JP7414519B2 - Road surface drawing equipment and vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a road surface drawing device and a vehicle, and specifically relates to a road surface drawing device that can be installed in a vehicle and a vehicle equipped with the road surface drawing device.

In recent years, from the viewpoint of safety, vehicles are sometimes equipped with a road surface drawing device that can draw a drawn image having a predetermined shape on the road surface. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a vehicle equipped with such a road surface drawing device. The road surface drawing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a light source, a projection lens, and a shade disposed between the light source and the projection lens. The shade is provided with an opening having a predetermined shape, and when light emitted from the light source passes through the opening, a drawn image having a predetermined shape is drawn on the road surface. Further, the shade of this road surface drawing device is configured to be rotatable around an axis. Therefore, by rotating the shade, the drawn image can be moved left and right with respect to the traveling direction.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-174735

However, in the road surface drawing device as described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a shade between the light source and the lens in order to form a drawn image of a predetermined shape and to move the drawn image. Therefore, the number of parts tends to increase.

Therefore, the present invention provides a road drawing device that is capable of forming a drawn image with a small number of parts, can move the drawn image with a small number of parts, and is capable of drawing a road surface with a small number of parts. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that can move a drawn image on a road surface with a small number of parts.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a road surface drawing device that can be installed in a vehicle, which comprises: a light source that emits light; a lens that has an entrance surface through which the light enters; and an exit surface through which the light exits; A drive unit that rotates the lens such that the inclination of an optical axis of the lens changes, and a control unit that drives the drive unit at a predetermined timing, and at least one of the entrance surface and the exit surface The present invention is characterized in that it includes a drawing contribution area that refracts the light so that a drawn image showing a predetermined character by the light is projected onto a road surface.

According to the road surface drawing device of the present invention, at least one of the entrance surface and the exit surface of the lens is a drawing contribution region that refracts light so that a drawn image showing a predetermined character by light emitted from the lens is projected onto the road surface. Contains. In this specification, a character means a figure, symbol, character, etc. that can remind you of the operating state of a vehicle. Therefore, by irradiating this drawing contributing region with light, it is possible to form a drawn image on the road surface that can evoke the operating state of the vehicle. Therefore, according to the road surface drawing device of the present invention, there is no need to provide an optical component such as a shade between the light source and the lens in order to form such a drawn image, and the number of components can be reduced.

Further, in the road surface drawing device of the present invention, the inclination of the optical axis of the lens can be changed by the driving section. That is, according to the road drawing device of the present invention, the angle between the optical axis of the lens and the road surface can be changed at a predetermined timing, and thereby the drawn image projected onto the road surface can be moved at a predetermined timing. . In this way, according to the road drawing device of the present invention, the drawn image can be moved with a small number of parts.

Note that it is preferable that the driving unit rotates the lens around an axis perpendicular to the optical axis.

According to such a configuration, compared to the case where the lens is rotated around an axis that is not perpendicular to the optical axis, the tilt of the optical axis of the lens can be changed significantly, and the movement of the drawn image can be increased. .

Further, it is preferable that the drawing contribution area is located on the exit surface.

In this case, the light can be shaped into the shape of the drawn image at the stage when the light is emitted from the lens. Therefore, compared to the case where the drawing contributing region exists on the incident surface, the shape of the drawing contributing region can be designed more easily.

Further, the drawn image may include a plurality of images projected onto the road surface at a distance from each other, and the drawing contribution area may include a plurality of areas that individually form each of the plurality of images.

According to such a configuration, since images can be formed individually for each region, a drawn image consisting of a plurality of images can be formed relatively easily. Furthermore, by forming the drawn image from a plurality of images, the drawn image can have a stronger impact on the viewer than when the drawn image consists of a single image.

Further, when the drawn image includes a plurality of images projected at a distance from each other, the plurality of regions may be separated by an intersection line where curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect.

By configuring the drawing contributing regions in this way, it is possible to effectively change the direction of light refraction in the region located on one side of the intersection line and the direction of light refraction in the region located on the other side. This makes it easy to form a plurality of images spaced apart from each other on the road surface.

Further, the control section may drive the drive section when the direction indicator is operated.

In this case, the drawn image can be moved at the timing when the direction indicator operates.

Further, the control section may drive the drive section when a steering angle of a steering wheel is a predetermined angle or more.

In this case, the drawn image can be moved at the timing when the vehicle turns to the right or left.

Further, the control unit may drive the drive unit when the accelerator of the vehicle is depressed to a predetermined threshold value or more.

In this case, the drawn image can be moved at the timing when the accelerator of the vehicle is depressed.

Further, the control unit may drive the drive unit when the brake of the vehicle is depressed to a predetermined threshold value or more.

In this case, the drawn image can be moved at the timing when the brake of the vehicle is depressed.

Further, the vehicle may include a sensor that detects a person present around the vehicle, and the control unit may drive the drive unit when the sensor detects the person.

In this case, the drawn image can be moved at the timing when the sensor detects a person.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a vehicle of the present invention is characterized by being equipped with any of the road surface drawing devices described above.

As described above, according to the road surface drawing device of the present invention, a drawn image can be formed with a small number of parts, and it can also be possible to move the drawn image with a small number of parts. Therefore, according to the vehicle of the present invention equipped with such a road surface drawing device, it is possible to perform road surface drawing with a small number of parts, and it is also possible to move a drawn image in road surface drawing with a small number of parts. It can be.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a road surface drawing device that can form a drawn image with a small number of parts, can move the drawn image with a small number of parts, and can draw a road surface with a small number of parts. To provide a vehicle that can move a drawn image on a road surface with a small number of parts.

1 is a plan view conceptually showing a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a drawn image drawn by the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view conceptually showing the front road drawing device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the front road surface drawing device viewed from the exit surface side of the drawing lens, and is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the front road surface drawing device. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the operation of a drawing lens. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how a drawn image moves. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st control of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd control of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the 3rd control of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the 4th control of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the 5th control of a control part.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing a road surface drawing device and a vehicle according to the present invention will be illustrated along with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments illustrated below are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to be interpreted as limiting the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved from the following embodiments without departing from the spirit thereof. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of each member may be exaggerated in order to facilitate understanding.

FIG. 1 is a plan view conceptually showing a vehicle in an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle in this embodiment is a four-wheeled automobile 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing part of the configuration of the automobile 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automobile 1 includes a front light 10, a right direction indicator 20, a left direction indicator 30, a backlight 40, a front road surface drawing device 50F, and a rear road surface drawing device 50B. The main components include a control section 60, a steering wheel 61, an accelerator 62, a brake 63, a detection sensor 65, and a storage section 90. In this specification, "right" means the right side with respect to the traveling direction of the automobile 1, and "left" means the left side with respect to the traveling direction of the automobile 1.

The front light 10 has a right front light 11 and a left front light 12. The right front light 11 and the left front light 12 emit light at the same time, for example, when a light switch (not shown) is operated. The front light 10 is configured to be able to be switched to low beam, high beam, or daylight by, for example, an operation by the driver of the automobile 1 or by automatic control.

The right direction indicator 20 has a right front turn lamp 21, a right side mirror turn lamp 22, and a right rear turn lamp 23. The right front turn lamp 21 is provided, for example, on the right side of the right front light 11 and close to the right front light 11. The right side mirror turn lamp 22 is provided, for example, on the front surface of the right side mirror cover 24. Further, the right rear turn lamp 23 is provided, for example, on the right side of the right backlight 41 and close to the right backlight 41. The right front turn lamp 21, the right side mirror turn lamp 22, and the right rear turn lamp 23 emit light at the same time, for example, when a right turn switch (not shown) is operated. By causing the right direction indicator 20 to emit light in this manner, people around the vehicle are informed that the automobile 1 is turning to the right. Thereafter, the driver rotates the steering wheel 61 clockwise from the reference position by a predetermined steering angle, and the automobile 1 turns to the right according to the steering angle.

