JP2883870B1 - Automotive lamp unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To emit light of various colors by mixing light of a plurality of colors, to have a simple structure, to be inexpensive, and to uniformly mix light from each light source without separation. The present invention provides an automotive lamp unit capable of: SOLUTION: In the lamp unit 1 for an automobile,
By adjusting the mixed light amount ratio of the light from the plurality of light sources 3R, 3G, and 3B, it is possible to realize various luminescent colors that are unprecedented for a lamp for an automobile. Further, the plurality of light sources 3R, 3G, 3B arranged collectively are covered with a light shielding portion 5 around a predetermined axis O, and light from each of the light sources 3R, 3G, 3B is translucent adjacent to the direction of the axis O. The light is guided to the light mixing and illuminating section 4 for mixing, and the mixed light is emitted from a light illuminating surface 15 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the light mixing and illuminating section 4. Thereby, in the light emitting direction, the light source 3
Since R, 3G, and 3B are covered with the light shielding portion 5, the colors are separated and difficult to see, and light of each color can be uniformly mixed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used by attaching it to a surface of a vehicle body, for example, as a vehicle side light, a marker lamp, a license plate irradiating lamp, or the like, or by attaching it to an object to be attached in a car for decoration or the like. To a lamp unit for an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in addition to a headlight, a fog lamp, and the like, a vehicle body light (also referred to as a small lamp) for indicating a vehicle width at night, a license plate irradiation light, or a marker is provided on a car body. Various lamps such as lamps are installed. These lamps are generally of practical use, and in general, most of them have fixed emission colors. However, these lamps are also a subject of great fashion for car enthusiasts in recent years, and for example, they have enjoyed coloring the lens of the lamp and optionally installing a fluorescent luminous body or the like. However, the conventional automotive lamp cannot freely change the emission color itself of the light source, and has a disadvantage that it has a little interest. In addition, most lamps to be installed as options are of a type in which a lamp cover is removed and an internal light source is replaced with a new lamp, and there is a problem that it is not always easy to mount the lamp on an existing automobile.

[0003] It should be noted that examples of automobile lamps configured to be able to change the emission color are few, but not exclusive. However, there are many problems as described below. JP, 3-82504, A A colored filter is arranged in front of a light source of a lamp, and the position of the colored filter can be moved between a position at which light from the light source passes through the filter and a position at which the filter is also bypassed. And In this method, the mechanism for moving the filter is complicated, and it is necessary to equip the body lamp part with the mechanism from the beginning, or to make a major modification to the lamp part of the existing automobile. In the former case, the use is limited to the owner of a luxury car equipped with the function, and in the latter case, a large investment is required for the modification. Further, even if these difficulties can be overcome and the function can be enjoyed, it is difficult to obtain a desired color because the type of emission color is defined by the number of filters, and the change in emission color is short, so I get bored. In other words, the degree of satisfaction has to be low in spite of the large amount of investment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A driving mechanism for moving a globe of a different color between a crowned position and an exposed position of a light bulb is provided in a light bulb emitting one color light. This also causes exactly the same problem as described above.

If one leaves the field of automobiles, it is possible to find a variety of lighting devices and the like that use a plurality of light sources of different colors to obtain various luminescent colors by mixing them. For example, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 33733/1985,
There is a lighting device in which a control circuit for adjusting the luminous intensity is attached to light sources of three colors of red, blue and green. However,
Neither of these techniques can be said to be applied to automotive lamps. For example, problems in the above-mentioned publications are listed as follows.

