therefore, the central light emitting section 45 has a positional relationship in which each of the four sides is orthogonal to either the first boundary line Lb1 or the second boundary line Lb2.

In the display area 40, the lamp unit 12 has an upper right linear light emitting section 46 that extends from the central light emitting section 45, that is, near the center point C, to the upper right along the first boundary line Lb1. The upper right linear light emitting section 46 is located between the upper light emitting area Au and the right light emitting area Ar. Furthermore, the lamp unit 12 has a lower right linear light emitting section 47 that extends from the central light emitting section 45, that is, near the center point C, to the lower right along the second boundary line Lb2 in the display area 40. This lower right linear light emitting section 47 is located between the right light emitting area Ar and the lower light emitting area Ad. Further, in the display area 40, the lamp unit 12 has a lower left linear light emitting section 48 extending from the central light emitting section 45, that is, near the center point C, to the lower left along the first boundary line Lb1. This lower left linear light emitting section 48 is located between the lower light emitting area Ad and the left light emitting area Al. In the display area 40, the lamp unit 12 has an upper left linear light emitting section 49 extending from the central light emitting section 45, that is, near the center point C, to the upper left along the second boundary line Lb2. The upper left linear light emitting section 49 is located between the left light emitting area Al and the upper light emitting area Au.

The lamp unit 12 has an upper divided light emitting section 51 provided in the display area 40 at a position divided by the upper circular arc light emitting section 41 , the upper left linear light emitting section 49 , and the upper right linear light emitting section 46 . In the first embodiment, the upper section light emitting section 51 has an external shape along the inner sides (substantially parallel to each inner side) of the upper arcuate light emitting section 41, the upper left linear light emitting section 49, and the upper right linear light emitting section 46. The overall shape is roughly fan-shaped with an arcuate upper side. The lamp unit 12 also includes a right section light emitting section 52 provided in the display area 40 at a position partitioned by the right arcuate light emitting section 42 , the upper right linear light emitting section 46 , and the lower right linear light emitting section 47 . In the first embodiment, the right section light emitting section 52 has an external shape along the inner sides (substantially parallel to each inner side) of the right arcuate light emitting section 42, the upper right linear light emitting section 46, and the lower right linear light emitting section 47. The overall shape is roughly fan-shaped with the right side shaped like an arc. Further, the lamp unit 12 has a lower divided light emitting section 53 provided in the display area 40 at a position divided by the lower arcuate light emitting section 43, the lower right linear light emitting section 47, and the lower left linear light emitting section 48. In the first embodiment, the lower section light emitting section 53 has an outer shape along the inner sides (approximately parallel to each inner side) of the lower arcuate light emitting section 43, the lower right linear light emitting section 47, and the lower left linear light emitting section 48. The shape is generally fan-shaped with an arcuate lower side. The lamp unit 12 has a left side section light emitting section 54 provided in the display area 40 at a position partitioned by the left arcuate light emitting section 44, the lower left linear light emitting section 48, and the upper left linear light emitting section 49. In the first embodiment, the left section light emitting section 54 has an external shape along the inner sides (substantially parallel to each inner side) of the left arcuate light emitting section 44, the lower left linear light emitting section 48, and the upper left linear light emitting section 49. The overall shape is roughly fan-shaped with the left side shaped like an arc.

The lamp unit 12 includes an upper right shared light emitting section 55 located between the upper arcuate light emitting section 41 and the right arcuate light emitting section 42 on the first boundary line Lb1 in the display area 40 . The upper right shared light emitting section 55 can draw an arc with the same diameter as the upper arcuate light emitting section 41 and the right arcuate light emitting section 42, and can also draw the same straight line as the upper right linear light emitting section 46 and the lower left linear light emitting section 48. The lamp unit 12 also includes a lower right shared light emitting section 56 located between the right arcuate light emitting section 42 and the lower arcuate light emitting section 43 on the second boundary line Lb2 in the display area 40 . The lower right shared light emitting section 56 can draw an arc with the same diameter as the right arc light emitting section 42 and the lower arc light emitting section 43, and can also draw the same straight line as the lower right linear light emitting section 47 and the upper left linear light emitting section 49. . Further, the lamp unit 12 includes a lower left shared light emitting section 57 located between the lower arcuate light emitting section 43 and the left arcuate light emitting section 44 on the first boundary line Lb1 in the display area 40 . The lower left shared light emitting section 57 can draw an arc having the same diameter as the lower arcuate light emitting section 43 and the left arcuate light emitting section 44, and can also draw the same straight line as the lower left linear light emitting section 48 and the upper right linear light emitting section 46. The lamp unit 12 includes an upper left shared light emitting section 58 located between the left arcuate light emitting section 44 and the upper arcuate light emitting section 41 on the second boundary line Lb2 in the display area 40 . The upper left shared light emitting section 58 can draw an arc having the same diameter as the left arc light emitting section 44 and the upper arc light emitting section 41, and draw the same straight line as the upper left linear light emitting section 49 and the lower right linear light emitting section 47.

In the display area 40, the lamp unit 12 is arranged on the first boundary line Lb1 outside the upper right shared light emitting section 55, that is, outside the circumference (circumference Cf) drawn by the upper arcuate light emitting section 41 and the right arcuate light emitting section 42. It has an additional light emitting section 61 on the upper right side. The upper right additional light emitting section 61 can draw the same straight line as the upper right linear light emitting section 46 and the lower left linear light emitting section 48 . Further, in the display area 40, the lamp unit 12 has a circumference (circumference Cf) drawn by the outside of the lower right shared light emitting section 56, that is, the right arc light emitting section 42 and the lower arc light emitting section 43, on the second boundary line Lb2. It has a lower right additional light emitting section 62 located outside. The lower right additional light emitting section 62 can draw the same straight line as the lower right linear light emitting section 47 and the upper left linear light emitting section 49. Furthermore, in the display area 40, the lamp unit 12 has a circumference (circumference Cf) drawn by the outer side of the lower left shared light emitting section 57, that is, the lower arcuate light emitting section 43 and the left arcuate light emitting section 44, on the first boundary line Lb1. It has a lower left additional light emitting section 63 located on the outside. This lower left additional light emitting section 63 can draw the same straight line as the lower left linear light emitting section 48 and the upper right linear light emitting section 46 . In the display area 40, the lamp unit 12 is located outside the upper left shared light emitting section 58 on the second boundary line Lb2, that is, outside the circumference (circumference Cf) drawn by the left arc light emitting section 44 and the upper arc light emitting section 41. It has an upper left additional light emitting section 64 located at. The upper left additional light emitting section 64 can draw the same straight line as the upper left linear light emitting section 49 and the lower right linear light emitting section 47.

