JP6845453B2 - Light emitting unit for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a light emitting unit for a vehicle that emits light in a light emitting region provided inside a vehicle, and more particularly to a light emitting unit for a vehicle in which both the decorativeness and the function of the light emitting region are improved.

Light emitting units for vehicles are already known and are used, for example, as lighting when the interior of the vehicle becomes dark. An example of a vehicle light emitting unit used as lighting in this way is a courtesy lamp attached to the vehicle interior side of a vehicle door (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This courtesy lamp generally lights up when the door opens, illuminates the feet of the occupants to support getting on and off, and informs vehicles and people behind that the door is open.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-280657

However, a general courtesy lamp has a different appearance from the peripheral members in exhibiting the effect as lighting, and has, for example, a color tone different from the color tone of the peripheral members (for example, milky white). Therefore, the courtesy lamp is conspicuous because it does not harmonize with the peripheral members when it is not lit (when it is turned off).

In addition, many general courtesy lamps only turn on and off (turn on and off). On the other hand, the lighting device inside the vehicle is considered to be used for various purposes. For this reason, it is required to increase the variation of the light emitting mode (light emitting pattern) for the light emitting device inside the vehicle in order to correspond to various uses.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to increase the variation of the light emission pattern by harmonizing with the peripheral members when the light is not emitted, while functioning as the illumination inside the vehicle. The purpose is to provide a light emitting unit for a vehicle capable of this.

According to the vehicle light emitting unit of the present invention, the subject is a vehicle light emitting unit having a light emitting region provided in an internal space of a vehicle and emitting light in the light emitting region, and an illuminating body that irradiates light . and a control unit for controlling the pre-Symbol irradiated, while the previous SL-emitting region emits light, wherein the control unit controls the irradiated as light emission portion is moved regularly, the controller Controls the irradiator so that the light emitting portion moves to reach one end of the light emitting region and then returns to the other end to repeat the movement, and the light emitting portion that moves regularly includes the light emitting portion. The irradiator provided with the first irradiator that irradiates the internal space of the vehicle separately from the irradiator, and the light emitting portion that moves regularly is the second irradiator, and the control unit is a second irradiator. The second irradiator is controlled to emit light so that the light emitting portion moves regularly while the first irradiator emits light, and the first irradiator is a handle for opening and closing the door. The first light emitting portion installed around the recess in which the lever is housed is made to emit light, and the second irradiator is installed in the long portion provided above the recess in which the handle lever is housed. This is solved by making the light emitting part emit light.
In the light emitting unit for a vehicle of the present invention, the light emitting portion in the light emitting region moves regularly. By moving the light emitting portion in this way, the variation of the light emitting pattern increases. Further, if the light emitting portion is moved according to the situation inside and outside the vehicle, it is possible to appropriately notify the occupant of the change in the situation.

Further, in the vehicle light emitting unit, a transmissive body which is arranged at a position in front of the irradiating body and transmits light emitted from the irradiating body and a transmissive body which is arranged at a position in front of the transmissive body and is exposed in the internal space. A decorative body that forms an exposed surface of the light emitting region is formed, and while the light emitting region does not emit light, the decorative style of the exposed surface of the light emitting region formed by the decorative body is the light emitting region. It is preferable that the style corresponds to the decoration style of the exposed surface of the non-light emitting region adjacent to the above.
According to the vehicle light emitting unit of the present invention configured as described above, the decorative style of the exposed surface of the light emitting region is changed to the decorative style of the exposed surface of the non-light emitting region adjacent to the light emitting region while the light emitting region does not emit light. It is a style according to it. Therefore, when the light is not emitted, the light emitting region and the peripheral member (strictly speaking, the non-light emitting region) are in harmony, and the light emitting region can be made inconspicuous .

Further, the vehicle light emitting unit has a detection unit that detects an object that approaches or separates from the vehicle, and when the detection unit detects the object, the control unit performs the control unit. It is preferable to control the irradiator so that the light emitting portion moves along the direction corresponding to the moving direction of the object detected by the detection unit.
In the above configuration, the light emitting portion moves along the direction corresponding to the moving direction of the object approaching or separating from the vehicle. Therefore, the occupant will recognize the existence of the object and the moving direction thereof by visually recognizing the movement (flow) of the light emitting portion.

Further, in the vehicle light emitting unit, when the detection unit detects the object approaching the vehicle while the vehicle is in the stopped state, the control unit uses the detection unit to emit light. It is more preferable to control the irradiator so as to move along the direction corresponding to the detected movement direction of the object.
In the above configuration, when an object is approaching a vehicle with respect to a stopped vehicle, the movement of the light emitting portion is appropriately controlled so as to accurately inform the occupant of the moving direction (approaching direction) of the object. It becomes possible.

