JP4239909B2

JP4239909B2 - Rear-view device

Info

Publication number: JP4239909B2
Application number: JP2004190265A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 義治田中; 明弘三沢
Original assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
Current assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-10-07
Filing date: 2004-06-28
Publication date: 2009-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2024-06-28
Also published as: JP2005132336A

Description

本発明は、四輪自動車（以下、単に「自動車」という。）や自動二輪車等の移動車両の所定の位置に設置され、ミラーにより移動車両の後方等を確認するための後視鏡装置に関し、特に、構成が簡素で、高い視認性で車両の後方から発光光を視認することができる後視鏡装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a rear-view endoscope apparatus that is installed at a predetermined position of a moving vehicle such as a four-wheeled vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as “automobile”) or a motorcycle, and that confirms the rear of the moving vehicle by a mirror, In particular, the present invention relates to a rear-view endoscope apparatus that has a simple configuration and can visually recognize emitted light from the rear of a vehicle with high visibility.

自動車や自動二輪車等の移動車両には、後方の状況を目視するために後視鏡装置（通称、サイドミラーという。）が設置されている。この後視鏡装置を自動車に設置する場合、フロントウィンドウあるいはボンネットの両側に車幅より突出するように取り付けられている。後視鏡装置は、自動車の本体から突出しているものの、形状が比較的小さいため、対向車のドライバー、歩行者等にとって夜間等には認識しにくく、対向車、歩行者、自転車で移動する通行者等が後視鏡装置に接触し、接触事故を招くおそれがある。特に、本体色が白系や暖色系等であっても、後視鏡装置のみを黒塗りにした自動車では、後視鏡装置の視認性は更に悪くなる。 In a moving vehicle such as an automobile or a motorcycle, a rear-view device (commonly referred to as a side mirror) is installed in order to visually check the rear situation. When this rear-view device is installed in an automobile, it is mounted on both sides of the front window or bonnet so as to protrude from the vehicle width. Although the rear-end endoscope device protrudes from the main body of the automobile, its shape is relatively small, so it is difficult for drivers and pedestrians to recognize it at night, etc. A person or the like may come into contact with the endoscope apparatus and cause a contact accident. In particular, even if the main body color is white or warm, etc., the visibility of the endoscope apparatus is further deteriorated in an automobile in which only the endoscope apparatus is painted black.

そこで、夜間等における後視鏡装置の所在を明らかにし、接触事故等を防止できるようにした後視鏡装置が提案されている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。 Therefore, a endoscope apparatus has been proposed in which the location of the endoscope apparatus at night is clarified so that a contact accident or the like can be prevented (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

この後視鏡装置は、ハウジングに開口を設け、この開口にライトガイドを設けるとともに、ライトガイドの一方の端面からＬＥＤ光源からの光を入射し、その入射した光をライトガイドの厚さ内を伝播させてライトガイドの他方の端面近傍の内面に形成された反射面で反射させて外部に放射するようにしたものである。これにより、ライトガイドの端面近傍が光るので車両の前方からの視認性が良好となる。
米国特許第６０９９１５３号明細書 This rear-view endoscope apparatus has an opening in the housing, a light guide is provided in the opening, light from the LED light source is incident from one end face of the light guide, and the incident light is transmitted through the thickness of the light guide. The light is propagated and reflected by a reflecting surface formed on the inner surface in the vicinity of the other end surface of the light guide and radiated to the outside. Thereby, since the vicinity of the end surface of the light guide shines, the visibility from the front of the vehicle is improved.
US Pat. No. 6,099,153

しかし、従来の後視鏡装置によると、ライトガイドの発光では、車両の前方から視認できるが、車両の後方から視認できないため、後方からその車両の側を通過する車両や歩行者、通行者等にとって後視鏡装置の存在を認識しにくく、接触事故を起こすおそれがある。また、ハウジングの一部にライトガイドを設け、そのライトガイドの端部近傍に発光領域としての反射面を形成したものであるので、発光領域が狭く、視認性が低い。また、ライトガイドを取り付ける取付部材も必要であるので、部品点数が多くなり、構成が複雑化する。 However, according to the conventional rear-view endoscope device, light emission from the light guide can be seen from the front of the vehicle, but cannot be seen from the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, a vehicle, a pedestrian, a passer-by, etc. For this reason, it is difficult to recognize the presence of the endoscope apparatus, and there is a risk of causing a contact accident. In addition, a light guide is provided in a part of the housing, and a reflection surface as a light emitting region is formed in the vicinity of the end of the light guide. Therefore, the light emitting region is narrow and the visibility is low. Further, since a mounting member for attaching the light guide is also necessary, the number of parts is increased and the configuration is complicated.