Further, the right direction indicator 20 is connected to the control section 60, and outputs a signal to the control section 60 when the right front turn lamp 21, the right side mirror turn lamp 22, and the right rear turn lamp 23 emit light. .

The left direction indicator 30 has a left front turn lamp 31, a left side mirror turn lamp 32, and a left rear turn lamp 33. The left front turn lamp 31 is provided, for example, on the left side of the left front light 12 and close to the left front light 12. The left side mirror turn lamp 32 is provided, for example, on the front surface of the left side mirror cover 34. Furthermore, the left rear turn lamp 33 is provided, for example, on the left side of the left backlight 42 and close to the left backlight 42 . The left front turn lamp 31, the left side mirror turn lamp 32, and the left rear turn lamp 33 emit light at the same time, for example, when a left turn switch (not shown) is operated. By causing the left direction indicator 30 to emit light in this manner, people around the vehicle are informed that the automobile 1 is turning to the left. Thereafter, the driver rotates the steering wheel 61 counterclockwise from the reference position by a predetermined steering angle, and the automobile 1 turns to the left according to the steering angle.

Further, the left direction indicator 30 is connected to the control unit 60, and outputs a signal to the control unit 60 when the left front turn lamp 31, left side mirror turn lamp 32, and left rear turn lamp 33 emit light. .

The backlight 40 has a right backlight 41 and a left backlight 42. The right backlight 41 and the left backlight 42 emit light at the same time, for example, when a brake (not shown) is operated or when the light switch is operated.

The forward road drawing device 50F is a device that draws a drawn image of a predetermined shape on a road surface that is a predetermined distance ahead of the automobile 1. In this embodiment, the front road surface drawing device 50F is installed, for example, on the right side of the left front light 12 in close proximity to the left front light 12, and is installed on the left side of the center of the automobile 1.

This forward road drawing device 50F includes a light source 51F whose optical axis faces generally forward, a control section 60, a first motor drive circuit 91M connected to the control section 60 and a motor 83F to be described later, and a control section 60 and the light source 51F. The first light source drive circuit 91L is connected to the first light source drive circuit 91L.

The rear road surface drawing device 50B is a device that draws a drawn image of a predetermined shape on a road surface that is a predetermined distance rearward from the automobile 1. In this embodiment, the rear road surface drawing device 50B is installed, for example, on the left side of the right backlight 41 and in close proximity to the right backlight 41. Note that the rear road surface drawing device 50B may be arranged together with the right backlight 41 and the right rear turn lamp 23 in a light chamber covered with a light-transmissive casing (not shown).

This rear road surface drawing device 50B includes a light source 51B whose optical axis generally faces rearward, a control section 60, a second motor drive circuit 92M connected to the control section 60 and a motor 83B to be described later, a control section 60 and a light source 51B. and a second light source drive circuit 92L connected to the second light source drive circuit 92L.

The left road surface drawing device 50L is a device that draws a drawn image of a predetermined shape on a road surface that is a predetermined distance away from the automobile 1 to the left. In this embodiment, the left road surface drawing device 50L is installed, for example, behind the left front turn lamp 31 and close to the left front turn lamp 31. Note that the left road surface drawing device 50L may be arranged, together with the left front light 12, the left front turn lamp 31, and the front road surface drawing device 50F, in a light chamber covered with a light-transmissive casing (not shown).

This left road surface drawing device 50L includes a light source 51L whose optical axis generally points to the left, a control section 60, a third motor drive circuit 93M connected to the control section 60 and a motor 83L to be described later, a control section 60 and a light source 51L. A third light source drive circuit 93L connected to the third light source drive circuit 93L is provided.

The right road surface drawing device 50R is a device that draws a drawn image of a predetermined shape on a road surface that is a predetermined distance away from the vehicle 1 to the right. In this embodiment, the right road surface drawing device 50R is installed, for example, behind the right front turn lamp 21 and close to the right front turn lamp 21. Note that the right road surface drawing device 50R may be arranged together with the right front light 11 and the right front turn lamp 21 in a light chamber covered with a light-transmissive casing (not shown).

This right road surface drawing device 50R includes a light source 51R whose optical axis generally points to the right, a control section 60, a fourth motor drive circuit 94M connected to the control section 60 and a motor 83R to be described later, a control section 60 and a light source 51R. A fourth light source drive circuit 94L is connected to the fourth light source drive circuit 94L.

As described above, the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R have the control unit 60 in common. This control section 60 drives the motors 83F, 83B, 83L, and 83R at predetermined timing. For example, the control unit 60 may be a part of the electronic control unit (ECU) of the automobile 1, or may be provided separately from the ECU. Examples of such a control unit 60 include a microcontroller, an integrated circuit such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), an LSI (Large-scale Integrated Circuit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an NC (Numerical Control) device. be able to. Moreover, when the control unit 60 uses an NC device, it may use a machine learning device or may not use a machine learning device.

The steering wheel 61 is provided on the front right side of the automobile 1 and includes a steering angle sensor (not shown). This steering angle sensor is connected to the control section 60 and outputs a signal corresponding to the steering angle of the steering wheel 61 from the reference position to the control section 60.

The accelerator 62 is provided on the front right side of the steering wheel 61 and includes a depression amount sensor (not shown). This depression amount sensor is connected to the control section 60 and outputs a signal to the control section 60 according to the amount of accelerator depression.

The brake 63 is provided on the front left side of the steering wheel 61 and includes a depression amount sensor (not shown). This depression amount sensor is connected to the control section 60 and outputs a signal to the control section 60 according to the amount of brake depression.

The detection sensor 65 is installed on the left side of the center of the automobile 1, and is configured as a human sensor. The configuration of this detection sensor 65 includes, for example, a configuration including a camera, an image processing section, a detection section, etc. (not shown). For example, the camera is configured to be able to photograph the surroundings of the vehicle. The image processing unit also performs image processing on the image taken by the camera. Further, the detection unit detects people present around the vehicle based on information subjected to image processing by the image processing unit. With such a configuration, the detection sensor 65 can detect a person located within a predetermined distance around the automobile 1. The detection sensor 65 is connected to the control section 60 and outputs a signal to the control section 60 when a person existing within a predetermined distance around the automobile 1 is detected.

Incidentally, there is a strong tendency for pedestrians to be present on the opposite side to the side where the steering wheel is arranged. For example, in countries and regions where it is common for the steering wheel 61 to be placed on the right side of the car 1 as in this embodiment, pedestrians are placed on the left side of the car 1 due to reasons such as a sidewalk being provided on the left side of the car 1. There is a strong tendency to exist. Therefore, by arranging the detection sensor 65, which is a human sensor, on the left side of the automobile 1 as in this embodiment, it is possible to detect a person more easily than when the detection sensor 65 is arranged on the right side of the automobile 1. . However, the position where the human sensor is installed is not limited to the front left side of the automobile 1.

The storage unit 90 is connected to the control unit 60 and stores tables and the like for controlling the motors 83F, 83B, 83L, and 83R. As such a storage unit 90, for example, a semiconductor memory or the like may be used.

Next, the front road surface drawing device 50F will be explained in more detail.

FIG. 3 is a side view conceptually showing the front road surface drawing device 50F. As shown in FIG. 3, the front road surface drawing device 50F mainly includes a light source 51F that emits light L, a drawing lens 52, and a control section 60. The light source 51F and the drawing lens 52 are arranged slightly tilted downward with respect to the horizontal plane.