With the above configuration, in the lamp unit 12, in the display area 40, the upper right additional light emitting section 61, the upper right shared light emitting section 55, the upper right linear light emitting section 46, the center light emitting section 45, the lower left linear light emitting section 48, and the lower left shared light emitting section 57 and the lower left additional light emitting section 63 draw a single straight line extending on the first boundary line Lb1, and constitute a first linear light emitting section 71. In the lamp unit 12, in the display area 40, the upper left additional light emitting section 64, the upper left shared light emitting section 58, the upper left linear light emitting section 49, the center light emitting section 45, the lower right linear light emitting section 47, the lower right shared light emitting section 56, and the right The lower additional light emitting section 62 draws a single straight line extending on the second boundary line Lb2, and constitutes a second linear light emitting section 72. For this reason, the first linear light emitting section 71 and the second linear light emitting section 72 share the center light emitting section 45.

In addition, in the lamp unit 12, the four arc light emitting parts (41 to 44) and the four shared light emitting parts (55 to 58) are arcuate light emitting parts extending along a single circumference Cf (circumferential direction). 73. From this, the first linear light emitting section 71 and the arcuate light emitting section 73 share the upper right shared light emitting section 55 and the lower left shared light emitting section 57. Further, the second linear light emitting section 72 and the arcuate light emitting section 73 share the upper left shared light emitting section 58 and the lower right shared light emitting section 56.

Next, an example of the arrangement of each light source 35 with respect to each light emitting part (41 to 64) in the lamp unit 12 will be described using FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, in the lamp unit 12 (vehicle lamp 10) of Example 1, the number of light sources 35 for each light emitting part (41 to 64) is determined based on the number of light sources 35 when viewing the lamp unit 12 from the front side in the longitudinal direction. Each light emitting part is arranged in a well-balanced manner according to its size. That is, in the lamp unit 12, the light sources 35 are arranged so as to be approximately evenly distributed on the output surface 33b of the inner lens 33 that constitutes each light emitting section (41 to 64). Specifically, in the four arcuate light emitting parts (41 to 44), five light sources 35 are arranged at approximately equal intervals along the circumference Cf (see FIG. 4). In the four linear light emitting sections (46 to 49), three light sources 35 are arranged at approximately equal intervals along the corresponding first boundary line Lb1 or second boundary line Lb2 (see FIG. 4). In the four section light emitting sections (51 to 54), three light sources 35 are arranged in a positional relationship corresponding to the three substantially fan-shaped corners. A single light source 35 is disposed approximately at the center of each of the central light emitting section 45, the four shared light emitting sections (55 to 58), and the four additional light emitting sections (61 to 64). Therefore, each of the light emitting units (41 to 64) can emit light substantially uniformly over the entire area of the output surface 33b of the inner lens 33 by lighting up the corresponding light sources 35 all at once. .

In addition, in the lamp unit 12, in order to make each light emitting part (41 to 64) illuminate more uniformly over the entire area with the light emitted from each corresponding light source 35, the entrance surface 33a and the exit surface of the inner lens 33 are used. The shape of 33b is set. An example of this is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. 6 shows a cross section of the inner lens 33 that becomes the central light emitting section 45, and FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the inner lens 33 that becomes the right circular arc light emitting section 42. Here, the structure of the inner lens 33 with respect to the light source 35 is substantially the same in all the light emitting parts (41 to 64), as is clear from the fact that FIGS. 6 and 7 are substantially the same. In the inner lens 33, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the center part of the entrance surface 33a is recessed inside the inner lens 33 (on the opposite side from the light source 35), and the center part is convexly curved outward. It has a curved entrance surface section 33c and an annular entrance surface section 33d surrounding it. Further, around the entrance surface 33a, a truncated conical reflecting surface 33e surrounding the annular entrance surface portion 33d is provided.

The curved entrance surface portion 33c faces the light source 35 in the axial direction, and allows the light emitted from the light source 35 to enter the inner lens 33 as light traveling forward in the axial direction. The annular entrance surface portion 33d is provided to protrude toward the light source 35 side, and allows light from the light source 35 that does not proceed to the curved entrance surface portion 33c to enter the inner lens 33. The reflective surface 33e is formed at a position where light entering the inner lens 33 from the annular entrance surface portion 33d travels. When the reflective surface 33e reflects the light incident from the annular entrance surface portion 33d, the light travels forward in the axial direction. Note that the reflective surface 33e may reflect light using total reflection, or may reflect light by adhering aluminum, silver, or the like by vapor deposition, painting, or the like.

The exit surface 33b allows the light incident from the entrance surface 33a to exit toward the front side in the axial direction. The output surface 33b is provided with a concavo-convex surface 33f (so-called prism) in which fine concavities and convexities are formed over the entire area, and diffuses the light incident from the incident surface 33a while directing the light toward the front side in the axial direction, that is, the inner lens 33. emit it to the outside. Here, in the inner lens 33 constituting each light emitting section (41 to 64), the above-described structure on the incident surface 33a is provided individually for each light source 35, and the above-described structure on the output surface 33b is provided throughout the entire area. It is said that it covers. Therefore, each light emitting section (41 to 64) can efficiently make the light from each light source 35 corresponding thereto enter the inner lens 33, and also make it emit substantially uniformly from the entire area of the output surface 33b. be able to.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lamp unit 12 includes two upper and lower circular arc light emitting parts (41, 43), four linear light emitting parts (46 to 49), and two upper and lower section light emitting parts. (51, 53), the central light emitting section 45, the four shared light emitting sections (55 to 58), and the four additional light emitting sections (61 to 64), each light source 35 emits a single white light. (first luminescent color) LED chips. In addition, in the lamp unit 12, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, each light source corresponds to the two arcuate light emitting parts (42, 44) on the left and right and the two section light emitting parts (52, 54) on the left and right. 35 has a structure in which an LED chip for white light (first emitting color) and an LED chip for amber light (second emitting color) are arranged in parallel.

In this lighting unit 12, each of the above-mentioned light emitting parts (41 to 64) is turned on and off all at once or in plurality at the same time or individually by turning on each corresponding light source 35 under the control of the control part 14. . Here, in the lamp unit 12 of Example 1, all the light sources 35 are capable of lighting with white light (first emitting color), and all the light emitting parts (41 to 64) are illuminated with white light (first emitting color). 1 emission color). Further, in the lamp unit 12 of the first embodiment, the light sources 35 corresponding to the right arc light emitting section 42, the left arc light emitting section 44, the right section light emitting section 52, and the left section light emitting section 54 emit white light (first emission color). Two types of lighting are possible: and amber color light (second emitting color). Therefore, in the lamp unit 12 of the first embodiment, the right arc light emitting section 42, the left arc light emitting section 44, the right section light emitting section 52, and the left section light emitting section 54 are activated to emit white light ( It can emit light in two types: first light emitting color) or amber light (second light emitting color). In the lamp unit 12, since the annular entrance surface portion 33d is provided to surround the light source 35, even light having a large output angle (angle with respect to the output optical axis) from the light source 35 is guided into the inner lens 33. The light can be emitted from the light emitting surface 33b, and the light from the light source 35 can be used more efficiently.