従って、本発明の目的は、構成が簡素で、高い視認性で車両の後方から発光光を視認することができる後視鏡装置を提供することにある。 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a endoscope apparatus that has a simple configuration and can visually recognize emitted light from the rear of a vehicle with high visibility.

本発明は、上記目的を達成するため、移動車両の所定の位置に設置され、ミラーにより前記移動車両の後方等を確認するための後視鏡装置において、後方に形成された開口を有する中空構造のハウジングと、前記ハウジングの開口を塞ぐように配置されるミラーと、前記ハウジングの内側に所定の空間を設けて配置されたインナーカバーと、前記ハウジングの内側に配置されたＬＥＤランプとを備え、前記ハウジングは、透明あるいは半透明材料からなり、厚肉部と薄肉部との間に内側へ突出する段差を設けることにより前記ＬＥＤランプからの光が入射する前記光入射端が形成され、前記開口を構成する前記ミラーの周辺の端面が前記入射端に入射された光を前記移動車両の後方へ放射させる光放射端をなし、前記光入射端から前記光放射端に至る厚さが一定となるように形成されることを特徴とする後視鏡装置を提供する。 The present invention, in order to achieve the above object, which is provided at a predetermined position of the moving vehicle, the endoscope apparatus after for confirming the rear or the like of the moving vehicle by a mirror, a hollow having an opening formed toward the rear A housing having a structure, a mirror arranged so as to close the opening of the housing, an inner cover arranged with a predetermined space inside the housing , and an LED lamp arranged inside the housing. The housing is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material, and the light incident end into which light from the LED lamp is incident is formed by providing a step projecting inward between the thick part and the thin part, The peripheral end face of the mirror constituting the opening forms a light emitting end that radiates light incident on the incident end to the rear of the moving vehicle, and the light emission from the light incident end. Thickness to provide a endoscope apparatus after that, characterized in that it is formed to be constant throughout the.

本発明の後視鏡装置によれば、ハウジングに光が移動車両の後方に放射する放射端を設けたので、移動車両の後方から発光光を視認することができる。また、ハウジングを入射端から放射端に至る厚さが一定となるように形成することにより、ＬＥＤランプからの発光光がハウジングの厚さ内を伝播するとき、ハウジングの外表面から外部への光漏れを抑えることができるので、放射端からの光量を増やすことができ、移動車両の後方からの発光光の視認性がより高くなる。また、ハウジング自体がライトガイドの役割を果たすので、別途ライトガイドを必要とせず、その取付部材も不要となることから、部品点数を低減でき、構成の簡素化を図れる。 According to the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, since the housing is provided with the radiation end that emits light to the rear of the moving vehicle, the emitted light can be viewed from the rear of the moving vehicle. In addition, by forming the housing so that the thickness from the incident end to the radiation end is constant, when the emitted light from the LED lamp propagates within the thickness of the housing, the light from the outer surface of the housing to the outside Since leakage can be suppressed, the amount of light from the radiation end can be increased, and the visibility of the emitted light from the rear of the moving vehicle becomes higher. Further, since the housing itself serves as a light guide, a separate light guide is not required, and the mounting member is not necessary, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified.

図１は、本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る後視鏡装置を適用した自動車を示し、（ａ）は正面図、（ｂ）は後面図である。この後視鏡装置１は、自動車１００の前席の左右のドア１０にそれぞれ装着されている。 1A and 1B show an automobile to which a endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1A is a front view and FIG. 1B is a rear view. The rear-view apparatus 1 is mounted on the left and right doors 10 of the front seat of the automobile 100, respectively.