The light source 51F is fixed to the body of the automobile 1 by a structure not shown. The light source 51F is arranged approximately on the focal point of the drawing lens 52, and emits the light L forward. Therefore, the light L is emitted diagonally downward from the light source 51F and enters the drawing lens 52.

The drawing lens 52 is fixed to the body of the automobile 1 by a configuration described later, and is rotatable about a rotation axis perpendicular to the optical axis LA of the drawing lens 52. The drawing lens 52 has an entrance surface 54 into which the light L enters, and an exit surface 55 through which the light L exits. In this embodiment, the entrance surface 54 has a generally planar shape. On the other hand, the exit surface 55 has a shape that is convex toward the exit direction of the light L.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the front road surface drawing device 50F viewed from the exit surface 55 side of the drawing lens 52, and is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the front road surface drawing device 50F. As shown in FIG. 4, the front road surface drawing device 50F further includes a drive section 80. The drawing lens 52 rotates from the reference state shown in FIG. 4 as the drive unit 80 is driven. This drive section 80 will be explained in detail later. Note that in FIG. 3, illustration of the drive unit 80 is omitted to avoid complicating the diagram. Further, FIG. 3 is a side view corresponding to the reference state shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the output surface 55 of the drawing lens 52 has a drawing non-contributing area 57 located at the outer edge of the drawing lens 55 and a drawing contributing area 53 located inside the drawing non-contributing area 57. Contains. The drawing non-contributing area 57 is an area where almost no light L from the light source 51F is emitted, or even if the light L is emitted from the area, the diffusion angle of this light L is large and it hardly appears as a projected image on the road surface. This is an area that does not contribute to road surface drawing. On the other hand, the drawing contribution area 53 is an area from which most of the light L is emitted, and is an area that contributes to road surface drawing.

Note that the drawing lens 52 may be formed so that the entire output surface 55 becomes the drawing contribution area 53.

The drawing contribution region 53 is formed by connecting three curved surfaces with different curvatures, and includes a first region 53a consisting of a curved surface located at the bottom, and a second region 53b consisting of a curved surface located at the center and most protruding. and a third region 53c consisting of a curved surface located at the upper part. That is, the first region 53a and the second region 53b are separated by an intersection line CL1 where curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect, and the second region 53b and the third region 53c are separated by curved surfaces having different curvatures. They are separated by intersecting lines CL2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the intersection line CL1 and the intersection line CL2 have a substantially inverted V-shaped locus that is convex upward in the reference state. By defining the boundaries of the regions 53a, 53b, 53c by such intersection lines CL1, CL2, the three regions 53a, 53b, 53c of this embodiment all have a substantially inverted V shape when viewed from the front. It becomes an area with a shape.

In the front road surface drawing device 50F having such a configuration, when the light L is emitted from the light source 51F when the drawing lens 52 is in the reference state, the light L propagates diagonally downward forward and reaches the drawing lens 52. The light enters the incident surface 54 of . Thereafter, the lower component of the light L passes through the generally lower portion of the drawing lens 52 and exits obliquely forward and downward from the first region 53a. In this embodiment, the shape of the first region 53a is such that the light emitted from the region 53a is refracted so as to have approximately the same shape as the region 53a. As described above, the first region 53a has a generally inverted V-shape. Therefore, the component of the light L emitted from the first region 53a is shaped based on the substantially inverted V-shaped shape of the first region 53a, and becomes light La having a substantially inverted V-shaped shape.

Furthermore, the component located in the center of the light L passes through the approximately central portion of the drawing lens 52 and exits obliquely forward and downward from the second region 53b. In this embodiment, the shape of the second region 53b is such that the light emitted from the region 53b is refracted so as to have approximately the same shape as the region 53b. As described above, the second region 53b has a generally inverted V-shape. Therefore, the component of the light L emitted from the second region 53b is shaped based on this substantially inverted V-shaped shape, and becomes light Lb having a substantially inverted V-shaped shape.

Further, the upper component of the light L passes through the generally upper portion of the drawing lens 52 and exits obliquely forward and downward from the third region 53c. In this embodiment, the shape of the third region 53c is such that the light emitted from the region 53c is refracted so as to have approximately the same shape as the region 53c. As described above, the third region 53c has a generally inverted V-shape. Therefore, the component of the light L emitted from the third region 53c is shaped based on this substantially inverted V-shaped shape, and becomes light Lc having a substantially inverted V-shaped shape.

In this way, as a result of the lights La to Lc being emitted obliquely downward and forward from the vehicle 1, a drawn image 70 is drawn on the road surface RF a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle 1, as shown in FIG. This drawn image 70 includes an image 71 in which the light La is projected onto the road surface RF, an image 72 in which the light Lb is projected onto the road surface RF, and an image 73 in which the light Lc is projected onto the road surface RF. Note that the predetermined distance may be, for example, a distance of 1 m or more and 5 m or less from the automobile 1.

The images 71, 72, and 73 will be explained below.

As described above, the first region 53a and the second region 53b are separated by the intersection line CL1 where curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect. Therefore, the direction in which the light La emitted from the first region 53a, which is the region below across the intersection line CL1, is refracted, and the direction in which the light Lb exits from the second region 53b, which is the region above the intersection line CL1, are refracted. The directions of refraction are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the curved surfaces forming the first region 53a and the curved surfaces forming the second region 53b are formed in a shape such that the light La and the light Lb individually propagate diagonally downward and forward. More specifically, the curved surface of the first region 53a is formed such that the light La reaches the first position R1 closest to the vehicle 1 on the road surface RF. Further, the curved surface of the second region 53b is formed such that the light Lb reaches a second position R2 that is spaced apart from the first position R1 and located in front of the first position R1. Therefore, the image 71 on the road surface RF caused by the light La and the image 72 on the road surface RF caused by the light Lb are separately projected onto the road surface RF while being separated from each other.

Further, as described above, the second region 53b and the third region 53c are separated by the intersection line CL2 where curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect. Therefore, the direction in which the light Lb emitted from the second region 53b, which is the region below across the intersection line CL2, is refracted, and the direction in which the light Lc exits from the third region 53c, which is the region above the intersection line CL2, are refracted. The directions of refraction are different from each other. In this embodiment, the curved surfaces forming the second region 53b and the curved surfaces forming the third region 53c are formed in a shape such that the light Lb and the light Lc are individually propagated forward and diagonally downward. More specifically, the curved surface of the third region 53c is formed such that the light Lc reaches a third position R3 that is spaced apart from the second position R2 and located in front of the second position R2. Therefore, the image 72 on the road surface RF caused by the light Lb and the image 73 on the road surface RF caused by the light Lc are separately projected onto the road surface RF while being separated from each other.

In this way, when the drawing lens 52 is in the reference state, the lights La, Lb, and Lc shaped into a substantially inverted V-shape propagate obliquely forward and downward and reach the road surface RF while being separated from each other. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the drawn image 70 drawn on the road surface RF includes an approximately inverted V-shaped image 71 formed by projecting the light La onto the first position R1, and a substantially inverted V-shaped image 71 formed by projecting the light La onto the second position R2. A substantially inverted V-shaped image 72 projected onto the third position R3 and a substantially inverted V-shaped image 73 formed by projecting the light Lc onto the third position R3 form a drawn image spaced apart from each other and lined up in the front-rear direction. . That is, the drawn image 70 drawn by the front road surface drawing device 50F shows a character that is convex toward the front side, which is the side far from the automobile 1. In this way, since the drawn image 70 shows a character in which the approximately inverted V-shaped images 71, 72, and 73 are lined up in the front and back direction, the viewer of the drawn image 70 can notice, for example, that the car 1 is traveling. can be recalled.