[0005] (1) In the configuration shown in the gazette, light from a collectively arranged light source is directly illuminated in the lens optical axis direction. With this configuration, when the light sources are viewed from the front in the optical axis direction of the lens, the colors of the respective light sources are easily separated and visible, and a sufficient mixing effect cannot be obtained. This problem occurs not only in automotive applications. (2) In the gazette, let alone specific disclosure or suggestion about an application form as a lamp for an automobile, there is no mention of a problem conscious of this. For example, how to incorporate the lighting device into the lamp part of the car, how to attach it to the electrical wiring inside the car, and how to operate the operation system for color adjustment of mixed light in the car. There is no description as to whether it can be easily realized. Furthermore, when it is desired to replace some of the lamps on the vehicle body with lamps whose emission colors can be sequentially changed according to preference, it is necessary to devise a way to add or retrofit the lamps at low cost. (3) There is no specific disclosure of a control method for adjusting the light amount of the light source. In particular, in order to provide a low-cost lamp unit that can be retrofitted to a car, a control circuit that does not enlarge the peripheral circuits as much as possible and that the lights from the light sources of each color appear to be well mixed due to mounting space and cost issues. And it is necessary to devise a method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to emit light of various colors by mixing light of a plurality of colors. Moreover, the structure is simple and inexpensive, and light from each light source is not separated and is uniform. Can be mixed; compact, including peripheral circuits, easy to retrofit into existing cars; intuitive and easy in-vehicle operation for changing emission colors; preference for some of the lamps on the body It is an object of the present invention to provide a lamp unit for a vehicle which has an advantage that it is possible to add or retrofit a lamp at a low cost when it is desired to replace the lamp with a lamp whose emission color can be sequentially changed in accordance with the requirements.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Action / Effects In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first structure of a vehicle lamp unit (hereinafter, also referred to as a lamp unit at an end) of the present invention is a vehicle body outer surface of a vehicle. Or a light emitting unit that is used by being attached to a predetermined mounting target portion in an automobile, and a light emitting unit in which a plurality of light sources having different emission colors are collectively arranged, and a light emitting unit on at least one end side in a predetermined axial direction. A light-shielding portion arranged around the axis and surrounding the light-emitting portion, while being made of a material having a light-transmitting property, and a light-emitting end side of the light-shielding portion. A light mixer that is arranged and guides each light from a plurality of light sources into its own, mixes it, and irradiates the mixed light from a light irradiating surface formed on at least a part of its own outer peripheral surface around the axis. Illumination part and light quantity from each light source By adjusting, changing the mixing ratio thereof light of each light source, depending on the ratio, characterized by comprising a light emission control section, the changing the color of the mixed light out irradiation.

According to the first configuration of the lamp unit of the present invention, by adjusting the mixed light amount ratio of the light from the plurality of light sources, it is possible to realize various luminescent colors which are unprecedented for a lamp for an automobile. It becomes possible. In addition, a plurality of light sources arranged collectively are covered with a light-shielding portion around a predetermined axis, and light from each light source is guided to a translucent light mixing and illuminating portion adjacent in the axial direction to be dispersed or refracted. Are mixed, and the mixed light is emitted from a light emitting surface formed on the outer peripheral surface of the light mixing and emitting portion. Accordingly, in the light irradiating direction, the light source is covered with the light-shielding portion, so that the colors are separated and difficult to see, and the light of each color can be uniformly mixed.

Next, a second configuration of the lamp unit according to the present invention comprises a light emitting section in which a plurality of light sources having different emission colors are collectively arranged, and a light quantity from each of the light sources is adjusted so that the light from each of the light sources is adjusted. A light emission control unit that changes a mixing ratio of light and changes a color of the mixed light to be illuminated in accordance with the ratio, wherein the light emission control unit has a detachable connector terminal of a connection cable from the light emission unit. The control unit side receiving connector for connection is formed, while the light emitting unit is formed with a light emitting unit side receiving connector for connecting a connector terminal of a connection cable from another light emitting unit. By connecting a plurality of light emitting parts in a straight line via the light emitting part connected to the control part side receiving connector by connecting the connector terminal of the connection cable of the one located at one end of the connected light emitting parts,
The light emission control of the plurality of light emitting units is performed by a common light emission control unit.

According to the above configuration, by adjusting the mixed light amount ratio of the light from the plurality of light sources, it becomes possible to realize various luminescent colors which are unprecedented for a lamp for an automobile. In addition, if you want to replace some of the lamps on the vehicle body with lamps that can change the emission color according to your preference, add a new light-emitting unit in a so-called rosary connection type while sharing the light-emission control unit. Just add a lamp inexpensively
Can be retrofitted.

A third structure of the lamp unit according to the present invention comprises a light emitting section in which a plurality of light sources having different emission colors are collectively arranged, and a light amount from each light source is adjusted by adjusting the light amount from each light source. And changing the color of the illuminated mixed light according to the ratio, and switching the light emitting state of the light emitting unit between a plurality of states having different combinations of light amounts from the light sources. And a control unit, and the light emitting unit includes a power supply path (hereinafter, referred to as a power supply path) from the vehicle-mounted battery to the vehicle width lamp.
Branch power feed line).
The power is supplied through the light emission control unit, and the light emission control unit detects a break in the power supplied from the vehicle side lamp power supply line via the branch power supply line due to the operation of the vehicle side light and emits light. It is characterized in that it is used as a trigger signal for state switching control.