The shape of this inner lens 33 is not limited to the above example. An inner lens 33A of Modification 1 as another example is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This inner lens 33A is different from the inner lens 33 of FIGS. 6 and 7 in the structure of the entrance surface 33aA. A Fresnel lens portion 33g is provided over the entire area of the incident surface 33aA. This Fresnel lens part 33g constitutes a Fresnel lens consisting of a plurality of lens parts concentrically divided around the output optical axis of the light source 35. In the arrangement in which the chips are arranged (FIG. 9), the focal point is set near the center of both light emitting surfaces. Therefore, the inner lens 33A allows the light emitted from the light source 35 to travel approximately parallel to the output optical axis through the Fresnel lens portion 33g, and enters the light from the entrance surface 33aA. This inner lens 33A has an uneven surface 33f provided over the entire area of the output surface 33b, similar to the inner lens 33, so that the incident light can be emitted substantially uniformly from the entire area of the output surface 33b. In the lamp unit 12 having the inner lens 33A, all the light emitting parts (41 to 64) can emit white light (first light emitting color), as well as the right side circular arc light emission, as in the case having the inner lens 33. The section 42, the left arc light emitting section 44, the right section light emitting section 52, and the left section light emitting section 54 can also be illuminated with amber color light (second emission color). In this lamp unit 12, since the Fresnel lens portion 33g is provided over the entire area of the entrance surface 33aA, the light that has proceeded from the light source 35 to the entrance surface 33aA is allowed to travel within the inner lens 33A approximately parallel to the output optical axis. The light from the light source 35 can be used more efficiently.

An inner lens 33B of Modification 2 as another example is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. This inner lens 33B is different from the above-described inner lens 33 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) and inner lens 33A (see FIGS. 8 and 9) in the structure of the entrance surface 33aB. This entrance surface 33aB is a flat surface. The distance between the entrance surface 33aB and the light source 35 of the inner lens 33B is smaller than that of the inner lens 33 (compared with the distance to the curved entrance surface portion 33c) and the inner lens 33A. Therefore, the inner lens 33B can direct even the light from the light source 35 with a large output angle to the incident surface 33aB, and allow the light to enter the interior from the incident surface 33aB. In this inner lens 33B, an uneven surface 33f is provided over the entire area of the output surface 33b like the inner lens 33, and the incident light can be emitted substantially uniformly from the entire area of the output surface 33b. In the lamp unit 12 having this inner lens 33B, as in the case of having the inner lenses 33 and 33A, all the light emitting parts (41 to 64) can be emitted with white light (first light emitting color), and the right side circular arc The light emitting section 42, the left circular arc light emitting section 44, the right section light emitting section 52, and the left section light emitting section 54 can also be illuminated with amber color light (second emission color). In the lamp unit 12, since the entrance surface 33aB is a flat surface and the distance from the light source 35 is narrowed, the light emitted from the light source 35 can be efficiently advanced to the entrance surface 33aB. Since the light enters the inner lens 33B and exits from the output surface 33b, the light from the light source 35 can be used more efficiently. In addition, in the lamp unit 12, the structure of the inner lens 33B can be simplified, and the required positioning accuracy of the inner lens 33B and the light source 35 can be lowered, resulting in a simple structure.

In this vehicle lamp 10, since the lamp unit 12 is configured as described above, various patterns can be displayed by selecting some of the light emitting parts (41 to 64) and lighting them up. In particular, in the first embodiment, since the two vehicle lamps 10 (lamp units 12) are provided on the vehicle 1 at a predetermined interval in the width direction, both lamp units 12 can be likened to human eyes. Various expressions can be created depending on the patterns formed by both lamp units 12. The first to eleventh symbols as examples of these symbols will be explained using FIGS. 12 to 22. The configuration of each symbol is executed by the control unit 14 based on a program stored in an internal memory or the like.

In the first pattern, as shown in FIG. 12, the arc-shaped light-emitting parts 73, that is, the four arc-shaped light-emitting parts (41 to 44) and the four shared light-emitting parts (55 to 58), glow with white light. There is. Therefore, the first pattern can be made to appear as if the eyes are open, and, for example, can be made to have a calm expression in normal times.

As shown in FIG. 13, the second symbol has a first linear light emitting section 71 and a second linear light emitting section 72 that glow with white light. That is, the second pattern includes the upper right additional light emitting section 61, the upper right shared light emitting section 55, the upper right linear light emitting section 46, the center light emitting section 45, the lower left linear light emitting section 48, the lower left shared light emitting section 57, the lower left additional light emitting section 63, and the upper left additional light emitting section. The light emitting section 64, the upper left shared light emitting section 58, the upper left linear light emitting section 49, the lower right linear light emitting section 47, the lower right shared light emitting section 56, and the lower right additional light emitting section 62 are designed to emit white light. For this reason, the second pattern can be made to look like the eyes are being given a penalty point, and can be made to have, for example, a disappointed expression or an expression that indicates something bad.

In the third symbol, as shown in FIG. 14, the upper arcuate light emitting section 41, the upper right shared light emitting section 55, and the upper left shared light emitting section 58 glow with white light. Therefore, the third pattern can make it appear as if the eyes are drawing an upwardly convex arc, and can, for example, create a smiling or happy expression.

In the fourth symbol, as shown in FIG. 15, the lower arcuate light emitting section 43, the lower right shared light emitting section 56, and the lower left shared light emitting section 57 glow with white light. Therefore, the fourth pattern can make it appear as if the eyes are drawing a downward convex arc, and can, for example, make a crying, sad, or disappointed expression.

As shown in FIG. 16, the fifth pattern includes an arcuate light emitting section 73, that is, four arcuate light emitting sections (41 to 44) and four shared light emitting sections (55 to 58), as well as a left section light emitting section 54. , which is said to glow under white light. Therefore, the fifth pattern can make it appear as if the person is looking at the left side (the right side as seen from the vehicle 1) when viewed from the front, and for example, the person is concerned or paying attention to the left side (the right side as seen from the vehicle 1). You can express what you are doing.