In order to form the drawn image 70 in which three approximately inverted V-shaped images 71, 72, and 73 are connected, for example, the first area 53a, the second area 53b, and the third area 53c described above are It is preferable that the size ratio in front view is approximately 1:1:1. Further, it is preferable that the shape of the drawing contribution region 53 forming such a drawn image 70 is approximately spherical.

Note that the shape and dimensions of the drawn image 70 are not limited to those shown in FIG.

Next, the drive unit 80 of the front road drawing device 50F will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 4, the drive unit 80 includes a lens holder 81, a rotating shaft 84, and a motor 83F. The motor 83F is fixed to the body of the automobile 1 by a structure not shown.

The lens holder 81 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the drawing lens 52. The lens holder 81 has a plate-like outer shape when viewed from the front.

The rotation shaft 84 is fixed to the lens holder 81 and connected to the motor shaft of the motor 83F. Further, the rotation axis 84 extends perpendicularly to the optical axis LA of the drawing lens 52, and specifically extends in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the position at which the rotating shaft 84 is fixed is approximately the same as the position of the center of the drawing lens 52 in the vertical direction. Further, the end of the rotating shaft 84 opposite to the side connected to the motor shaft is rotatably fixed to a bearing (not shown) fixed to the body of the automobile 1.

Note that the position where the rotating shaft 84 is fixed to the lens holder 81 is not limited to the above. For example, it may be fixed to the upper end of the lens holder 81. However, by fixing the rotation shaft 84 at a position in the vertical direction of the center of the drawing lens 52, the rotation shaft 84 can pass near the center of gravity of the drawing lens 52. Therefore, the load on the rotating shaft 84 can be reduced, and unnecessary rotation of the drawing lens 52 can be effectively suppressed.

The motor 83F is connected to the control section 60 and rotates under the control of the control section 60. Further, the motor 83F includes an encoder (not shown) connected to the control unit 60. This encoder detects the rotational position of the motor shaft of the motor 83F and outputs a predetermined signal to the control section 60. The control unit 60 controls the rotation speed of the motor 83F based on the signal from the encoder. The type of motor 83F is not particularly limited, but may be a stepping motor, for example.

The drawing lens 52 operates, for example, as follows by such a drive unit 80.

When the control unit 60 drives the motor 83F, the rotating shaft 84 rotates as the motor 83F rotates. As described above, the lens holder 81 and the drawing lens 52 are fixed to the rotation shaft 84. Therefore, when the motor 83F is driven, the lens holder 81 and the drawing lens 52 rotate about the rotation axis 84, as shown in FIG. For example, the drawing lens 52 rotates from a second state indicated by a broken line in FIG. 5 to a first state indicated by a solid line. The rotation range of the drawing lens 52 may be 0.3° or more and 20° or less, preferably 0.3° or more and 15° or less, more preferably 0.3° or more and 5° or less, and 0.3° or more More preferably, the angle is 3° or less. As a result, the inclination of the optical axis LA of the drawing lens 52 changes. Specifically, the inclination of the optical axis LA changes, and the angle α between the optical axis LA and the road surface RF changes.

As shown in FIG. 5, the angle α between the optical axis LA and the road surface RF in the first state is smaller than the angle α in the reference state shown in FIG. 3, for example. By reducing the angle α in this manner, the light emitted from the drawing lens 52 is irradiated to a position farther from the automobile 1 than in the above-mentioned reference state. For example, in FIG. 1, the light L is irradiated ahead of the position drawn on the road surface RF. Thus, in the first state, the drawn image 70 is projected to the front side from the position in FIG. 1, for example, as shown by the solid line in FIG.

On the other hand, the angle α between the optical axis LA and the road surface RF in the second state is larger than the angle α in the reference state shown in FIG. 3, for example. By increasing the angle α in this manner, the light emitted from the drawing lens 52 is irradiated to a position closer to the automobile 1 than in the reference state. For example, in FIG. 1, the light L is irradiated to the rear side of the position drawn on the road surface RF. Thus, in the second state, the drawn image 70 is projected to the rear side from the position in FIG. 1, for example, as shown by the broken line in FIG.

Note that the configuration of the drive unit 80 is merely exemplary, and other configurations may be used as long as the drawing lens can be rotated so as to change the inclination of the optical axis LA of the drawing lens.

In this embodiment, the road surface drawing devices 50B, 50L, and 50R emit the light L to the rear, left, and right, respectively, and the output surfaces 55 of the drawing lenses 52 face to the rear, the left, and the right, respectively. Except for this, it has almost the same configuration as the front road surface drawing device 50F. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the drawn image 70 drawn by the rear road surface drawing device 50B shows a character that is convex toward the rear side, which is the side far from the automobile 1. As it is driven, it moves toward the rear and toward the front, which is the side closer to the automobile 1. Further, the drawn image 70 drawn by the left road surface drawing device 50L shows a character that is convex on the left side, which is the side far from the car 1, and as the drive unit 80 is driven, the drawn image 70 Move to the right side, which is the side closest to 1. Further, the drawn image 70 drawn by the right road surface drawing device 50R shows a character that is convex on the right side, which is the side far from the car 1, and as the drive unit 80 is driven, the drawn image 70 Move to the left side, which is the side closest to 1.

Note that, as described above, the road surface drawing devices 50B, 50L, and 50R have substantially the same configuration as the front road surface drawing device 50F, and therefore, a detailed description of the detailed structure of these road surface drawing devices 50B, 50L, and 50R will be omitted.

Next, an example of the operation of the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50B will be described.

First, the first control by the control section 60 will be explained.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a first control flow for the front road surface drawing device 50F of the control unit 60. As shown in FIG. 7, the control flow of this front road surface drawing device 50F includes steps SP11 to SP15.

In this first control, when the ignition power of the automobile 1 is turned on, the control section 60 starts controlling the front road surface drawing device 50F. Note that in this start state, the drawing lens 52 is in the reference state shown in FIG. 3, and the light source 51F is not emitting light.

(Step SP11)
First, the control unit 60 determines whether a predetermined signal is input from the pedal depression amount sensor of the accelerator 62 or not. As described above, a signal corresponding to the amount of accelerator depression is input to the control unit 60 from the depression amount sensor. When a signal indicating that the amount of accelerator depression is equal to or greater than the threshold value is input from the depression amount sensor, the control unit 60 advances the step to step SP12.

On the other hand, when the signal input from the depression amount sensor to the control unit 60 is a signal indicating that the accelerator depression amount is not equal to or greater than the threshold value, the control unit 60 repeats this step. That is, in this case, the light source 51F does not emit light.

Note that in this specification, "determination" refers to the control unit 60 advancing or reversing a step, or repeating a step.

(Step SP12)
In this step, the control section 60 outputs a control signal to the first light source drive circuit 91L. As a result, power is supplied from the first light source drive circuit 91L to the light source 51F, and light L is emitted from the light source 51F. As a result, a drawn image 70 shown in FIG. 1 is drawn on the road surface RF in front of the automobile 1 by the front road drawing device 50F.

After outputting the control signal to the first light source drive circuit 91L, the control unit 60 advances the step to step SP13.

(Step SP13)
In this step, the control unit 60 swings the drawing lens 52 in the front-back direction based on the following control.

