JP4438391B2 - Drawing device using laser light - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus that draws an appropriate pattern by irradiating a laser beam to a predetermined location, and more particularly to an apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle and draws a predetermined pattern on a road surface.

  This type of apparatus is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707. The device described in Patent Document 1 describes a traveling state such as a planned traveling direction, a vehicle speed or a deceleration state on a road surface in front, rear, or side of the host vehicle in a pattern such as two straight lines or curves. It is configured as follows. The pattern is displayed by irradiating a laser beam. Specifically, a semiconductor laser generated by a beam generator is incident on a scan actuator via a beam shaping lens and a polarization shaper. It is configured. The scan actuator is composed of an ultrasonic deflector, a galvanometer mirror, and the like. When the scan actuator is driven by a predetermined controller, the laser beam irradiated toward the road surface is scanned and a predetermined pattern is formed on the road surface. It has come to be portrayed.

Patent Documents 2 and 3 describe a configuration in which a mirror is movable as a mechanism for scanning a laser beam to describe a predetermined pattern. An apparatus provided with a beam splitter for separating a laser beam is described in Patent Document 4.
JP 2003-231450 A JP-A-6-273696 JP-A-6-281882 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-80264

  As described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, if a laser beam is scanned at a certain high speed by a scanning actuator, a straight line, a curved line, or a predetermined pattern combining these can be drawn, and Patent Document 2 or 3, by driving the movable mirror at a certain high speed, an appropriate pattern can be drawn by the laser beam reflected by the movable mirror. However, since these apparatuses irradiate a scan actuator or mirror with a laser having high energy generated by a semiconductor laser generator or the like, strong laser energy is concentrated in the vicinity of the scan actuator or mirror. In addition, a weak laser beam is used in consideration of the safety when pedestrians or other eyes are directly irradiated when irradiating a predetermined location, and as a result, the brightness of the pattern drawn on the road surface may be reduced. There is sex. In addition, if a strong laser beam is used to ensure the brightness of the pattern, if the scan actuator or movable mirror is stuck for some reason and does not move, there is a possibility that the strong laser beam will be focused and irradiated. is there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described technical problems, it is an object to provide an easy imaging device miniaturization as a whole.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 separates a laser beam emitted from the laser light source in a drawing device using a laser beam that draws a predetermined pattern by irradiating the laser beam emitted from the laser light source. a dispersion optical system to the plurality of separated beams by the provided for each separate beam, e Bei an irradiation position adjusting mechanism depicting the predetermined pattern by irradiating by changing the irradiation direction of each separation beams The irradiation position adjusting mechanism has at least two reflecting mirrors, each of which is a fixed reflecting mirror provided for each separated beam and whose reflection angle cannot be changed, and a movable reflecting mirror that rotates around a predetermined axis. The installation angle of each movable reflector is the same when the movable range is in the neutral position, and the array of the fixed reflectors for each separation beam is installed in the neutral position. Degree is a device which is characterized in that it is set to a sequence predetermined reference pattern is drawn by the separation beams said reflected by the movable reflecting mirror which is the same.

Further, as described in claim 2 , the movable reflecting mirror can be configured to be held so as to rotate around at least two axes intersecting each other.

According to the present invention, the laser beam emitted from the laser light source is separated into a plurality of separated beams by the dispersion optical mechanism. Therefore, a plurality of irradiation beams for a plurality of laser beams necessary for describing a predetermined pattern, that is, a pattern formed by a plurality of irradiation points, are prepared by this dispersion optical mechanism, and each separation beam is simultaneously prepared. The energy density is reduced. Each separate beam is irradiated is changed with each other irradiation direction by irradiation position adjusting mechanism provided in correspondence with, Ru predetermined pattern is portrayed by a combination of the irradiation spot.

Further, since the use Iteiru the mechanism of a configuration mainly composed of movable retroreflector irradiation morphism position adjusting mechanism, it becomes unnecessary to use a mechanism for optical axis distance, such as the lens becomes long, miniaturize the overall configuration of device can do.

In particular , since the reflection optical system for each separation beam has a fixed reflection mirror and a movable reflection mirror , various reflection angles, that is, irradiation positions by the movable reflection mirror for each separation beam can be varied. A pattern can be depicted.

In this invention the further, since the basic pattern determined by the array of fixed reflectors, in terms of the control of the movable reflecting mirror is facilitated, perspective irradiation position by causing the angle of the movable reflecting mirror is changed all at once in the same direction Further, by changing the angle of the movable reflector for each separation beam individually, the mode of change from the basic pattern can be further diversified.

  Next, the present invention will be described based on specific examples. The apparatus according to the present invention separates the laser beam into a plurality of beams or parallel beams, irradiates the separated beams onto a predetermined portion such as a road surface, and the irradiation portions (or irradiation spots). ) Is configured to form a predetermined pattern as a whole. Therefore, the drawing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a laser light source 1 for oscillating a laser beam such as a semiconductor laser or a YAG laser that emits a laser beam, as shown in principle in FIG. The dispersion optical mechanism 2 for separating the laser beam oscillated from the light into a plurality of separated beams is provided.

