Vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides an inexpensive optical device, a traveling direction display device, and a vehicle that have good light utilization efficiency and can display complex patterns with a simple structure. The optical device (100) that displays the condensing mark (400) includes a light source (110) and an optical element that condenses the light emitted from the light source (110) on the irradiation surface (301). The deflection surface of the optical element is divided into a plurality of regions, and the light emitted through each region on the deflection surface of the optical element forms a partial irradiation image corresponding to each region of the deflection surface on the irradiation surface (301). The partial irradiation images are combined to form at least one condensing mark (400) on the irradiation surface.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 201910293657.4, application date April 12, 2019, and invention name “Optical device and travel direction display device”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to vehicles. Background Art

[0003] For example, there is a technology that is mounted on a vehicle and displays a pattern of a predetermined shape, such as route information, on the road surface in front of the vehicle or in the surrounding area.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a road surface drawing lamp unit that "comprises: a light source module that arranges a plurality of light sources corresponding to each drawing pattern in such a manner that a drawing pattern that is longer in a first direction in the width direction of the road and shorter in a second direction orthogonal to both the width direction of the road and the emission axis of the light source is drawn at a plurality of locations on the road along the second direction, so that each light source can be independently lit and extinguished; and an optical system that causes the emission light from the light source to be emitted toward the front of the vehicle (excerpted from the abstract of the specification)."

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a road surface illumination device for a vehicle in which "auxiliary direction indicators that flash in conjunction with direction indicators provided at the front and rear portions of the vehicle body are provided on the bottom surfaces of the front and rear shock absorbers to illuminate the road surface (excerpted from the abstract of the specification)."

[0006] In addition, Patent Document 3 discloses a road surface depicting lamp unit that "has: at least one semiconductor light emitting element as a light source; a plurality of diffraction grating portions having different shapes so that the emitted light from the semiconductor light emitting element is transmitted toward the front of the vehicle; and a switching unit that switches the diffraction grating portion through which the emitted light is transmitted (extracted from the abstract of the specification)."

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses a drawing system that "draws a warning mark on the road surface in the direction of vehicle travel (excerpted from the specification abstract) based on information obtained from a vehicle speed sensor, a steering sensor, and a direction indicator detection sensor, when it is predicted that the vehicle is at an intersection in the direction of travel, especially when it is about to enter a no-entry road where vehicles are prohibited from entering."

[0008] In addition, Patent Document 5 discloses a projection device for a vehicle that "has a headlight, a projector, and a light guide outlet, wherein the projector is arranged in the optical path from the headlight to the light guide outlet when in the projector function, and projects the formed optical image onto a screen; and when the headlight is in the headlight function, the projector is arranged at a position that does not block the optical path from the headlight to the light guide outlet, and illuminates a specified range on the road (excerpted from the abstract of the specification)."

[0009] In addition, Patent Document 6 discloses a vehicle lamp that "uses a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the vehicle body and arranged dispersedly as light sources to project a prescribed display that serves as a sign when lit onto the road surface (extracted from the abstract of the specification)".

[0010] Prior Art Documents

[0011] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-107761

[0012] Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-301346

[0013] Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-135629

[0014] Patent Document 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-04587

[0015] Patent Document 5: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-136838

[0016] Patent Document 6: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-262889 Summary of the Invention

[0017] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0018] Such a display device preferably can display a required pattern with a simple structure. Further, being able to display marks such as arrows to notify the surrounding area of the intention to move is related to improving the safety against motor vehicle accidents. For example, in the technologies disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, only a light source and a reflector are used to display a mark for reminding other vehicles, etc. to pay attention on the road surface. According to these technologies, simple marks such as circles, ellipses, and quadrilaterals can be displayed, but it is difficult to display complex marks such as arrows. Thus, for example, when mounted on a vehicle, a predetermined traveling direction cannot be displayed.

[0019] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 3, by switching a diffraction grating part or switching the lit semiconductor light-emitting elements, different-shaped drawing patterns are drawn on the road surface or the like. This structure also has difficulty in displaying complex marks. In addition, a complex mechanism and complex control are required. Moreover, a large number of semiconductor light-emitting elements are required to switch the lit semiconductor light-emitting elements.

[0020] In Patent Document 4, a technology of using a laser drawing device to draw a mark is disclosed. In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 4, complex marks can be displayed, but a complex mechanism is required for the optical head that irradiates the laser, and the loss of the sliding part is also relatively severe.

[0021] In Patent Document 5, a technique of using a liquid crystal projector to depict a mark is disclosed. In a liquid crystal projector, a secondary light source having a required mark shape is generated on a liquid crystal light valve by a light source and a liquid crystal light valve, and the secondary light source is projected by an optical system to depict a mark on a road surface. With this technique, a complex mark can be displayed. However, the light transmittance of the liquid crystal light valve is low, and since the secondary light source having the required mark is generated by blocking light in areas other than the mark in the liquid crystal light valve, the light utilization efficiency further deteriorates. In addition, in addition to the light source and the liquid crystal light valve, a plurality of optical systems such as a collimated light generation optical system and a projection optical system are also required, and a complex structure is needed. Further, a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) or a metal mask having a mark shape can be used instead of the liquid crystal light valve to generate a secondary light source, but in these cases as well, light in areas other than the mark is blocked, the light utilization efficiency is poor, and an optical system for guiding light from the light source to the DMD or the metal mask and a projection optical system are required, and a complex structure is also needed.

[0022] In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 6, since a plurality of light emitting diodes are required, the cost is high. In addition, a complex mechanism and control are required to control the plurality of light emitting diodes. Further, since one mark is displayed by a plurality of light emitting diodes, the resolution of the mark is low.

[0023] As another technique, for example, there is a technique of forming a light source corresponding to the shape of a required mark in order to display the mark. However, when a light source is formed corresponding to the shape of the mark, the cost increases.

[0024] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an inexpensive optical device having good light utilization efficiency and capable of displaying a complex pattern with a simple structure.

[0025] Technical means for solving the problem

[0026] The present invention is an optical device for displaying a condensed mark, characterized by including: a light source; and an optical element that condenses light emitted from the light source into the shape of a condensed mark on an irradiation surface; a deflection surface of the optical element that condenses light is divided into a plurality of parts; light emitted through each area on the deflection surface of the optical element forms a partial irradiation image corresponding to each area on the deflection surface on the irradiation surface, and the respective partial irradiation images are combined to form at least one condensed mark on the irradiation surface.

[0027] In addition, the present invention is a traveling direction display device mounted in a vehicle, characterized by comprising: the above optical device; and a lamp controller that controls the lighting or flashing of the optical device, wherein the irradiation surface is the road surface around the vehicle; the condensing mark is a pattern indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle; the lamp controller obtains a detection signal from a state detection device mounted in the vehicle for detecting the actions of the vehicle and the environmental information around the vehicle, and based on the detection signal, causes the optical device to light or flash.

[0028] Advantages of the Invention

[0029] According to the present invention, the utilization efficiency of light is good, and complex patterns can be displayed inexpensively with a simple structure. In addition, other problems, structures, and effects will be described in the following embodiments. Description of the Drawings

[0030] Figure 1 In the figure, (a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining a usage example of the optical device according to the first embodiment, and (b) is an enlarged view of part B of (a).

[0031] Figure 2 In the figure, (a) is a structural diagram of the optical device according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of (a).

[0032] Figure 3 It is an explanatory diagram of a coordinate system used for explaining the structure of the optical device according to the first embodiment.

[0033] Figure 4 In (a) to (d) in the figure, they are explanatory diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the effective area of the reflecting surface of the reflector and the position of the light source according to the first embodiment.

[0034] Figure 5 It is the point sequence data of the effective area of the first area of the reflecting surface of the reflector according to the first embodiment.

[0035] Figure 6 It is the point sequence data of the effective area of the second area of the reflecting surface of the reflector according to the first embodiment.

[0036] Figure 7 In the figure, (a) is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the first area of the reflecting surface of the reflector according to the first embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the second area of the reflecting surface of the reflector according to the first embodiment, and (c) is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the reflecting surface of the reflector according to the first embodiment.

[0037] Figure 8In (a), it is a structural diagram of the optical device of the second embodiment, and in (b), it is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of (a).

[0038] Figure 9 It is an explanatory diagram of the coordinate system used to explain the structure of the optical device of the second embodiment.

[0039] Figure 10 In (a) to (d), they are explanatory diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the effective area of the exit surface of the lens of the second embodiment and the position of the light source.

[0040] Figure 11 Point cloud data representing the effective area of the first area of the exit surface of the lens of the second embodiment.

[0041] Figure 12 Point cloud data representing the effective area of the second area of the exit surface of the lens of the second embodiment.

[0042] Figure 13 In (a), it is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the first area of the exit surface of the lens of the second embodiment, in (b), it is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the second area of the exit surface of the lens of the second embodiment, and in (c), it is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the exit surface of the lens of the second embodiment.

[0043] Figure 14 In (a), it is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the predetermined travel direction display performed by the travel direction display device of the third embodiment, and in (b), it is a table showing the arrangement positions and display contents of the respective optical devices.

[0044] Figure 15 It is a structural diagram of the control system of the travel direction display device of the third embodiment.

[0045] Figure 16 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the blind spot example in the third embodiment.

[0046] Figure 17 It is a functional block diagram of the lamp controller of the third embodiment.

[0047] Figure 18 It is a flowchart of the lighting control process performed by the lamp controller of the third embodiment.

[0048] Figure 19 It is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the first forward optical device of the third embodiment.

[0049] Figure 20The diagrams (a) to (d) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the effective area of the reflecting surface of the reflector of the second forward optical device of the third embodiment and the light source.

[0050] Figure 21 These are the point sequence data of the effective area of the first area of the reflecting surface of the reflector of the second forward optical device of the third embodiment.

[0051] Figure 22 These are the point sequence data of the effective area of the second area of the reflecting surface of the reflector of the second forward optical device of the third embodiment.