As shown in FIG. 17, the sixth pattern includes an arcuate light emitting section 73, that is, four arcuate light emitting sections (41 to 44) and four shared light emitting sections (55 to 58), as well as a lower section light emitting section 53. However, it is said to glow under white light. Therefore, the sixth pattern can make it appear as if the person is looking at the lower side or the center of the vehicle 1 when viewed from the front. It can express the state of being.

As shown in FIG. 18, the seventh pattern includes an arcuate light emitting section 73, that is, four arcuate light emitting sections (41 to 44) and four shared light emitting sections (55 to 58), as well as a right section light emitting section 52. , which is said to glow under white light. Therefore, the seventh pattern can make it appear as if the person is looking at the right side (the left side when viewed from the vehicle 1) when viewed from the front. You can express what you are doing.

In the eighth pattern, as shown in FIG. 19, the lamp unit 12 on the left side when viewed from the front has arcuate light emitting parts 73, that is, four arcuate light emitting parts (41 to 44) and four shared light emitting parts (55 to 58). It is said that it glows under white light. In addition, the lamp unit 12 on the right side when viewed from the front includes an upper right additional light emitting section 61, an upper right shared light emitting section 55, an upper right linear light emitting section 46, a center light emitting section 45, a lower right linear light emitting section 47, and a lower right shared light emitting section 56. The lower right additional light emitting section 62 is designed to glow with white light. Therefore, the eighth pattern can be made to appear as if only the right eye is closed when viewed from the front, for example, a winking expression can be created. Note that this eighth pattern can also have a similar expression with the left and right sides reversed, even if the left and right side lamp units 12 are left and right reversed.

As shown in FIG. 20, the ninth pattern includes the upper right additional light emitting section 61, the upper right shared light emitting section 55, the upper right linear light emitting section 46, the center light emitting section 45, the upper left linear light emitting section 49, the upper left shared light emitting section 58, and the upper left additional light emitting section. The portion 64 is made to glow with white light. In addition, in the ninth pattern, the right side arc light emitting section 42, the lower right shared light emitting section 56, the lower side arc light emitting section 43, the lower left shared light emitting section 57, and the left side arc light emitting section 44 glow with white light. . Therefore, the ninth pattern can make it appear as if the eyelids (eyebrows) are lowered, for example, to create a troubled expression. In particular, in the ninth pattern, the upper right additional light emitting part 61 and the upper left additional light emitting part 64 are illuminated, so it is possible to give an impression that the lower arc is the eye, and the V-shaped line is the eyelid. It can give an impression that it is eyebrows.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the 10th pattern, the lamp unit 12 on the left side when viewed from the front is shared by the upper left shared light emitting section 58, the upper left linear light emitting section 49, the center light emitting section 45, the lower right linear light emitting section 47, and the lower right shared light emitting section The light emitting section 56, the lower arcuate light emitting section 43, the lower left shared light emitting section 57, and the left arcuate light emitting section 44 are designed to emit white light. In addition, the lamp unit 12 on the right side when viewed from the front includes the upper right shared light emitting section 55, the upper right linear light emitting section 46, the center light emitting section 45, the lower left linear light emitting section 48, the lower left shared light emitting section 57, the lower circular arc light emitting section 43, and the right The lower shared light emitting section 56 and the right arcuate light emitting section 42 are designed to emit white light. For this reason, the 10th symbol can make it appear as if both eyes are hanging outwards, for example, to create an angry expression. In particular, in the 10th symbol, since the upper right additional light emitting section 61 and the upper left additional light emitting section 64 are not illuminated, it is possible to give an impression that the eye shape is lifted outward.

As shown in FIG. 22, the 11th symbol lights up in the same area as the 5th symbol (see FIG. 16). In the 11th pattern, when viewed from the front, the left circular arc light emitting section 44 and the left section light emitting section 54 of the left lamp unit 12 glow with amber color light (second light emitting color), and the remaining light emitting sections (41 43, 55 to 58) are said to glow with white light. Further, in the 11th pattern, the right lighting unit 12 when viewed from the front is illuminated with white light at the same location as the 5th pattern (see FIG. 16). For this reason, the 11th symbol can make it look like you are looking at the left side (the right side as seen from the vehicle 1) when viewed from the front. You can express what you are doing. The 11th pattern is created by emitting amber color light from the left circular arc light emitting section 44 and the left partition light emitting section 54 on the left side (right side when viewed from the vehicle 1) when viewed from the front. It can be made to look like a turn signal (turn signal) on the right side when looking at the vehicle, and can assist in instructions using the turn signal.

Next, an example of a scene in which the vehicle lamp 10 is turned on will be described. It should be noted that the combinations of the situations and the patterns to be formed shown below are merely examples, and do not necessarily match the actual aspects, nor are they limited to the examples shown below.

During normal driving, the vehicle lamp 10 detects, for example, a normal state in which there is no particular problem with the vehicle 1 or its surroundings, based on signals from the camera 15, the environment detection section 16, and the vehicle information detection section 17 by the information processing section 22. If it is determined that this is the case, the first pattern (see FIG. 12) is formed under the control of the lighting control section 21. Thereby, the vehicle lamp 10 can show its first pattern to the surroundings, and can notify the surroundings that the vehicle 1 is in a normal state with no particular problems.

For example, when the vehicle lamp 10 detects that the vehicle 1 is being appropriately charged based on a signal from the vehicle information detection unit 17, the vehicle lamp 10 displays the first symbol (figure 1) under the control of the lighting control unit 21. 12) or a third pattern (see FIG. 14). Then, the vehicle lamp 10 can notify the surroundings that the vehicle 1 is being properly charged by showing the first symbol or the third symbol to the surroundings.

For example, when the information processing unit 22 detects a person jumping out based on a signal from the camera 15, the vehicle lamp 10 forms a second pattern (see FIG. 13) under the control of the lighting control unit 21. Thereby, the vehicle lamp 10 can show its second symbol to the surroundings, especially the person who jumped out, and can notify the surroundings and the person who jumped out of the dangerous situation.

For example, when the information processing section 22 detects based on a signal from the vehicle information detection section 17 that the amount of charge of the vehicle 1 is low or that the charging operation is not going well, the vehicle lamp 10 controls the lighting control section. The second symbol (see FIG. 13), the fourth symbol (see FIG. 15), or the ninth symbol (see FIG. 20) may be formed under the control of the controller 21. Then, the vehicle lamp 10 can notify the surroundings that the amount of charge in the vehicle 1 is low or that the charging operation is not going well by showing the second, fourth, or ninth symbol to the surroundings. .