Further, in the vehicle light emitting unit, when the light emitting color of the light emitting portion is variable and the detection unit detects the object approaching the vehicle, the control unit receives the vehicle and the object. It is more preferable to specify at least one item among the distance between the distances and the moving speed of the object, and control the irradiator so that the emission color becomes a color corresponding to the specific result of the item.
In the above configuration, it is possible to inform the occupant of the vehicle of the condition of the object approaching the vehicle (specifically, the degree of approach, etc.) through the emission color of the light emitting portion.

According to the present invention, the light emitting region and the peripheral member (strictly speaking, the non-light emitting region) are in harmony with each other when the light is not emitted, and the light emitting region becomes inconspicuous. Further, by moving the light emitting part, the variation of the light emitting pattern increases. Further, by moving the light emitting portion according to the situation inside and outside the vehicle, it is possible to appropriately notify the occupant of the change in the situation.
Further, according to the present invention, the light emitting portion moves along the direction corresponding to the moving direction of the object approaching or separating from the vehicle. As a result, the occupant will be able to recognize the existence of the object and its moving direction by visually recognizing the movement (flow) of the light emitting portion.
Further, according to the present invention, when an object is approaching a vehicle in a stopped state, the movement of the light emitting portion is appropriate so as to accurately inform the occupant of the moving direction (approaching direction) of the object. It becomes possible to control.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to inform the occupant of the vehicle of the state of an object approaching the vehicle (specifically, the degree of approach, etc.) through the emission color of the light emitting portion.

It is a figure which shows the door lining for a vehicle which a predetermined part emits light by a light emitting unit for a vehicle. It is an enlarged view around the light emitting part in the door lining for a vehicle, and is the figure which shows the state at the time of non-light emission. It is an enlarged view around the light emitting part in the door lining for a vehicle, and is the figure which shows the state at the time of light emitting. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cross-sectional structure of a light emitting region. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the light emitting unit for a vehicle which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing about the arrangement of the sensor mounted on a vehicle. It is explanatory drawing about the movement pattern of a light emitting part. It is a figure which shows the flow of the light emission control flow executed by the control part of the light emitting unit for a vehicle.

Hereinafter, a vehicle light emitting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention (the present embodiment) will be described. In the following, a vehicle lighting unit mounted on a vehicle will be described as an example of a vehicle light emitting unit. However, the vehicle light emitting unit of the present invention can also be used for vehicles other than vehicles (strictly speaking, vehicles configured to accommodate occupants inside), and can also be used for, for example, ships and aircraft. It is possible.

Moreover, the following embodiment is an example for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. That is, the present invention can be modified and improved without deviating from the gist thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes an equivalent thereof. In particular, the shape, size, arrangement position and material of each member described below can be arbitrarily set as long as the effects of the present invention can be obtained without departing from the gist of the present invention.

<< Overview of vehicle lighting unit >>
First, the use and schematic configuration of the vehicle lighting unit (hereinafter, vehicle lighting unit 1) according to the present embodiment will be described. The vehicle lighting unit 1 is mainly used as lighting in the internal space (that is, the vehicle interior) of the vehicle, and emits light in a light emitting region provided in the vehicle interior. Specifically, in a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lighting unit 1, a door lining R as a decorative part is installed inside the door. As shown in FIG. 1, the door lining R is formed with a substantially trapezoidal recess in a lateral view in which a handle lever (so-called in-handle H) for opening and closing the door is housed. Then, a light emitting region 100 exists in a portion surrounding the recess. In the following, the light emitting region 100 installed around the recess in which the in-handle H is housed will be referred to as a first light emitting unit 10.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a substantially knife-shaped long portion X is provided above the recess in which the in-handle H is housed in the door lining R. Then, the light emitting region 100 exists at the upper end portion of the long portion X. In the following, the light emitting region 100 installed at the upper end portion of the long portion X will be referred to as a second light emitting unit 11.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, in the door lining R, the range from the portion where the first light emitting unit 10 is arranged to the portion where the second light emitting unit 11 is arranged is made into one component as an ornament member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the portion where the first light emitting unit 10 is arranged and the portion where the second light emitting unit 11 is arranged may be composed of separate parts.

Each of the first light emitting unit 10 and the second light emitting unit 11 functions as vehicle interior lighting, and lights up when the vehicle interior becomes dark, such as at night. Further, at least one of the first light emitting unit 10 and the second light emitting unit 11 (in the present embodiment, the second light emitting unit 11) is rearward of the vehicle when the door is opened while the vehicle is stopped. When an object (hereinafter referred to as an approaching object) is approaching a vehicle, light is emitted to notify the occupant of the existence of the approaching object. As described above, in the present embodiment, the light emitting region 100 functions as lighting and also functions as a notification means for notifying the presence or absence of a situation outside the vehicle (specifically, an approaching object). The approaching objects include other vehicles, people, bicycles, motorcycles (motorcycles), animals, and the like.

