Vehicle lamp

Abstract

A vehicle lamp (10) includes: a camera (24) that detects that an occupant is located around a vehicle; and a road surface drawing lamp unit (22) that draws a flow pattern on the road surface around the vehicle when the occupant is detected by the camera (24). The vehicle lamp (10) further includes an automatic driving marking lamp unit (20) that notifies the surroundings that the vehicle is in automatic driving, the automatic driving marking lamp unit (20) being linked with the road surface drawing lamp unit (22) and sequentially emitting light.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 201980087010.4, application date December 6, 2019, and invention name “Vehicle Lamps”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp mounted on an autonomous driving vehicle. Background Art

[0003] Currently, research on autonomous driving technology for cars is prevalent in various countries, and various countries are studying legal amendments to enable vehicles to travel on roads in autonomous driving mode. Autonomous driving is defined as levels 0 to 5, and generally speaking, levels 3 and above are considered autonomous driving. Level 3 is called conditional autonomous driving, and all operations are performed by the system in specific places, and by the driver in emergencies. Level 4 is called highly automated driving, and the system only recognizes traffic conditions in specific places such as highways and performs all operations related to driving. Level 5 is called fully automated driving, and the system recognizes traffic conditions without any restrictions on locations and performs all operations related to driving.

[0004] [Prior art literature]

[0005] [Patent Document]

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2017 / 073634 Summary of the invention

[0007] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0008] As a lamp suitable for such an autonomous vehicle, the present inventors have invented a vehicle lamp that not only irradiates light around the vehicle but also enables communication with people.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp capable of communicating with people.

[0010] [Technical solutions for solving technical problems]

[0011] To solve the above problems, a vehicle lamp according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a sensor device for detecting that an occupant is located around a vehicle; and a road surface drawing lamp unit for drawing a flow pattern on a road surface around the vehicle when the occupant is detected by the sensor device.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is also a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lamp includes: an autonomous driving mark lamp unit that emits light while the vehicle is autonomously driving; and an autonomous driving signal lamp unit that can change the light emission pattern based on information around the vehicle.

[0013] Another embodiment of the present invention is also a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lamp includes: an autonomous driving marking lamp unit that emits cyan light; and a marker lamp unit that emits red light. The autonomous driving marking lamp unit and the marker lamp unit are arranged so that their light emitting areas are separated by a predetermined distance or more.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is also a vehicle lamp including a variable light color lamp unit capable of emitting either white light to be emitted in the vehicle's traveling direction or red light to be emitted in the direction opposite to the vehicle's traveling direction.

[0015] [Effects of the invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp capable of communicating with people. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1 A schematic front view of part A of the vehicle lamp shown.

[0019] Figure 3 Yes means Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp taken along line BB is shown.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic perspective view of a light emitting unit.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a functional block diagram for explaining the vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of road surface drawing by the road surface drawing lamp unit.

[0023] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another example of road surface drawing by the road surface drawing lamp unit.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing a part of the outer lens.

[0025] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the boundary between the outer lens and the engine hood.

[0026] Fig.10 It is a side view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Fig.11It is a front view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Fig.12 It is a schematic front view showing a part of the vehicle lamp.

[0029] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the vehicle lamp is shown.

[0030] Fig.14 This is a functional block diagram for explaining a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Fig.15 It is a rear view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig.16 It is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of the irradiated light color variable lamp unit.

[0033] Fig.17 It is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a modified example of the irradiated light color variable lamp unit.

[0034] Fig.18 It is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view for explaining another modified example of the irradiated light color variable lamp unit.

[0035] Fig.19 It is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view for explaining another modified example of the irradiated light color variable lamp unit.

[0036] Fig. 20 It is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view for explaining still another modified example of the irradiated light color variable lamp unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the drawings are intended to illustrate the positional relationship of the components, they do not necessarily represent the actual dimensional relationship of the components. In addition, in each embodiment, the same or corresponding components are marked with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[0038] [First embodiment]

[0039] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 100 equipped with the vehicle lamp 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 100 is a personally owned vehicle (POV) supporting level 3 autonomous driving. The vehicle lamp 10 is a headlamp provided at the front of the vehicle 100 .