For example, when the vehicle lamp 10 detects that the weather around the vehicle 1 is good (sunny, etc.) based on a signal from the environment detection unit 16, the vehicle lamp 10 displays a first pattern (see FIG. 12) under the control of the lighting control unit 21. ) or a third pattern (see FIG. 14) may be formed. Then, by showing the first pattern or the third pattern to the surroundings, the vehicle lamp 10 can give the impression that the vehicle 1 is in a good mood due to the good weather, making driving in the vehicle 1 pleasant. can be taken as a thing.

For example, when the vehicle lamp 10 detects that the weather around the vehicle 1 is bad (rain, snow, etc.) based on a signal from the environment detection unit 16, the vehicle lamp 10 displays a second pattern (figure 2) under the control of the lighting control unit 21. 13) or a fourth pattern (see FIG. 15). Then, by showing the second pattern or the fourth pattern to the surroundings, the vehicle lamp 10 can give the impression that the vehicle 1 is alerting people to bad weather, which makes it easier to drive in the vehicle 1. It can tighten your feelings.

The vehicle lamp 10 is configured, for example, when the information processing section 22 detects, based on signals from the camera 15 and the vehicle information detection section 17, when the vehicle 1 is stopped in front of a crosswalk and a pedestrian is moving on the crosswalk. , the fifth symbol (see FIG. 16), the sixth symbol (see FIG. 17), and the seventh symbol (see FIG. 18) are formed in this order under the control of the lighting control section 21. That is, for example, the vehicle lamp 10 forms the fifth pattern when the pedestrian is in front of the vehicle 1 to the right, forms the sixth pattern when the pedestrian moves to the front of the vehicle 1, and forms the sixth pattern when the pedestrian is in front of the vehicle 1. When it moves to the front left, it forms the seventh pattern. As a result, the vehicle lamp 10 can show the pedestrian and the surroundings how the line of sight moves as if watching the movement of the pedestrian, giving the pedestrian a sense of security and creating a peaceful atmosphere in the surrounding area. can.

The vehicle lamp 10 is configured, for example, when the information processing section 22 detects, based on signals from the camera 15 and the vehicle information detection section 17, when the vehicle 1 is stopped in front of a crosswalk and a pedestrian is moving on the crosswalk. 19, the eighth pattern (see FIG. 19) is formed under the control of the lighting control section 21. Then, by showing the eighth pattern to the pedestrian and the surrounding area, the vehicle lamp 10 can show the pedestrian and the surrounding area an expression as if it is sending a signal to the pedestrian to urge him or her to move. It gives pedestrians a sense of security and creates a peaceful atmosphere in the surrounding area. Further, the vehicle lamp 10 is capable of detecting, for example, an operation (for example, a passing operation) in which the information processing unit 22 gives way to a pedestrian or an oncoming vehicle (allowing it to go ahead) based on a signal from the vehicle information detection unit 17. Then, when this is detected, the eighth symbol may be formed under the control of the lighting control section 21. In this case as well, by showing the eighth pattern to pedestrians and oncoming vehicles (their occupants), the vehicle lamp 10 can give pedestrians and the surroundings a look that gives them a signal that they are willingly yielding the right of way. This creates a sense of security for pedestrians and the occupants of oncoming vehicles, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

For example, when the information processing unit 22 detects that the condition of the vehicle 1 is poor based on a signal from the vehicle information detection unit 17, the vehicle lamp 10 displays a second symbol (see FIG. 13) under the control of the lighting control unit 21. ), a fourth pattern (see FIG. 15), or a ninth pattern (see FIG. 20) may be formed. Then, the vehicle lamp 10 can notify the surroundings that the vehicle 1 is in a bad condition by showing the second, fourth, or ninth symbol to the surroundings.

For example, when the information processing unit 22 detects that the vehicle 1 has braked suddenly based on a signal from the vehicle information detection unit 17, the vehicle lamp 10 displays the 10th symbol (see FIG. 21) under the control of the lighting control unit 21. ) may be formed. Then, by showing the tenth symbol to the surroundings, the vehicle lamp 10 can notify the person who caused the sudden braking and the surroundings that the situation is dangerous.

For example, when the information processing unit 22 detects that the vehicle 1 performs a direction indicating operation (the blinker is turned on) based on a signal from the vehicle information detection unit 17, the vehicle lamp 10 performs lighting control. The eleventh pattern (see FIG. 22) may be formed under the control of the section 21. The 11th symbol in the example of FIG. 22 shows a scene in which a direction instruction for a right turn is made in the vehicle 1, and the entire body is illuminated with white light, and when viewed from the front, the left side The left arc light emitting section 44 and the left section light emitting section 54 of the lamp unit 12 emit amber light (second light emitting color). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can notify the surroundings that the vehicle 1 is about to turn right by showing the eleventh symbol to the surroundings. Here, the 11th symbol may be one that causes the left arc light emitting section 44 and the left section light emitting section 54 of the left lamp unit 12 to blink when viewed from the front under the control of the lighting control section 21.

As described above, various patterns are formed in various situations in the vehicle lamp 10, but there are also other patterns, for example, when it is daytime and when it is nighttime based on the signal from the environment detection unit 16. The pattern (expression) formed may be changed depending on the situation. In addition, the vehicle lamp 10 changes the pattern (facial expression) formed depending on the type of object (for example, a pedestrian, an oncoming vehicle, a bicycle, etc.) detected by the information processing unit 22 based on a signal from the camera 15. You may let them.

Here, the conventional vehicle lights described in the prior art documents are capable of displaying various patterns by using a display device configured by arranging a large number of light emitting parts (LEDs) in a matrix in a predetermined range. . This conventional vehicle lamp can form a desired pattern by appropriately turning on and off each light emitting part of the display. However, conventional vehicle lights require a display device with a complex structure and many light-emitting parts, and also require complicated control to turn each light-emitting part of the display on and off as appropriate according to the symbol. .

On the other hand, in the display area 40 of the lamp unit 12, the vehicle lamp 10 has a first linear light emitting section 71 that is composed of seven light emitting sections (45, 46, 48, 55, 57, 61, 63). , and a second linear light emitting section 72 composed of seven light emitting sections (45, 47, 49, 56, 58, 62, 64). Further, in the display area 40 of the lamp unit 12, the vehicle lamp 10 includes an arcuate light emitting portion 73 composed of eight light emitting portions (41 to 44, 55 to 58), and four section light emitting portions (51 to 54). and. In the vehicle lamp 10, the first linear light emitting section 71 and the second linear light emitting section 72 share the center light emitting section 45, and the two linear light emitting sections 71 and 72 and the arcuate light emitting section 73 share the center light emitting section 45. Four shared light emitting parts (55 to 58) are shared. For these reasons, the vehicle lamp 10 can form patterns with various expressions by arranging the 21 light-emitting parts side by side while changing the shape and position as described above, and it is possible to create patterns with various facial expressions, which will be more appealing to people around the vehicle. It is possible to inform the user of various information. The vehicular lamp 10 can suppress the number of parts while suppressing the complexity of the structure, compared to a conventional vehicular lamp using a display device in which light emitting parts are arranged in a matrix in a predetermined range. It is possible to easily control turning on and off according to the pattern.