図２および図３は、後視鏡装置１を示し、図２（ａ）は自動車１００の前方から見た外観図、図２（ｂ）は自動車１００の後方から見た外観図、図３（ａ）は図２（ａ）におけるＡ−Ａ線断面図、図３（ｂ）は図２（ａ）におけるＢ−Ｂ線断面図である。この後視鏡装置１は、後面に開口３を有する中空構造のハウジング２と、ハウジング２の開口３を塞ぐように配置され、自動車１００のドライバーが後方の確認に用いるミラー４と、ハウジング２を図示しないコーナーブラケットを介してドア１０１に取り付けるミラーブラケット５と、ハウジング２の内側に所定の空隙を設けて配置されたインナーカバー６と、ハウジング２の厚さ内に複数のＬＥＤランプ７Ａが位置するように複数のＬＥＤランプ７Ａが搭載された回路基板８と、ミラー４を車内からリモコン操作により傾動させる図示しないミラー傾動機構と、ハウジング２を車内からリモコン操作により回動させる図示しないハウジング回動機構とを備える。 2 and 3 show the rear-view apparatus 1, FIG. 2 (a) is an external view seen from the front of the automobile 100, FIG. 2 (b) is an external view seen from the rear of the automobile 100, and FIG. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. The rear-view endoscope apparatus 1 includes a housing 2 having a hollow structure having an opening 3 on the rear surface, a mirror 4 that is disposed so as to close the opening 3 of the housing 2, and used by the driver of the automobile 100 for rearward confirmation, and the housing 2. The mirror bracket 5 attached to the door 101 via a corner bracket (not shown), the inner cover 6 disposed with a predetermined gap inside the housing 2, and the plurality of LED lamps 7 </ b> A are positioned within the thickness of the housing 2. In this way, a circuit board 8 on which a plurality of LED lamps 7A are mounted, a mirror tilt mechanism (not shown) that tilts the mirror 4 from the inside of the vehicle by remote control operation, and a housing rotation mechanism (not shown) that rotates the housing 2 from the inside of the vehicle by remote control operation. With.

ハウジング２は、耐候性、耐衝撃性、透光性を有するアクリル、ポリカーボネイト等の無色の透明あるいは半透明の樹脂により所定の厚さに成型されており、複数のＬＥＤランプ７Ａがそれぞれ収容され、周面がＬＥＤランプ７Ａの発光光の入射面となる凹状の複数のＬＥＤ収容部２ｂが形成され、開口３を構成する端面はＬＥＤランプ７Ａからの光がハウジング２の厚さ内を伝播して外部に放射する光放射端２ｃとなっており、ＬＥＤ収容部２ｂの周辺から光放射端２ｃに至る厚さが一定に形成されている。光放射端２ｃには、粗面化等の拡散処理が施されており、光放射端２ｃから放射される光に拡散性を持たせている。また、ハウジング２の外表面の下側の塗装領域２ａは、白色等の光輝塗装を施した後、その上に光輝塗装と異なる色、例えば、車体と同一色の塗料で上塗り塗装されている。なお、ハウジング２の表面に凹凸を設けてハウジング２の表面から漏れる散乱光に変化を持たせてもよい。 The housing 2 is molded to a predetermined thickness by a colorless transparent or translucent resin such as weather-resistant, impact-resistant, and translucent acrylic or polycarbonate, and accommodates a plurality of LED lamps 7A, respectively. A plurality of concave LED housing portions 2b whose peripheral surfaces serve as incident surfaces for the emitted light of the LED lamp 7A are formed, and light from the LED lamp 7A propagates through the thickness of the housing 2 on the end surface constituting the opening 3. The light emitting end 2c radiates to the outside, and the thickness from the periphery of the LED housing portion 2b to the light emitting end 2c is constant. The light emitting end 2c is subjected to a diffusion process such as roughening so that the light emitted from the light emitting end 2c has diffusibility. In addition, the coating region 2a on the lower side of the outer surface of the housing 2 is brightly coated with white or the like, and then is overcoated with a paint different in color from the bright paint, for example, the same color as the vehicle body. Note that unevenness may be provided on the surface of the housing 2 to change the scattered light leaking from the surface of the housing 2.

インナーカバー６は、耐候性を有するアクリル、ポリカーボネイト等の樹脂により成型されており、その外表面は、車体と同一色の塗料で塗装されている。なお、車体と異なる色の塗料で塗装されていてもよい。また、インナーカバー６への塗装はハウジング２における導光を妨げないようにするためには艶消し塗装の方が好ましいが、艶有り塗装でもよい。 The inner cover 6 is molded from a weather-resistant resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and its outer surface is painted with the same color paint as the vehicle body. The paint may be painted with a color different from that of the vehicle body. Further, the coating on the inner cover 6 is preferably matte coating so as not to interfere with the light guide in the housing 2, but may be glossy coating.

ＬＥＤランプ７Ａは、例えば、アンバー（オレンジ）系の色の光を発光するものである。なお、ＬＥＤランプ７Ａの発光色とハウジング２の材料の色との組合せにより、最終的に必要なアンバー系の光を得るようにしてもよい。例えば、白色系の光を発光するＬＥＤランプ７Ａと透明又は半透明のアンバー系の色材からなるハウジング２とを組み合わせてもよく、またアンバー系の光を発光するＬＥＤランプ７Ａと透明又は半透明のアンバー系の色材からなるハウジング２とを組み合わせてもよい。なお、ＬＥＤランプ７Ａの発光色は、用途に応じてアンバー系以外の色でもよい。 The LED lamp 7A emits light of amber (orange) color, for example. Note that the necessary amber light may be finally obtained by combining the emission color of the LED lamp 7A and the color of the material of the housing 2. For example, the LED lamp 7A that emits white light and the housing 2 made of a transparent or translucent amber color material may be combined, and the LED lamp 7A that emits amber light and transparent or translucent. You may combine with the housing 2 which consists of an amber-type color material. Note that the emission color of the LED lamp 7A may be a color other than the amber system depending on the application.