  The dispersion optical mechanism 2 includes a diffractive optical element that separates one laser beam into a plurality of separated beams, a lens system that combines a plurality of lenses, and the like. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a pair of dispersion optical mechanisms 2 are provided, and these dispersion optical mechanisms 2 are separated from the laser light source 1 and their optical axes do not coincide with each other. A reflection optical system 7 including a plurality of mirrors 3, 4, 5, and 6 for guiding the beam to each dispersion optical mechanism 2 is provided. The mirror 5 provided corresponding to one of the dispersion optical mechanisms 2 is a so-called beam splitter composed of a half mirror or the like, and reflects half of the incident laser beam toward the one dispersion optical mechanism 2. The other half is transmitted toward the mirror 6 provided corresponding to the other dispersion optical mechanism 2.

  An irradiation position adjusting mechanism 8 is provided for irradiating the plurality of separated beams separated by the dispersion optical mechanism 2 toward a predetermined irradiation position. The irradiation position adjustment mechanism 8 includes a plurality of pairs of mirrors 9 and 10 provided for each separation beam. FIG. 2 schematically shows the pair of mirrors 9, 10. The incident side mirror 9 reflects the separated beam (laser beam) incident from the dispersion optical mechanism 2, and is reflected by the incident side mirror 9. The irradiation side mirror 10 is configured to reflect the separated beam toward a predetermined location such as a road surface. At least one of these mirrors 9 and 10 is a movable mirror whose reflection angle can be changed. In the specific example shown in the figure, the irradiation side mirror 10 is a movable reflection mirror, on the incident side. The mirror 9 is a fixed reflecting mirror whose reflection angle cannot be changed. As the movable reflecting mirror, a galvanometer mirror can be adopted as an example.

  More specifically, the irradiation side mirror 10 for each separation beam is arranged substantially in a straight line. Further, each of the irradiation side mirrors 10 is configured to be held so as to be rotatable about two axes (preferably two axes orthogonal to each other) X and Y intersecting each other. In the case of a galvanometer mirror, the rotation angle is determined according to the current supplied to the coil. And the state which does not flow an electric current is a neutral state (neutral state), and each irradiation side mirror 10 is adjusted so that the reflection angle (installation angle) in a neutral state may become substantially the same. Accordingly, the reflecting surfaces of the respective irradiation side mirrors 10 substantially coincide on a single flat surface in the neutral state.

  The separated beam reflected by the incident-side mirror 9 is reflected by the irradiation-side mirror 10 and applied to a predetermined location such as a road surface and draws a predetermined pattern, so that it is depicted by the reflection angle of each mirror 9, 10. The pattern changes. Therefore, in the specific example shown in the figure, a predetermined basic pattern such as a straight line is drawn in a state where each irradiation side mirror 10 is in a neutral state. That is, since the irradiation side mirrors 10 are arranged in a neutral state so as to form a single plane, the installation angles of the incident side mirrors 9 are made different from each other or adjusted appropriately to each separation beam. Each incident side mirror 9 is arranged so that a predetermined pattern such as a straight line is drawn by slightly shifting each irradiation point (irradiation spot). FIG. 3 schematically shows an example, in which the angle of each incident side mirror 9 gradually changes, and the arrangement direction is different between one end side and the other end side with respect to the central part. Of course, this arrangement may be varied according to the shape of the basic pattern.

  FIG. 1 described above shows an example of the present invention in principle, and when it is configured to be mounted on a vehicle, it is housed in a predetermined case 11 and packaged. An example thereof is shown in a schematic perspective view in FIG. 3, and the laser light source 1 is accommodated along the longitudinal direction at the center upper portion in FIG. 3 in the rectangular parallelepiped case 11. The first mirror 3 is fixed obliquely rearward and obliquely downward in FIG. 3 on the front side of the laser beam oscillation direction so as to reflect the laser beam emitted from the laser light source 1 backward. It has become. A second mirror 4 corresponding to the first mirror 3 is fixed to the rear end corner of the case 11 so as to reflect the laser beam at a right angle in plan view. That is, the laser beam emitted from the laser light source 1 is folded back in a direction opposite to the oscillation direction from the laser light source 1 in plan view.

  The third and the second set on the straight line with respect to the second mirror 4, in other words, on the optical axis of the laser beam reflected by the second mirror 4, at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the optical axis. Four mirrors 5 and 6 are arranged. The mirror 5 closer to the second mirror 4 is a beam splitter composed of a half mirror or the like. The installation angles of the third and fourth mirrors 5 and 6 are angles that reflect the laser beam toward the entire surface of the case 11. In order to prevent the reflected laser beam from being blocked by the laser light source 1, the third and fourth mirrors 5 and 6 are disposed in the case 11 at a position lower than the laser light source 1.