In addition, the vehicle lamp 10 includes a shared central light emitting portion 45 and four shared light emitting portions (55 to 58) among the first linear light emitting portion 71, the second linear light emitting portion 72, and the arcuate light emitting portion 73. Since this is provided, it is possible to effectively increase the types of patterns that can be formed while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. In particular, in the vehicle lamp 10, the center light emitting section 45 has a substantially square shape and is tilted 45 degrees around the center point C, so that the center point C of the four linear light emitting sections (46 to 49) By lighting up the center light emitting section 45 along with two linear light emitting sections adjacent in the circumferential direction around the center, the apex of the V-shape can be appropriately expressed.

The vehicle lamp 10 of Example 1 can obtain the following effects.
In the vehicle lamp 10, a lamp unit 12 having a display area 40 has a first linear light emitting part 71 and a second linear light emitting part 72 that intersect at a center point C in the display area 40 and are inclined with respect to the vertical direction. , and an arcuate light emitting portion 73 extending in the circumferential direction with the center point C as the center. For this reason, the vehicle lamp 10 can be used in various ways by lighting the first linear light emitting section 71, the second linear light emitting section 72, and the arcuate light emitting section 73, which have different shapes and positions, individually or in an appropriate combination. It is possible to form patterns of facial expressions. Furthermore, since the vehicle lamp 10 forms patterns with various expressions using the first linear light emitting section 71, the second linear light emitting section 72, and the arcuate light emitting section 73, the number of parts can be suppressed and the structure can be simplified. In addition to making it possible to create a simple structure, it is also possible to easily control turning on and off according to the pattern.

Further, in the vehicle lamp 10, the lamp unit 12 is surrounded by at least a portion of the first linear light emitting portion 71, at least a portion of the second linear light emitting portion 72, and at least a portion of the arcuate light emitting portion 73. It has at least one section light emitting section (numerals 51 to 54 in Example 1). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can increase the types of patterns that can be formed by lighting the section light emitting sections in appropriate combinations. Furthermore, since the vehicle lamp 10 only includes at least one section light emitting section, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts, suppress the complexity of the structure, and facilitate control of turning on and off according to the pattern. It can be made into something.

The vehicle lamp 10 has an arc-shaped light emitting section 73 that includes an upper arc light emitting section 41 located above, a right arc light emitting section 42 located on the right, and a lower arc light emitting section 42 located below with respect to the center point C. It has a light emitting part 43 and a left circular arc light emitting part 44 located on the left side. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can increase the types of patterns that can be formed using the arcuate light emitting portions 73 by lighting the four arcuate light emitting portions (41 to 44) in appropriate combinations. In addition, since the vehicle lamp 10 has four circular arc light emitting parts on the upper, lower, left and right sides, it is possible to form various facial expressions with a small number of parts, suppressing the complexity of the structure, and making it possible to create points that match the design. It is possible to easily control turning off the lights.

In the vehicle lamp 10, the first linear light emitting section 71 and the second linear light emitting section 72 form an additional light emitting section (61 to 64) arranged outside the circumference of the arcuate light emitting section 73. have Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can increase the size of the batten (penalty point) formed by lighting up the entire first linear light emitting section 71 and the second linear light emitting section 72, and the facial expression using the batten can be increased. It can be emphasized. Furthermore, when the vehicle lamp 10 lights up the first linear light emitting section 71, the second linear light emitting section 72, and the arcuate light emitting section 73 in appropriate combinations, each additional light emitting section is turned on and off to emit arcuate light. The length of the first linear light emitting section 71 and the second linear light emitting section 72 relative to the section 73 (whether or not they protrude beyond the arcuate light emitting section 73) can be adjusted. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can more easily convey the facial expressions expressed by the patterns that can be formed.

In the vehicle lamp 10, the first linear light emitting section 71 includes at least an upper right linear light emitting section 46 extending toward the upper right from the vicinity of the center point C, and a lower left linear light emitting section 46 extending toward the lower left from the vicinity of the center point C. 48. Further, the vehicle lamp 10 has a second linear light emitting section 72 that includes at least an upper left linear light emitting section 49 extending toward the upper left from the vicinity of the center point C, and a right light emitting section 49 extending toward the lower right from the vicinity of the center point C. It has a lower straight light emitting section 47. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 has a pattern that can be formed using the first linear light emitting part 71 and the second linear light emitting part 72 by appropriately combining and lighting the four linear light emitting parts (46 to 49). The number of types can be increased. In addition, since the vehicle lamp 10 has four linear light emitting parts on the top, bottom, left and right, it is possible to create various facial expressions with a small number of parts, suppressing the complexity of the structure, and making it possible to create points that match the design. It is possible to easily control turning off the lights.

In the vehicle lamp 10, the first linear light emitting part 71 includes an upper right shared light emitting part 55 located between the upper arc light emitting part 41 and the right arc light emitting part 42, the lower arc light emitting part 43, and the left arc light emitting part. 44, and a lower left shared light emitting section 57 located between. Further, in the vehicle lamp 10, the second linear light emitting section 72 is connected to the lower right common light emitting section 56 located between the right side arc light emitting section 42 and the lower side arc light emitting section 43, and the left side arc light emitting section 44 and the upper side. The upper left shared light emitting section 58 is located between the arcuate light emitting section 41 and the arcuate light emitting section 41 . Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 lights up the four shared light emitting parts (55 to 58) in appropriate combinations, so that the first linear light emitting part 71, the second linear light emitting part 72, and the arcuate light emitting part 73 are lighted. The types of designs that can be formed using can be increased. Further, in the vehicle lamp 10, the four shared light emitting parts (55 to 58) can form the first linear light emitting part 71, the second linear light emitting part 72, and the arcuate light emitting part 73, respectively. It is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts.

In the vehicle lamp 10, the first linear light emitting section 71 and the second linear light emitting section 72 share the central light emitting section 45 located at the center point C. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can effectively increase the types of patterns that can be formed while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

The vehicle lamp 10 includes at least a portion of the first linear light emitting section 71, the second linear light emitting section 72, and the arcuate light emitting section 73 (in the first embodiment, the right arcuate light emitting section 42, the left arcuate light emitting section 44, The right section light emitting section 52 and the left section light emitting section 54) can be lit in the first emission color and in the second emission color. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can have a simple structure by reducing the number of parts, can easily control turning on and off according to the pattern, and can effectively increase the types of patterns that can be formed.