[0040] Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1 The illustrated schematic front view shows a portion A (the portion facing the left side from the center of the vehicle) of the vehicle lamp 10. The vehicle lamp 10 includes a lamp body 12 and a transparent outer lens 14 disposed on the front side of the lamp body 12. The lamp body 12 and the outer lens 14 form a lamp chamber.

[0041] A lamp unit and a sensor device for detecting information around the vehicle are arranged in the lamp room. The lamp unit includes: a headlamp unit 16 capable of emitting high beam and low beam, a turn signal lamp 18, an automatic driving (AD: Automated Driving) marking lamp unit 20 for notifying the surroundings that the vehicle is in automatic driving, and a road surface depicting lamp unit 22. The headlamp unit 16 or the turn signal lamp 18 can use an LED. The road surface depicting lamp unit 22 can be a digital micromirror device (DMD: Digital Mirror Device). The sensor device includes a camera 24, a millimeter wave radar 26, and a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging: laser radar) 28. The vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment is a lamp in which these multiple lamp units and multiple sensor devices are integrally assembled in the lamp room. In an automatic driving vehicle, it is necessary to appropriately identify the surrounding environment such as moving objects and road shapes around the vehicle. In addition, it is also necessary to notify the surroundings that it is a function of an automatic driving vehicle. According to the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment, in addition to the headlamp unit 16 emitting low beam and high beam, the automatic driving sign lamp unit 20 and various sensor devices are integrally assembled, thereby realizing a vehicle lamp suitable for an automatic driving vehicle.

[0042] In the first embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, an automatic driving marking lamp unit 20 is arranged in a straight line extending in the vehicle width direction, and below the automatic driving marking lamp unit 20, LiDAR 28, millimeter wave radar 26, road surface depicting lamp unit 22, and headlight unit 16 are arranged in sequence from the center to the left of the vehicle. In addition, a camera 24 is arranged below the road surface depicting lamp unit 22, and a turn signal lamp 18 is arranged below the headlight unit 16. The same is true from the center of the vehicle to the right. However, these configurations are examples and are not limited to this.

[0043] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp 10 taken along line BB. Figure 3As shown, a millimeter-wave radar 26 is arranged in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and an outer lens 14. The vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment includes a light guide 30 arranged in a manner to cover the front of the millimeter-wave radar 26. The light guide 30 is formed with a light input portion 30a at the upper end. Leakage light from the automatic driving marking lamp unit 20 or the road surface depicting lamp unit 22 is incident into the light guide from the light input portion 30a, and the light guide 30 emits light. In this way, by covering the front of the millimeter-wave radar 26 with the light guide 30 and making it emit light, the existence of the millimeter-wave radar 26 can be hidden and the aesthetics can be improved.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the automatic driving marking lamp unit 20 includes a plurality of light emitting units 34. The plurality of light emitting units 34 are regularly arranged in the lamp chamber. Each light emitting unit 34 emits cyan light.

[0045] Figure 4 : is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of the light emitting unit 34. The light emitting unit 34 includes: a base 36; an LED that emits cyan light and is provided in the base 36; and a lens unit 38 that controls the light from the LED. The lens unit 38 includes a lens body 39 formed of a transparent member and a cyan plate-shaped lens portion 40 that is embedded in a part of the lens body 39. The lens body 39 and the plate-shaped lens portion 40 constitute a combined integrated lens. By using such a lens unit 38, the lens unit 38 appears cyan even when the LED is off, so that the surroundings can be notified that the vehicle 100 is an autonomous driving vehicle.