Specifically, the control unit 60 first outputs a first control signal to the first motor drive circuit 91M. As a result, the motor 83F rotates by a predetermined number of rotations, and the drawing lens 52 rotates about the rotation axis 84 as described above. As a result, the drawing lens 52 rotates from the reference state to the first state shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, for example. As a result, the angle α between the drawing lens 52 and the road surface RF becomes smaller than that in the reference state, and as shown in FIG. 6, the drawn image 70 moves to the front side from the position in the reference state.

When the drawing lens 52 enters the first state and a signal indicating that the rotational position of the motor shaft is a rotational position corresponding to the first state is input from the encoder of the motor 83F to the control unit 60, the control unit 60 Instead of the control signal, a second control signal different from the first control signal is output to the first motor drive circuit 91M. As a result, the drawing lens 52 rotates in the opposite direction about the rotation axis 84. As a result, the drawing lens 52 rotates from the first state to the second state shown by the broken line in FIG. 5, for example. As a result, the angle α between the drawing lens 52 and the road surface RF becomes larger than that in the reference state, and as shown in FIG. 6, the drawn image 70 moves to the rear side from the position in the reference state.

When the drawing lens 52 enters the second state and a signal indicating that the rotational position of the motor shaft is a rotational position corresponding to the second state is input from the encoder of the motor 83F to the control unit 60, the control unit 60 enters the second state. Instead of the control signal, the first control signal is again output to the first motor drive circuit 91M. As a result, the motor 83F rotates by a predetermined number of rotations, and the drawing lens 52 rotates about the rotation axis 84 as described above. As a result, the drawing lens 52 returns to the reference state shown in FIG.

When the drawing lens 52 returns to the reference state and a signal indicating that the rotational position of the motor shaft is a rotational position corresponding to the reference state is input from the encoder of the motor 83F to the control unit 60, the control unit 60 adjusts the control signal. The output is interrupted and the step proceeds to step SP14.

Thus, in this step, the drawing lens 52 swings back and forth, and along with the movement of the drawing lens 52, the drawn image 70 swings back and forth. As a result, people around the car 1, especially people in front of the car 1, can remember that the car 1 is accelerating and approaching, and for example, safety can be improved.

Note that in this step, when the drawing lens 52 that has moved forward from the reference state moves backward, the output of the second control signal is interrupted when the drawing lens 52 returns to the reference state. Good too. In this case, this step ends without the drawing lens 52 moving further backward than in the reference state. That is, in this case, the width of movement of the drawn image 70 in the front-rear direction is smaller than when the drawing lens 52 moves rearward from the reference state and enters the second state. On the other hand, as described above, when the second control signal is output so that the drawing lens 52 moves backward from the reference state, the movement width of the drawn image 70 in the front and back direction becomes large, and the movement of the drawn image 70 becomes It can be dynamic.

(Step SP14)
Next, the control unit 60 again determines whether a predetermined signal is input from the accelerator pedal 62 depression amount sensor. In this step, when a signal indicating that the accelerator depression amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value is input, the control unit 60 returns the step to step SP13. As a result, the first control signal and the second control signal are output again by the control unit 60, and as described above, the drawing lens 52 swings back and forth again, and the swinging of the drawn image 70 in the back and forth direction continues. Ru.

On the other hand, when a signal indicating that the amount of accelerator depression is not equal to or greater than the threshold value is input to the control section 60, the control section 60 advances the step to step SP15.

(Step SP15)
In this step, the control unit 60 suspends outputting the control signal to the first light source drive circuit 91L. As a result, power is no longer supplied to the light source 51F, and the drawn image 70 drawn on the road surface RF disappears.

When the control unit 60 interrupts outputting the control signal to the first light source drive circuit 91L, the control unit 60 returns the step to step SP11.

In this embodiment, the control unit 60 repeats steps SP11 to SP15 while the ignition power of the automobile 1 is on.

According to the first control, the image 70 drawn on the road ahead can be swung back and forth at the timing when the accelerator 62 is depressed by a predetermined depression amount or more. Therefore, people around the car 1, especially people in front of the car 1, can imagine that the car 1 is accelerating and approaching, and for example, safety can be improved.

Note that in this first control, the light source 51F may be blinked. By doing so, a blinking image can be drawn on the road surface, and the impact of the drawn image can be made stronger.

Next, the second control by the control section 60 will be explained.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a second control flow for the front road surface drawing device 50F of the control unit 60. As shown in FIG. 8, the control flow of the front road surface drawing device 50F includes steps SP21 to SP25.

In this second control, when the ignition power of the automobile 1 is turned on, control of the front road surface drawing device 50F by the control section 60 starts. Note that in this start state, the drawing lens 52 is in the reference state shown in FIG. 3, and the light source 51F is not emitting light.

(Step SP21)
First, the control unit 60 determines whether a signal is input from the detection sensor 65 or not. As described above, the detection sensor 65, which is a human sensor, outputs a signal to the control unit 60 when it detects a person existing within a predetermined distance around the vehicle 1. In this step, if the signal from the detection sensor 65 is not input to the control section 60, the control section 60 repeats this step. On the other hand, when the signal from the detection sensor 65 is input to the control unit 60, the control unit 60 advances the step to step SP22.

(Step SP22)
In this step, the control section 60 outputs a control signal to the first light source drive circuit 91L. As a result, power is supplied from the first light source drive circuit 91L to the light source 51F, and light L is emitted from the light source 51F. As a result, a drawn image 70 shown in FIG. 1 is drawn on the road surface RF in front of the automobile 1 by the front road drawing device 50F.

After outputting the control signal to the first light source drive circuit 91L, the control unit 60 advances the step to step SP23.

(Step SP23)
In this step, the control unit 60 performs the same control as step SP13 in the first control. As a result, the drawing lens 52 swings about the rotation axis 84, and as the drawing lens 52 moves, the drawn image 70 swings back and forth. Thereby, the person detected by the detection sensor 65 can remember that the car 1 is nearby, and for example, safety can be improved.

(Step SP24)
Next, the control unit 60 determines again whether a signal is input from the detection sensor 65 or not. In this step, when the signal from the detection sensor 65 is input to the control unit 60, the control unit 60 returns the step to step SP13. As a result, the first control signal and the second control signal are output again by the control unit 60, and as described above, the drawing lens 52 swings again, and the drawing image 70 continues to swing in the front-back direction.

On the other hand, if the signal from the detection sensor 65 is not input to the control section 60, the control section 60 advances the step to step SP25.

(Step SP25)
This step is similar to step SP15 above. That is, in this step, the output of the control signal to the first light source drive circuit 91L is interrupted, and the drawn image 70 drawn on the road surface RF disappears.

When the control unit 60 interrupts outputting the control signal to the first light source drive circuit 91L, the control unit 60 returns the step to step SP21.

In this embodiment, the control unit 60 repeats steps SP21 to SP25 while the ignition power of the automobile 1 is on.

According to such second control, the drawn image 70 drawn on the road surface in front can be swung back and forth at the timing when the detection sensor 65 detects a person. Therefore, people around the car 1 can remember that the car 1 is around them, and for example, safety can be improved.

Note that in this second control, the light source 51F may be blinked. By doing so, a blinking image can be drawn on the road surface, and the impact of the drawn image can be made stronger.

Next, the third control by the control section 60 will be explained.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a third control flow of the control unit 60 for the rear road surface drawing device 50B. As shown in FIG. 9, the control flow of this rear road surface drawing device 50B includes steps SP31 to SP35.

In this third control, when the ignition power of the automobile 1 is turned on, the control section 60 starts controlling the rear road surface drawing device 50B. Note that in this start state, the drawing lens 52 is in the reference state shown in FIG. 3, and the light source 51B is not emitting light.