[0052] Figure 23 This is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the second forward optical device of the third embodiment.

[0053] Figure 24 The diagrams (a) to (d) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the effective area of the reflecting surface of the reflector of the first right-turn optical device of the third embodiment and the light source.

[0054] Figure 25 These are the point sequence data of the effective area of the first area of the reflecting surface of the reflector of the first right-turn optical device of the third embodiment.

[0055] Figure 26 These are the point sequence data of the effective area of the second area of the reflecting surface of the reflector of the first right-turn optical device of the third embodiment.

[0056] Figure 27 In this figure, (a) is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the first right-turn optical device of the third embodiment, and (b) is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the second right-turn optical device of the third embodiment.

[0057] Figure 28 The diagrams (a) to (d) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the effective area of the reflecting surface of the reflector of the second right-turn optical device of the third embodiment and the light source.

[0058] Figure 29 These are the point sequence data of the effective area of the first area of the reflecting surface of the reflector of the second right-turn optical device of the third embodiment.

[0059] Figure 30 These are the point sequence data of the effective area of the second area of the reflecting surface of the reflector of the second right-turn optical device of the third embodiment.

[0060] Figure 31 The diagrams (a) to (f) are the simulation results of the display examples of the traveling direction display device of the third embodiment.

[0061] Figure 32 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the coordinate system used to explain the structure of the optical device of Modification 1.

[0062] Figure 33 Among (a) to (d) in [], it is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the effective region of the reflection surface of the reflector of Modification 1 and the position of the light source.

[0063] Figure 34 It is the point sequence data of the effective region of the first region of the reflection surface of the reflector of Modification 1.

[0064] Figure 35 It is the point sequence data of the effective region of the second region of the reflection surface of the reflector of Modification 4.

[0065] Figure 36 It is the point sequence data of the effective region of the third region of the reflection surface of the reflector of Modification 1.

[0066] Figure 37 In [], (a) is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the first region of the reflection surface of the reflector of Modification 1, (b) is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the second region of the reflection surface of the reflector of Modification 1, (c) is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the third region of the reflection surface of the reflector of Modification 1, and (d) is a diagram showing the simulation result of the irradiation image formed by the reflection surface of the reflector of Modification 1.

[0067] Figure 38 Among (a) to (d) in [], it is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the effective region of the reflection surface of the reflector of Modification 2 and the position of the light source.

[0068] Figure 39 It is the point sequence data of the effective region of the first region of the reflection surface of the reflector of Modification 2.

[0069] Figure 40 It is the point sequence data of the effective region of the second region of the reflection surface of the reflector of Modification 2.

[0070] Figure 41 They are diagrams respectively showing the simulation results of the irradiation images formed by the reflection surface of the reflector of Modification 2. Detailed implementation manners

[0071] Hereinafter, the implementation manners of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Among all the drawings used to explain the implementation manners, the same reference numerals are basically attached to the same parts, and repeated explanations thereof are omitted. On the other hand, there are parts where reference numerals are attached and explained in one drawing, and they are not shown again when explaining other drawings, but are mentioned with the same reference numerals.

[0072] <First Embodiment>

[0073] The optical device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In Figure 1 (a) of Figure 1 and Figure 1 (b) of Figure 1 show usage examples of the optical device 100 of the present embodiment. Figure 1 (a) of

[0074] As shown in Figure 1 (a) of Figure 1 and

[0075] [Optical Device]

[0076] Figure 2 (a) of Figure 2 and Figure 2 (b) of Figure 2 are structural diagrams of the optical device 100 of the present embodiment. Figure 2 (a) of

[0077] Here, as shown in the figure, the left - right direction in the figure of Figure 2 (a) is defined as the left - right direction, the up - down direction in the figure is defined as the up - down direction, and the left - right direction in the figure of Figure 2 (b) is defined as the front - rear direction, and the up - down direction is defined as the up - down direction for explanation. They are respectively referred to as the upper side (Up), the lower side (Dw), the front side (Fr), the rear side (Bk), the left side (Le), and the right side (Ri).

[0078] The optical device 100 of the present embodiment includes a substrate 111, a light source (LED) 110, a reflector 120, a support member 130, a cover 140, a main body 150, and a lighting control circuit 160.

[0079] The main body 150 has an opening at the front. For example, it has a box - shaped form. The cover 140 has light - transmissivity and is provided so as to close the opening of the main body 150. The light reflected by the reflector 120 described later is emitted to the outside of the optical device 100 through the cover 140.

[0080] The light source 110 uses, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and is mounted on a substrate 111 provided on a support member 130. In the light source 110, the light source is not limited to an LED. For example, it may also be an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), an inorganic EL, a laser, or a light bulb. The substrate 111 is arranged, for example, approximately at the center in the left - right direction of the support member 130 and near the front end portion in the front.

[0081] The reflector 120 is an optical element that condenses the light emitted from the light source 110 arranged at a specified position onto a specific area on a specified surface (irradiation surface) to form an irradiation image on the irradiation surface. For example, as shown in (b) of Figure 1 , when the optical device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 200, the irradiation surface is the road surface 300 around the front of the vehicle 200, and the obtained irradiation image 400 has a shape indicating a specific intention, such as a predetermined traveling direction.

[0082] The reflector 120 has a reflection surface 121 as a deflection surface that condenses the light emitted from the light source 110. The reflection surface 121 of the reflector 120 is divided into a plurality of regions. Each of the divided regions (divided regions) forms a different partial irradiation image on the irradiation surface. The irradiation image 400 is formed by combining the partial irradiation images. Each divided region has an aspherical or free - form surface shape.

[0083] In addition, the shape of the reflection surface 121 of the reflector 120 is determined according to the required irradiation image 400, the illuminance distribution, etc. Details of the relationship between the position of the light source 110, the shape of the reflection surface 121 of the reflector 120, and the region where the irradiation image is formed on the irradiation surface will be described later.

[0084] The reflector is made of, for example, resin, glass, or metal. An aluminum film is vapor - deposited on the reflection surface 121 of the reflector 120, for example. A reflection - enhancing film may also be applied.

[0085] The reflector 120 is fixed to the support member 130 with, for example, fixing bolts 131, etc. At this time, it is arranged above the light source 110 and within the range of the pointing angle of the light source 110. For example, a positioning pin 132, etc. can be used to fix the position relative to the light source 110.

[0086] The lighting control circuit 160 controls the lighting of the light source 110. The lighting control circuit 160 receives, for example, a control signal from the outside and controls the lighting of the light source 110 according to the control signal.

[0087] In addition, the lighting control circuit 160 can have a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory) by itself. The CPU loads a program pre-stored in the ROM into the memory and executes it to control the lighting of the light source 110.

[0088] The support member 130 is supported on the surface of the box-shaped main body 150 opposite to the cover 140 by fixing bolts 131 or the like. The support member 130 is made of metal, for example. In addition, cooling fins can be provided on the support member 130. Further, the support member 130 can be supported by aiming bolts, and the position and angle of the reflector 120 can be adjusted.

[0089] The light source 110, the reflector 120, the substrate 111, the support member 130, and the lighting control circuit 160 are arranged in a lamp chamber 151 formed inside the main body 150 and the cover 140.

[0090] [Details of the shape of the reflector]

[0091] Next, an example of the relationship between the shape of the effective area of the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 of the present embodiment, the light source 110, and the irradiation image 400 displayed on the irradiation surface 301 will be described.

[0092] In the present embodiment, it is set Figure 3 the local coordinate system 911 (x', y', z') shown below. Hereinafter, it will be simply referred to as the coordinate system 911.

[0093] In the coordinate system 911, the direction perpendicular to the irradiation surface 301 is taken as the y'-axis direction. In addition, the coordinate value in the y'-axis direction of the irradiation surface 301 is set to -600 mm. That is, the position 600 mm from the irradiation surface 301 on the y'-axis is taken as the origin O.

[0094] In addition, the direction parallel to the irradiation surface 301 on the plane including the y'-axis and the center of the light-emitting area of the light source 110 is taken as the z'-axis direction. The direction orthogonal to the y'-z' plane is taken as the x'-axis direction.

[0095] Here, the light source 110 uses, for example, an LED (such as Nichia NCSW170C / NCSA170C) with a light-emitting region of 1.15 mm in the x'-axis direction and 1.15 mm in the z'-axis direction, respectively. Additionally, the shape of the reflecting surface 121 is described by taking as an example the case where an arrowhead shape is formed as the irradiation image 400 in the pattern display region 401 on the irradiation surface 301. Further, the pattern display region 401 is in the range of 1500 mm to 2000 mm in the z'-axis direction and -500 mm to 500 mm in the x'-axis direction on the irradiation surface 301.

[0096] Figure 4 (a) to Figure 4 (d) of FIG. are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the effective region of the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 and the position of the light source 110. Figure 4 (a) of FIG. is a perspective view, Figure 4 (b) of FIG. is a z'-y' plan view, Figure 4 (c) of FIG. is an x'-y' plan view, Figure 4 (d) of FIG. is an x'-z' plan view.

[0097] In this coordinate system 911, the light source 110 is arranged such that the center coordinates of the light-emitting region are (0, -7.5, 20) and the central axis direction of the pointing angle is the y'-axis direction.

[0098] Additionally, as shown in Figure 4 (c) of FIG., the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 includes a first region 121a and a second region 121b having different free-form surface shapes. The first region 121a and the second region 121b are obtained by dividing the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 with a plane passing through the origin of the coordinate system 911 and parallel to the z'-y plane. The region on the left side of the front in the figure is the first region 121a, and the region on the right side is the second region 121b.

[0099] The first region 121a forms a first irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the region where the x'-coordinate in the pattern display region 401 is from -500 mm to 0 mm. Additionally, the second region 121b forms a second irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the region where the x'-coordinate is from 0 mm to 500 mm.