In the vehicle lamp 10, the control unit 14 controls the lighting of the lamp unit 12 in accordance with the detection result of the object detected by the object detection unit (camera 15 in the first embodiment) that detects objects around the vehicle 1. . Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can change the pattern formed according to the position and type of objects around the vehicle 1, and can provide effective information to the surroundings of the vehicle 1.

In the vehicle lamp 10, the control unit 14 controls the lighting of the lamp unit 12 in accordance with the detection result of the environment detected by the environment detection unit 16 that detects the environment around the vehicle 1. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can change the pattern formed according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1, such as brightness and weather, and can effectively notify the surroundings of the vehicle 1. can.

The vehicle lamps 10 are arranged in pairs in the width direction, so that the two lamp units 12 are arranged in pairs in the width direction. Therefore, by linking both the lamp units 12 to form a pattern, the lamp 10 for both vehicles can be made to look like a human eye, and various facial expressions can be formed more appropriately.

Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 of Example 1 as a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure has a simple structure with a small number of parts, and can form various designs.

Although the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure has been described above based on Example 1, the specific configuration is not limited to Example 1, and departs from the gist of the invention according to each claim. Changes and additions to the design are permitted unless otherwise specified.

In the first embodiment, both lamp units 12 (display area 40) of the vehicle lamp 10 have 21 light emitting parts provided in the above-described shape and position. However, the first linear light emitting part 71 and the second linear light emitting part 72 which intersect at the center point C and are inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and the arcuate light emitting part 73 which extends in the circumferential direction centering on the center point C The number, position, and shape of the light emitting parts may be set as appropriate, and the structure is not limited to that of the first embodiment. A vehicle lamp 10A as Modification 1 is shown in FIG. 23. The vehicular lamp 10A is different from the vehicular lamp 10 in that it does not have four additional light emitting parts (61 to 64), and the other configurations are the same as the vehicular lamp 10. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10A, the upper right shared light emitting section 55, the upper right linear light emitting section 46, the center light emitting section 45, the lower left linear light emitting section 48, and the lower left shared light emitting section 57 constitute the first linear light emitting section 71A. ing. Further, in the vehicle lamp 10A, a second linear light emitting section 72A is composed of an upper left shared light emitting section 58, an upper left linear light emitting section 49, a center light emitting section 45, a lower right linear light emitting section 47, and a lower right shared light emitting section 56. are doing. In the vehicle lamp 10A, similarly to the vehicle lamp 10, an arcuate light emitting portion 73 is formed by four arcuate light emitting portions (41 to 44) and four shared light emitting portions (55 to 58). This vehicular lamp 10A can be configured with 17 light emitting parts, and can also form a pattern that is substantially the same as the vehicular lamp 10. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10A can further suppress the number of parts while further suppressing the complexity of the structure, and can easily control turning on and off according to the pattern.

Next, FIG. 24 shows a vehicle lamp 10B as a second modification. Compared to the vehicle lamp 10, the vehicle lamp 10B does not include the center light emitting part 45, and the shapes of the four linear light emitting parts (46B to 49B) are changed, and other configurations are provided. is made equal to the vehicle lamp 10. The four linear light emitting parts (46B to 49B) have an end on the center point C side having an apex that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the width direction. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10B includes the upper right additional light emitting section 61, the upper right shared light emitting section 55, the upper right linear light emitting section 46B, the lower left linear light emitting section 48B, the lower left shared light emitting section 57, and the lower left additional light emitting section 63. This constitutes a shaped light emitting section 71B. Further, the vehicle lamp 10B includes an upper left additional light emitting section 64, an upper left shared light emitting section 58, an upper left linear light emitting section 49B, a lower right linear light emitting section 47B, a lower right shared light emitting section 56, and a lower right additional light emitting section 62. Two linear light emitting sections 72B are configured. Similarly to the vehicle lamp 10, the vehicle lamp 10B includes an arcuate light emitting section 73 including four arcuate light emitting sections (41 to 44) and four shared light emitting sections (55 to 58). Thereby, even if the vehicle lamp 10B is configured with 20 light emitting parts without providing the central light emitting part 45, it is possible to form a pattern that is substantially the same as that of the vehicle lamp 10. For this reason, the vehicle lamp 10B can further suppress the number of parts while further suppressing the complexity of the structure, and can easily control turning on and off according to the pattern.

Next, FIG. 25 shows a vehicle lamp 10C as a third modification. Compared to the vehicle lamp 10B, the vehicle lamp 10C does not have four shared light emitting parts (55 to 58) and four additional light emitting parts (61 to 64), and has four arcuate light emitting parts. The shape of the parts (41C to 44C) is changed, and the other configurations are the same as the vehicle lamp 10B. The length of the four circular arc light emitting parts (41C to 44C) in the circumferential direction centered on the center point C is larger than each of the circular arc light emitting parts (41 to 44) of the vehicle lamp 10B, Their ends are placed close to each other (opposing each other in the circumferential direction). Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10C, the upper right linear light emitting part 46B and the lower left linear light emitting part 48B form a first linear light emitting part 71C, and the upper left linear light emitting part 49B and the lower right linear light emitting part 47B form a second linear light emitting part 71C. The four arcuate light emitting parts (41C to 44C) constitute an arcuate light emitting part 73C. As a result, the vehicle lamp 10C can be configured with 12 light emitting parts without providing the central light emitting part 45, the four shared light emitting parts (55 to 58), and the four additional light emitting parts (61 to 64). , a pattern substantially the same as that of the vehicle lamp 10 can be formed. For this reason, the vehicle lamp 10C can further suppress the number of parts while further suppressing the complexity of the structure, and can easily control turning on and off according to the pattern.

In Example 1 (including each of the above-mentioned modifications), a vehicle lamp 10 is provided in a vehicle 1 driven by a driver. However, the vehicle lamp may be provided in a vehicle having an automatic driving function, and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

Further, in the first embodiment (including each of the above-mentioned modifications), the vehicle lamp 10 is provided at the front of the vehicle 1. However, as long as the vehicle light 10 shows various facial patterns formed around the vehicle 1, it may be provided on the side, rear, or other locations of the vehicle 1. configuration.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment (including each of the above-mentioned modifications), it is possible to turn on white light as the first emitted color and amber light as the second emitted color. However, the first emitted light color and the second emitted light color may be set as appropriate, and are not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment. Here, for example, when the vehicle lamp 10 is installed at the rear of the vehicle 1, by setting the red light as the second emission color, it can be made to look like a brake light (reverse lamp) signal, and the brake light is Can assist in displaying lights.