According to this configuration, by adjusting the mixed light amount ratio of the light from the plurality of light sources, it is possible to realize various luminescent colors which are unprecedented for a lamp for an automobile. Further, when the light emitting state of the light emitting section is switched to another state in which the combination of the light amounts from the respective light sources is different, the light emitting section can be operated in conjunction with the operation of the vehicle side light (for example, turning on / off). The operation in the vehicle for the change can be performed intuitively and easily.

Further, a fourth configuration of the lamp unit according to the present invention includes a light source, a lamp case including a light guiding portion from the light source and covering the light source, and an existing vehicle side lamp portion such as a headlight. Put the lamp case against the translucent lamp cover,
A light-extracting portion that is detachably attached to the lamp cover while facing the lamp cover, wherein light from the light source is introduced from the light-extracting portion through the lamp cover to the inside of the automobile-side lamp portion; This is reflected by a reflecting portion provided in the side lamp portion, and the reflected light causes the vehicle side lamp portion to emit light indirectly.

[0014] According to this configuration, the lamp on the vehicle side can be changed according to the light source simply by retrofitting the lamp case containing the light source to the cover of the lamp portion on the vehicle side having a reflecting portion such as a headlight. Indirect light emission can be achieved with desired reflected light. In this case, by adjusting the amount of light from each light source and a light emitting unit in which a plurality of light sources having different emission colors are collectively arranged, the mixing ratio of light from each light source is changed,
By providing a light emission control unit that changes the color of the illuminated mixed light according to the ratio, it is possible to enjoy the effect of variously changing the light emission color as desired.

The first to fourth configurations of the lamp unit of the present invention can be combined with any two or more components. In any configuration, if a plurality of light sources, for example, three light sources of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), which are three primary colors of light, are combined, extremely diverse light emission of a full color range is obtained. Color can be obtained.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external appearance of a vehicle lamp unit (hereinafter simply referred to as a lamp unit) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the mounting target portion of the lamp unit 1 is, for example, a mounting recess 9 of a side light PL provided on both front sides of the vehicle M.
It is within 0. In this case, remove the lamp cover 91,
Except for existing lamps such as incandescent lamps and halogen lamps and their sockets, the lamp body 91 of the lamp unit of the present invention may be replaced and the lamp cover 91 may be mounted again.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lamp body 2 includes three light emitting diodes (hereinafter, referred to as LEDs) as a plurality of light sources having different emission colors, and in this embodiment, a red LED 3.
R (for example, HLMP-DG manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Company)
24), a green LED 3G (for example, HLMP-CM1
5) and a blue LED 3B (for example, HLMP-CB1
5). The light source is L
A light bulb may be used instead of the ED.

The LEDs 3R, 3G, and 3B are collectively arranged, for example, in a line on one plate surface of a plate-like base 2a, and the direction orthogonal to the plate surface of the base 2a is defined as an axial direction O. A light-shielding portion 5 formed of, for example, light-shielding plastic or the like so as to surround the light-emitting portion 3 around the axis O.
Is arranged. In this embodiment, the light shielding portion 5 has a rectangular cylindrical shape integrated with the outer periphery of the base 2a, and is formed by, for example, integral injection molding with the base 2a.

Each light from the LEDs 3R, 3G, 3B is led out from the opening of the cylindrical light-shielding portion 5 in the direction of the axis O. A space between the LEDs 3R, 3G, 3B and the light-shielding portion 5 is filled in the light-shielding portion 5 on the opening side (that is, on the light-outgoing end side). The light mixing / leading portion 4 projecting in the direction of O is integrated. The light mixing and deriving unit 4 is made of, for example, translucent plastic or glass (if both have translucency, they may be translucent or may have a matte finish on the surface). It is composed of LED3R, 3
The lights from G and 3B are guided into the light mixing and deriving unit 4 and mixed. In this embodiment, the light mixing and deriving unit 4 has a slightly flat prismatic shape having an axial cross-sectional shape corresponding to the base 2a.

