JP6279394B2 - Light emitting device for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle light emitting device.

  Conventionally, a light-emitting device including a large number of light sources arranged so as to be continuously arranged is known. An LED that employs an LED as the light source is referred to as an “LED tape” or an “LED bar”, and is used in, for example, a lighting fixture disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  In recent years, there has been an increasing number of cases where such a light emitting device is provided on the front side of a vehicle, for example, so that each light source is fully lit in conjunction with a vehicle width lamp. In this case, the light emitting device is an illumination lamp and is also a means for enhancing the visibility of the vehicle from the outside.

JP 2014-022125 A

  By the way, the inventors have studied to emit light that moves smoothly by providing the above-described light emitting device in a vehicle and turning on each light source in turn. However, if the lighting timings of many light sources are controlled to be different, there is a problem that the control becomes complicated. In the first place, the above-described light emitting device has a problem that a large number of light sources are required and the cost is high.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable to simplify the control by reducing the number of light sources. However, when the number of light sources is reduced, the light sources are provided in a toothless shape as viewed from the outside of the vehicle, and it is impossible to realize light that moves smoothly. This problem cannot be solved when the light guide plate is arranged so as to fill the gap between the light sources.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle light emitting device that emits light that moves at a low cost and flows smoothly by simple control. is there.

The vehicle light-emitting device according to the present invention includes a base, a plurality of light sources, a plurality of emission units, a light shielding unit, and a control unit. At least one light source is provided in the section when a predetermined area is divided into a plurality of sections when viewed from the outside space. Each emitting portion is provided so as to divide the section into a plurality of blocks larger than the number of light sources in the section. The emission unit can emit light emitted from at least one light source to the space outside the vehicle. The light shielding portion is provided between the emitting portions as viewed from the space outside the vehicle. The control unit can adjust the lighting timing and brightness of each light source for each section.
In the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit is selected with storage means for storing a plurality of lighting patterns in advance, selection means for selecting one lighting pattern from each lighting pattern based on the vehicle information, and Adjusting means for adjusting the lighting timing and brightness of the light source according to the lighting pattern. In at least one lighting pattern among the lighting patterns, the dimming period of the light source in one of the two sections adjacent to each other and the dimming period of the light source in the other section are continued.
In the second aspect of the present invention, the light emitting portions are arranged so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the predetermined area. The width in the longitudinal direction of the emission part and the light shielding part is narrower from one side to the other side in the longitudinal direction.

  When the present invention is viewed from the space outside the vehicle, each emitting portion appears to emit light. That is, it is possible to reduce the number of light sources while emitting light in the same manner as in the case where the light sources are arranged at positions corresponding to the respective emission units. For example, when five sections are provided, two light sources are provided in each section, and an emission part is provided so as to divide one section into five blocks, 25 light sources can be emitted by ten light sources. . That is, the number of light sources can be reduced by 15 compared to a configuration in which light sources are arranged at all 25 locations.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the control unit adjusts the lighting timing and brightness of each light source for each section, so that it can emit light that moves smoothly. Here, the lighting timing and brightness of each light source need not be adjusted for each light source, but may be adjusted for each section. At this time, among the two adjacent sections, the dimming period of the light source in one section and the dimming period of the light source in the other section are made continuous in time, so that the emission part is 1 It seems to shine in order one by one.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the number of light sources. Further, according to the present invention, since it is sufficient to control the lighting of a relatively small number of light sources, light that moves smoothly can be realized by simple control.

It is a front view of the vehicle equipped with the light-emitting device for vehicles by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the right side of the front grille in which the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. 1 was provided. It is a figure which shows the state which removed the outer lens of the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a time table which shows the 1st lighting pattern which the microcontroller of the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. 2 has memorize | stored. It is a time table which shows the 2nd lighting pattern which the microcontroller of the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. 2 has memorize | stored. It is a time table which shows the 3rd lighting pattern which the microcontroller of the light-emitting device for vehicles of FIG. 2 has memorize | stored.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<One Embodiment>
A vehicle light-emitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The vehicle light emitting device 10 is mounted on the vehicle 5, and is provided on the right side and the left side of the front grille 6 as viewed from the outside space side in the present embodiment, for example. These vehicle light-emitting devices 10 have the same configuration except that they are symmetrical. The front grille 6 is a decorative part provided between the headlight 9 between the hood 7 and the bumper 8 of the vehicle 5. Below, the light-emitting device 10 for vehicles on the right side of the front grille 6 as viewed from the vehicle exterior side will be described.

[Constitution]
First, the configuration of the vehicle light emitting device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The vehicle light emitting device 10 includes a base 20, a plurality of LEDs 30, an inner lens 40, an outer lens 50, and a control unit 60.