回路基板８は、耐熱性を有するポリイミド樹脂、シリコン樹脂等からなる基材の表面に、各ＬＥＤランプ７Ａに電気的に接続された配線パターンが形成されており、配線パターンには、自動車１００に設置されたヒューズボックス、分配器、又はスイッチに布線されるワイヤハーネスが接続されている。なお、回路基板８は、複数の基板に分割され、それらが電気的に接続されたものでもよい。この場合、設置の自由度が高くなる。また、回路基板８にＬＥＤランプ７Ａを点滅等の所定のパターンで駆動する駆動回路を搭載してもよい。これにより、自動車本体側の回路構成を簡素化できる。 The circuit board 8 has a wiring pattern electrically connected to each LED lamp 7A formed on the surface of a base material made of heat-resistant polyimide resin, silicon resin or the like. A wiring harness that is wired to an installed fuse box, distributor, or switch is connected. The circuit board 8 may be divided into a plurality of boards and electrically connected to each other. In this case, the degree of freedom of installation is increased. Further, a drive circuit for driving the LED lamp 7A in a predetermined pattern such as blinking may be mounted on the circuit board 8. Thereby, the circuit configuration on the vehicle body side can be simplified.

図４は、ＬＥＤランプ７Ａの縦断面を示す。ＬＥＤランプ７Ａは、Ｘ−Ｙ平面上に絶縁のための間隙を介して配置され、熱伝導性の良好な銅合金、アルミニウム合金等の金属からなる一対のリードフレーム７０Ａ，７０Ｂと、Ｌ字形に折曲した一方のリードフレーム７０Ａの上面に実装されるＬＥＤチップ７１と、ＬＥＤチップ７１の上面の電極と他方のリードフレーム７０Ｂの先端部とを電気的に接続するワイヤ７２と、リードフレーム７０Ａ，７０Ｂの一部、ＬＥＤチップ７１、およびワイヤ７２を封止するとともに、ＬＥＤチップ７１の発光光に平面方向の指向性を付与する透明エポキシ樹脂等からなる樹脂封止部材７３とを有する。 FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section of the LED lamp 7A. The LED lamp 7A is disposed on the XY plane with a gap for insulation, and has a pair of lead frames 70A and 70B made of a metal such as a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy having good thermal conductivity, and an L-shape. LED chip 71 mounted on the upper surface of one bent lead frame 70A, wire 72 for electrically connecting the electrode on the upper surface of LED chip 71 and the tip of the other lead frame 70B, lead frame 70A, A part 70B, the LED chip 71, and the wire 72 are sealed, and a resin sealing member 73 made of a transparent epoxy resin or the like that imparts directivity in the planar direction to the emitted light of the LED chip 71 is included.

樹脂封止部材７３は、全体として平坦な概略円柱形状を有し、ＬＥＤチップ７１の直上に設けられる平坦面７３ａと、この平坦面７３ａに続いて側面方向に弧状に形成された反射面７３ｂと、反射面７３ｂに続く側面放射面７３ｃとを有する。反射面７３ｂは、ＬＥＤチップ７１の発光面の中心を焦点とし、Ｘ軸方向を対称軸とする放物線の一部を原点からＺ軸に対して６０度以上の範囲内においてＺ軸の周りに回転させることによって傘状に形成されている。 The resin sealing member 73 has a generally flat cylindrical shape as a whole, a flat surface 73a provided immediately above the LED chip 71, and a reflecting surface 73b formed in an arc shape in the side surface direction following the flat surface 73a. And a side emission surface 73c following the reflection surface 73b. The reflecting surface 73b is focused around the center of the light emitting surface of the LED chip 71, and a part of a parabola with the X-axis direction as an axis of symmetry rotates around the Z axis within a range of 60 degrees or more from the origin with respect to the Z axis. By making it, it is formed in an umbrella shape.