(Step SP31)
First, the control unit 60 determines whether a predetermined signal is input from the brake pedal depression amount sensor. As described above, a signal corresponding to the amount of brake depression is input to the control unit 60 from the depression amount sensor. When a signal indicating that the amount of brake depression is equal to or greater than the threshold value is input from the depression amount sensor, the control unit 60 advances the step to step SP32. On the other hand, when the signal input from the pedal depression amount sensor to the control unit 60 is a signal indicating that the brake depression quantity is not equal to or greater than the threshold value, the control unit 60 repeats this step.

(Step SP32)
In this step, the control section 60 outputs a control signal to the second light source drive circuit 92L. As a result, power is supplied from the second light source drive circuit 92L to the light source 51B, and light L is emitted from the light source 51B. As a result, the drawn image 70 shown in FIG. 1 is drawn on the road surface RB behind the automobile 1 by the rear road surface drawing device 50B.

After outputting the control signal to the second light source drive circuit 92L, the control unit 60 advances the step to step SP33.

(Step SP33)
In this step, the control unit 60 performs the same control as step SP13 in the first control. As a result, the drawing lens 52 swings, and as the drawing lens 52 moves, the drawn image 70 swings back and forth. As a result, people around the car 1, especially people behind the car 1, can remember that the car 1 is decelerating, and for example, safety can be improved.

(Step SP34)
Next, the control unit 60 again determines whether a predetermined signal is input from the brake pedal depression amount sensor. In this step, when a signal indicating that the amount of brake depression is equal to or greater than the threshold value is input, the control unit 60 returns the step to step SP33. As a result, the first control signal and the second control signal are output again by the control unit 60, and as described above, the drawing lens 52 swings again, and the drawing image 70 continues to swing in the front-back direction.

On the other hand, when a signal indicating that the amount of brake depression is not equal to or greater than the threshold value is input to the control section 60, the control section 60 advances the step to step SP35.

(Step SP35)
In this step, the control unit 60 suspends outputting the control signal to the second light source drive circuit 92L. As a result, power is no longer supplied to the light source 51B, and the drawn image 70 drawn on the road surface RB disappears.

When the control unit 60 interrupts outputting the control signal to the second light source drive circuit 92L, the control unit 60 returns the step to step SP31.

In this embodiment, the control unit 60 repeats steps SP31 to SP35 while the ignition power of the automobile 1 is on.

According to such third control, the image 70 drawn on the rear road surface can be swung back and forth at the timing when the brake 63 is depressed by a predetermined depression amount or more. Therefore, people around the car 1, especially people behind the car 1, can remember that the car 1 is decelerating, and for example, safety can be improved.

Note that in this third control, the light source 51B may be blinked. By doing so, a blinking image can be drawn on the road surface, and the impact of the drawn image can be made stronger.

Next, the fourth control by the control section 60 will be explained.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth control flow for the left road surface drawing device 50L of the control unit 60. As shown in FIG. 10, the control flow of the left road surface drawing device 50L includes steps SP41 to SP45.

In this fourth control, when the ignition power of the automobile 1 is turned on, the control section 60 starts controlling the left road surface drawing device 50L. Note that in this start state, the drawing lens 52 is in the reference state shown in FIG. 3, and the light source 51L is not emitting light.

(Step SP41)
First, the control unit 60 determines whether a signal from the left direction indicator 30 is input. As described above, the left direction indicator 30 outputs a signal to the control unit 60 when the left turn switch is operated. In this step, the control unit 60 repeats this step if the above signal is not input from the left direction indicator 30. On the other hand, if the above signal is input from the left direction indicator 30, the control section 60 advances the step to step SP42.

(Step SP42)
In this step, the control section 60 outputs a control signal to the third light source drive circuit 93L. As a result, power is supplied from the third light source drive circuit 93L to the light source 51L, and light L is emitted from the light source 51L. As a result, a drawn image 70 shown in FIG. 1 is drawn on the road surface RL on the left side of the automobile 1 by the left road surface drawing device 50L.

After outputting the control signal to the third light source drive circuit 93L, the control unit 60 advances the step to step SP43.

(Step SP43)
In this step, the control unit 60 performs the same control as step SP13 in the first control. As a result, the drawing lens 52 swings, and as the drawing lens 52 moves, the drawn image 70 swings in the left-right direction. As a result, people around the car 1, especially people on the left side of the car 1, can remember that the car 1 is turning left, and for example, safety can be improved. More specifically, accidents such as getting caught when the car 1 turns left can be suppressed.

(Step SP44)
Next, the control unit 60 again determines whether a signal from the left direction indicator 30 is input. In this step, when the signal from the left direction indicator 30 is input, the control section 60 returns the step to step SP43. As a result, the control unit 60 outputs the first control signal and the second control signal again, the drawing lens 52 swings again, and the drawing image 70 continues to swing in the left-right direction.

On the other hand, when the signal from the left direction indicator 30 is input to the control unit 60, the control unit 60 advances the step to step SP45.

(Step SP45)
In this step, the control unit 60 suspends outputting the control signal to the third light source drive circuit 93L. As a result, power is no longer supplied to the light source 51L, and the drawn image 70 drawn on the road surface RL disappears.

When the control unit 60 interrupts outputting the control signal to the third light source drive circuit 93L, the control unit 60 returns the step to step SP41.

In this embodiment, the control unit 60 repeats steps SP41 to SP45 while the ignition power of the automobile 1 is on.

According to such fourth control, the drawn image 70 drawn on the left road surface can be swung in the left-right direction at the timing when the left direction indicator 30 emits light. Therefore, people around the car 1, especially people on the left side of the car 1, can remember that the car 1 is turning left, and for example, safety can be improved.

Note that in this fourth control, the light source 51B may be blinked. By doing so, a blinking image can be drawn on the road surface, and the impact of the drawn image can be made stronger.

Further, this fourth control may be performed based on the signal from the detection sensor 65 in addition to or instead of the signal from the left turn switch. By doing so, it is possible to more effectively suppress the above-mentioned entrapment accident and the like when the automobile 1 turns left.

Next, the fifth control by the control section 60 will be explained.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fifth control flow for the right road surface drawing device 50R by the control unit 60. As shown in FIG. 11, the control flow of the right road surface drawing device 50R includes steps SP51 to SP56.

In this fifth control, when the ignition power of the automobile 1 is turned on, control of the right road surface drawing device 50R by the control unit 60 starts. Note that in this start state, the drawing lens 52 is in the reference state shown in FIG. 3, and the light source 51R does not emit light.

(Step SP51)
First, the control unit 60 determines whether a signal from the right direction indicator 20 is input. As described above, the right direction indicator 20 outputs a signal to the control unit 60 when the right turn switch is operated. If the above signal is not input from the right direction indicator 20 in this step, the control unit 60 repeats this step. On the other hand, if the above signal is input from the right direction indicator 20, the control section 60 advances the step to step SP52.

(Step SP52)
In this step, the control section 60 outputs a control signal to the fourth light source drive circuit 94L. As a result, power is supplied from the fourth light source drive circuit 94L to the light source 51R, and light L is emitted from the light source 51R. As a result, the drawn image 70 shown in FIG. 1 is drawn on the road surface RR on the right side of the automobile 1 by the right road surface drawing device 50R.

After outputting the control signal to the fourth light source drive circuit 94L, the control unit 60 advances the step to step SP53.