Further, around each of the first light emitting unit 10 and the second light emitting unit 11, there is a non-light emitting region that does not emit light. Specifically, the first light emitting portion 10 is arranged around the recess in which the in-handle H is housed, and the non-light emitting region (hereinafter, the first non-light emitting region 20) is arranged at the front position and the rear position, respectively. Is provided. Further, in the substantially knife-shaped long portion X provided on the door lining R, a second light emitting portion 11 is arranged at the upper end portion of the long portion X, and a non-light emitting region (non-light emitting region) is provided in other portions. Hereinafter, a second non-light emitting region 21) is provided.

The first light emitting unit 10 is adjacent to the first non-light emitting region 20. Further, the appearance of the exposed surface (the surface facing the vehicle interior) of the first light emitting unit 10 is the exposed surface (the surface facing the vehicle interior) of the first non-light emitting region 20 when the first light emitting unit 10 does not emit light. ) Is the same as the outfit. That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, the decorative style of the exposed surface of the first light emitting unit 10 corresponds to the decorative style of the exposed surface of the first non-light emitting region 20 when the first light emitting unit 10 does not emit light. It has become. Specifically, when the first light emitting unit 10 does not emit light, the decorative style of the exposed surface of the first light emitting unit 10 and the decorative style of the exposed surface of the first non-light emitting region 20 both have a metallic appearance. Present.

The second light emitting unit 11 is adjacent to the second non-light emitting region 21. Further, the appearance of the exposed surface (the surface facing the vehicle interior) of the second light emitting unit 11 is the exposed surface (the surface facing the vehicle interior) of the second non-light emitting region 21 when the second light emitting unit 11 is not emitting light. ) Is the same as the outfit. That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, the decorative style of the exposed surface of the second light emitting unit 11 corresponds to the decorative style of the exposed surface of the second non-light emitting region 21 when the second light emitting unit 11 does not emit light. It has become. Specifically, when the second light emitting unit 11 does not emit light, the decorative style of the exposed surface of the second light emitting unit 11 and the decorative style of the exposed surface of the second non-light emitting region 21 both have a metallic appearance. Present.

As described above, the decorative style of the exposed surface of the light emitting region 100 corresponds to the decorative style of the non-light emitting region adjacent thereto, so that the light emitting region 100 and the non-light emitting region are in harmony. As a result, the light emitting region 100 becomes less noticeable while the light emitting region 100 is not emitting light (when not emitting light), and the design of the door lining R is improved. That is, in the present embodiment, in a situation where lighting is required such as at night, the light emitting region 100 is made to emit light as shown in FIG. 2B to brighten the periphery of the light emitting region 100. On the other hand, in a situation where lighting is not required such as in the daytime, the existence of the light emitting region 100 is hidden by emphasizing the design of the door lining R as shown in FIG. 2A. Such a property is called stealth, and the vehicle lighting unit 1 according to the present embodiment has greatly improved stealth as compared with the conventional vehicle lighting device.

In the present embodiment, the "decorative style" means visual characteristics such as surface color scheme, pattern, gloss, and texture that appear due to the decorative treatment applied to the surface. Further, the "style according to the decorative style of the non-light emitting region" includes a style similar to the decorative style of the exposed surface of the non-light emitting region, and further, a style similar to the decorative style of the exposed surface of the non-light emitting region (specifically). In general, it includes a style in which the characteristic parts are common). Further, in the present embodiment, the exposed surfaces of both the light emitting region 100 and the non-light emitting region are metallic, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, wood grain or carbon. Other than that, the color scheme and the pattern may be the same.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the second light emitting unit 11 emits light to notify the occupant of the existence of the approaching object when the approaching object is approaching the vehicle from the rear of the vehicle. At this time, the portion of the exposed surface of the second light emitting unit 11 that actually emits light (light emitting portion 11a) is a part of the second light emitting unit 11 as shown in FIG. 2B. Further, the light emitting portion 11a in the second light emitting unit 11 changes regularly and moves regularly along the direction corresponding to the moving direction of the approaching object (strictly speaking, the front-rear direction of the vehicle). More specifically, the exposed surface of the second light emitting unit 11 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Then, when an approaching object from the rear of the vehicle is present when the door is opened, the light emitting portion 11a moves at a constant speed from the rear to the front in the extending direction of the second light emitting unit 11 (that is, the front-rear direction of the vehicle). .. Immediately after the light emitting portion 11a reaches the front end portion of the second light emitting portion 11, the light emitting portion 11a instantly returns to the rear end portion of the second light emitting unit 11 and then moves from the rear to the front again.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when there is an approaching object from the rear when the door is opened, the light emitting portion 11a moves from the rear to the front in the second light emitting unit 11. As a result, the occupant of the vehicle can intuitively grasp that an approaching object is approaching the opened door by visually recognizing the movement (flow) of the light emitting portion 11a.