[0100] The free-form surfaces of the first region 121a and the second region 121b are, for example, NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline) surfaces of degree 5 and degree 5 respectively, which are different from each other. The shape of the free-form surface is formed by combining a first irradiation image on the irradiation surface 301 obtained by reflecting light from the light source 110 in the first region 121a and a second irradiation image on the irradiation surface 301 obtained by reflecting light in the second region 121b, and an arrowhead shape is displayed on the irradiation surface 301. In addition, the free-form surface is not limited to NURBS surfaces of degree 5 and degree 5, and a free-form surface suitable for displaying a condensing mark (irradiation image) is selected.

[0101] As the free-form surface shapes of the first region 121a and the second region 121b, in Figure 5 Table 511 of Figure 6 and the point sequence data of each effective region are shown in Table 512 of . Here, as the point sequence data, the direction cosines (l’, m’, n’) of each position (x’, y’, z’) in the coordinate system 911 are shown.

[0102] In addition, as shown in Figure 5 , Figure 6 , at each point in the boundary region between the first region 121a and the second region 121b, the values of the direction cosines of the first region 121a and the second region 121b are different from each other. For example, the direction cosine at (0, 0, -0.00898) is (-0.04226, -0.33936, -0.939708) in the first region 121a and (-0.042256, -0.33936, 0.939708) in the second region 121b. That is, the first region 121a and the second region 121b are discontinuous. Therefore, the first region 121a and the second region 121b have different free-form surface shapes.

[0103] Here, in Figure 7 (a) to Figure 7 (c) of

[0104] the ray tracing simulation results of the illuminance distribution on the irradiation surface 301 obtained by the optical device 100 designed as described above are shown. Here, as the light source 110, nichia NCDW170C (350lm) in the LED having the above-mentioned light emitting region is used. Figure 7 (a) of Figure 7 shows the illuminance distribution (first irradiation image) 411a of the pattern display region 401 on the irradiation surface 301 obtained by reflecting the light irradiated from the light source 110 by the first region 121a. In (b) of Figure 7 shows the illuminance distribution (second irradiation image) 411b of the pattern display region 401 on the irradiation surface 301 obtained by reflecting the light by the second region 121b. In addition, in (c) of Figure 7The illuminance distribution (irradiation image; condensing mark) 411 formed by the first region 121a and the second region 121b is shown in (c).

[0105] As Figure 7 As shown in (c) of this embodiment, with the optical device 100 of this embodiment, an arrowhead pattern (condensing mark 411) can be displayed in the pattern display region 401 on the irradiation surface 301.

[0106] As described above, according to this embodiment, with one reflector 120 having regions with a plurality of different free-form surface shapes on the reflecting surface 121 and one light source, an arrowhead pattern as a shape indicating direction can be formed on a required irradiation surface. That is, there is no need to use a light source array arranged in the shape of a condensing mark to control lighting, or to use a plurality of optical systems. Thus, an optical device capable of forming a shape indicating a specific intention on a required surface can be realized with a simple structure.

[0107] In addition, according to this embodiment, the shape indicating a specific intention is realized by the shape of the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120. That is, an irradiation image is not formed using a mask or the like. Thus, all the light beams reaching the reflector 120 from the light source 110 can be used to form the irradiation image 400. Thus, the light utilization efficiency is good, and as a result, an optical device with a high energy-saving effect can be realized.

[0108] <Second Embodiment>

[0109] [Optical Device]

[0110] The optical device of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 8 In (a) and Figure 8 In (b) are the structural diagrams of the optical device 101 of this embodiment. Figure 8 In (a) is the front view of the optical device 101 of this embodiment, Figure 8 In (b) is Figure 8 The A-A' cross-sectional view of (a).

[0111] In this embodiment, the optical device 101 is also the same as the optical device 100 of the first embodiment. For example, it is mounted in the vehicle 200 and forms an irradiation image 400 on the surrounding road surface 300 in front of the vehicle 200 from a specified height. In addition, the optical device 101 of this embodiment is not limited to being vehicle-mounted.

[0112] Hereinafter, in the description of the optical device 101 of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are added to the same structures as those of the optical device 100 of the first embodiment, and repeated description is omitted.

[0113] As shown in this figure, the optical device 101 of the present embodiment includes a substrate 111, a light source 110, a lens 170, a support member 130, a cover 140, a main body 150, and a lighting control circuit 160.

[0114] The light source 110 is mounted on the substrate 111 provided on the support member 130. The substrate 111 is disposed substantially at the center in the vertical and horizontal directions of the support member 130. The support member 130 is in the lamp chamber 151 and is supported, for example, by fixing bolts 131 or the like while being spaced apart from the opening of the main body 150 by a space 152 in a plane-parallel manner.

[0115] The lighting control circuit 160 is disposed, for example, in the space 152.

[0116] The lens 170 is an optical element that condenses the light emitted from the light source 110 onto the pattern display area 402 on the specified irradiation surface 302 to form an irradiation image 400. The lens 170 is formed of, for example, a transparent resin such as acrylic resin, polycarbonate, polyolefin, or transparent glass. An antireflection film can be coated on the incident surface 172 and the exit surface 171 of the lens 170.

[0117] The lens 170 is disposed in front of the light source 110, and the light emitted from the light source 110 enters from the incident surface 172 of the lens 170 and exits from the exit surface 171. At least one of the incident surface 172 and the exit surface 171 is formed as a deflection surface that condenses the light emitted from the light source 110. The deflection surface of the lens 170 is divided into a plurality of regions. Each of the divided regions (divided areas) forms a different partial irradiation image on the irradiation surface 302. The irradiation image 400 is formed by combining the partial irradiation images. Each divided region has an aspherical or free-form surface shape.

[0118] In addition, the shape of the deflection surface of the lens 170 is determined according to the required irradiation image 400, the illuminance distribution, etc. Details of the relationship between the position of the light source 110, the shape of the deflection surface of the lens 170, and the pattern display area 401 on the irradiation surface 302 will be described later.

[0119] The lens 170 is fixed to the support member 130 with, for example, fixing bolts (not shown). At this time, the lens 170 is disposed such that the deflection surface is within the range of the pointing angle of the light source 110.

[0120] The light source 110, the lens 170, the substrate 111, the support member 130, and the lighting control circuit 160 are disposed in the lamp chamber 151 formed inside the main body 150 and the cover 140.

[0121] [Details of the shape of the lens]

[0122] Next, an example of the relationship between the shape of the effective area of the condensing surface of the lens 170 in the present embodiment, the light source 110, and the irradiation image 400 displayed on the irradiation surface 302 will be described. Here, the case where the exit surface 171 is a deflecting surface having a free-form surface shape and the incident surface 172 is a flat surface will be described as an example. In addition, in this example, the lens 170 is formed of polycarbonate.

[0123] In the present embodiment, the local coordinate system 912 (x”, y”, z”) shown Figure 9 is set. Hereinafter, it will be simply referred to as the coordinate system 912.

[0124] In the coordinate system 912, the origin O is defined as a point that is 600 mm away from the point Rn on the irradiation surface 302 in the direction perpendicular to the irradiation surface 302. The direction from the origin O toward the point Rz that exists on the irradiation surface 302 and is 2000 mm away from Rn is defined as the z” axis direction.

[0125] The direction on the plane perpendicular to the z” axis, passing through the origin O and parallel to the irradiation surface 302 is defined as the x” axis direction, and the direction orthogonal to the x”-z” plane is defined as the y” axis direction.

[0126] Here, as the light source 110, for example, an LED (e.g., nichia NCSW170C / NCSA170C) whose light emitting region is 1.15 mm in the x” axis direction and the y” axis direction respectively is used. In addition, an example of the shape of the exit surface 171 in the case where an arrowhead (arrow head) shape is formed as the irradiation image 400 in the pattern display region 402 on the irradiation surface 302 will be described. The pattern display region 402 is a range from 1500 mm to 2000 mm in the direction from Rn toward Rz on the irradiation surface 302 and a range from -500 mm to 500 mm in the x’ axis direction.

[0127] Figure 10 (a) to Figure 10 (d) of are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the effective area of the exit surface 171 of the lens 170 and the light source 110. Figure 10 (a) of is a perspective view, Figure 10 (b) of is a z”-y” plan view, Figure 10 (c) of is an x”-y” plan view, Figure 10 (d) of is an x”-z” plan view.

[0128] In this coordinate system 912, the light source 110 is arranged such that the center coordinates of the light emitting region are (0, 0, -20) and the central axis direction of the emission angle is the z” axis direction.

[0129] The exit surface 171 of the lens 170 in the present embodiment is as shown in Figure 10As shown in (c) of , a first region 171a and a second region 171b are provided. The first region 171a and the second region 171b are obtained by dividing the exit surface 171 with a plane parallel to the z”-y” plane passing through the center of the light-emitting region of the light source 110. In the figure, the region on the left side of the front is the first region 171a, and the region on the right side is the second region 171b.

[0130] In the first region 171a, in the region where the x” coordinate in the pattern display region 402 is from -500 mm to 0 mm, a first irradiation image as a partial irradiation image is formed. In addition, in the second region 171b, in the region where the x” coordinate is from 0 mm to 500 mm, a second irradiation image as a partial irradiation image is formed.

[0131] The free-form surfaces of the first region 171a and the second region 171b are, for example, fifth-degree and fifth-degree NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline) surfaces that are different from each other. The free-form surface shape is formed as a combination of a first irradiation image on the irradiation surface 302 refracted by the light from the light source 110 in the first region 171a and a second irradiation image on the irradiation surface 302 reflected in the second region 171b, and irradiates an arrowhead shape on the irradiation surface 302. In addition, the free-form surface is not limited to fifth-degree and fifth-degree NURBS surfaces, and a free-form surface suitable for displaying a required condensing mark (irradiation image) is selected.

[0132] As the free-form surface shapes of the first region 171a and the second region 171b, in Figure 11 Table 521 of Figure 12 and

[0133] Table 522 of Figure 11 , Figure 12 the column data of each effective region are shown. Here, as the column data, the direction cosines (l”, m”, n”) of each position (x”, y”, z”) in the coordinate system 912 are shown.