  The dispersive optical mechanism 2 described above is disposed on the front side of the third and fourth mirrors 5 and 6, that is, at the position where the laser beam reflected by the mirrors 5 and 6 is received. The incident side mirror 9 is arranged at a position for receiving the parallel light separated by the dispersion optical mechanism 2. Therefore, the arrangement position is a lower position in FIG. On the other hand, the irradiation side mirror 10 is arranged on the upper side in FIG. That is, the incident side mirror 9 is disposed obliquely upward, and the irradiation side mirror 10 is disposed obliquely forward. Therefore, an irradiation opening 12 is formed on the front side of the case 11.

  FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of the drawing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 as a plan view, and FIG. 5 shows a side view. As shown in FIG. 4, the arrangement direction of the incident side mirrors 9 is different between a group corresponding to one dispersion optical mechanism 2 and a group corresponding to the other dispersion optical mechanism 2. This is because, for example, the pattern drawn by the laser beam reflected by each incident side mirror 9 at a neutral position of the galvano mirror constituting the irradiation side mirror 10 (position in a state where the current is zero) is predetermined. It was decided to be a basic pattern.

  The depiction device 13 according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 can be disposed laterally on the upper portion of the windshield 15 in the vehicle 14 as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. Then, by appropriately setting the angles of the respective irradiation side mirrors 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the laser beam is irradiated in two rows on the left and right on the road surface in the traveling direction of the vehicle 14. A pattern similar to two parallel lines can be drawn. In that case, by changing the angle of the irradiation side mirror 10 uniformly, the pattern can be drawn at a position close to the host vehicle 14 or drawn at a far position. Further, by making the angles of the respective irradiation side mirrors 10 different, it is possible to draw a short pattern corresponding to the vehicle speed, or to draw a long pattern on the contrary. Furthermore, a pattern other than a straight line can be drawn as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, by individually controlling the angle of each irradiation side mirror 10 around the X axis and the Y axis according to the steering angle and the vehicle speed of the vehicle, The planned turning route can be drawn as a curve on the road surface.

  As described above, in the depiction apparatus 13 according to the present invention, after the laser beam oscillated from the laser light source 1 is separated into a plurality of separated beams, the laser beam is reflected by the irradiation position adjusting mechanism 8 including a galvanometer mirror and irradiated to the outside. Since a predetermined pattern is drawn on the irradiation surface, the energy density of the separation beam incident on the irradiation position adjusting mechanism 8 and the separation beam irradiated to the outside can be reduced. In addition, since the energy density of the laser beam with respect to the irradiation position adjusting mechanism 8 is low, it is not necessary to particularly increase the optical axis distance from the laser light source 1 to the irradiation position adjusting mechanism 8. The configuration can be reduced in size.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific example, and the position to be mounted on the vehicle may be on the left and right upper sides of the windshield. Also good. Further, it may be arranged at the center of the front grille, or above the left and right headlamps. Furthermore, when a pattern is drawn on the rear road surface or the side road surface of the vehicle, it can be attached to the rear part or side surface of the body. On the other hand, the drawing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the one mounted on the vehicle, and can be applied to a stationary drawing apparatus.

  In addition, the irradiation position adjusting mechanism according to the present invention may be configured to irradiate a predetermined position by individually reflecting or refracting the separated beam, and therefore, for one separated beam. In the case of using a plurality of reflecting mirrors, it may be configured such that only one of the reflecting mirrors is a movable structure. In other words, instead of the so-called biaxial structure described above, a so-called uniaxial structure may be used.

It is a schematic diagram which shows in principle an example of the drawing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relative position and rotating shaft of the incident side mirror and irradiation side mirror which comprise the irradiation position adjustment mechanism. It is a typical perspective view which shows more concretely the composition of the drawing device concerning this invention. It is the typical top view. It is the typical side view. It is explanatory drawing which shows the attachment position with respect to a vehicle, and an irradiation pattern. It is explanatory drawing which shows another pattern. It is explanatory drawing which shows another pattern. It is explanatory drawing which shows the pattern of a curve.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Laser light source, 2 ... Dispersion optical mechanism, 5 ... Mirror (beam splitter), 8 ... Irradiation position adjustment mechanism, 9 ... Incident side mirror, 10 ... Irradiation side mirror, 11 ... Case, 12 ... Irradiation opening part, 13 ... Description device.

Claims (2)

In a drawing device using a laser beam that draws a predetermined pattern by irradiating a laser beam emitted from a laser light source,
A dispersion optical mechanism that separates a laser beam emitted from the laser light source into a plurality of separated beams;
Wherein provided for each separate beam, Bei example an irradiation position adjusting mechanism depicting the predetermined pattern by irradiating by changing the irradiation direction of each separation beams,
The irradiation position adjustment mechanism has at least two reflecting mirrors, which are provided for each separation beam, a fixed reflecting mirror that cannot change the reflection angle, and a movable reflecting mirror that rotates around a predetermined axis,
The installation angles when the movable reflectors are in the neutral position in the movable range are the same, and the fixed reflectors for each separation beam are arranged at the neutral positions at the same installation angle. It is set in an array in which a predetermined reference pattern is drawn by each separated beam reflected by the movable reflector.
Imaging device by a laser beam, wherein a call. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each movable reflecting mirror for each separated beam is held so as to rotate about at least two axes intersecting each other .

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