The LE guided into the light mixing and deriving unit 4
Each light from D3R, 3G, and 3B is scattered in the translucent material forming the light mixing and deriving section 4, or the difference in the refractive index of each light when entering the translucent material. Are mixed with each other by internal reflection of the light reaching the surface of the light mixing and deriving section 4. In addition, inside the light mixing deriving unit 4,
By dispersing a scattering medium, such as metal flakes or bubbles, for irregularly reflecting or scattering light, a better light mixing state can be obtained. The mixed light L is supplied to the light mixing and deriving unit 4.
The light is emitted from a light emitting surface 15 formed on at least a part of the outer peripheral surface around the axis O of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the lamp body 2 is mounted such that the light emitting surface 15 faces the irradiation direction of the vehicle side light PL (that is, the front direction). In addition, the light shielding part 5
May be configured such that a part of the light-shielding portion 5 is formed by, for example, an attachment target portion, instead of being entirely incorporated in the lamp body 2.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG.
A reflection layer 20 for reflecting inward the light from the light source that is about to leak to the outside,
Are formed. The reflection layer 20 is, in this embodiment,
It is formed so as to cover the entirety of the side surface excluding the front end surface in the direction of the axis O and the light emitting surface 15. The intensity of the mixed light L emitted from the light emitting surface 15 can be increased by concentrating the light to be leaked in directions other than the light emitting direction inside the reflective layer 20, and the light of each color can be made more uniform. Mixing becomes possible. This reflection layer 20 is provided on the surface of the light mixing and illumination unit 4.
It can be configured as a metal plate (or metal foil) arranged such that the inside becomes a reflection surface, or as a plated metal layer (including a vapor deposition layer) formed on the surface of the light mixing and illuminating portion. When the light mixing and illuminating portion 4 is formed of resin and the reflecting layer 20 is formed of a metal plate or a metal foil, a method of integrally forming the light mixing and illuminating portion 4 and the reflecting layer 20 by insert molding or the like is employed. it can.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the lamp unit 1. As shown in FIG. The lamp body 2 of the lamp unit 1 is provided with a vehicle side light PL from a vehicle-mounted battery (not shown).
Power is supplied via the light emission control unit 6 from the vehicle side wiring section C as the vehicle side lamp power supply path toward the (FIG. 1), and from the wiring cable 43 as a branch power supply path branched via the connector section 51. Has become. The wiring cable 43 is detachably connected to an intermediate portion of the vehicle-side wiring portion C by a connector portion 51 attached to an end portion thereof, and is connected to the vehicle through the vehicle-side wiring portion C via the connector portion 51. Electric power is distributed to the distribution cable 43. Thereby, the lamp unit 1 can be easily retrofitted to an existing automobile.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the connector section 51. This connector is commercially available under the trade name of “Electro Tap”. As shown in FIG. 1A, the connector 51 includes a first base 52, a second base 53, and a stripper / connection 54. Are formed as an integral resin molded body that is hingedly foldably connected. The end portions of the vehicle-side wiring portion C and the wiring cable 43 configured as a covered cable are disposed substantially parallel to each other in receiving grooves 52a and 52b formed in the first base portion 52, and the corresponding receiving grooves 53a are provided. By bending and overlapping the second base portion 53 having the second base portion 53 and the second base portion 53b and further engaging the engaging portions 53c and 52c, the wiring portion C and the wiring cable 43 are held therebetween. . Then
The stripper / connection section 54 is bent and fitted into a through hole 52 d formed in the first base section 52. A metal plate 55 is disposed on the stripper / connection section 54 in a direction crossing the held wiring section C and the wiring cable 43.
Stripper slits 55a and 55b are formed at positions corresponding to the wiring portion C and the wiring cable 43. 7 along with the insertion of the stripper and connection portion 54.
In the assembled state shown in (b), as shown in (c), the wiring portion C and the wiring cable 43 relatively enter the stripper slits 55a and 55b, respectively, and their covering portions C 'and 43' The cores C ″ and 43 ″ are stripped and conductively connected via the metal plate 55.

Returning to FIG. 4, the battery voltage (usually 12) supplied from the connector 51 via the wiring cable 43 is used.
V) is reduced to approximately 5 V by a three-terminal regulator 60, and is a microprocessor 6 which is a main part of the light emission control unit 6.
3 is supplied. Reference numeral 61 denotes a smoothing capacitor for smoothing a superimposed AC component from an alternator or the like. The capacitor 45 is a three-terminal regulator 60.
The diode 44 is used to quickly remove the capacitor 45 so that an erroneous input does not occur at a later-described port GP3 of the microprocessor 63 when the output of the three-terminal regulator 60 is turned off. Plays the role of discharging.