In the present embodiment, the "direction corresponding to the moving direction of the approaching object" includes a direction along the moving direction of the approaching object, and further, a direction slightly tilted with respect to the moving direction of the approaching object or the movement of the approaching object. It includes a direction that is slightly curved with respect to the direction. Further, in the present embodiment, when there is an object (approaching object) approaching from the rear of the vehicle when the door is opened when the vehicle is stopped, the light emitting portion 11a is moved in the second light emitting unit 11. It is not limited to this. For example, when a lane change is performed while the vehicle (target vehicle) is traveling forward, the vehicle (rear vehicle) traveling behind the target vehicle in the changed lane becomes the target vehicle. When approaching toward each other, the light emitting point 11a may be moved for the purpose of notifying the fact. Further, when there is an object that is separated from the target vehicle, the light emitting portion 11a may be moved for the purpose of notifying the fact.

<< Composition of light emitting area >>
Next, the configuration of the light emitting region 100 will be described. The first light emitting unit 10 and the second light emitting unit 11 as the light emitting region 100 are provided in each of the door lining R installed on the left side of the vehicle interior and the door lining R installed on the right side. Further, the configuration of the light emitting region 100 is common between the left and right door linings R. Therefore, in the following, the light emitting region 100 provided in one door lining R (for example, the right door lining R) will be described as an example.

Each of the first light emitting unit 10 and the second light emitting unit 11 has a main body portion 110 and an irradiating body 120 as shown in FIG. The irradiator 120 irradiates light toward the interior of the vehicle interior, and comprises a light source (specifically, a first light source 12 and a second light source 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, which will be described later) as constituent elements. Have. Further, the irradiator 120 may further include a light guide member (light guide plate or optical fiber) for transmitting light emitted from the light source as a component.

The main body portion 110 defines the outer shape of the light emitting region 100, and faces the vehicle interior to exhibit the decorativeness of the light emitting region 100. Specifically, the main body portion 110 provided in the first light emitting unit 10 has a substantially trapezoidal frame shape. Further, the main body portion 110 provided in the second light emitting unit 11 has a linear shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

Further, the main body portion 110 has a laminated structure as shown in FIG. 3, and is composed of a base material 111 and a decorative film 112. The base material 111 corresponds to a transmitting body, is arranged at a position in front of the irradiating body 120 (specifically, a position inside the irradiating body 120 in the vehicle width direction), and transmits the light emitted from the irradiating body 120. Let me. The base material 111 is molded with a translucent resin material, specifically, ABS resin (acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene copolymer synthetic resin), PC resin (polycarbonate resin) or PMMA resin (polymethylmethacrylate resin). It was done.

A known light diffusing material (light diffusing material) is contained in the base material 111 of the main body portion 110 constituting the first light emitting unit 10. Therefore, the light from the irradiator 120 becomes diffused by the diffuser material as it passes through the base material 111. As a result, when the irradiating body 120 of the first light emitting unit 10 irradiates light, the entire main body portion 110 including the base material 111 emits light, in other words, the entire first light emitting unit 10 emits light.

The decorative film 112 corresponds to a decorative body and is attached to the surface of the base material 111 (the surface located more inward in the vehicle width direction). That is, the decorative film 112 is arranged at a position in front of the base material 111 (specifically, a position inside the base material 111 in the vehicle width direction). The decorative film 112 is located closest to the passenger compartment side (inside in the vehicle width direction) of the main body portion 110, and imparts decorativeness to the main body portion 110. That is, the decorative film 112 forms an exposed surface of the light emitting region 100 that is exposed in the internal space of the vehicle interior.

Explaining the decorative film 112 in detail, the decorative film 112 according to the present embodiment has a multilayer structure as shown in FIG. 3, and has a pattern layer 112a and a base 112b. The base 112b is a portion made of polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and is composed of a film (that is, a colorless transparent film having translucency) before printing or the like is performed. ing.

Further, the pattern layer 112a is located on the exposed side in the vehicle interior in the decorative film 112, and is a portion colored in a metallic tone in the present embodiment. Specifically, the surface of the pattern layer 112a is decorated (pattern) so as to have the same decorative style as the non-light emitting region adjacent thereto. As a result, the surface of the main body portion 110 (in other words, the exposed surface of the light emitting region 100) exhibits a metallic texture as in the non-light emitting region adjacent thereto. The pattern layer 112a is formed by a printing process such as gravure printing or silk screen printing, and the ink, pigment, or the like used in this process is translucent. Therefore, the light transmitted through the base material 111 can pass through the decorative film 112 including the pattern layer 112a.