(Step SP53)
In this step, the control unit 60 determines whether a signal indicating that the clockwise steering angle is greater than or equal to a predetermined angle is input from the steering angle sensor of the steering wheel 61. As described above, the steering wheel 61 includes a steering angle sensor (not shown), and the steering angle sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the steering angle of the steering wheel 61 from the reference position to the control unit 60. In this step, if a signal indicating that the clockwise steering angle is greater than or equal to a predetermined angle is input from the steering angle sensor, the control unit 60 advances the step to step SP54. On the other hand, if the signal is not input from the steering angle sensor, the control section 60 advances the step to SP55.

(Step SP54)
In this step, the control unit 60 controls the motor 83R so that the drawing lens 52 swings according to the steering angle of the steering wheel 61. Specifically, the control unit 60 controls the motor 83R so that the rotation angle of the drawing lens 52 from the reference state to the first state changes according to the steering angle.

As described above, the storage unit 90 connected to the control unit 60 stores a table for controlling the motor 83R. Specifically, the storage unit 90 includes a first table that associates the steering angle of the steering wheel 61 with the rotation angle from the reference state corresponding to the steering angle, and the rotation angle of the drawing lens 52 and the rotation angle of the motor 83R. A second table is stored that correlates the number of rotations. In this embodiment, the first table is configured such that a larger steering angle is associated with a larger rotation angle.

When a signal is input from the steering angle sensor, the control unit 60 reads out the first table from the storage unit 90 and, based on the first table, controls the rotation of the drawing lens 52 corresponding to the signal input from the steering angle sensor. Find the angle. Next, the control unit 60 reads the second table from the storage unit 90, and determines the rotation speed of the motor 83R corresponding to the determined rotation angle of the drawing lens 52 based on the second table. Then, the control unit 60 determines the rotation speed of the motor 83R for causing the drawing lens 52 to rotate according to the steering angle, based on the obtained rotation speed data of the motor 83R and the signal input from the encoder of the motor 83R. decide. In this way, the control section 60 outputs the first control signal corresponding to the determined rotation speed to the fourth motor drive circuit 94M. As a result, the motor 83R rotates by the determined number of rotations, and the drawing lens 52 rotates according to the steering angle of the steering wheel 61. As a result, the drawing lens 52 in the standard state is rotated by a rotation angle corresponding to the steering angle, and becomes in the first state. Thereafter, when a signal indicating that the rotational position of the motor shaft is at a predetermined rotational position is input to the control unit 60, the control unit 60 outputs the second control signal to the fourth motor drive circuit 94M, and rotates the motor shaft at the determined rotational position. The motor 83R is rotated in the opposite direction by the number of times the motor 83R is rotated. In this way, the control unit 60 returns the motor 83R to the reference state. In this way, by the drawing lens 52 swinging from the reference state to the first state and then back from the first state to the reference state, the drawn image 70 is moved to the right by a distance corresponding to the steering angle. Thereafter, it returns to the position shown in FIG. 1, which is the reference state position.

Then, when a signal indicating that the rotational position of the motor shaft is the rotational position corresponding to the reference state is input to the control unit 60, the control unit 60 returns the step to step SP53. Therefore, when the steering angle is equal to or greater than the predetermined angle, the control unit 60 performs step SP54 for the second time, and again determines the rotation speed corresponding to the new steering angle. For example, if the steering angle in the second step SP54 is larger than the steering angle in the first step SP54, the drawing lens 52 swings more than in the first step SP54, and as a result, the drawn image 70 It swings more than the first step SP54. In this manner, according to the fifth control, the control unit 60 swings the drawing lens 52 according to the steering angle, and as a result, the drawn image 70 swings depending on the steering angle.

(Step SP55)
In this step, the control unit 60 again determines whether a signal from the right turn switch is input. When the above signal is input to the control section 60, the control section 60 returns the step to step SP53. In this way, while the right direction indicator 20 is emitting light, the drawn image 70 swings in the left and right directions according to the steering angle.

On the other hand, if the signal from the right turn switch is not input to the control section 60, the control section 60 advances the step to step SP56.

(Step SP56)
In this step, the control unit 60 suspends outputting the control signal to the fourth light source drive circuit 94L. As a result, power is no longer supplied to the light source 51R, and the drawn image 70 drawn on the road surface RR disappears.

When the control unit 60 interrupts outputting the control signal to the fourth light source drive circuit 94L, the control unit 60 returns the step to step SP51.

In this embodiment, the control unit 60 repeats steps SP51 to SP56 while the ignition power of the automobile 1 is on.

According to such fifth control, the drawn image 70 is drawn on the right road surface RR at the timing when the right direction indicator 20 operates or at the timing when the automobile 1 turns right. Therefore, people around the car 1, especially people on the right side of the car 1, can remember that the car 1 is turning to the right, and for example, safety can be improved.

Further, according to the fifth control, as described above, the width in which the drawn image 70 swings can be increased as the automobile 1 turns to the right. Therefore, the impact of the car 1 turning to the right can be given more strongly to people around the car 1.

Note that in this second control, the light sources 51F and 51B may be blinked. By doing so, a blinking image can be drawn on the road surface, and the impact of the drawn image can be made stronger.

As described above, each of the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R according to the present embodiment includes a light source that emits the light L, an entrance surface 54 that the light L enters, and an exit surface 55 that the light L exits. A drawing lens 52 having a drawing lens 52, a driving unit 80 that rotates the drawing lens 52 so that the inclination of the optical axis LA of the drawing lens 52 changes, and a control unit 60 that drives the driving unit 80 at a predetermined timing, The exit surface 55 includes a drawing contribution area 53 that refracts the light L so that a drawn image 70 showing a predetermined character by the light L is projected onto the road surface.

According to such a configuration, by irradiating the drawing contribution region 53 with the light L, it is possible to form a drawn image on the road surface that can remind you of the operating state of the automobile 1. Therefore, according to the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R of this embodiment, there is no need to provide an optical component such as a shade between the light source and the lens in order to form such a drawn image 70. Points can be reduced.

Further, according to the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R of the present embodiment, the inclination of the optical axis LA of the drawing lens 52 can be changed by the drive unit 80. Therefore, the angle α between the optical axis LA of the drawing lens 52 and the road surface can be changed at a predetermined timing, and thereby the drawn image 70 projected onto the road surface can be moved at a predetermined timing. In this way, according to the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R, the drawn image 70 can be moved with a small number of parts.

Further, according to the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R of the present embodiment, the drive unit 80 rotates the drawing lens 52 around an axis perpendicular to the optical axis LA of the drawing lens 52. According to such a configuration, compared to the case where the drawing lens 52 is rotated about an axis that is not perpendicular to the optical axis LA, the inclination of the optical axis LA can be changed significantly, and the movement of the drawn image 70 can be changed. It can be made bigger.

Further, according to the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R according to the present embodiment, as described above, since the drawing contribution region 53 is located on the exit surface 55 of the drawing lens 52, the light L is emitted from the drawing lens 52. The light L can be shaped into the shape of the drawn image 70 at the stage of being emitted. Therefore, according to the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R of the present embodiment, the shape of the drawing contribution region 53 can be designed more easily than when the drawing contribution region 53 is present on the entrance surface 54. . However, the drawing contribution region 53 may be located on the entrance surface 54 or may be located on both the entrance surface 54 and the exit surface 55.

Furthermore, as described above, the drawn image 70 of this embodiment includes a plurality of images 71, 72, and 73 that are projected onto the road surface at a distance from each other, and the drawing contribution area 53 forming the drawn image 70 is It includes a plurality of regions 53a, 53b, and 53c that form each of the plurality of images 71, 72, and 73 individually. According to such a configuration, since images can be formed individually for each region, a drawn image consisting of a plurality of images can be formed relatively easily. Furthermore, by forming a drawn image from a plurality of images, a drawn image can be formed that has a stronger impact on the viewer than when the drawn image consists of a single image.