[0046] Figure 5 1 is a functional block diagram for explaining the vehicle lamp 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, as lamp units, the vehicle lamp 10 includes: a headlamp unit 16, a turn signal lamp 18, an automatic driving mark lamp unit 20, and a road surface depiction lamp unit 22. In addition, as sensor devices, the vehicle lamp 10 includes: a millimeter wave radar 26, a camera 24, and a LiDAR 28. Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 includes a control device 42 connected to the above-mentioned lamp units and sensor devices. The control device 42 can be configured in the lamp body 12 of the vehicle lamp 10, and can also be configured outside the lamp body 12.

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown, the control device 42 can be connected to the automatic driving control device 44 provided in the vehicle 100. The control device 42 obtains information from the automatic driving control device 44 whether the vehicle 100 is in automatic driving, and makes the automatic driving marking lamp unit 20 emit cyan during automatic driving.

[0048] The camera 24 captures the surroundings of the vehicle and transmits the captured images to the control device 42. The control device 42 performs image recognition of people around the vehicle based on the images captured by the camera 24, and detects that a pre-registered passenger is located around the vehicle. Since the detection is performed using images, the direction in which the passenger is located when viewed from the camera 24 can be detected. In order to improve the detection accuracy, the millimeter wave radar 26 or LiDAR 28 may be used in addition to the camera 24.

[0049] Figure 6 An example of road surface drawing by the road surface drawing lamp unit 22 is shown. Figure 6 Indicates the situation of the passenger 60 heading toward the vehicle 100 parked in the parking lot. When the passenger 60 is detected around the vehicle 100, the control device 42 controls the road surface drawing lamp unit 22 to draw a flow pattern 62 on the road surface around the vehicle in the direction of the detected passenger 60. The flow pattern refers to an illumination pattern that is lit in a chain, for example, a pattern that is continuously drawn on the road surface from a position near the passenger 60 toward the vehicle 100. By drawing such a flow pattern, it is possible to provide a "hospitality" display to the passenger 60 returning to the vehicle 100. According to the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment, communication with the passenger is possible in this way.

[0050] Furthermore, the control device 24 may also cause other lamp units different from the road surface depicting lamp unit 22, for example, the automatic driving mark lamp unit 20 to flow-emit light in conjunction with the road surface depicting lamp unit 22. Since the road surface depicting lamp unit 22 has a plurality of light-emitting units 34 that emit cyan light, a new flow-emit light can be performed, and a more impressive "hospitality" display can be made to the occupant 60. The so-called "automatic driving mark lamp unit 20 and the road surface depicting lamp unit 22 are linked", for example, the flow-emitted light of the automatic driving mark lamp unit 20 may be started after the road surface depiction of the flow pattern by the road surface depicting lamp unit 22 is completed. Alternatively, the flow-emitted light of the automatic driving mark lamp unit 20 may be performed while the drawing of the flow pattern by the road surface depicting lamp unit 22 is in progress.

[0051] In addition to or instead of the road surface depicting lamp unit 22 , the headlamp unit 16 and the turn signal lamp 18 may be caused to emit fluid light in conjunction with the road surface depicting lamp unit 22 .

[0052] Figure 7 Another example of road surface drawing by the road surface drawing lamp unit 22 is shown. Figure 7Indicates that there is no passenger around the vehicle 100. When no passenger 60 is detected around the vehicle 100, the control device 42 controls the road surface drawing lamp unit 22 to draw a flow pattern 64 on the irradiable area around the vehicle. By drawing such a flow pattern on the road surface, a "hospitality" display can be made to people around the vehicle.

[0053] Figure 8 1 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the outer lens 14. The outer lens 14 includes an outer lens 14a for the automatic driving mark lamp unit 20 and an outer lens 14b for the headlight unit 16, the turn signal lamp 18 and the road surface depiction lamp unit 22. In the first embodiment, these outer lenses 14a and 14b are formed integrally with the front panel 80 and the engine hood 82 by a resin member. By adopting such an integrally molded product of a resin component, the vehicle 100 can be made lighter.