The microprocessor 63 includes a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, an I / O port 74, and the like connected to the CPU 71, and performs a light emission control described later using the RAM 73 as a work area by a control program stored in the ROM 72. In addition, each LED 3 is connected to the I / O port 74.
Switching transistors 64 corresponding one-to-one to R, 3G, 3B are connected to corresponding ports (GP1, GP4, GP2) via adjustment resistors 64a, respectively. , And is electrically connected to the control unit side receiving connector 9. The other connection 65 connected to the control unit side receiving connector 9 is a common voltage input path from the battery to the LEDs 3R, 3G, 3B.

On the other hand, the lamp body 2 has a connection cable 7
And a connector terminal 8 attached to the connection end to the light emission control unit 6 and a light emitting unit side receiving connector 10 attached to the opposite end. As shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting unit side receiving connector 10 is configured such that the integrated light shielding unit 5 and the base unit 2 a are incorporated in the base casing unit Y as the base casing unit Y of the lamp body 2. It is arranged in.

Returning to FIG. 4, the connection cable 7 is composed of four wires: a common voltage input path 7a and ground paths 7b, 7c, 7d corresponding to the LEDs 3R, 3G, 3B on a one-to-one basis. The energization path to each LED 3R, 3G, 3B is
The wiring is branched from the middle of each of the wirings 7a to 7d.
Then, when the connector terminal 8 is connected to the control unit side receiving connector 9 and the transistor 64 is turned on in response to the control output from the microprocessor 63, the common voltage input path 6
5, a current is drawn through the control unit side receiving connector 9, the connector terminal 8, and the voltage input path 7a.
D emits light.

It is to be noted that, as shown in FIG. 1, two vehicle side lights PL are provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle M, and the same number is usually provided at the rear of the vehicle M as shown in FIG. .
Further, in conjunction with the vehicle width light PL, the irradiation light PL of the license plate NP and the like are also turned on. The lamp unit of the present invention can be applied to all or some of these lamps. For example, when the lamp unit of the present invention is applied to the vehicle side light PL at the front of the vehicle M, two sets of the lamp main bodies 2 are required. Also, thereafter, if necessary, the rear side width light P
It is also conceivable to additionally install the lamp body 2 in the order of L, and further the irradiation lamp PL of the license plate NP. In the circuit configuration described above, as shown in FIG. 6, by connecting the connector terminal 8 of the connection cable 7 to the light emitting unit side receiving connector 10 of the other lamp body 2, a plurality of lamp bodies 2 (light emitting units 3 ) Can be linked linearly. Then, by connecting the connector terminal 8 of the terminal lamp body 2 to the control unit-side receiving connector 9, the light emission of the plurality of lamp bodies 2 can be controlled by the common light emission control unit 6. As is clear from the circuit wiring of FIG.
All the LEDs of the lamp body 2 connected in a straight line are all connected in parallel to the power supply.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lamp body 2 '
Can also be mounted inside the vehicle. The electrical configuration of the lamp body 2 'is exactly the same as that of the other lamp body 2 mounted on the vehicle body side as a vehicle width lamp or the like. As shown in FIG. Used. In this embodiment, the outer shape of the light mixing and illuminating portion 4 is, for example, a mascot shape in which an animal is taken,
As shown in FIG. 2, a mounting portion 16 having a double-sided adhesive layer or the like formed on the rear surface side can be used by being attached to a desired mounting target portion in the vehicle (in this embodiment, a portion near the driver's seat on the dashboard upper surface). In the lamp body 2 ′, the state of the mixed light by the light source 3 can be visually recognized on the light illuminating surface 15 formed on a part of the surface of the light mixing and illuminating section 4. The use of such a lamp body 2 'is convenient for monitoring the emission color of the lamp body 2 attached to the vehicle body side in the vehicle, and can be used alone for decoration in the vehicle.

Hereinafter, the flow of light emission control of the light emitting section 3 in the lamp unit 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8 and the explanatory diagrams of FIG. First, the lamp unit 1 is attached to the vehicle M as described above. The lamp unit 1 is connected to a lighting circuit of the vehicle side light PL, but in order to bring the lighting circuit into a power receiving state, it is necessary to first turn on a key switch. In a typical automobile, as shown in FIG.
H, and the key is moved to the switch position E of the electrical system, so that the lighting circuit enters the power receiving state. In many cases, the engine is tilted to the ignition position I and the engine is started.

Next, the lighting switch of the vehicle side light PL is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, normally, it is attached in the form of a knob switch 80 to the tip of a turn signal operation lever L1 attached to the side of the handle SH. Further turning by one step results in the headlight lighting position V. When the knob switch 80 is moved from the OFF position in FIG. 10A to the vehicle width light lighting position S in FIG. 10B at S1 in FIG. 8, the process proceeds to S2, and after the microprocessor 63 in FIG. , All LE
D3R, 3G, and 3B are set to the continuous lighting state. As a result, the light emitting section 3 is illuminated with white mixed light in which R, G, and B are almost uniformly mixed.