Further, in the present embodiment, the decorative film 112 is attached to the surface of the base material 111 with an adhesive or the like. That is, an adhesive layer 112c is formed between the base material 111 and the decorative film 112 as shown in FIG. However, the method of making the surface of the main body portion 110 metallic is not limited to the method of attaching the decorative film 112, and for example, the resin surface of the base material 111 is subjected to a vapor deposition treatment or a mirror ink coating. A method of application is also available.

Incidentally, as a method of easily associating the decorative style of the light emitting region 100 with the decorative style of the non-light emitting region (specifically, a method of unifying the decorative style), a common decoration is performed between the light emitting region 100 and the non-light emitting region. It is conceivable that the film 112 is used and the decorative film 112 forms exposed surfaces in both the light emitting region and the non-light emitting region. At this time, it is preferable to form a blocking layer by solid-painting black ink on the back surface of the portion of the decorative film 112 located in the non-light emitting region by a printing process such as gravure printing or silk screen printing. .. The portion provided with the blocking layer does not have translucency and blocks the light transmitted through the base material 111. By making a difference in translucency in the decorative film 112 depending on the presence or absence of the blocking layer, only the portion of the decorative film 112 located in the light emitting region 100 has translucency, while the non-light emitting region. Light-shielding property is given to the located portion.

<< Control mechanism in vehicle lighting unit >>
Next, the control mechanism in the vehicle lighting unit 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle lighting unit 1 includes a control device 2, a sensor, a buzzer 4, a first light emitting unit 10 and a second light emitting unit 11, and a control circuit.

The control device 2 corresponds to a control unit and is composed of a vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The control device 2 controls the irradiating body 120 each of the first light emitting unit 10 and the second light emitting unit 11, strictly speaking, the light source constituting the irradiating body 120. More specifically, when the first light emitting unit 10 emits light, the control device 2 lights the first light source 12 constituting the irradiator 120 of the first light emitting unit 10 via the first light emitting unit control circuit 5A. .. As a result, the entire exposed surface of the first light emitting unit 10 emits light.

Further, when the second light emitting unit 11 is made to emit light, the control device 2 lights the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e constituting the irradiator 120 of the second light emitting unit 11. A plurality of the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e are provided, and are installed in a row along the extending direction (front-rear direction of the vehicle) of the second light emitting unit 11. Then, the control device 2 selects one of the plurality of second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e, and lights the selected one light source through the second light emitting unit control circuit 5B. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, one portion of the exposed surface of the second light emitting portion 11 emits light as a light emitting portion 11a.

More specifically, the control device 2 will explain the control of the second light emitting unit 11 in more detail so that the light emitting portion 11a regularly moves on the exposed surface of the second light emitting unit 11 while the second light emitting unit 11 emits light. The two light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e are controlled. More specifically, the control device 2 lights one of the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, and the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e to be turned on are sequentially switched. The second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e are controlled. As a result, the light emitting portion 11a moves along the front-rear direction. At this time, the light emitting portion 11a moves from the rear to the front, reaches the front end of the second light emitting unit 11, returns to the rear end, and repeats the above movement (movement from the rear to the front).

Regarding the moving direction of the light emitting portion 11a described above, the order of the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e constituting the irradiating body 120 of the second light emitting unit 11 is reversed. It is switchable. That is, the control device 2 controls the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e so that the light emitting portion 11a moves in the direction opposite to the moving direction shown in FIG. 5 (direction from the front to the rear). It is also possible.

The sensor corresponds to a detection unit, and when the door is opened when the vehicle is stopped (when the vehicle is stopped), this is used as a trigger to detect an approaching object approaching from the rear of the vehicle V. .. Then, when the sensor detects an approaching object from the rear of the vehicle, the sensor outputs a signal according to the detection result to the control device 2. When the control device 2 receives the output signal from the sensor, the control device 2 receives the output signal from the sensor, and based on the signal, the position of the approaching object with respect to the vehicle V, the moving direction (approaching direction) of the approaching object, the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object, and. Identify the approach speed of the approaching object.

In this embodiment, a plurality of sensors are attached to the vehicle body of the vehicle V as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the position of the sensor is schematically indicated by a black circle. As a supplement to the sensors, as shown in FIG. 6, a total of four sensors are provided at one location on each of the front, rear, left and right sides of the vehicle body. That is, the right front sensor 3a, the right rear sensor 3b, the left front sensor 3c, and the left rear sensor 3d are attached to the vehicle body of the vehicle V.