次に、本実施の形態の動作を説明する。方向指示ランプ点灯時、駐車ランプ点灯時、キーレスエントリー（リモコン操作でドアロックを開閉するシステム）作動時等に同期してワイヤハーネス、回路基板８の配線パターンを介してＬＥＤランプ７Ａに通電されると、ＬＥＤチップ７Ａが点滅発光し、ＬＥＤチップ７１から放射された光のうち軸上に放射された光は、樹脂封止部材７３の平坦面７３ａにより反射されることなくそのまま軸上に放射されるが、反射面７３ｂで反射した光は、ＬＥＤチップ７１の中心軸に対して直角な平面３６０°の全方向に向かい、ＬＥＤ収容部２ｂの周面に入射し、図３（ａ），（ｂ）に示すように、ハウジング２の厚さ内を反射しつつハウジング２の光放射端２ｃに伝播し、図２（ｂ）、図３（ａ），（ｂ）に示すように、その光放射端２ｃから後方に光が放射される。 Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The LED lamp 7A is energized through the wire harness and the wiring pattern of the circuit board 8 in synchronization with the direction indicator lamp lighting, the parking lamp lighting, the keyless entry (system that opens and closes the door lock by remote control operation), etc. Then, the LED chip 7A flashes and the light emitted from the LED chip 71 is emitted onto the axis as it is without being reflected by the flat surface 73a of the resin sealing member 73. However, the light reflected by the reflecting surface 73b is directed in all directions of a plane 360 ° perpendicular to the central axis of the LED chip 71 and is incident on the peripheral surface of the LED housing portion 2b, as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2B, the light propagates to the light emitting end 2c of the housing 2 while reflecting within the thickness of the housing 2, and as shown in FIG. 2B, FIG. 3A, and FIG. From the radiation end 2c Light is emitted towards.

第１の実施の形態に係る後視鏡装置１によれば、以下の効果が得られる。
（イ）ミラー４周辺の光放射端２ｃを発光させているので、車両の後方からの視認性を高めることができる。また、ハウジング２は、ＬＥＤ収容部２ｂの周辺から光放射端２ｃに至る厚さが一定に形成されているので、ＬＥＤランプ７Ａからの発光光がハウジング２の厚さ内を伝播するとき、ハウジング２の塗装領域２ａ以外の外表面からの外部への光漏れを抑制できるので、光放射端２ｃからの光量を増やすことができ、車両の後方からの発光光の視認性がより高くなる。これにより、光源数を少なくすることができる。
（ロ）ＬＥＤランプ７Ａとして平面放射型を用いているので、ＬＥＤランプ７Ａの発光光をハウジング２の厚さ内に効率良く導入することができる。このため、光源数をより少なくすることができ、低消費電力化が図れ、ハウジング２の過熱を防ぐことができる。また、広く拡散された光を効率良く導入することができるので、光放射端２ｃを強弱なく均一に発光させることができる。
（ハ）ハウジング２自体がライトガイドの役割を果たすので、別途ライトガイドを必要とせず、その取付部材も不要となることから部品点数を低減でき、構成の簡素化を図れる。
（ニ）インナーカバー６をハウジング２の内側に空隙を設けて配置したので、ハウジング２の導光を妨げることがないため、ＬＥＤランプ７Ａからの光を光放射端２ｃまで効率良く伝播させることができる。
（ホ）ハウジング２に施された塗料によって外部からＬＥＤランプ７Ａ等が見えないので、意匠的に優れたものとなる。 According to the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(A) Since the light emitting end 2c around the mirror 4 is caused to emit light, visibility from the rear of the vehicle can be enhanced. Further, since the housing 2 is formed with a constant thickness from the periphery of the LED housing portion 2b to the light emitting end 2c, when the emitted light from the LED lamp 7A propagates within the thickness of the housing 2, the housing 2 Since light leakage from the outer surface other than the painted area 2a to the outside can be suppressed, the amount of light from the light emitting end 2c can be increased, and the visibility of the emitted light from the rear of the vehicle becomes higher. Thereby, the number of light sources can be reduced.
(B) Since the planar emission type is used as the LED lamp 7A, the light emitted from the LED lamp 7A can be efficiently introduced into the thickness of the housing 2. For this reason, the number of light sources can be reduced, power consumption can be reduced, and overheating of the housing 2 can be prevented. In addition, since the widely diffused light can be efficiently introduced, the light emitting end 2c can emit light uniformly without intensity.
(C) Since the housing 2 itself plays the role of a light guide, a separate light guide is not required, and the mounting member is not required. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, and the configuration can be simplified.
(D) Since the inner cover 6 is disposed with a gap provided inside the housing 2, the light guide from the housing 2 is not hindered, so that the light from the LED lamp 7A can be efficiently propagated to the light emitting end 2c. it can.
(E) Since the LED lamp 7A and the like cannot be seen from the outside due to the paint applied to the housing 2, the design is excellent.