From this state, as shown in FIG. 10C, after the switch 80 is once returned to the OFF position, and then brought back to the position S, the process proceeds to S4 in FIG. 8 to change the mixed emission color. That is, lighting discoloration processing is started. The microprocessor 63 includes a wiring cable (vehicle width power supply path) 4
A break in the power supplied from 3 through the branch power supply path due to the operation of the vehicle side light is detected, and this is used as a trigger signal to start light emission state switching control.

The capacitor 62 connected to the power supply port (VDD) of the microprocessor 63 is a large-capacity (for example, about 100 μF) electrolytic capacitor. This is because once charged, the diode 4
6 prevents discharge to the power supply side, so that when the knob switch 80 is turned off and the power supply from the wiring cable (vehicle lamp power supply path) 43 is interrupted, the microprocessor 63 It plays a role in securing the operating voltage (about 5 V). On the other hand, the output from the three-terminal regulator 60 is input to the input port GP3 via the wiring 47. The input turns on when power is supplied, and turns off when power is interrupted. . For example, the falling edge of the signal when this input is interrupted is used as a trigger signal.

Now, the content of the lighting discoloration processing after receiving the trigger signal will be described. In this embodiment, each LED 3R, 3
By changing the ratio of the light emission amounts of G and 3B continuously (or stepwise), a process of changing the mixed emission color over time, for example, in full color, is performed. In order to change the ratio of the light emission amounts of R, G, and B, a method of changing the applied voltage ratio to the LEDs 3R, 3G, and 3B can be considered first. However, a circuit for changing the voltage must be added. To change the voltage level continuously or in multiple steps requires a complicated circuit configuration, and it is difficult to avoid a rise in the price and an increase in size of the lamp unit.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control target L
By switching the transistor 64 corresponding to the ED at high speed by a control signal from the microprocessor 63 and changing the duty ratio of the lighting time / lighting out time, the apparent (or average) of the LED is changed.
A method of changing the light amount is employed (in the present specification, “light-out” means that the light amount level is reduced to a certain level or less and a light amount difference occurs between the light-on state and the light-on state. It does not mean turning off the light.) In this case, if it is desired to maintain the amount of emitted light, control may be performed to repeat the lighting / extinguishing cycle for a designated time. According to this, LE
All of the light amount control of D can be performed in a software manner by the microprocessor 63, which greatly contributes to downsizing of the unit and cost reduction.

FIG. 11 is a schematic timing chart showing an example of the control pattern. H indicates a lighting state, and L indicates a non-lighting state. In this example, red (R) and blue (B) are turned on continuously, and the lighting duty ratio of green (G) is first gradually reduced. As a result, the mixed color of R, G, and B passes through light purple, and becomes purple, which is an even mixed color of R and B, when G is turned off. Next, the lighting duty ratio of B is gradually reduced from here. As a result, the mixed color of R, G, and B passes through reddish purple, and becomes a single color lighting state of red (R) as B is turned off. In this way, the light-emitting unit 3 appears to change its mixed luminescent color seemingly continuously by this processing, and can enhance fashionability.

As shown in FIG. 12, assuming that the length of one cycle of lighting / extinguishing is T, T is preferably set to about 1 microsecond to 10 milliseconds (550 microseconds in this embodiment). . If T exceeds 10 milliseconds, the apparent continuous lighting state is lost, and light emission flicker is likely to occur. On the other hand, for T of less than 1 microsecond, it is difficult to control the clock frequency of a general-purpose 8-bit microprocessor such as PIC12CS, and if a higher-performance microprocessor is used, a rise in price is unavoidable. On the other hand, in order for the mixed emission color to appear to change almost continuously with time,
When the unit of change of the lighting time (or the turning-off time) (which reflects the number of steps of light quantity change) is expressed by the number of divisions of one cycle T, about 2 to 65536 steps (256 steps in this embodiment) ). FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a light amount changing sequence of R, G, and B in the present embodiment. In the figure, the numerical values are relatively displayed together with the corresponding mixed luminescent colors, with the ratio of the lighting time of the lighting / light-off cycle being 1 for continuous lighting, and the numerical values change with time in the vertical direction in the figure.