  The base 20 is recessed on the opposite side to the vehicle exterior space, and is formed with a recess 21 formed to extend from the center of the front grill 6 to the right side when viewed from the vehicle exterior side, and a predetermined portion occupied by the recess 21 when viewed from the vehicle exterior space side And four partition walls 22 partitioning the area into five sections 23-27. The first section 23, the second section 24, and the third section 25 are arranged from the center of the front grill 6 toward the right side. The fourth section 26 and the fifth section 27 are arranged from the third section 25 toward the upper right side when viewed from the vehicle exterior space side.

  The inner surface of the recess 21 and the side surface of the partition wall portion 22 are subjected to a surface treatment that has an effect of reflecting light. In the present embodiment, for example, a white coating film 28 is formed, and this coating film 28 functions as a reflecting means (reflector).

  The LED 30 corresponds to a “light source” recited in the claims, and two LEDs 30 are provided in each of the sections 23 to 27. In the first section 23, the second section 24, and the third section 25, the LED 30 is fixed on the side opposite to the vehicle exterior space of a light transmitting plate 41 described later. In the fourth section 26 and the fifth section 27, the LED 30 is fixed to the inner surface of the recess 21.

  The inner lens 40 includes a translucent plate 41 provided so as to close the opening of the recess 21, and a light shielding film 42 provided on the vehicle exterior space side with respect to the translucent plate 41. The light shielding film 42 is formed along the edge of the translucent plate 41 when viewed from the outside of the vehicle, and a plurality of grid portions 44 formed so as to divide the inside of the frame portion 43. And have. Between each grating | lattice part 44, the output surface 45 which can radiate | emit the light which LED30 in a corresponding section emits to the vehicle exterior space side is formed. That is, the translucent plate 41 has a plurality of emission surfaces 45 that divide the sections 23 to 27 into a plurality of blocks when viewed from the outside space side. The exit surface 45 corresponds to an “exit portion” described in the claims. The light shielding film 42 corresponds to a “light shielding portion” described in the claims.

  The number of emission surfaces 45 is 1.5 times or more the number of LEDs 30 in the corresponding section. In the first section 23 and the second section 24, the number of emission surfaces 45 is five, which is 2.5 times the number of LEDs 30. In the third section 25, the number of emission surfaces 45 is six, which is three times the number of LEDs 30. In the fourth section 26, the number of emission surfaces 45 is 13, which is 6.5 times the number of LEDs 30. In the fifth section 27, the number of emission surfaces 45 is 12, which is 6 times the number of LEDs 30.

A surface treatment that has an effect of diffusing light is applied to the side of the translucent plate 41 opposite to the space outside the vehicle. In the present embodiment, fine irregularities 46 are formed, for example, and the irregularities 46 function as diffusion means.
The respective emission surfaces 45 are arranged so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the predetermined area, that is, the vehicle width direction. Further, the width in the vehicle width direction of the lattice portion 44 of the light exit surface 45 and the light shielding film 42 becomes narrower from the center of the front grill 6 to the right side.

  The outer lens 50 is provided on the foremost surface of the front grill 6, that is, on the outer space side of the inner lens 40. A semi-transparent film 51 is formed on the outer lens 50 on the side opposite to the vehicle exterior space. The semi-transparent film 51 is made of, for example, a very thin vapor-deposited film, and transmits a part of the incident light while reflecting a part of the incident light. Thereby, the outer lens 50 functions as a half mirror.

The control unit 60 includes a driver 61 and a microcontroller 62.
The driver 61 is a driving device for lighting the LEDs 30 and is electrically connected to each LED 30. The driver 61 has a constant current circuit that controls the current to the LED 30 to be constant, a dimming circuit that controls the brightness of light emitted from the LED 30, and the like. It can be adjusted every .about.27.

  The microcontroller 62 includes a CPU, a memory, an input / output unit, and the like incorporated in one integrated circuit, and is electrically connected to the driver 61. The microcontroller 62 is connected to communication lines such as CAN and LIN, for example, and can acquire vehicle information detected by various sensors of the vehicle. The vehicle information includes, for example, a door lock signal, an ignition power signal, an accessory power signal, an illumination power signal, a vehicle speed signal, and an obstacle detection signal.

  The microcontroller 62 controls the driver 61 by executing a program process based on the vehicle information. Specifically, the microcontroller 62 includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of lighting patterns in advance, a selection unit that selects one lighting pattern from the lighting patterns based on the vehicle information, and the selected lighting pattern. Driver control means for controlling the driver 61 according to the above. The driver control means and the driver 61 of the microcontroller 62 constitute “adjustment means” described in the claims.