In the first embodiment (including each of the above-mentioned variations), the right arc light emitting section 42, the left arc light emitting section 44, the right section light emitting section 52, and the left section light emitting section 54 are lit in the first emission color and in the second emission color. It is possible to light up in different colors. However, even if any one of the first linear light emitting section 71, the second linear light emitting section 72, and the arcuate light emitting section 73 can be lit in the first emission color and in the second emission color, However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment (including each of the above-mentioned modifications), the first linear light emitting section 71 (first boundary line Lb1) and the second linear light emitting section 72 (second boundary line Lb2) are arranged in the vertical direction. (a plane including the vertical direction) at an angle of 45 degrees. For this reason, the upper light emitting region Au, the right light emitting region Ar, the lower light emitting region Ad, and the left light emitting region Al are made to have the same size. However, each of the first linear light emitting section 71 (first boundary line Lb1) and the second linear light emitting section 72 (second boundary line Lb2) is set at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the vertical direction (plane including the vertical direction). The structure may be tilted at a smaller angle than that of the first embodiment, and the structure is not limited to that of the first embodiment. That is, the right light emitting region Ar and the left light emitting region Al may be larger than the upper light emitting region Au and the lower light emitting region Ad, and are not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment. With this configuration, the areas of the right arc light emitting section 42, the left arc light emitting section 44, the right section light emitting section 52, and the left section light emitting section 54 can be enlarged, so that things indicating left and right in the width direction, that is, the display area 40 are emphasized. can do. Here, the lower limit values of the first linear light emitting section 71 (first boundary line Lb1) and the second linear light emitting section 72 (second boundary line Lb2) in the vertical direction (plane including the vertical direction) are as follows: The visibility of the upper light emitting area Au and the lower light emitting area Ad is ensured, that is, the area of the upper arc light emitting section 41, the lower arc light emitting section 43, and the upper section light emitting section 51 can be secured with respect to the lower section light emitting section 53. It can be set as appropriate. Here, the lower limit value may be, for example, 20 degrees, preferably 30 degrees.

In Embodiment 1 (including each of the above-mentioned variations), the vehicular lamp 10 has a single lamp unit 12, and two vehicular lamps 10 are installed at the front of the vehicle 1 with an interval in the width direction. They are provided in pairs. However, the vehicle lamp 10 may include a pair of lamp units 12. In this case, for example, the installation stand 11 is made long in the width direction, the lamp units 12 are installed near both ends in the width direction, and the outer lens 13 is also made long in the width direction, and both lamp units 12 are installed. It can be covered. With this configuration, by simply providing a single vehicle lamp 10 at the front of the vehicle 1, both lamp units 12 can be made to look like human eyes. In this configuration, other items can be installed between both lamp units 12 on the installation stand 11, so the space between them can be utilized. Note that whether the vehicle lamp 10 is provided with a single lamp unit 12 or a pair of lamp units 12, the structure and installation method may be set as appropriate, and the above-mentioned method may be used. configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10A, 10B, 10C Vehicle lamp 12 Lighting unit 14 Control part 15 Camera (constituting an object detection part as an example) 16 Environment detection part 40 Display area 41 Upper arc light emitting part 42 Right arc light emitting part 43 Lower arc Light emitting section 44 Left arcuate light emitting section 45 Center light emitting section 46 Upper right linear light emitting section 47 Lower right linear light emitting section 48 Lower left linear light emitting section 49 Upper left linear light emitting section 51 (As a section light emitting section) Upper section light emitting section 52 (As a section light emitting section ) Right section light emitting section 53 Lower section light emitting section (as a section light emitting section) 54 Left section light emitting section (as a section light emitting section) 55 Upper right shared light emitting section 56 Lower right shared light emitting section 57 Lower left shared light emitting section 58 Upper left shared light emitting section Light emitting section 61 Upper right additional light emitting section (as an additional light emitting section) 62 Lower right additional light emitting section (as an additional light emitting section) 63 Lower left additional light emitting section (as an additional light emitting section) 64 Upper left additional light emitting section (as an additional light emitting section) Part 71 First linear light emitting part 72 Second linear light emitting part 73 Arc-shaped light emitting part C Center point

Claims (12)

a lighting unit having a display area;
a control unit that controls lighting of the lamp unit;
The lamp unit includes a first linear light emitting part and a second linear light emitting part that intersect at a center point in the display area and are inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and a circle extending in a circumferential direction centered on the center point. A vehicular lamp characterized by having an arc-shaped light emitting portion. The lamp unit includes at least one section light emitting section surrounded by at least a portion of the first linear light emitting section, at least a portion of the second linear light emitting section, and at least a portion of the arcuate light emitting section. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicular lamp comprises: The arcuate light emitting portion includes an upper arcuate light emitting portion located above the center point, a right arcuate light emitting portion located on the right side of the center point, and a right arcuate light emitting portion located below the center point. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a lower arcuate light emitting section and a left arcuate light emitting section located on the left side with respect to the center point. 4. The first linear light emitting section and the second linear light emitting section include an additional light emitting section disposed outside a circumference in which the arcuate light emitting section is provided. vehicle lighting equipment. The first linear light emitting section has at least an upper right linear light emitting section extending toward the upper right from the vicinity of the center point, and a lower left linear light emitting section extending toward the lower left from the vicinity of the center point,
The second linear light emitting section has at least an upper left linear light emitting section extending toward the upper left from the vicinity of the center point, and a lower right linear light emitting section extending toward the lower right from the vicinity of the center point. The vehicular lamp according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first linear light emitting section is located between an upper right shared light emitting section located between the upper arc light emitting section and the right arc light emitting section, and between the lower arc light emitting section and the left arc light emitting section. It has a lower left shared light emitting part,
The second linear light emitting section includes a lower right shared light emitting section located between the right side arc light emitting section and the lower arc light emitting section, and a lower right shared light emitting section located between the left side arc light emitting section and the upper arc light emitting section. The vehicular lamp according to claim 5, further comprising an upper left shared light emitting section. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first linear light emitting section and the second linear light emitting section share a central light emitting section located at the center point. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first linear light emitting section and the second linear light emitting section are inclined at an angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction. At least some of the first linear light emitting section, the second linear light emitting section, and the arcuate light emitting section emit light in a first color and emit light in a second color different from the first color. 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular lamp is capable of being turned on. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls lighting of the lamp unit according to a detection result of the object detected by an object detection unit that detects objects around the vehicle. . The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the control section controls lighting of the lamp unit according to an environment detection result detected by an environment detection section that detects an environment around the vehicle. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lamp units are provided in pairs in the width direction.