Returning to FIG. 8, when the switch 80 shown in FIG. 10D is turned off during the change of the mixed emission color in S5, the microprocessor 63 in FIG.
, The change of the mixed emission color is stopped, and the light emission state based on the light amount ratio (duty ratio ratio) at the stop is continued (S6). That is, by performing the switch operation when a desired light emission color is obtained, it becomes possible to fix the light emission state in that color. As described above, if the monitor lamp body 2 'shown in FIG. 6 is provided in the vehicle, the current state of the mixed luminescent color can be easily confirmed.

Further, if the number of steps of the light quantity change is increased, the types of mixed luminescent colors that can be realized become extremely large. On the other hand, it is difficult to determine the desired fixed color, and it may be rather difficult to use. sell. In this case, the number of light quantity combinations that can be set as the fixed lighting state is limited to some, and the corresponding control values (for example, combinations of duty ratios) are stored in the ROM.
72, and when a trigger signal for stopping the color change is received, only one of the stored control values is used.
It is convenient if the configuration is such that the change of the mixed emission color can be stopped. For example, the color in parentheses in the color change pattern shown in FIG. 13 indicates a color that cannot be stopped (that is, a color that appears only when the color changing lighting process is performed).

Returning to FIG. 8, when the switch 80 is again operated and a trigger signal is received during the stop of the change of the mixed luminescent color in S7, the process returns to S4 and the color changing lighting process of the light emitting section 3 is restarted. Therefore, thereafter, every time the switch 80 is operated,
The color changing lighting process in S4 and the fixed lighting process in S6 are executed while being alternately switched.

Next, FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the lamp unit of the present invention. This lamp unit 100
The electric configuration is exactly the same as that of the embodiment described above, and the same lamp body 2 (that is, light source) as shown in FIG. 2 and the like is used. The lamp body 2 is housed in a lamp case 101 having a window-like light guide 102, for example. The lamp case 101 has, for example, a flat shape corresponding to the lamp main body 2, and a light guiding portion 102 is formed at a position corresponding to the light mixing and illuminating portion 4.

The lamp case 101 is, for example, a light-transmitting lamp of a headlight HL as a vehicle-side lamp portion by a mounting portion 103 made of a double-sided adhesive sheet or the like on a cover surface adjacent to the light guide portion 102. The light guide section 102 is detachably attached to the cover LC in a state facing the lamp cover LC side. In addition, connection cable 7
Are wired so as to enter the gap between the headlight HL and the hood cover BC from above.

The light L from the lamp body 2 is supplied to the light guide 102
Through the lamp cover LC and into the headlight HL. Here, a reflector R as a reflector is provided inside the headlight HL, and the light L is reflected here and leaks out of the lamp cover LC. That is, the headlight HL emits light indirectly by the reflected light RL of the light L.
If the direction of light reflection by the reflecting mirror R becomes somewhat random and the light from each light source can be sufficiently mixed by the synergistic effect with the refraction effect when transmitted through the lamp cover LC, the lamp body 2 to light mixing and lighting unit 4
Can be omitted. Further, instead of the lamp body 2 as the light source, a color light bulb or an LED having a different color from the headlight light source LS may be used so that the emission color cannot be changed. In this case, the light emission control unit 6 shown in FIG.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of use of an automotive lamp unit of the present invention, and a schematic cross-sectional view thereof.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main part of the luminous body unit for an automobile of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view and a partial cross-sectional view of the lamp body.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the vehicle lamp unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an example of use of the automotive lamp unit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an example in which the lamp bodies are connected in a straight line and used.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector section and an explanatory view of its use.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of a control program of the microprocessor shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a corresponding operation explanatory view.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view following FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing an example of mixed emission color change control by duty ratio control of a light source emission amount.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a lighting / light-off cycle in duty ratio control.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a mixed emission color changing sequence.