In this embodiment, each sensor is composed of a known ultrasonic sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a sensor made of a microwave radar may be used in combination. Incidentally, when a sensor composed of a microwave radar is used, it is preferable to install the sensor in the rear bumper of the vehicle V (for example, a place marked with a cross in FIG. 6).

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, two front sensors (that is, the right front sensor 3a and the left front sensor 3c) and two rear sensors (that is, the right rear sensor 3b and the left rear sensor 3d). ) Are symmetrically arranged in the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle V, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number and placement positions of the sensors may be at least one in the front, back, left and right. For example, additional sensors are installed in the places marked with white circles in FIG. You may.

The buzzer 4 is a device that generates a warning sound in the vehicle interior. The vehicle lighting unit 1 according to the present embodiment has a buzzer 4, but may not have a buzzer 4.

To supplement the function of the control device 2 according to the present embodiment, the control device 2 determines the position (relative position) of the approaching object with respect to the target vehicle (hereinafter, vehicle V) when the approaching object is detected by the sensor when the vehicle is stopped. And, the moving direction (approaching direction) of the approaching object is specified. Further, the control device 2 specifies the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object and the approaching speed when the approaching object approaches the vehicle V based on the detection result of the sensor. Here, the "approaching speed" means the relative speed of the approaching object with respect to the speed of the vehicle V. The control device 2 according to the present embodiment specifies both the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object and the approaching speed when the approaching object approaches the vehicle V. The above two items Of these, only one of the items may be specified.

Then, the control device 2 sets the emission color and the moving speed of the emission portion 11a in the second light emitting unit 11 based on the specific results of the above two items. Then, the control device 2 controls the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e so that the light emitting portion 11a emits light in the set emission color and moves at the set moving speed. ..

Specifically, when the control device 2 recognizes that an approaching object is approaching the vehicle V through receiving a signal from the sensor, the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object and the approaching object are approaching. Identify the speed. Then, the control device 2 controls the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e so that the light emitting portion 11a moves at a moving speed according to the above-mentioned specific result. More specifically, in the control device 2, the second light source 13a, such that the light emitting point 11a moves faster as the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object becomes shorter, while the light emitting point 11a moves slower as the distance becomes longer. It controls 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e. Further, the control device 2 controls the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e so that the light emitting portion 11a moves faster as the approaching speed increases, while the light emitting portion 11a moves slower as the approaching speed decreases. ..

Further, the control device 2 has the second light sources 13a, 13b, so that the emission color of the light emitting portion 11a changes to a color corresponding to the specific result of the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object and the approaching speed of the approaching object. It controls 13c, 13d, 13e. That is, in the present embodiment, the emission color of the light emitting portion 11a in the second light emitting unit 11 is variable. Then, the control device 2 controls the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e so that the emission color of the light emitting portion 11a becomes a color corresponding to the specific result of the above two items.

More specifically, the control device 2 determines whether or not the specific result of the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object exceeds the reference value (value referred to when determining the approaching degree of the approaching object). To do. Then, when the distance is less than the reference value, the control device 2 controls the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e so that the emission color of the emission portion 11a becomes the first emission color (for example, blue). .. On the other hand, when the distance exceeds the reference value, the control device 2 controls the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e so that the emission color of the emission portion 11a becomes the second emission color (for example, red). .. Further, the control device 2 makes the light emitting color of the light emitting point 11a the first light emitting color when the approaching speed is lower than the reference value, and when the approaching speed exceeds the reference value, the light emitting point 11a The second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e are controlled so that the emission color becomes the second emission color.

Here, as the second light source 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, a light source known as a light source whose emission color can be switched (for example, a lamp provided with LEDs of a plurality of colors) can be used. The mechanism and mechanism for switching the emission color will be omitted.

Explaining further functions of the control device 2 according to the present embodiment, the control device 2 can control the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e so that the light emitting portion 11a moves while blinking. Is. At this time, the control device 2 moves while blinking the light emitting portion 11a at a blinking speed corresponding to the specific result of at least one item among the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object and the approaching speed of the approaching object. The second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e are controlled in this way.