[0054] Fig. 9 1 is a schematic diagram of the boundary between the outer lens 14a and the engine hood 82. The outer lenses 14a and 14b are transparent, and the engine hood 82 and the front panel 80 are colored. Figure 8 C portion), the boundary portion between the outer lens 14b and the front panel 80 ( Figure 8 In the first embodiment, a boundary line (dividing line) is generated on the D portion of the image. Figure 8 As shown, by providing a gradient in the coloring of the boundary portion, the boundary line is made less noticeable. Thus, a new exterior design can be realized in which the sense of integration between the vehicle lamp 10 and the vehicle body 100 is improved.

[0055] return Figure 1 In the vehicle 100 of the first embodiment, a linear light guide 106 is arranged at the boundary between the vehicle body 102 and the side window 104. The light guide 106 is configured to emit cyan light. By arranging such a light guide 106, it is possible to notify the side of the vehicle 100 that the vehicle 100 is in automatic driving, which can improve safety.

[0056] [Second embodiment]

[0057] In an autonomous vehicle, a light is required to notify the surroundings that the vehicle is in autonomous driving (called an "autonomous driving indicator light"), and standardization is currently being promoted. Based on this situation, the inventor has invented a vehicle lamp that not only indicates that the vehicle is in autonomous driving, but also can communicate with passengers or people around the vehicle.

[0058] The second embodiment has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the second embodiment is to provide a vehicle lamp that can display the status of autonomous driving and communicate with people around the vehicle.

[0059] Fig.10 It is a side view of a vehicle 1100 equipped with the vehicle lamp 1010 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig.11 It is a front view of a vehicle 1100 equipped with a vehicle lamp 1010 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Vehicle 1100 is a fully automated vehicle corresponding to level 5 and does not have a driver's seat. Vehicle 1100 is roughly symmetrical in the length direction of the vehicle (a direction perpendicular to the vehicle width direction, hereinafter referred to as the "vehicle length direction") and can move in two directions in the vehicle length direction. For convenience, one side of the vehicle length direction ( Fig.10 The left side of the vehicle length direction) is the front side, and the other side of the vehicle length direction ( Fig.10 The vehicle 1100 includes a boarding and alighting section 1102 for passengers to board and alight, a tire 1104, and the like.

[0061] like Fig.10 As shown, a vehicle lamp 1010 is arranged on the front side of a vehicle 1100, and a vehicle lamp 1011 is arranged on the rear side. Since the configurations and functions of the vehicle lamps 1010 and 1011 are substantially the same, the vehicle lamp 1010 arranged on the front side will be described below.

[0062] Fig.12 It is a schematic front view showing a part of the vehicle lamp 1010 . Fig.13 yes Fig.12 The AA schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp 1010 is shown. The vehicle lamp 1010 includes a lamp body 1012 and a transparent outer lens 1014 disposed on the front side of the lamp body 1012. The lamp body 1012 and the outer lens 1014 form a lamp chamber.

[0063] A plurality of lamp units are arranged in the lamp chamber 1016. In the vehicle lamp 1010 of the second embodiment, the lamp units are arranged in a substantially quadrilateral shape when viewed from the front.

[0064] An automated driving (AD) sign lamp unit 1018 is disposed on the upper side of the quadrilateral extending in the substantially horizontal direction. The automated driving sign lamp unit 1018 is a lamp for notifying the surroundings that the vehicle is in automated driving, and always emits cyan light while the vehicle is in automated driving.

[0065] In addition, an automatic driving (AD) signal lamp unit 1020 is arranged at the lower side of the quadrilateral extending in the substantially horizontal direction. That is, the automatic driving signal lamp unit 1020 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the automatic driving mark lamp unit 1018. This is to facilitate identification of the light emitting state of the automatic driving mark lamp unit 1018 and the light emitting state of the automatic driving signal lamp unit 1020. The automatic driving signal lamp unit 1020 is a lamp used by the automatic driving vehicle to communicate with pedestrians, etc., such as giving way and starting, and the light emission pattern can be changed based on information around the vehicle.