[0134] As described above, the incident surface 172 is a flat surface, and the effective area is a planar quadrilateral surrounded by four vertices (-10, -10, 0), (-10, 10, 0), (10, 10, 0), and (10, -10, 0).

[0135] Here, in Figure 13 from (a) to Figure 13 in (c), the ray tracing simulation results of the illuminance distribution on the irradiation surface 302 obtained by the optical device 101 designed as described above are shown. Here, as the light source 110, Nichia NCDW170C (350 lm) among the LEDs having the above-described light emitting region is used. Additionally, Figure 13 from (a) to Figure 13 the vertical axis of (c) is the distance from Rn in the direction from Rn to Rz (z''' axis) on the irradiation surface 302.

[0136] In Figure 13 from (a), the illuminance distribution (first irradiation image) 412a of the pattern display region 402 on the irradiation surface 302, which is obtained by refracting the light irradiated from the light source 110 in the first region 171a, is shown. In Figure 13 from (b), the illuminance distribution (second irradiation image) 412b of the pattern display region 402 on the irradiation surface 302, which is obtained by refracting in the second region 171b, is shown. Additionally, Figure 13 from (c) shows the illuminance distribution (condensing mark) 412 formed by the first region 171a and the second region 171b.

[0137] As Figure 13 shown in (c) of, by the optical device 101 of the present embodiment, an arrowhead pattern (condensing mark 412) can be displayed in the pattern display region 402 on the irradiation surface 302.

[0138] As described above, according to the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, with one lens 170 and one light source in which the deflection surface (exit surface 171) has a plurality of regions with different free-form surface shapes, an arrowhead pattern as a shape indicating a direction can be formed on the required irradiation surface 302. That is, it is not necessary to use a light source array arranged in the shape of a condensing mark to control lighting or use a plurality of optical systems. Thus, an optical device capable of forming a shape indicating a specific intention on a required surface can be realized with a simple structure.

[0139] Additionally, according to the present embodiment, the shape indicating a specific intention is realized by the shape of the deflection surface (exit surface 171) of the lens 170. That is, an irradiation image is not formed using a mask or the like. Thus, all the light beams reaching the lens 170 from the light source 110 can be used to form the irradiation image 400. As a result, the light utilization efficiency is good, and an optical device with a high energy-saving effect can be realized.

[0140] In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the shape of the exit surface 171 of the lens 170 is a deflecting surface having a free-form surface shape has been described as an example, but it is not limited thereto. The deflecting surface having the above function can be realized by the incident surface 172 of the lens 170, or can be realized by using both the incident surface 172 and the exit surface 171.

[0141] <Third Embodiment>

[0142] Next, the third embodiment of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the optical device 100 or 101 of each of the above embodiments is mounted in the vehicle 200, and a condensing mark 400 indicating the predetermined traveling direction of the vehicle 200 is displayed on the peripheral road surface 300 in front of the vehicle 200 or the like corresponding to the predetermined traveling direction. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the case where the condensing mark 400 is displayed on the road surface 300 in front of the vehicle 200 using the optical device 100 will be described as an example.

[0143] [Traveling Direction Display Device]

[0144] Figure 14 (a) and Figure 14 (b) of FIG. are diagrams for explaining an outline of the predetermined traveling direction display performed by the traveling direction display device 600 of the present embodiment.

[0145] As shown in this figure, the traveling direction display device 600 of the present embodiment includes six optical devices 100 at the front end of the vehicle 200.

[0146] The six optical devices 100 are, for example, as Figure 14 shown in (a) of FIG., and two are mounted at the center of the front part, the left front part, and the right front part of the vehicle 200, respectively. The optical device 100 of the present embodiment is, for example, embedded in a shock absorber or the like installed at the front part of the vehicle.

[0147] Hereinafter, when it is necessary to distinguish, the two optical devices 100 mounted at the center of the front part of the vehicle are collectively referred to as the forward optical devices 100F, and are respectively referred to as the first forward optical device 100Fa and the second forward optical device 100Fb. The two optical devices 100 mounted on the left front part of the vehicle are collectively referred to as the left turn optical devices 100L, and are respectively referred to as the first left turn optical device 100La and the second left turn optical device 100Lb. The two optical devices 100 mounted on the right front part of the vehicle are collectively referred to as the right turn optical devices 100R, and are respectively referred to as the first right turn optical device 100Ra and the second right turn optical device 100Rb.

[0148] The first forward optical device 100Fa displays the forward pattern 430a on the road surface 300 as a condensing mark 400, the second forward optical device 100Fb displays the forward pattern 430b as a condensing mark 400, the first left-turn optical device 100La displays the left-turn pattern 440a as a condensing mark 400, the second left-turn optical device 100Lb displays the left-turn pattern 440b as a condensing mark 400, the first right-turn optical device 100Ra displays the right-turn pattern 450a as a condensing mark 400, and the second right-turn optical device 100Rb displays the right-turn pattern 450b as a condensing mark 400 respectively.

[0149] As Figure 14 As shown in (a) of [], among the condensing marks irradiated by the forward optical device 100F, the left-turn optical device 100L, and the right-turn optical device 100R, the colors of the condensing marks (forward pattern 430a, left-turn pattern 440a, right-turn pattern 450a) farther from the vehicle 200 are changed from those of the condensing marks (forward pattern 430b, left-turn pattern 440b, right-turn pattern 450b) closer to the vehicle. That is, it is set that the colors of the condensing marks farther from the vehicle equipped with the six optical devices 100 are different from those closer to the vehicle.

[0150] In addition, the left-turn patterns 440a and 440b are arranged in the traveling direction of the vehicle existing in the lane orthogonal to the lane where the vehicle 200 is located. Similarly, the right-turn patterns 450a and 450b are also arranged in the traveling direction of the vehicle existing in the lane orthogonal to the lane where the vehicle 200 is located.

[0151] In Figure 14 Table 531 in (b) of [] shows the details of the installation positions of each optical device 100, the shapes, colors, and display positions of the respective condensing marks 400. In addition, the details of the shapes of the reflectors 120 that realize the respective condensing marks 400 are described later.

[0152] Figure 15 is a structural diagram of the control system of the traveling direction display device 600 of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the traveling direction display device 600 includes six optical devices 100 and a lamp controller 610.

[0153] The lamp controller 610 sends a control signal instructing lighting to the lighting control circuit 160 of the optical device 100. Various state detection devices that output signals as the basis for the calculation of the control signal are connected to the lamp controller 610.

[0154] The status detection device detects the actions of the vehicle 200 and the environmental information around the vehicle 200, and outputs the detection results to the lamp controller 610 as detection signals. In this embodiment, as the status detection device, for example, the direction indicator switch 601, the road surface analysis device 602, the vehicle speed sensor 603, the position information acquisition device 604, etc. are connected. In addition, a steering sensor, a reverse gear sensor, etc. can be connected.

[0155] When the direction indicator switch 601 performs an operation to turn on the direction indicator, it outputs an operation signal (direction indication signal) to the lamp controller 610. The direction indication signal also includes information indicating the direction.

[0156] The road surface analysis device 602 analyzes the state of the road surface 300 and outputs the result to the lamp controller 610. In this embodiment, for example, it includes a light source, a polarization camera, and an analysis unit that analyzes an image obtained by the polarization camera of the state of the light from the light source irradiating the road surface. As the analysis result, for example, a signal (road surface signal) for identifying the condition of the road surface 300 is output to the lamp controller 610. In this embodiment, in the road surface signal, as information capable of identifying the state of the road surface 300 such as dry, wet, frozen, etc., for example, it includes the reflectivity of the road surface 300.

[0157] The vehicle speed sensor 603 detects the traveling speed (vehicle speed) of the vehicle itself and outputs it to the lamp controller 610 as a vehicle speed signal. For example, a pulse signal proportional to the rotation speed of the axle is generated, and the vehicle speed is detected according to the number of pulse signals.

[0158] The position information acquisition device 604 outputs the current position information of the vehicle itself and the nearby map information. The position information acquisition device 604, for example, uses information from navigation satellites such as GPS and the vehicle speed sensor 603 to calculate the current position of the vehicle itself. The map information is pre - stored. As the position information acquisition device 604, for example, a navigation device can be used.

[0159] In addition, the lamp controller 610 can be connected to each status detection device through a multiplex communication line such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication line, a serial communication line, a wireless communication network, etc.

[0160] The lamp controller 610 controls the lighting or flashing of the six optical devices 100 independently according to the signals from the above - mentioned various status detection devices.

[0161] The lamp controller 610 includes a CPU 611, a RAM 612, a ROM 613, and an input / output interface (I / O) 614. They are connected through an internal bus.

[0162] Part or all of the functions implemented by the lighting fixture controller 610 are achieved by the CPU 611 loading a program (software) stored in the ROM 613 into the RAM 612 and executing it. Additionally, part or all of the functions can also be implemented by hardware such as LSI (Large Scale Integration) and ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Moreover, it can also be achieved by a combination of software and hardware. The information and data required for processing are stored in the ROM 613 and the RAM 612.

[0163] The traveling direction display device 600 of the present embodiment controls the lighting and extinguishing of the optical device 100 according to the vehicle speed. Additionally, it controls the lighting illuminance of the optical device 100 according to the condition of the road surface 300. Furthermore, it determines the illuminated optical device 100 according to the predetermined traveling direction of the vehicle 200.

[0164] Specifically, when the vehicle 200 is stopped or traveling slowly, the optical device 100 is lit. At this time, the forward patterns 430a and 430b are usually displayed. However, when a direction indication signal is received, the optical device 100 that displays the pattern (left turn pattern 440a, 440b or right turn pattern 450a, 450b) designated by the direction indication signal in that direction is lit.