なお、ＬＥＤランプ７Ａは、ハウジング２への光入射率の低下を防ぐものとしてＬＥＤ収容部２ｂとの間にハウジング２と同等の屈折率を有する透明樹脂等の封止材料を充填して一体化してもよい。これにより、光量低下をもたらす界面反射を低減することができる。 The LED lamp 7A is integrated by filling a sealing material such as a transparent resin having a refractive index equivalent to that of the housing 2 between the LED housing 7b and the LED accommodating portion 2b so as to prevent a decrease in the light incident rate on the housing 2. May be. Thereby, interface reflection which brings about a light quantity fall can be reduced.

図５は、本発明の第２の実施の形態に係る後視鏡装置を示す。この後視鏡装置１は、第１の実施の形態における平面放射型のＬＥＤランプ７Ａの代りに砲弾型のＬＥＤランプ７Ｂを用いたものであり、ハウジング２は、厚肉と薄肉部との間に段差を設けることによりＬＥＤランプ７Ｂからの光が入射する光入射端２ｄが形成されている。 FIG. 5 shows a endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This rear-view endoscope apparatus 1 uses a bullet-type LED lamp 7B instead of the flat-emitting LED lamp 7A in the first embodiment, and the housing 2 has a thickness between a thick part and a thin part. A light incident end 2d through which light from the LED lamp 7B is incident is formed by providing a step in the surface.

図６は、第２の実施の形態に用いられるＬＥＤランプ７Ｂを示す。このＬＥＤランプ７Ｂは、他の装飾用ＬＥＤランプとして、一対のリードフレーム７０Ａ，７０Ｂと、一方のリードフレーム７０Ａの上端に形成され、周囲に反射面７０ａを有するカップ７４と、カップ７０の底面７０ａにＡｇペースト等の導電性接着剤７５によって接合された上下電極タイプのＧａＡｓ系ＬＥＤチップ７１と、ＬＥＤチップ７１の上部電極７１０と他方のリードフレーム７０Ｂとを電気的に接続するワイヤ７２と、ＬＥＤチップ７１の発光波長に対して透光性を有し、一対のリードフレーム７０Ａ，７０Ｂの一部、ＬＥＤチップ７１およびワイヤ７２を封止するとともに、ＬＥＤチップ７１の発光光に中心軸方向の指向性を付与する砲弾形状の樹脂封止部材７３とを有する。このＬＥＤチップ７１は、上部電極７１０と、ＧａＡｓ系半導体材料によって構成される半導体層７１１と、半導体層７１１の下部に設けられる下部電極７１２とを備える。 FIG. 6 shows an LED lamp 7B used in the second embodiment. This LED lamp 7B is another decorative LED lamp, a pair of lead frames 70A and 70B, a cup 74 formed on the upper end of one lead frame 70A and having a reflective surface 70a around it, and a bottom surface 70a of the cup 70. An upper and lower electrode type GaAs LED chip 71 bonded to a conductive adhesive 75 such as an Ag paste, a wire 72 for electrically connecting the upper electrode 710 of the LED chip 71 and the other lead frame 70B, and an LED It has translucency with respect to the emission wavelength of the chip 71, seals part of the pair of lead frames 70A and 70B, the LED chip 71 and the wire 72, and directs the emitted light of the LED chip 71 in the central axis direction. It has a bullet-shaped resin sealing member 73 that imparts properties. The LED chip 71 includes an upper electrode 710, a semiconductor layer 711 made of a GaAs-based semiconductor material, and a lower electrode 712 provided below the semiconductor layer 711.

ＬＥＤチップ７１は、ＧａＡｓＰ、ＧａＡｌＡｓ等のＧａＡｓ系や、ＧａＰ系の結晶構造のものを用いることができる。例えば、ＧａＡｓＰを用いることにより赤外から黄緑にかけての発光光が得られ、ＧａＡｌＡｓでは赤色光が得られる。また、ＧａＰを用いることにより緑、黄緑、赤、青色、白色等の発光色が得られる。赤色やアンバーに限らず白色の発光光を放射させるものとしてはＧａＮ系の半導体からなるＬＥＤチップを用いることもできる。 As the LED chip 71, a GaAs-based or GaP-based crystal structure such as GaAsP or GaAlAs can be used. For example, by using GaAsP, emission light from infrared to yellow-green can be obtained, and red light can be obtained by GaAlAs. Moreover, emission colors such as green, yellowish green, red, blue, and white can be obtained by using GaP. An LED chip made of a GaN-based semiconductor can also be used as a device that emits not only red and amber but also white light.