[Operation]
The vehicular light emitting device 10 configured as described above emits light that moves smoothly as the control unit 60 adjusts the lighting timing and brightness of each LED 30 for each of the sections 23 to 27. Can do. Here, the lighting timing and brightness of each LED 30 do not need to be adjusted for each LED 30, and may be adjusted for each of the sections 23 to 27. At this time, by making the dimming period of the LED 30 in one of the two adjacent sections temporally continuous with the dimming period of the LED 30 in the other section, by the optical illusion, It looks as if the exit surfaces 45 are shining one by one in order.

[Lighting pattern]
Next, the lighting pattern of each LED 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 show the brightness of the LEDs 30 of the sections 23 to 27 at predetermined intervals. In the present embodiment, the brightness of the LED 30 is adjusted in three stages. The numbers in each figure indicate the brightness of the LED 30, where “0” is a weak level, “1” is a medium level, and “2” is a strong level.

  FIG. 6 is a lighting pattern when the door lock is released. In this lighting pattern, the predetermined time is set to 0.5 seconds. The shaded portion in the figure indicates the dimming period. The dimming periods of the sections 23 to 27 are continuous in time. By repeating this lighting pattern twice, each emission surface 45 shines so as to move rhythmically from the inside toward the outside so as to represent welcome.

  FIG. 7 shows a lighting pattern when the accessory power source is turned off. In this lighting pattern, the predetermined time is set to 0.5 seconds. The dimming periods of the sections 23 to 27 are continuous in time. By performing this lighting pattern, the light on each emission surface 45 is slowly and smoothly turned off from the outside of the vehicle toward the inside so as to indicate the end.

  FIG. 8 shows a lighting pattern when an obstacle is detected. In this lighting pattern, the predetermined time is set to 0.2 seconds. By repeating this lighting pattern, the light of each emission surface 45 blinks violently to notify the surroundings of the emergency state.

[effect]
As described above, the vehicle light emitting device 10 according to the present embodiment includes the base 20, the plurality of LEDs 30, the plurality of emission surfaces 45, the light shielding film 42, and the control unit 60. At least one LED 30 is provided in each of the sections 23 to 27 when a predetermined area is divided into a plurality of sections 23 to 27 when viewed from the vehicle exterior space side. Each emission surface 45 is provided so as to divide the sections 23 to 27 into a plurality of blocks larger than the number of LEDs 30 in the sections 23 to 27. The emission surface 45 can emit light emitted from at least one LED 30 to the vehicle exterior space side. The light shielding film 42 is provided between the emission surfaces 45 when viewed from the space outside the vehicle. The control unit 60 can adjust the lighting timing and brightness of each LED 30 for each of the sections 23 to 27.

  When the vehicle light emitting device 10 is viewed from the vehicle exterior space side, each emission surface 45 appears to emit light. That is, it is possible to reduce the number of LEDs 30 while emitting light in the same manner as the form in which the LEDs 30 are arranged at positions corresponding to the respective emission surfaces 45. In the present embodiment, it is possible to cause 41 LEDs to emit light at 10 locations. That is, the number of LEDs 30 can be reduced by 31 compared to a mode in which the LEDs 30 are arranged at all 41 locations.

  In addition, the vehicle light emitting device 10 can emit light that moves smoothly by the control unit 60 adjusting the lighting timing and brightness of each LED 30 for each of the sections 23 to 27. Here, the lighting timing and brightness of each LED 30 do not need to be adjusted for each LED 30, and may be adjusted for each of the sections 23 to 27. At this time, by continuing the dimming period of the LED 30 in one of the two adjacent sections and the dimming period of the LED 30 in the other section, it is as if the emission surface 45 is one by one. You can make them appear to shine in order.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the number of LEDs 30. In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is only necessary to control the lighting of a relatively small number of LEDs 30, and thus light that moves smoothly can be realized by simple control.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the number of the output surfaces 45 is 1.5 times or more of the number of LED30 in a corresponding section. Therefore, the cost reduction effect by reducing the number of LED30 is high.
In the present embodiment, the emission surfaces 45 are arranged in the vehicle width direction, and the width in the vehicle width direction of the lattice portion 44 of the emission surface 45 and the light shielding film 42 goes from the center of the front grill 6 to the right side. It is so narrow. Therefore, it appears that the emission surface 45 is located on the vehicle rear side as it goes from the center of the front grille 6 to the right side. Thereby, the light-emitting device 10 for vehicles can give a feeling of depth.