[0165] On the other hand, the illuminance of the optical device 100 is changed according to the condition of the road surface 300. For example, when the reflectivity of the road surface 300 is high and the spotlight mark 400 is displayed on the road surface 300, and it may cause glare to the drivers of other vehicles, it is extinguished or the illuminance is reduced.

[0166] Regarding the illuminance, when the luminous flux of the light source 110 can be controlled, it is reduced by changing the luminous flux of the light source 110 according to the reflectivity. The luminous flux is changed, for example, by controlling the current value. Or it can also be changed using pulse width modulation (PWM; Pulse Width Modulation). The dimming using pulse width modulation is a method of reducing the illuminance of the spotlight mark 400 by causing the light source 110 to flash at a cycle invisible to humans in synchronization with the PWM signal. In this case, if the ratio of the lighting time within one cycle (duty ratio) is reduced, the illuminance of the spotlight mark 400 can be further reduced.

[0167] Additionally, for example, the optical device 100 can also be made to flash in synchronization with the flashing of the direction indicator. In this case, by repeatedly performing the flashing control of the light source 110 at a cycle invisible to humans according to the cycle of the flashing of the direction indicator, the flashing display of the spotlight mark 400 can be performed in a state with reduced illuminance.

[0168] Furthermore, the lamp controller 610 of the present embodiment can turn on the forward optical device 100F only when the vehicle is in a position that is a blind spot for the drivers of other vehicles. A position that is a blind spot is, for example, as shown in Figure 16 an intersection, a T-junction, etc.

[0169] Taking the case of implementing these controls as an example for explanation. Figure 17 is a functional block diagram of the lamp controller of the present embodiment. The lamp controller 610 of the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 17 includes an illuminance determination unit 621, a direction determination unit 622, and a vehicle position determination unit 623.

[0170] The illuminance determination unit 621 determines whether to turn on the optical device 100, and determines its illuminance if it is to be turned on. Then, it outputs the determination result to the direction determination unit 622.

[0171] In the present embodiment, it is determined based on signals from the vehicle speed sensor 603 and the road surface analysis device 602. When a signal indicating a speed less than a pre-specified speed is received from the vehicle speed sensor 603, it is determined to turn on. In addition, based on the reflectance included in the road surface signal received from the road surface analysis device 602, the illuminance value of the irradiation target (target illuminance value) is determined. Based on the determined target illuminance value, for example, the duty ratio in pulse width modulation is determined. In addition, information on the correspondence between the target illuminance value and the duty ratio is stored in the ROM 613 in advance.

[0172] The direction determination unit 622 determines the optical device 100 to be turned on when the illuminance determination unit 621 determines to turn on. The optical device 100 to be turned on is determined according to the direction indication signal.

[0173] When the direction determination unit 622 receives a direction indication signal indicating a right turn, it determines to turn on the right-turn optical device 100R. In addition, when it receives a direction indication signal indicating a left turn, it determines to turn on the left-turn optical device 100L. In other cases, it determines to turn on the forward optical device 100F.

[0174] The vehicle position determination unit 623 determines whether the vehicle position is located in a pre-specified blind spot, and outputs the determination result to the direction determination unit 622. The vehicle position determination unit 623 receives the current position information and map information of the vehicle from the position information acquisition device 604, and determines whether the current position of the vehicle is a place that is a blind spot for the drivers of other vehicles. Information for identifying a place that is a blind spot for the drivers of other vehicles is pre-specified and stored in the ROM 613.

[0175] Figure 18This is an example of the processing flow of the lighting control process performed by the lighting fixture controller 610 of the present embodiment. It is executed at regular time intervals. Here, the lighting control circuit 160 of the optical device 100 turns on the light source 110 only during the period when the lighting instruction signal is received.

[0176] First, the illuminance determination unit 621 determines whether the vehicle speed is less than a specified value based on the vehicle speed signal received from the vehicle speed sensor 603 (step S1101).

[0177] If the vehicle speed is above the specified value, the process ends directly.

[0178] If the vehicle speed is less than the specified value, the illuminance determination unit 621 determines whether the reflectance of the road surface 300 is less than the specified value based on the road surface signal received from the road surface analysis device 602 (step S1102).

[0179] When the reflectance is less than the specified value, the illuminance determination unit 621 determines the target illuminance value of the condensing mark 400 and determines the duty ratio (light source duty ratio) in the pulse width modulation control (step 1103). Further, the illuminance determination unit 621 outputs a lighting signal including information on the light source duty ratio to the direction determination unit 622 (step S1104). On the other hand, if the reflectance is above the specified value, the process ends directly.

[0180] When the direction determination unit 622 receives the lighting signal, it determines whether a direction instruction signal indicating a right turn is received (step S1105).

[0181] If a direction instruction signal indicating a right turn is received, the direction determination unit 622 outputs a lighting instruction signal to the right-turn optical device 100R (step S1106) and ends the process.

[0182] When the direction determination unit 622 does not receive a direction instruction signal indicating a right turn, it determines whether a direction instruction signal indicating a left turn is received (step S1107).

[0183] If a direction instruction signal indicating a left turn is received, the direction determination unit 622 outputs a lighting instruction signal to the left-turn optical device 100L (step S1108) and ends the process.

[0184] If a direction instruction signal indicating a left turn is not received either, the own vehicle position determination unit 623 determines whether the current position of the own vehicle is a blind spot position (step S1109). If it is determined that it is a blind spot position, the determination result is output to the direction determination unit 622.

[0185] When it is a position that becomes a blind spot, the direction determination unit 622 outputs a lighting instruction signal to the forward optical device 100F (step S1110), and the process ends.

[0186] On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not a position that becomes a blind spot, the process ends directly.

[0187] [Shape of the reflector]

[0188] As described above, in the present embodiment, six optical devices 100 are used. Here, as shown in (b) of Figure 14 , the first forward optical device 100Fa is provided at a height of 600 mm, and an arrowhead pattern is displayed on the road surface 300 2000 mm ahead. Thus, it can be realized by the optical device 100 described in (a) to (c) of the first embodiment. However, the irradiation surface 301 is the road surface 300, and the light source 110 uses nichia NCDA170C (230 lm). Figure 4 of (a) to Figure 7 of (c).

[0189] In Figure .19 , the ray tracing simulation result of the illuminance distribution on the road surface 300 obtained by the first forward optical device 100Fa is shown. As shown in this figure, through the first forward optical device 100Fa, an orange forward pattern 430a is formed in the pattern display area 401 on the road surface 300.

[0190] Hereinafter, an example of the shape of the reflector 120 that realizes the second forward optical device 100Fb and the right-turn optical device (the first right-turn optical device 100Ra and the second right-turn optical device 100Rb) as representatives among the left and right turn optical devices and the positional relationship with the light source 110 will be described. Hereinafter, assuming that the irradiation surface 301 is the road surface 300, the coordinate system 911 used in the description of the optical device 100 of the first embodiment will be used for the description. The description will be made for the case where they are respectively provided at the positions shown in (b) of Figure 14 and display at the display positions shown in (b) of Figure 14 on the road surface 300 Figure 14 of the shape shown in (b) of

[0191] [Second forward optical device]

[0192] Using Figure 20 of (a) to Figure 22 to illustrate an example of the shape of the effective area of the reflection surface 121 of the reflector 120 of the second forward optical device 100Fb and the positional relationship with the light source 110. The second forward optical device 100Fb is as shown in Figure 14As shown in (b) of , an arrowhead-shaped forward pattern 430b is formed 1200 mm in front of the road surface 300 below 600 mm.

[0193] Figure 20 of (a) to Figure 20 (d) of are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the effective region of the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 and the position of the light source 110. Figure 20 (a) of is a perspective view, Figure 20 of (b) is a z'-y' plan view, Figure 20 of (c) is an x'-y' plan view, Figure 20 of (d) is an x'-z' plan view.

[0194] Here, the same light source 110 as that of the optical device 100 of the first embodiment is used. The setting of the first region 121a and the second region 121b is also the same.

[0195] However, the center coordinates of the light-emitting region of the light source 110 are set to (0, -8.5, 7.5). In addition, the pattern display region 401 is a region from 700 mm to 1200 mm in the z' axis direction. In addition, the first region 121a forms a first irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the region where the x' coordinate in the pattern display region 401 is from -400 mm to 0 mm. In addition, the second region 121b forms a second irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the region where the x' coordinate is from 0 mm to 400 mm.

[0196] As the free-form surface shapes of the first region 121a and the second region 121b, in Figure 21 Table 541 of and Figure 22 Table 542 of show the point sequence data of each effective region. Here, as the point sequence data, the direction cosines (l', m', n') of each position (x', y', z') in the coordinate system 911 are shown.

[0197] Here, in Figure 23 shows the simulation result of ray tracing of the illuminance distribution on the road surface 300 obtained by the second forward optical device 100Fb designed as described above. Here, the light source 110 uses nichia NCDW170C (350 lm) among the LEDs having the above-described light-emitting region, and an irradiation image is formed on the road surface 300.

[0198] As shown in this figure, the forward pattern 430b is formed in the pattern display region 401 on the road surface 300 by the second forward optical device 100Fb.

[0199] [First right-turn optical device]

[0200] Using Figure 24 of (a) to Figure 26An example of the shape of the effective area of the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 of the first right-turn optical device 100Ra and its positional relationship with the light source 110 is described. The first right-turn optical device 100Ra is as shown in Figure 14 In (b) of the figure, a right-turn pattern 450a in the shape of an arrowhead that rotates 45 degrees clockwise is formed 2221 mm in front of the road surface 300 600 mm below.

[0201] Figure 24 In (a) to Figure 24 In (d) of the figure, they are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the effective area of the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 and the light source 110. Figure 24 In (a) of the figure, it is a three-dimensional diagram, Figure 24 In (b) of the figure, it is a z'-y' plane diagram, Figure 24 In (c) of the figure, it is an x'-y' plane diagram, Figure 24 In (d) of the figure, it is an x'-z' plane diagram.