Furthermore, as described above, in the drawing contribution region 53 of this embodiment, the regions 53a, 53b, and 53c forming the three images 71, 72, and 73 that are spaced apart from each other and projected onto the road surface are curved surfaces with different curvatures. are separated by intersection lines CL1 and CL2 where they intersect. According to such a configuration, it is possible to effectively change the direction of refraction of light in a region located on one side of the intersection line and the direction of refraction of light in a region located on the other side. It may be easier to form multiple images that are projected at a distance from each other on the road surface.

Further, in this embodiment, the control unit 60 drives the drive unit 80 when the right direction indicator 20 or the left direction indicator 30 is operated. Therefore, according to the road drawing device of this embodiment, the drawn image 70 can be moved at the timing when the right direction indicator 20 or the left direction indicator 30 operates.

Further, in this embodiment, the control unit 60 drives the drive unit 80 when the steering angle of the steering wheel 61 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle. Therefore, according to the road surface drawing device of this embodiment, the drawn image can be moved at the timing when the automobile 1 turns to the right or left.

Further, in this embodiment, the control unit 60 drives the drive unit 80 when the accelerator 62 is depressed to a predetermined threshold value or more. Therefore, according to the road surface drawing device of this embodiment, the drawn image 70 can be moved at the timing when the accelerator 62 of the automobile 1 is depressed.

Further, in this embodiment, the control unit 60 drives the drive unit 80 when the accelerator 62 is depressed to a predetermined threshold value or more. Therefore, according to the road surface drawing device of this embodiment, the drawn image 70 can be moved at the timing when the accelerator 62 of the automobile 1 is depressed.

Further, in this embodiment, the control unit 60 drives the drive unit 80 when the detection sensor 65 detects a person. Therefore, according to the road surface drawing device of this embodiment, the drawn image 70 can be moved at the timing when the detection sensor detects a person.

Furthermore, the automobile 1 of this embodiment includes the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R as described above. As described above, according to the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R, it is possible to form a drawn image with a small number of parts, and it is possible to move the drawn image with a small number of parts. Therefore, according to the automobile 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to perform road surface drawing with a small number of parts, and it is possible to move the drawn image in road surface drawing with a small number of parts.

Although the present invention has been described above using the above embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited thereto.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the respective drive sections 80 of the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R are controlled by the common control section 60; Each of them may be individually provided with a control section that operates the drive section 80 at a predetermined timing.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the drive section 80 of the right road surface drawing device 50R is controlled based on the steering angle of the right direction indicator 20 and the steering wheel 61. The control may be based on either the steering angle of the steering wheel 20 or the steering angle of the steering wheel 61.

Further, the timing at which the control section 60 drives the drive section 80 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the control unit 60 may drive the drive unit 80 of the rear road surface drawing device 50B when the automobile 1 is reversing. Further, when the control unit 60 drives the drive unit 80 of the road surface drawing device 50B when the automobile 1 is backing up, the control unit 60 controls the drive unit so that the drawn image 70 swings in the front-rear direction while the automobile 1 is moving backward. 80 may be controlled. While the automobile 1 is moving backward, the image 70 swinging in the front-rear direction is drawn on the rear road surface RB, which can, for example, alert a person located behind the automobile 1.

Further, the shape of the drawing contribution region 53 described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and the shape of the drawing contribution region 53 is not limited to the shape explained in the above embodiment. By changing the shape of the drawing contribution area 53, a drawn image 70 showing a different character can be formed. For example, the trajectories of the intersection lines CL1 and CL2 that separate the regions 53a, 53b, and 53c that individually form the images 71, 72, and 73 of the plurality of images may be different from the trajectories in the embodiment described above.

Further, the regions 53a, 53b, 53c do not need to be separated by intersection lines CL1, CL2 where curved surfaces with different curvatures intersect, and each of the plurality of images 71, 72, 73 is formed individually by the regions 53a, 53b, 53c. If the curved surfaces have different curvatures, they do not need to be separated by intersection lines CL1 and CL2. Further, the drawing contribution region 53 does not need to be divided into a plurality of regions that individually form each of the plurality of images, and may be a single region without division.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R are provided in the automobile 1 has been described, but at least one of these road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R may be provided. Further, in addition to the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R, or in place of the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B, 50L, and 50R, another road surface drawing device is provided at a different position from the road surface drawing devices 50F, 50B. You can.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the driving unit 80 rotates the drawing lens 52 around the rotation axis 84 perpendicular to the optical axis LA of the drawing lens 52, but the inclination of the optical axis LA changes. If so, the driving unit 80 may be configured to rotate the drawing lens 52 around a rotation axis that is non-perpendicular to the optical axis LA.

Further, the first to fifth controls described in the above-described embodiment are merely exemplary, and other controls may be performed depending on the timing of rotating the drawn image 70, etc. For example, the control unit may control the drawn image 70 to move forward or backward when the absolute value of the acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the vehicle is a four-wheeled automobile, but the vehicle is not limited to this as long as it can run on a road surface. For example, it may be an aircraft as long as it runs on wheels on a road surface such as a runway.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to form a drawn image with a small number of parts, to move the drawn image with a small number of parts, and to perform road drawing with a small number of parts. , a vehicle is provided that can move a drawn image on a road surface with a small number of parts, and can be used in the field of vehicles that can run on road surfaces, such as automobiles and aircraft.

1...Automobile (vehicle)
20... Right direction indicator 30... Left direction indicator 50F... Front road surface drawing device 50B... Rear road surface drawing device 50L... Left road surface drawing device 50R... Right road surface drawing device 51F, 51B, 51R, 51L...Light source 52...Drawing lens 52U...Upper end 53...Drawing contribution area 53a...First area 53b...Second area 53c...Third area 54 ... Incidence surface 55 ... Output surface 57 ... Drawing non-contribution area 60 ... Control section 61 ... Steering 62 ... Accelerator 63 ... Brake 65 ... Detection sensor 70 ... Drawn images 71, 72, 73... Image 80... Drive parts 83F, 83B, 83L, 83R... Motor 84... Rotation axis LA... Optical axis

Claims (11)

A road surface drawing device that can be mounted on a vehicle,
a light source that emits light;
a lens having an entrance surface through which the light enters and an exit surface through which the light exits;
a drive unit that rotates the lens so that the inclination of the optical axis of the lens changes;
a control unit that drives the drive unit at a predetermined timing;
Equipped with
A road surface drawing device, wherein at least one of the incident surface and the exit surface includes a drawing contribution area that refracts the light so that a drawn image showing a predetermined character by the light is projected onto the road surface. The road surface drawing device according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit rotates the lens around an axis perpendicular to the optical axis. The road surface drawing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drawing contribution area is located on the exit surface. The drawn image includes a plurality of images projected onto the road surface at a distance from each other,
The road surface drawing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drawing contribution area includes a plurality of areas that individually form each of the plurality of images. The road surface drawing device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of regions are separated by intersection lines where curved surfaces with different curvatures intersect. The road surface drawing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit drives the drive unit when a direction indicator is operated. The road surface drawing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit drives the drive unit when a steering angle of a steering wheel is a predetermined angle or more. The road surface drawing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit drives the drive unit when the accelerator of the vehicle is depressed to a predetermined threshold value or more. The road surface drawing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit drives the drive unit when the brake of the vehicle is depressed to a predetermined threshold value or more. The vehicle includes a sensor that detects people around the vehicle,
The road surface drawing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit drives the drive unit when the sensor detects the person. A vehicle comprising the road surface drawing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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