[0066] The automatic driving marking lamp unit 1018 and the automatic driving signal lamp unit 1020 each include a plurality of LEDs 1022 emitting blue-green light and a transparent inner lens 1024, and emit blue-green light. Alternatively, they may be configured to emit blue-green light using white LEDs and a blue-green inner lens.

[0067] At the left and right positions of the quadrilateral extending in the substantially vertical direction, three variable light color lamp units 1026 and three automatic driving signal lamp units 1020 are arranged alternately in the vertical direction. Below these lamp units, a millimeter wave radar 1028 for detecting pedestrians, etc., a light guide 1030 arranged so as to cover the front of the millimeter wave radar 1028, and a light source 1032 for supplying light into the light guide 1030 are arranged. In this way, by covering the front of the millimeter wave radar 1028 with the light guide 1030 and making it emit light, the existence of the millimeter wave radar 1028 can be hidden, and the aesthetics can be improved.

[0068] The variable light color lamp unit 1026 is configured to be able to irradiate either white light to be irradiated in the direction of vehicle travel or red light to be irradiated in the direction opposite to the vehicle travel. The white light to be irradiated in the direction of vehicle travel is light of a color and intensity that meets the regulations required of ordinary headlights. In addition, the red light to be irradiated in the direction opposite to the vehicle travel is light of a color and intensity that meets the regulations required of ordinary taillights. Since such a variable light color lamp unit 1026 can irradiate either white light or red light in front of the lamp according to the direction of vehicle travel, it is suitable for a fully autonomous vehicle that switches the travel direction according to the surrounding conditions.

[0069] like Fig.12 As shown, a display device 1060 is arranged inside a plurality of lamp units arranged in a substantially quadrilateral shape. The display device 1060 displays the state information of the vehicle 1100. The display device 1060 is not particularly limited as long as it is a thin display, and an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display can be preferably used.

[0070] Fig.14 1 is a functional block diagram for explaining a vehicle lamp 1010 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig.13 As shown, the vehicle lamp 1010 includes a millimeter wave radar 1028 as a sensor device for detecting information around the vehicle, an automatic driving mark lamp unit 1018, an automatic driving signal lamp unit 1020, a display device 1060, and a control device 1040. The control device 1040 can be arranged in the lamp body 1012 of the vehicle lamp 1010, and can also be arranged outside the lamp body 1012.

[0071] The information detected by the millimeter wave radar 1028 is sent to the control device 1040. The control device 1040 detects a person based on the information from the millimeter wave radar 1028.

[0072] like Fig.14 As shown, the control device 1040 can be connected to the automatic driving control device 1041 provided in the vehicle 1100. The control device 1040 obtains information from the automatic driving control device 1041 whether the vehicle 1100 is in automatic driving, and keeps the automatic driving mark lamp unit 1018 lit during the automatic driving.

[0073] In addition, the control device 1040 controls the light emission pattern of the automatic driving signal lamp unit 1020 based on the information about the vehicle surroundings detected by the millimeter wave radar 1028. For example, when the vehicle stops after detecting a pedestrian, the automatic driving signal lamp unit 1020 is continuously illuminated from one end to the other end, thereby indicating the intention to give way to the pedestrian. According to the second embodiment, in this way, communication with pedestrians and the like around the vehicle can be carried out.

[0074] In addition, the control device 1040 controls the display of the display device 1060. For example, the control device 1040 may be linked with the tail lights or the parking lights to display the display device 1060 to assist these lights. The on / off information of the tail lights or the parking lights may also be obtained from the automatic driving control device 1041. For example, by emitting red light on the display device 1060 in conjunction with the parking lights, it is possible to strengthen the attention reminder to pedestrians or other vehicles.

[0075] In addition, the control device 1040 may increase the light intensity of the display device 1060 or change the light color when the millimeter wave radar 1028 detects that a pedestrian is approaching within a predetermined distance. This allows the pedestrian to recognize that the vehicle is approaching.