<< About light emission control flow >>
Next, the light emission control flow by the control device 2 will be described. In the control device 2, when the occupant turns on a predetermined lighting switch (not shown), the irradiators 120 (strictly speaking, the first light source 12 and the first light source 12 and the second light emitting unit 12 and the second light emitting unit 11 of the first light emitting unit 10 and the second light emitting unit 11 are turned on. The two light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e) are controlled to make each light emitting unit emit light. Further, when the vehicle V is stopped while each light emitting unit emits light and the occupant opens the door in such a state, the control device 2 starts the attention-calling control flow shown in FIG. 7. Hereinafter, the attention-calling control flow will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

When the attention-calling control flow is started, the control device 2 determines whether or not there is an approaching object from the rear of the vehicle V based on whether or not an output signal is received from the sensor (S001). Specifically, the control device 2 identifies a door that is opened when the vehicle is stopped. After that, when the sensor located on the same side as the specified door among the right rear sensor 3b and the left rear sensor 3d detects an approaching object, a signal is output from the sensor to the control device 2. Upon receiving such a signal, the control device 2 determines that there is an approaching object approaching the opened door.

Then, when the control device 2 determines in step S001 that an approaching object exists, the process proceeds to step S002, and when the control device 2 determines that an approaching object does not exist, the process proceeds to step S007.

In step S002, the control device 2 determines the position of the approaching object (position relative to the vehicle V), the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object, and the moving speed of the approaching object (approaching speed) based on the output signal from the sensor. ) And. After that, the control device 2 selects the second light emitting unit 11 provided in the door lining R corresponding to the position of the approaching object specified in step S002 among the left and right door linings R (S003). The second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e of the second light emitting unit 11 selected in this step S003 are controlled targets in the subsequent control.

Further, the control device 2 sets the moving speed and the emission color of the light emitting portion 11a in the second light emitting unit 11 according to the specific result in step S002 (S004). More specifically, the control device 2 calculates the moving speed of the light emitting point 11a with the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object and the approaching speed of the approaching object as parameters. At this time, the moving speed of the light emitting portion 11a is calculated to increase as the distance becomes shorter or the approaching speed increases, and decreases as the distance becomes longer or the approaching speed becomes smaller. Further, the control device 2 compares the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object and the approaching speed of the approaching object with each reference value, and if it is less than the reference value, the emission color is first emitted. It is set to a color, and if it exceeds the reference value, the emission color is set to the second emission color.

Then, after setting the moving speed and the light emitting color of the light emitting point 11a, the control device 2 is a control target so that the light emitting point 11a moves along the direction corresponding to the moving direction (approaching direction) of the approaching object. The second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e are controlled (S005). More specifically, the second light source 13a so that the light emitting portion 11a moves from the rear to the front at the moving speed also set in step S004 while emitting light in the light emitting color set in step S004. , 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e are controlled.

In step S005, the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e may be controlled so that the light emitting portion 11a moves while blinking. At this time, if the second light sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e are controlled so that the light emitting portion 11a moves while blinking at a blinking speed according to the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object, the vehicle V It becomes easier for the occupants to grasp the situation of the approaching object (specifically, the degree of approach).

Further, the control device 2 reproduces a warning sound through the buzzer 4 while the second light emitting unit 11 is emitting light in the above-mentioned light emitting mode (S006). Here, the warning sound is a sound for making the occupant of the vehicle V notice that the light emitting portion 11a in the second light emitting unit 11 is moving.

After that, the control device 2 repeats the series of steps S001 to S006 described above until the control end operation is performed (S007). Here, the control end operation is an operation performed by the occupant as an operation for terminating the attention-calling control flow, and specifically, an operation of closing the door in the open state corresponds to the operation.

Then, when the control device 2 recognizes that the control end operation has been performed and the operation has been accepted, the control device 2 stops the movement of the light emitting portion 11a in the second light emitting unit 11 and sounds the buzzer 4. It is controlled to stop the warning sound (S008). When step S008 ends, the alerting control flow ends at that point. If the control end operation is performed before detecting the approaching object (that is, No in step S001 and Yes in step S007), the attention alert control flow ends as it is without performing step 008. ..

As described above, in the alert control flow, when the occupant of the vehicle V opens the door when the vehicle is stopped, when the sensor detects an approaching object approaching the vehicle V from behind the vehicle V, it is the same as the opened door. The light emitting pattern of the second light emitting unit 11 located on the side (in other words, the second light emitting unit 11 arranged on the same side as the approaching object when viewed from the vehicle V) is changed. Specifically, in the second light emitting unit 11 described above, the light emitting portion 11a moves from the rear to the front. As a result, the occupant of the vehicle V can recognize the existence of an approaching object behind the opened door and the approaching direction thereof by visually recognizing the movement (flow) of the light emitting portion 11a.