FIG. 14 is a view schematically showing another embodiment of the automotive lamp unit of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1,100 Automotive lamp unit PL Position lamp 2 Lamp body 3 Light emitting unit 3R, 3G, 3B light source 4 Light mixing and illuminating unit 5 Light shielding unit 6 Light emission control unit 7 Connection cable 8 Connector terminal 9 Control unit side receiving connector 10 Light emitting unit Side receiving connector 15 Light illuminating surface 20 Reflective layer 43 Wiring cable C Car side wiring section 51 Connector section 101 Lamp case 102 Light guide section 103 Mounting section

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A lamp unit for an automobile, which is used by being mounted on an outer surface of a vehicle body of an automobile or on a predetermined mounting target part in the automobile, comprising: a light emitting unit in which a plurality of light sources having different emission colors are collectively arranged; A light-shielding portion arranged around the axis so as to surround the light-emitting portion, while allowing light to be led out from the light-emitting portion on at least one end side in the direction; and a light-transmitting material. And at the light-emitting end side of the light-shielding portion, guides each light from the plurality of light sources into its own, mixes them, and forms at least one of its outer peripheral surfaces around the axis. From the light illuminating surface formed in the section, a light mixing and illuminating section that illuminates the mixed light, and by adjusting the amount of light from each of the light sources, changing the mixing ratio of the light from each of the light sources, the ratio In response to,
And a light emission control unit that changes a color of the mixed light to be illuminated. 2. The light-mixing and illuminating portion has a surface excluding the light-emitting surface, wherein a reflection layer for reflecting inward light from the light source that is to leak to the outside on the surface other than the light-emitting surface is provided. The automotive lamp unit according to claim 1, wherein the lamp unit is formed so as to cover at least a part of the lamp unit. 3. A lamp unit for an automobile used by being attached to an outer surface of a vehicle body of an automobile or a predetermined attachment target part in the automobile, wherein a plurality of light sources having different emission colors are collectively arranged. By adjusting the amount of light from the light sources, to change the mixing ratio of the light of each light source, according to the ratio, comprising a light emission control unit that changes the color of the mixed light to be illuminated, the light emission control unit A control unit side receiving connector for detachably connecting a connector terminal of a connection cable from the light emitting unit is formed, while a connector terminal of a connection cable from another light emitting unit is connected to the light emitting unit. A light emitting unit side receiving connector for connecting the plurality of light emitting units in a straight line via the connection cable, and a connection cable located at one end of the connected light emitting units. By connecting the connector terminal into the connector receiving the controller-side automotive lamp unit is characterized in that as the light emission control of the plurality of light emitting portions carried by a common light emission control unit. 4. An automobile lamp unit used by being attached to an outer surface of a vehicle body of an automobile or a predetermined attachment target portion in an automobile, wherein: a light emitting section in which a plurality of light sources having different emission colors are collectively arranged; By adjusting the amount of light from the light sources, the mixing ratio of the light from each of the light sources is changed, and according to the ratio, the color of the mixed light to be illuminated is changed, and the light emitting state of the light emitting unit is set to A light emission control unit that switches between a plurality of states having different combinations of light amounts from the light source, wherein the light emission unit branches off from a power supply path from a vehicle-mounted battery to a vehicle width light (hereinafter, referred to as a vehicle width light power supply path). Power supply via the light emission control unit, the light emission control unit of the vehicle side light of the power supplied through the branch power supply line from the vehicle side light power supply line. Breaks in operation A lamp unit for an automobile, wherein the lamp unit is detected and used as a trigger signal of the light emission state switching control. 5. A lamp unit for an automobile, which is used by being attached to an outer surface of a vehicle body or a predetermined mounting target portion in an automobile, comprising: a light source; A case, and a mounting portion for detachably mounting the lamp case with respect to a translucent lamp cover of an existing vehicle-side lamp portion such as a headlight, with the light guide portion facing the lamp cover side. The light from the light source is introduced from the light guide portion through the lamp cover to the inside of the vehicle side lamp portion, and is reflected by a reflection portion provided in the vehicle side lamp portion. An automobile lamp unit wherein the automobile-side lamp section is indirectly illuminated by reflected light. 6. A light-emitting unit in which a plurality of light sources having different emission colors are collectively arranged, and by adjusting the amount of light from each of the light sources, a mixing ratio of light from each of the light sources is changed, and the light is mixed according to the ratio. 6. The vehicle lamp unit according to claim 5, further comprising: a light emission control unit that changes a color of the mixed light to be illuminated. 7. The apparent light amount by changing a duty ratio between a light-on time and a light-off time when repeating light-on / light-off by high-speed switching of energization to the light source. The lamp unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 6, wherein is changed according to the duty ratio. 8. A wiring cable for supplying power to the light-emitting unit via the light-emitting control unit, and provided at an end of the wiring cable for supplying power from a vehicle-mounted battery to a predetermined power supply destination in the vehicle. And a connector portion for detachably connecting to an intermediate portion thereof and distributing electric power passing through the vehicle-side wiring portion to the wiring cable in the connected state. The vehicle lamp unit according to any one of claims 6 and 7.