<Other embodiments>
In another embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle light emitting device may be provided in a vehicle exterior product other than the front grille. Further, the vehicle light emitting device is not limited to the front side of the vehicle, and may be provided on the side side or the rear side.
In other embodiments of the invention, the number of sections may be other than five. The direction in which the sections are arranged is not limited to the vehicle width direction.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the base may not have a partition wall. That is, each section may not be physically separated. Thus, according to the form in which each section is not physically separated, the light of the LED leaks between adjacent sections, and light with a motion that flows more smoothly can be emitted.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the reflection means formed in the concave portion of the base and the partition wall portion may be constituted by, for example, a vapor deposition film other than the coating film. Further, the reflecting means may be composed of a member different from the base.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the number of LEDs provided in one section may be one, or three or more. Further, the number of LEDs may be different between the sections.
In the above-described embodiment, the value obtained by dividing the number of emission parts by the number of LEDs in the corresponding section was 2.5 or more. On the other hand, in another embodiment of the present invention, the value may be smaller than 2.5. If the value is larger than 1.0, a cost reduction effect can be obtained.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the translucent plate of the inner lens may be composed of a plurality of members.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the light shielding portion may not be in the form of a film. Further, the light shielding portion may be provided on the opposite side of the vehicle exterior space with respect to the translucent plate.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the inner lens may have a light guide plate instead of the translucent plate on which irregularities are formed. In this case, the light from the LED is incident on the end surface of the light guide plate (the surface in the direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction). And the base does not need to have a recessed part.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the width in the vehicle width direction of the exit surface and the grid portion of the light shielding film may be constant.
In other embodiments of the present invention, a semi-translucent film does not necessarily have to be formed on the outer lens.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the brightness of the LED may be adjusted in two steps, four or more steps, or may be adjusted continuously.
In the above-described embodiment, “0” is a weak level among the numbers indicating the brightness of the LED 30 in FIGS. On the other hand, in other embodiment of this invention, "0" may be light extinction among the numbers which show the brightness of LED30 in FIGS.
The lighting pattern described in the above embodiment is an example. In another embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle light emitting device can emit light with a predetermined lighting pattern other than when the door lock is released, when the accessory power supply is turned off, and when an obstacle is detected.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Vehicle 10 ... Light-emitting device for vehicles 20 ... Base 23 ... 1st section 24 ... 2nd section 25 ... 3rd section 26 ... 4th section 27 ... 5th section 30 ... LED (light source)
42 ... Light-shielding film (light-shielding part)
45 .. exit surface (exit part)
61 ... Driver (control unit)
62... Microcontroller (control unit)

Claims (4)

A vehicle light-emitting device equipped in a vehicle,
Base and
A plurality of light sources attached to the base, provided at least one in the section when the predetermined area is divided into a plurality of sections when viewed from the outside space side of the vehicle;
A plurality of emission units provided to divide the section into a plurality of blocks larger than the number of the light sources in the section, and capable of emitting light emitted from at least one of the light sources to the outside space side;
A light-shielding part provided between the emission parts as seen from the outside space side;
A control unit capable of adjusting the lighting timing and brightness of each light source for each section;
Equipped with a,
The control unit includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of lighting patterns in advance, a selection unit that selects one lighting pattern from the lighting patterns based on vehicle information, and the light source according to the selected lighting pattern. Adjusting means for adjusting the lighting timing and brightness,
In at least one lighting pattern of each of the lighting patterns, a dimming period of the light source in one section of two sections adjacent to each other, and a dimming period of the light source in the other section, A light emitting device for a vehicle characterized in that Each of the emitting portions is arranged to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the predetermined area,
Wherein the longitudinal width of the emitting portion and the light shielding portion, the vehicle light emitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the narrower toward the other side from one side of the longitudinal direction. A vehicle light-emitting device equipped in a vehicle,
Base and
A plurality of light sources attached to the base, provided at least one in the section when the predetermined area is divided into a plurality of sections when viewed from the outside space side of the vehicle;
A plurality of emission units provided to divide the section into a plurality of blocks larger than the number of the light sources in the section, and capable of emitting light emitted from at least one of the light sources to the outside space side;
A light-shielding part provided between the emission parts as seen from the outside space side;
A control unit capable of adjusting the lighting timing and brightness of each light source for each section;
Equipped with a,
Each of the emitting portions is arranged to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the predetermined area,
The light emitting device for vehicles, wherein the light emitting unit and the light shielding unit have a width in the longitudinal direction that is narrower from one side to the other side in the longitudinal direction . The number of said output parts is 1.5 times or more of the number of the said light sources in the said corresponding section, The light-emitting device for vehicles as described in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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