By moving the light emitting portion 11a from the rear to the front on the exposed surface of the second light emitting unit 11, the occupant can intuitively grasp the existence of an approaching object from the rear. Further, in the alert control flow, the light emitting mode of the second light emitting unit 11 (specifically, the movement of the light emitting portion 11a) is determined according to the specific result of the distance between the vehicle V and the approaching object and the approaching speed of the approaching object. Change the speed and emission color). As a result, the occupant can easily recognize the change in the light emitting mode, and can grasp the degree of approach of the approaching object from the changed light emitting mode.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second light emitting unit 11 is provided on each of the pair of left and right door linings R. Then, among the pair of left and right second light emitting units 11, the light emitting portion 11a is moved only in the second light emitting unit 11 located on the same side as the opened door. As a result, the occupant can accurately grasp the position of the approaching object (strictly speaking, whether it is on the left side or the right side of the vehicle V) as well as the approaching direction of the approaching object.

<< Other Embodiments >>
Although the configuration example of the vehicle lighting unit of the present invention has been described above with an example, the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and other embodiments are also conceivable. For example, in the above embodiment, the light emitting region 100 is provided at a predetermined portion of the door lining R (specifically, a portion located around the in-handle H or above the in-handle H). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the position where the light emitting region 100 is provided may be arbitrarily determined, but preferably, a position suitable for lighting and easily visible to the occupant is preferable.

Further, in the above embodiment, the light emitting portion 11a in the second light emitting unit 11 moves substantially linearly in the front-rear direction, but the moving direction and the moving path are not particularly limited, and for example, light emitting. The portion 11a may move in a ring shape.

Further, in the above embodiment, during the period when the second light emitting unit 11 emits light, a part of the exposed surface of the second light emitting unit 11 always emits light as the light emitting portion 11a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a part of the exposed surface of the second light emitting unit 11 is covered only during the period when the second light emitting unit 11 emits light when the caution control flow is executed. The light may be emitted, and at other times, the entire exposed surface of the second light emitting unit 11 may be made to emit light.

1 Vehicle lighting unit (vehicle light emitting unit)
2 Control device (control unit)
3a Front right sensor 3b Right rear sensor 3c Left front sensor 3d Left rear sensor 4 Buzzer 5A First light emitting unit control circuit 5B Second light emitting unit control circuit 10 First light emitting unit 11 Second light emitting unit 11a Light emitting point 12 First light source 13a, 13b , 13c, 13d, 13e Second light source 20 First non-light emitting region (non-light emitting region)
21 Second non-light emitting region (non-light emitting region)
100 Light emitting area 110 Main body 111 Base material 112 Decorative film (decorative body)
112a Picture layer 112b Base 112c Adhesive layer 120 Irradiator H In-handle R Door lining V Vehicle (vehicle)
X long part

Claims (5)

A vehicle light emitting unit having a light emitting region provided in the internal space of a vehicle and emitting light in the light emitting region.
And the irradiated body is irradiated with light,
And a control unit for controlling the pre-Symbol irradiated,
While previous SL-emitting region emits light, wherein the control unit controls the irradiated as light emission portion is moved regularly,
The control unit
The irradiator is controlled so that the light emitting portion moves to reach one end of the light emitting region and then returns to the other end to repeat the movement.
In addition to the irradiator provided by the light emitting portion that moves regularly, a first irradiator that irradiates the internal space of the vehicle is provided.
The irradiator included in the light emitting portion that moves regularly is a second irradiator.
The control unit controls the second irradiator to emit light so that the light emitting portion moves regularly while the first irradiator emits light.
The first irradiator causes the first light emitting portion installed around the recess in which the handle lever for opening and closing the door is housed to emit light.
The second irradiator is a light emitting unit for a vehicle, characterized in that a second light emitting unit installed in a long portion provided above a recess in which the handle lever is housed emits light. A transmissive body arranged at a position in front of the irradiating body and transmitting light emitted from the irradiating body, and a transmissive body.
It has a decorative body that is arranged at a position in front of the transmissive body and forms an exposed surface of the light emitting region that is exposed in the internal space.
While the light emitting region does not emit light, the decorative style of the exposed surface of the light emitting region formed by the decorative body is a style corresponding to the decorative style of the exposed surface of the non-light emitting region adjacent to the light emitting region. The vehicle light emitting unit according to claim 1. It has a detection unit that detects an object that approaches or separates from the vehicle.
When the detection unit detects the object, the control unit controls the irradiation body so that the light emitting portion moves along a direction corresponding to the movement direction of the object detected by the detection unit. The light emitting unit for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2. When the detection unit detects the object approaching the vehicle while the vehicle is in the stopped state, the control unit corresponds to the moving direction of the object whose light emitting point is detected by the detection unit. The light emitting unit for a vehicle according to claim 3 , wherein the irradiating body is controlled so as to move along the direction of movement. The emission color of the light emitting part is variable,
When the detection unit detects the object approaching the vehicle, the control unit identifies at least one item of the distance between the vehicle and the object and the moving speed of the object. The light emitting unit for a vehicle according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the irradiation body is controlled so that the light emitting color becomes a color corresponding to a specific result of the item.