この第２の実施の形態によれば、第１の実施の形態と同様に、ミラー４周辺の光放射端２ｃを発光させているので、車両の後方からの視認性を高めることができる。また、インナーカバー６をハウジング２の内側に空隙を設けて配置したので、ＬＥＤ７Ｂの発光光を光放射端２ｃまで効率良く伝播させることができる。さらに、ＬＥＤチップ７１にＧａＡｓ系、ＧａＰ系を用いることによって、例えば、ユーザーの希望に応じた発光色の後視鏡装置を提供し、或いは一般的なアンバー色に比べて装飾性を感じさせる後視鏡装置を提供することができる。 According to the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, since the light emitting end 2c around the mirror 4 is caused to emit light, visibility from the rear of the vehicle can be improved. Further, since the inner cover 6 is disposed with a gap inside the housing 2, the light emitted from the LED 7B can be efficiently propagated to the light emitting end 2c. Further, by using a GaAs-based or GaP-based LED chip 71, for example, after providing a rear-view device that emits light in accordance with the user's wishes, or after making it feel more decorative than a general amber color. An endoscope apparatus can be provided.

なお、ＬＥＤランプ７Ｂは、砲弾形状の頂上を平坦状に形成し、その平坦部分を光入射面２ｄに密接させてもよい。また、ＬＥＤランプ７Ｂの砲弾形状の頂上を平坦状に形成せず、光入射端２ｄを砲弾形状に密着するように凹状に形成してもよい。これにより、光量低下をもたらす界面反射を低減することができる。 Note that the LED lamp 7B may have a bullet-shaped top formed in a flat shape, and the flat portion may be in close contact with the light incident surface 2d. Further, the top of the bullet shape of the LED lamp 7B may not be formed flat, but may be formed in a concave shape so that the light incident end 2d is in close contact with the bullet shape. Thereby, interface reflection which brings about a light quantity fall can be reduced.

図７は、本発明の第３の実施の形態に係る後視鏡装置を示す。この後視鏡装置１は、第１の実施の形態のハウジング２の光放射端２ｃの近傍に反射凹部２ｅを形成し、前方へもＬＥＤランプ７Ａの発光光が反射して放射するようにしたものである。この第３の実施の形態によれば、車両の後方のみならず、車両の前方からＬＥＤランプ７Ａの発光光を視認することができる。なお、反射凹部２ｅは、スリット等の貫通穴でもよい。また、反射凹部２ｅに拡散処理を施してもよい。 FIG. 7 shows a endoscope apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This rear-view apparatus 1 is formed with a reflective recess 2e in the vicinity of the light emitting end 2c of the housing 2 of the first embodiment so that the emitted light of the LED lamp 7A is reflected and emitted forward. Is. According to the third embodiment, the light emitted from the LED lamp 7A can be viewed not only from the rear of the vehicle but also from the front of the vehicle. The reflective recess 2e may be a through hole such as a slit. Moreover, you may perform a diffusion process to the reflective recessed part 2e.

なお、上記実施の形態では、後視鏡装置を四輪自動車に搭載した場合について説明したが、他の移動車両、例えば、オートバイ等の自動二輪車、サイドカー等の三輪車、特殊車等に適用できることは言うまでもない。また、後視鏡装置は、自動車のフェンダーミラーに適用してもよい。 In the above embodiment, the case where the rear-view device is mounted on a four-wheeled vehicle has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to other mobile vehicles such as motorcycles such as motorcycles, tricycles such as side cars, and special vehicles. Needless to say. Moreover, you may apply a rear-scope apparatus to the fender mirror of a motor vehicle.

また、ハウジング２の光放射端２ｃを除く外表面に白色等の光輝塗装を施した後、その上に光輝塗装と異なる色、例えば、車体と同一色の塗料で上塗り塗装してもよい。これにより、ハウジング２の厚さ内を伝播するＬＥＤランプからの発光光が十分拡散するので、光放射端２ｃにおける発光光を均一にすることができる。また、インナーカバーを省略することができる。 Alternatively, the outer surface of the housing 2 excluding the light emitting end 2c may be brightly coated with white or the like, and then may be overcoated with a paint different from the bright paint, for example, the same color as the vehicle body. Thereby, since the emitted light from the LED lamp propagating in the thickness of the housing 2 is sufficiently diffused, the emitted light at the light emitting end 2c can be made uniform. Further, the inner cover can be omitted.