[0202] Here, the same light source 110 as that of the first forward optical device 100Fa is used. The coordinates of the center of the light-emitting area of the light source 110 are also the same.

[0203] However, the pattern display area 401 is the area from 1461 mm to 2321 mm in the z'-axis direction. In addition, as shown in Figure 24 In (c) of the figure, for the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120, it is divided by a plane passing through the point (2.3, 0, 0) of the coordinate system 911 and parallel to the z'-y' plane. The area on the left side of the front in the figure is the first area 121a, and the area on the right side is the second area 121b. The first area 121a forms a first irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the area where the x' coordinate is from -200 mm to 200 mm in the pattern display area 401. In addition, the second area 121b forms a second irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the area where the x' coordinate is from -200 mm to 650 mm.

[0204] In Figure 25 Table 551 and Figure 26 Table 552 in the figure show the point sequence data of the effective areas of the first area 121a and the second area 121b respectively. Here, as the point sequence data, the direction cosines (l', m', n') of each position (x', y', z') in the coordinate system 911 are shown.

[0205] Here, in Figure 27The simulation result of the ray tracing of the illuminance distribution on the road surface 300 obtained by the first right-turn optical device 100Ra designed as above is shown in (a) here. Here, as the light source 110, nichia NCDA170C (230 lm) among the LEDs having the above-described light-emitting region is used to form an irradiation image on the road surface 300.

[0206] As shown in this figure, the first right-turn optical device 100Ra forms a right-turn pattern 450a in the pattern display region 401 on the road surface 300.

[0207] [Second right-turn optical device]

[0208] With Figure 28 of (a) to Figure 29 An example of the shape of the effective region of the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 of the second right-turn optical device 100Rb and the positional relationship with the light source 110 is described. The second right-turn optical device 100Rb, as Figure 14 shown in (b), forms an arrowhead-shaped right-turn pattern 450b that rotates clockwise by 26.57 degrees at a position 1777 mm in front of the road surface 300 600 mm below.

[0209] Here, the same light source 110 as that of the optical device 100 of the first embodiment is used. The coordinates of the center of the light-emitting region of the light source 110 are also the same.

[0210] However, the pattern display region 401 is a region from 1177 mm to 1777 mm in the z'-axis direction. In addition, as Figure 28 shown in (c), the first region 121a and the second region 121b are obtained by dividing the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 with a plane passing through the point (3, 0, 0) of the coordinate system 911 and parallel to the z'-y' plane. The region on the left side of the front in the figure is the first region 121a, and the region on the right side is the second region 121b. The first region 121a forms a first irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the region where the x'-coordinate in the pattern display region 401 is from -150 mm to 150 mm. In addition, the second region 121b forms a second irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the region where the x'-coordinate is from -150 mm to 550 mm.

[0211] As the free-form surface shapes of the first region 121a and the second region 121b, Figure 29 in Table 561 of Figure 30 and Table 562 of

[0212] Here, in Figure 27The simulation result of ray tracing of the illuminance distribution on the road surface 300 obtained by the second right-turn optical device 100Rb designed as described above is shown in (b) here. Here, as the light source 110, nichia NCDW170C (350 lm) among the LEDs having the above-described light-emitting region is used to form an irradiation image on the road surface 300.

[0213] As shown in this figure, a right-turn pattern 450b is formed in the pattern display region 401 on the road surface 300 by the second right-turn optical device 100Rb.

[0214] As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is provided a traveling direction display device 600 that uses the optical devices 100 and 101 described in the first embodiment and / or the second embodiment. That is, according to the present embodiment, the utilization efficiency of light is good, and a shape indicating a specific intention can be formed on the road surface 300 with a simple structure. Thus, it is possible to notify others (drivers of other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.) of the presence of the own vehicle and future intentions such as the forward route of the own vehicle.

[0215] Here, in Figure 31 (a) to Figure .31 (f) show the simulation results of the situation as viewed from another vehicle 202 when the condensing mark 400 is displayed on the road surface 300 in front of the vehicle 200 using each of the above-described optical devices 100. Here, as described above Figure 16 shown, the position of the other vehicle 202 is set to a distant place, that is, a position 60 m away from the own vehicle on a road orthogonal to the road of the own vehicle.

[0216] In addition, as described above, among the condensing marks irradiated by the forward optical device 100F, the left-turn optical device 100L, and the right-turn optical device 100R, the colors of the condensing marks (forward pattern 430a, left-turn pattern 440a, right-turn pattern 450a) that are farther from the vehicle 200 are orange, and the colors of the condensing marks (forward pattern 430b, left-turn pattern 440b, right-turn pattern 450b) that are closer to the vehicle are white. In addition, the left-turn patterns 440a and 440b are arranged in the traveling direction of the other vehicle 202. Similarly, the right-turn patterns 450a and 450b are also arranged in the traveling direction of the other vehicle 202.

[0217] Figure 31 (a) is an example in which the left-turn patterns 440a and 440b are displayed in different colors as shown in Figure 14 (b). Figure 31 (b) is an example in which the left-turn patterns 440a and 440b are displayed in the same color. Figure 31 (c) is such that the forward patterns 430a and 430b are as in Figure 14An example shown in (b) with different colors respectively. Figure 31 (d) is an example where the forward patterns 430a and 430b are shown in the same color. Figure 31 (e) is such that the right-turn patterns 450a and 450b are as Figure 14 shown in (b) with different colors respectively. Figure 31 (f) is an example where the right-turn patterns 450a and 450b are shown in the same color.

[0218] As shown in this figure, when viewed from a distance (more than 60 m away), each spotlight mark 400 appears distorted. However, according to this embodiment, in the case of a right turn or a left turn, two or more spotlight marks 400 indicating the traveling direction are displayed respectively. Furthermore, the display colors of the spotlight mark 400 closer to the vehicle and the spotlight mark 400 farther from the vehicle are made different. Thus, it is easy to know the intended traveling direction of this vehicle, that is, the intention. In particular, by making the arrow in the direction of travel of this vehicle (the arrow from this vehicle to the distance) a predetermined fixed color, the intention is even easier to know.

[0219] Generally, others do not exist at a fixed position relative to this vehicle. For the spotlight mark 400 displayed on this vehicle, the spotlight mark 400 looks different in the case of being observed by others relatively close to this vehicle and in the case of being observed by others relatively far away.

[0220] For example, consider the case where the driver of another vehicle 202 views the spotlight mark 400 from a height of 1.2 m. In this case, when located more than 60 m away from this vehicle, the spotlight mark 400 will be seen in a shape that is horizontally reduced to about 0.19 times and reduced in the far-near direction to about 0.04 times compared to the case of being located 10 m away.

[0221] That is, it is assumed that for the spotlight mark observed by others nearby, it is difficult for others far away to judge the intention of this vehicle, and it is assumed that for the spotlight mark observed by others far away, it is difficult for others nearby to judge the intention of this vehicle.

[0222] However, according to this embodiment, as described above, for a left turn and a right turn, two or more spotlight marks 400 indicating the traveling direction are displayed respectively. In addition, the display color of the spotlight mark 400 closer to the vehicle is made different from that of the spotlight mark 400 farther from the vehicle.

[0223] Accordingly, for the traveling direction display device 600 according to the present embodiment, when others in the vicinity of the vehicle view the condensing mark 400, the intention of the vehicle can be easily recognized. Furthermore, even when viewed by others in the distance, although it is difficult to distinguish the details of the shape, it appears as a mark where two colors overlap. It is possible to easily determine whether the vehicle is going to turn right or left based on whether a specific color appears on the upper side or the lower side. Additionally, in the case of the forward mark, the two colors do not appear to overlap, and it is possible to easily determine that the vehicle is going forward.

[0224] Accordingly, for the traveling direction display device 600 according to the present embodiment, regardless of the position of others, it is easy to know the intended traveling direction. Additionally, according to the present embodiment, such a traveling direction display device 600 can be realized inexpensively and with high light utilization efficiency using a simple structure.

[0225] Additionally, the traveling direction display device 600 of the present embodiment can also be realized using the lens 170 as an optical element.

[0226] In addition, in the example of the present embodiment, the forward optical device 100F, the left-turn optical device 100L, and the right-turn optical device 100R each include two optical devices, and are configured to display condensing marks of different colors corresponding to the distance to the vehicle. However, the number of optical devices 100 arranged in each direction is not limited. The optical devices in each direction may each include three or more optical devices 100. Moreover, the multiple optical devices 100 included in the forward optical device 100F, the left-turn optical device 100L, and the right-turn optical device 100R may be configured to display condensing marks of different colors in different pattern display areas on the road surface 300.

[0227] Additionally, the optical devices 100 in each direction can share the main body 150 and the cover 140. That is, a group of multiple light sources 110 and reflectors 120 can be stored in one main body 150.

[0228] Alternatively, instead of arranging the optical devices 100 in each direction, it can be realized using one optical device 100 or a group of optical devices 100 that display condensing marks arranged in a certain direction. In this case, the traveling direction display device 600 further includes a movable mechanism for changing the orientation of the optical device 100 or the group of optical devices 100. The lamp controller 610 outputs a signal for changing the orientation of the optical device 100 to the movable mechanism in accordance with the direction indication signal from the direction indicator switch 601. The movable mechanism can be realized using an electric motor or the like, for example.

[0229] In addition, in the present embodiment, it is configured such that even when the vehicle speed is less than the specified speed, the forward optical device 100F is lit only when the host vehicle is in a blind spot position, but it is not limited thereto. For example, it may be configured such that even when the vehicle speed is less than the specified speed and the direction indicator is not operated, the forward optical device 100F is always lit. In this case, the lamp controller 610 may not include the host vehicle position determination unit 623.

[0230] In addition, in the present embodiment, the optical device 100 is lit only when the vehicle is stopped or traveling at a low speed to display the condensing mark 400. However, the control based on the vehicle speed is not limited thereto. For example, it may be configured such that when traveling on an exclusive motor vehicle road or at a high speed, if the surrounding environment is free of pedestrians or the like, the optical device 100 is lit or flashed.