本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る後視鏡装置を適用した自動車を示し、（ａ）は正面図、（ｂ）は後面図である。1 shows an automobile to which a endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, in which (a) is a front view and (b) is a rear view. 本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る後視鏡装置に関し（ａ）の自動車の前方から見た外観図、（ｂ）は自動車の後方から見た外観図である。BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an external view of a rear view endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front of an automobile in (a), and FIG. （ａ）は図２（ａ）におけるＡ−Ａ線断面図、（ｂ）は図２（ａ）におけるＢ−Ｂ線断面図である。である。(A) is the sectional view on the AA line in FIG. 2 (a), (b) is the sectional view on the BB line in FIG. 2 (a). It is. 本発明の第１の実施の形態に係るＬＥＤランプの縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the LED lamp which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第２の実施の形態に係る後視鏡装置の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第２の実施の形態に係るＬＥＤランプの断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the LED lamp which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第３の実施の形態に係る後視鏡装置の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

１後視鏡装置
２ハウジング
２ａ塗装領域
２ｂＬＥＤ収容部
２ｃ光放射端
２ｄ光入射端
２ｅ反射凹部
３開口
４ミラー
５ミラーブラケット
６インナーカバー
７Ａ，７ＢＬＥＤランプ
８回路基板
７０Ａ，７０Ｂリードフレーム
７０ａ底面
７０ｂ反射面
７１ＬＥＤチップ
７１０上部電極
７１１半導体層（ＧａＡｓ系）
７１２下部電極
７２ワイヤ
７３樹脂封止部材
７３ａ平坦面
７３ｂ反射面
７３ｃ側面放射面
７４カップ
７５導電性接着剤
１００自動車
１０１ドア DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rear-view apparatus 2 Housing 2a Painting area | region 2b LED accommodating part 2c Light emission end 2d Light incident end 2e Reflection recessed part 3 Opening 4 Mirror 5 Mirror bracket 6 Inner cover 7A, 7B LED lamp 8 Circuit board 70A, 70B Lead frame 70a Bottom 70b Reflecting surface 71 LED chip 710 Upper electrode 711 Semiconductor layer (GaAs system)
712 Lower electrode 72 Wire 73 Resin sealing member 73a Flat surface 73b Reflective surface 73c Side radiation surface 74 Cup 75 Conductive adhesive 100 Automobile 101 Door

Claims

In a rear-view endoscope apparatus that is installed at a predetermined position of a moving vehicle and confirms the rear of the moving vehicle by a mirror,
A housing having a hollow structure having an opening formed toward the rear,
A mirror arranged to close the opening of the housing;
An inner cover disposed with a predetermined space inside the housing;
An LED lamp disposed inside the housing,
The housing is made of a transparent or translucent material, and the light incident end into which light from the LED lamp is incident is formed by providing a step protruding inward between the thick part and the thin part, and the opening The peripheral end surface of the mirror constituting the light beam forms a light emitting end that radiates light incident on the incident end to the rear of the moving vehicle, and the thickness from the light incident end to the light emitting end is constant. A endoscope apparatus characterized by being formed as described above .

A plurality of the LED lamps are horizontally arranged on the lower side of the housing, and the step is formed on the lower side of the housing.
A coating region is formed on the outer surface of the lower side of the housing,
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the plurality of LED lamps emit light, the upper side of the end surface around the mirror in the housing emits light.

The rear endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner cover is colored so that the inside cannot be seen from the outside.

The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the radiation end of the housing is subjected to a diffusion process for diffusing the light emitted from the radiation end.

The LED lamp includes an LED chip that emits the light, and a transparent sealing member that seals the LED chip so as to emit the light in a plane direction perpendicular to a central axis of the LED chip. It is a planar emission type LED lamp,
The plane emission type LED lamp, according to any one of the four claim 1, wherein the light radiated in the planar direction is characterized by being arranged to be incident on the entrance end of said housing Endoscopic device.

The LED lamp is a bullet-type LED lamp including an LED chip that emits the light and a transparent sealing member that seals the LED chip so as to emit the light in a central axis direction of the LED chip. Yes,
The said bullet-type LED lamp is arrange | positioned so that the said light radiated | emitted to the said central-axis direction may inject into the said incident end of the said housing, The any one of Claim 1 to 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Endoscopic device.

The endoscope apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the LED chip has a GaAs-based or GaP-based crystal structure.

Said housing, said light propagating in said thickness according to any one of 7 from claim 1, characterized in that the radiation surface is formed so as to be radiated to the front of the moving vehicle Retroscope device.

9. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the radiation surface of the housing is a side surface of a recess or a slit formed in the housing.