[0231] In this case, the lamp controller 610, for example, uses information from navigation satellites such as GPS, i.e., the position information acquisition device 604, and the vehicle speed sensor 603 to determine whether the host vehicle is traveling on an exclusive motor vehicle road. Then, when traveling on an exclusive motor vehicle road, the optical device 100 can be lit or flashed.

[0232] In addition, in the present embodiment, the condensing mark 400 indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle 200 is displayed on the road surface 300 in front of the vehicle 200. However, the display of the condensing mark 400 is not limited to the front of the vehicle 200. As long as it is an area within a specified range from the vehicle 200, i.e., the periphery of the vehicle 200, specifically, at least one of the front, side, and rear of the vehicle 200 is sufficient.

[0233] For example, an optical device 100 may be provided at the rear of the vehicle 200, and based on a signal indicating that the reverse gear is valid from a reverse gear sensor (not shown) connected to the lamp controller 610, the condensing mark 400 is displayed at the rear of the vehicle 200. At this time, it may be configured to display the traveling direction when traveling backward on the rear road surface 300.

[0234] In addition, optical devices 100 may be provided at the front and rear of the vehicle 200, respectively. When the vehicle 200 travels forward, its traveling direction is displayed on the road surface 300 in front of the vehicle 200, and when traveling backward, its traveling direction is displayed on the road surface 300 at the rear of the vehicle 200.

[0235] Furthermore, the traveling direction in which the spotlight mark is to be displayed is not limited to the front, left, or right, and it can also be configured to be displayed in multiple traveling directions such as the rear. In this case, for each traveling direction in which the spotlight mark is to be displayed, an optical device 100 is provided corresponding to each traveling direction. The lamp controller 610 identifies the traveling direction of the vehicle 200 based on the detection signal of the state detection device, and causes the optical device 100 provided corresponding to the identified traveling direction to light up or blink.

[0236] In addition, in this case, it can also be configured to achieve the above display with a smaller number of optical devices 100 than the number of traveling directions in which the spotlight mark is displayed. That is, it can be provided with the movable mechanism as described above that changes the orientation of the optical device 100 or the group of optical devices 100. At this time, the lamp controller 610 identifies the traveling direction of the vehicle 200 based on the detection signal of the state detection device, and outputs a signal to the movable mechanism to display the spotlight mark in the identified traveling direction. For example, it can be one optical device 100 that can display the spotlight mark in all traveling directions in which the spotlight mark is to be displayed, or it can be a group consisting of a first optical device 100 that can display the spotlight mark in all traveling directions in front of the spotlight mark and a second optical device 100 that can display the spotlight mark in all traveling directions behind the spotlight mark.

[0237] In addition, at this time, each optical device 100 can be configured to display spotlight marks with colors corresponding to different distances in multiple display areas on the road surface 300 as the irradiation surface, where the distances from the vehicle 200 are different.

[0238] <Modification Example 1>

[0239] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, on the road surface 300 as the irradiation surface, an arrowhead pattern is formed as the irradiation image (spotlight mark) 400 as the spotlight mark indicating a specific intention. However, the displayed spotlight mark 400 is not limited to this. For example, it can also be an arrow pattern with a shaft.

[0240] Use Figures 32 - 36 to illustrate the shape of the reflector 120 that realizes it.

[0241] Here, the coordinate system 911 used in the description of the optical device 100 of the first embodiment is used. In addition, the same light source 110 as that of the optical device 100 of the first embodiment is used. The coordinates of the center of the light-emitting area of the light source 110 are also the same.

[0242] However, as Figure 32 shown, in this modification example, the range of the z'-axis direction of the pattern display area 401 is between 1200 mm and 2000 mm. The range in the x'-axis direction is also the same.

[0243] Figure 33 (a) - Figure 33 Figures (a) - (d) respectively show the positional relationship between the effective area of the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 and the light source 110. Figure 33 Figure (a) is a three - dimensional view, Figure 33 Figure (b) is a z’ - y’ plane view, Figure 33 Figure (c) is an x’ - y’ plane view, Figure 33 Figure (d) is an x’ - z’ plane view.

[0244] In addition, in this modification example, as shown in Figure 33 (c), the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 has three different free - form surface regions (the first region 121a, the second region 121b, and the third region 121c). The first region 121a, the second region 121b, and the third region 121c are, as shown in Figure 33 (c), obtained by dividing the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 with a plane parallel to the z’ - y’ plane passing through the point (-4, 0, 0) of the coordinate system 911 and a plane parallel to the z’ - y’ plane passing through the point (4, 0, 0). In the figure, the region on the left side of the front is the first region 121a, the central region is the second region 121b, and the right - hand region is the third region 121c. The first region 121a forms a first irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the region where the x’ coordinate in the pattern display region 401 is from -500 mm to 0 mm. In addition, the second region 121b forms a second irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the region where the x’ coordinate is from -100 mm to 100 mm. The third region 121c forms a third irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the region where the x’ coordinate is from 0 mm to 500 mm.

[0245] As the free - form surface shapes of the first region 121a, the second region 121b, and the third region 121c, the point - series data of each effective area are shown in Figure 34 Table 571, Figure 35 Table 572, and Figure 36 Table 573. Here, as the point - series data, the direction cosines (l’, m’, n’) of each position (x’, y’, z’) in the coordinate system 911 are shown.

[0246] Here, Figure 37 (a) - Figure 37 (d) show the simulation results of ray tracing of the illuminance distribution on the irradiation surface 301 obtained by the optical device 100 designed above. Here, the light source 110 uses Nichia NCDW170C (350 lm) among the LEDs having the above - mentioned light - emitting region, and an irradiation image is formed on the irradiation surface 301.

[0247] InFigure 37 In (a) of [], the illuminance distribution (first irradiation image) 471a of the pattern display area 401 on the irradiation surface 301, which is obtained by reflecting the light irradiated from the light source 110 with the first area 121a, is shown. In Figure 37 In (b) of [], the illuminance distribution (second irradiation image) 471b of the pattern display area 401 on the irradiation surface 301, which is obtained by reflecting with the second area 121b, is shown. In Figure 3]]7 In (c) of [], the illuminance distribution (third irradiation image) 471c of the pattern display area 401 on the irradiation surface 301, which is obtained by reflecting with the third area 121c, is shown. In addition, in Figure 37 In (d) of [], the illuminance distribution (condensing mark) 471 formed by the first area 121a, the second area 121b, and the third area 121c is shown.

[0248] As Figure 37 shown in (d) of [], by the optical device 100 of this modification example, an arrow-shaped condensing mark 471 is formed in the pattern display area 401 on the irradiation surface 301.

[0249] In addition, a lens 170 can also be used as the optical element in this modification example.

[0250] In addition, the condensing mark indicating a specific intention is not limited to those indicating directions such as arrowheads and arrows. For example, it can be changed to various shapes such as an X shape or a polygon that divides the deflection surface into multiple divided areas that form different partial irradiation images on the irradiation surface 301 and combines the partial irradiation images.

[0251] <Modification Example 2>

[0252] In addition, in the above-described embodiment and modification example, the case where the optical device 100 includes one light source 110 has been described as an example. However, multiple light sources 110 can also be provided. Multiple light sources 110 can be provided, and the light from each light source 110 can be condensed by one optical element to form multiple irradiation images at different positions on the irradiation surface 301.

[0253] Hereinafter, the optical device 102 including two light sources 110 will be described as an example in the case of using the reflector 120 as the optical element. In the optical device 102, when it is necessary to distinguish between the two light sources 110, they are respectively referred to as the first light source 110a and the second light source 110b.

[0254] In Figure 38 (a) to Figure 38 (d) of [], the positional relationship between the effective area of the reflection surface 121 of the reflector 120 and the centers of the light-emitting areas of the first light source 110a and the second light source 110b is shown.

[0255] Figure 38 of (a) to Figure 38 Figs. (d) respectively show the positional relationship between the effective area of the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 and the light source 110. Figure 38 Fig. (a) is a perspective view, Figure 38 Fig. (b) is a z'-y' plane view, Figure 38 Fig. (c) is an x'-y' plane view, Figure 38 Fig. (d) is an x'-z' plane view.

[0256] Here, the same coordinate system 911 as in the first embodiment is used. The shape of the light-emitting area of the first light source 110a is the same as that of the light source 110 used in the above embodiment. That is, an LED (Nichia NCSA170C) with a light-emitting area of 1.15 mm in the x' axis direction and 1.15 mm in the z' axis direction is used. However, it is arranged such that the center coordinates of the light-emitting area are (0, -12, 13.5) and the central axis direction of the emission angle is the y' axis direction.

[0257] As the second light source 110b, an LED (Nichia NC2W170C) with a light-emitting area of 1.15 mm in the x' axis direction and 2.3 mm in the z' axis direction is used. Moreover, it is arranged such that the center coordinates of the light-emitting area are (0, -12, 18.3) and the central axis direction of the emission angle is the y' axis direction.

[0258] Here, the case where two arrowheads are formed as the irradiation image 400 in the pattern display area 401 of the irradiation surface 301 is taken as an example for explanation.

[0259] The pattern display area 401 formed by the light from the first light source 110a has a range of 1500 mm to 2300 mm in the z' axis direction and a range of -500 mm to 500 mm in the x' axis direction. The pattern display area formed by the light from the second light source 110b has a range of 1000 mm to 1350 mm in the z' axis direction and a range of -500 mm to 500 mm in the x' axis direction.

[0260] The basic structure of the reflecting surface 121 of the reflector 120 is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, as Figure 38 shown in Fig. (c), it includes a first region 121a and a second region 121b obtained by dividing with a plane parallel to the z'-y' plane passing through the origin. The first region 121a and the second region 121b have different free-form surface shapes.

[0261] The first region 121a forms a first irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the region of the pattern display region 401 where the x'-coordinate is from -500 mm to 0 mm. Additionally, the second region 121b forms a second irradiation image as a partial irradiation image in the region where the x'-coordinate is from 0 mm to 500 mm.

[0262] As the free-form surface shapes of the first region 121a and the second region 121b, Figure 39 in Table 581 of Figure 40 and Table 582 of

[0263] Here, as the point cloud data, the direction cosines (l', m', n') of each position (x', y', z') in the coordinate system 911 are shown. Figure 41 Here, the simulation result of ray tracing of the illuminance distribution on the irradiation surface 301 obtained by the optical device 102 designed above is shown. Here, it is the result when the luminous flux of the above LED used in the first light source 110a is 230 lm and the luminous flux of the above LED used in the second light source 110b is 90 lm.

[0264] In this figure, the illuminance distribution (condensing mark) 481a is formed by the light of the first light source 110a, and the illuminance distribution (condensing mark) 481b is formed by the light of the second light source 110b.

[0265] As shown in this figure, since there are two light sources 110, two arrowhead patterns can be displayed in the pattern display region 401 on the irradiation surface 301.

[0266] When there are multiple light sources 110, the light from each light source 110 is condensed by one optical element, and multiple irradiation images are formed at different positions on the irradiation surface 301, it is preferable that the illuminances of the multiple formed irradiation images are substantially the same.

[0267] Generally speaking, even if the luminous fluxes of the light emitted from multiple light sources 110 are the same, due to differences in the light-emitting regions of the multiple light sources 110, the distances between the light sources 110 and the reflector 120, the sizes of the irradiated irradiation images, etc., there are many cases where the illuminances of the irradiation images corresponding to each light source 110 are significantly different. In this modification example, based on this point, the luminous fluxes of the light emitted from each light source 110 are preset to different values so that the illuminances of the irradiation images corresponding to each light source 110 are substantially the same.

[0268] Regarding the luminous fluxes of each light source 110, for example, the relationship between the luminous flux of each light source 110 and the illuminance of the corresponding irradiation image is investigated in advance, and set according to this relationship so that the illuminances of the multiple irradiated irradiation images are substantially the same.

[0269] Figure 41In the example, by setting the luminous flux of the above-described LED used in the first light source 110a to 230 lm and the luminous flux of the above-described LED used in the second light source 110b to 90 lm, the illuminances of the condensing marks 481a and 481b are made substantially the same.

[0270] The adjustment of the luminous flux of each light source 110 is performed, for example, by controlling the current value. Alternatively, it can be performed by PWM control, that is, by flashing the light source 110 in a period invisible to humans and changing the ratio (duty ratio) of the lighting time within one period.

[0271] In the case of controlling the current value, the relationship between the current value and the illuminance is stored in the ROM 613 in advance for each illuminance image. Then, the illuminance determination unit 621 determines the current value for obtaining the target illuminance value determined based on the information of the road surface analysis device 602, and outputs a lighting signal including the information of the current value to the direction determination unit 622.

[0272] In addition, in the case of controlling the duty ratio, the relationship between the duty ratio and the illuminance is stored in the ROM 613 in advance for each illuminance image. Then, the illuminance determination unit 621 determines the duty ratio for obtaining the target illuminance value determined based on the information of the road surface analysis device 602, and outputs a lighting signal including the information of the duty ratio to the direction determination unit 622.

[0273] In addition, in this modification example, the shape of the reflector 120 can be changed to an arrow pattern. In addition, a lens 170 can be used instead of the reflector 120.

[0274] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modification examples, and further includes various modification examples. That is, various modification methods that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention belong to the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the above-described embodiments and modification examples are for easily explaining the present invention, and the present invention may not have all the structures included in these embodiments and / or modification examples.

[0275] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0276] 100: Optical device, 100F: Forward optical device, 100Fa: First forward optical device, 100Fb: Second forward optical device, 100L: Left-turn optical device, 100La: First left-turn optical device, 100Lb: Second left-turn optical device, 100R: Right-turn optical device, 100Ra: First right-turn optical device, 100Rb: Second right-turn optical device, 101: Optical device, 102: Optical device, 110: Light source, 110a: First light source, 110b: Second light source, 111: Substrate, 120: Reflector, 121: Reflective surface, 121a: First region, 121b: Second region, 121c: Third region, 130: Support member, 131: Fixing bolt, 132: Locating pin, 140: Cover, 150: Main body, 151: Lamp chamber, 152: Space, 160: Lighting control circuit, 170: Lens, 171: Exit surface, 171a: First region, 171b: Second region, 172: Incident surface,

[0277] 200: Vehicle, 202: Other vehicle, 300: Road surface, 301: Irradiation surface, 302: Irradiation surface,

[0278] 400: Irradiation image (condensing mark), 401: Pattern display area, 402: Pattern display area, 411: Condensing mark, 411a: First irradiation image, 411b: Second irradiation image, 412: Condensing mark, 412a: First irradiation image, 412b: Second irradiation image, 430a: Forward pattern, 430b: Forward pattern, 440a: Left-turn pattern, 440b: Left-turn pattern, 450a: Right-turn pattern, 450b: Right-turn pattern, 471: Condensing mark, 471a: First irradiation image, 471b: Second irradiation image, 471c: Third irradiation image,

[0279] 600: Travel direction display device, 601: Direction indicator switch, 602: Road surface analysis device, 603: Vehicle speed sensor, 604: Position information acquisition device, 610: Lamp controller, 611: CPU, 612: RAM, 613: ROM, 621: Illuminance determination unit, 622: Direction determination unit, 623: Own vehicle position judgment unit,

[0280] 911: Coordinate system, 912: Coordinate system.

Claims

1. A vehicle, characterized in that: it has an optical device for displaying a condensed light mark; wherein, the optical device includes: a light source; and an optical element that condenses the light emitted from the light source into the shape of a condensed light mark on an illumination surface, a deflection surface of the optical element that serves as a surface for condensing light is divided into a plurality of regions, and the shapes of the respective regions on the deflection surface of the optical element are different from each other, the light emitted through the respective regions on the deflection surface of the optical element forms partial illumination images corresponding to the respective regions on the deflection surface on the illumination surface, and the plurality of partial illumination images formed on the illumination surface are each formed by the light emitted through one of the respective regions on the deflection surface of the optical element, each of the partial illumination images is combined to form at least one of the condensed light marks on the illumination surface, and the shapes of the plurality of partial illumination images formed on the illumination surface are constituted by linear shapes with different inclinations, wherein, at least two of the plurality of partial illumination images are locally combined.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: the optical element is a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light source, and the deflection surface is a reflection surface of the reflector.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: the optical element is a lens, the light emitted from the light source is incident on the lens and exits from an exit surface, the deflection surface is at least one of the exit surface and the incident surface of the lens.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: the respective regions on the deflection surface have a free-form surface shape that condenses the light emitted through the deflection surface on the illumination surface.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: the condensed light mark is a mark indicating a specific intention.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: the condensed light mark has a shape indicating a direction.

7. The vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that: the condensed light mark is in the shape of an arrowhead.

8. The vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that: the condensed light mark is an arrow.

9. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: it includes a lamp controller for controlling the lighting or flashing of the optical device, wherein, the illumination surface is the road surface around the vehicle, and the condensed light mark is a pattern indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle, the lamp controller acquires a detection signal from a state detection device for detecting the operation of the vehicle and the environmental information around the vehicle, and based on the detection signal, causes the optical device to light or flash, wherein the state detection device is mounted on the vehicle.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that: the illumination surface is the road surface at least one of in front of, on the side of, and behind the vehicle.

11. The vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that: the lamp controller acquires an operation signal indicating a right turn or a left turn from a direction indicator mounted on the vehicle, and based on the operation signal, causes the optical device to light or flash.

12. The vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that: The lamp controller obtains the traveling speed of the vehicle from a vehicle speed sensor mounted on the vehicle, and lights or blinks the optical device when the traveling speed is less than a specified value.

13. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein: The lamp controller obtains the reflectance of the road surface around the vehicle from a road surface analysis device mounted on the vehicle, and makes the illuminance of the optical device equal to or less than a preset value when the reflectance is equal to or greater than the specified value.

14. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein: The lamp controller obtains the current position of the vehicle from a navigation device mounted on the vehicle, and lights the optical device regardless of the detection signal when the current position is an area that is a blind spot for the driver of another vehicle.

15. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein: There are multiple traveling directions in which the condensing mark is to be displayed, The vehicle has optical devices corresponding to the multiple traveling directions in which the condensing mark is to be displayed, The lamp controller lights or blinks the optical device corresponding to the traveling direction according to the detection signal.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein: The optical devices corresponding to the multiple traveling directions in which the condensing mark is to be displayed respectively display the condensing mark in multiple display areas at different distances from the vehicle on the irradiation surface, The color of the condensing mark displayed in the display area with the maximum distance from the vehicle is different from the color of the condensing mark displayed in the display area with the minimum distance from the vehicle.

17. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein: The optical device includes: A forward optical device for displaying the condensing mark indicating the forward direction; A right-turn optical device for displaying the condensing mark indicating the right direction; and A left-turn optical device for displaying the condensing mark indicating the left direction, The lamp controller lights or blinks any one of the forward optical device, the right-turn optical device, and the left-turn optical device according to the detection signal.

18. The vehicle according to claim 17, wherein: The forward optical device, the right-turn optical device, and the left-turn optical device respectively display multiple condensing marks with different colors in different display areas on the irradiation surface.

19. The vehicle according to claim 17, wherein: The forward optical device, the right-turn optical device, and the left-turn optical device respectively display the condensing mark in multiple display areas at different distances from the vehicle on the irradiation surface, The color of the condensing mark displayed in the display area with the maximum distance from the vehicle is different from the color of the condensing mark displayed in the display area with the minimum distance from the vehicle.

Images