[0076] In addition, the control device 1040 not only makes the display device 1060 emit light, but also can display graphics or text on the display device 1060 to inform pedestrians or other vehicles of vehicle status information. For example, text or icons can be displayed on the display device 1060 to inform other vehicles or pedestrians of accident or construction information, fallen object information, emergency evacuation information, etc.

[0077] As described above, in the vehicle lamp 1010 of the second embodiment, the automatic driving mark lamp unit 1018 and the automatic driving signal lamp unit 1020 are arranged vertically and spaced apart by a predetermined distance. Thus, the vehicle lamp 1010 can be realized which can communicate with people around the vehicle while displaying the automatic driving.

[0078] In the above second embodiment, if Fig.12 As shown, the lighting unit 1018 for the automatic driving mark is arranged at the top, and the lighting unit 1020 for the automatic driving signal is arranged at the bottom. It can also be the opposite, that the lighting unit 1020 for the automatic driving signal is arranged at the top, and the lighting unit 1018 for the automatic driving mark is arranged at the bottom.

[0079] [Third Embodiment]

[0080] Fig.15 1 is a rear view showing a vehicle 1200 equipped with a vehicle lamp 1210 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 1200 is a personally owned vehicle (POV: Personally Owned Vehicle) supporting level 3 autonomous driving.

[0081] The vehicle lamp 1210 includes an automatic driving mark lamp unit 1218 that emits cyan light and a marker lamp unit 1220 that emits red light. The marker lamp unit 1220 functions as a tail lamp and a stop lamp.

[0082] The inventors of the present invention have recognized the following issues in the process of developing the vehicle lamp 1210 including the automatic driving marking lamp unit 1218 and the identification lamp unit 1220. Since cyan and red are complementary colors, when the automatic driving marking lamp unit 1218 and the identification lamp unit 1220 are arranged adjacent to each other, cyan light and red light may be mixed and recognized as white light. This may cause misrecognition to pedestrians or drivers of other vehicles, so it is not preferred.

[0083] Therefore, in the third embodiment, the automatic driving marking lamp unit 1218 and the identification lamp unit 1220 are arranged so that the light emitting areas of each other are separated by a predetermined distance D or more. The predetermined distance D is a distance at which the cyan light from the automatic driving marking lamp unit 1218 and the red light from the identification lamp unit 1220 are not mistakenly recognized as white light, and can be appropriately set through experiments or simulations. The inventors have conducted research and found that if the predetermined distance D is set to be 100 mm or more, it is difficult to cause misrecognition of white light.

[0084] In this way, according to the vehicle lamp 1210 of the third embodiment, the light-emitting area of ​​the automatic driving mark lamp unit 1218 is separated from the light-emitting area of ​​the identification lamp unit 1220 by more than a specified distance D, thereby preventing the cyan light and red light from being mistakenly identified as white light, thereby improving safety.

[0085] As described above, Level 5 fully automated driving is an automated driving in which the system recognizes traffic conditions regardless of location and performs all operations related to driving. Since the driver does not need to drive at all, a vehicle without a driver's seat is proposed. In a fully automated driving vehicle without a driver's seat, it is assumed that there is no concept of front and back in the vehicle, and the direction of travel is switched according to the surrounding conditions. Since the previous headlights or taillights were designed for the purpose of illuminating one side of the front and rear directions of the vehicle, it is difficult to correspond to such a fully automated driving vehicle. Therefore, the inventors have invented a vehicle lamp suitable for an automated driving vehicle.

[0086] Fig.16 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of the variable light color lamp unit 1026. As described above, each variable light color lamp unit 1026 can emit either white light to be emitted in the direction of vehicle travel or red light to be emitted in the direction opposite to the vehicle travel. The white light to be emitted in the direction of vehicle travel is light of a color and intensity that meets the regulations required for a normal headlight. In addition, the red light to be emitted in the direction opposite to the vehicle travel is light of a color and intensity that meets the regulations required for a normal taillight.

[0087] The variable light color lamp unit 1026 comprises: a white light source unit 1034 capable of emitting white light; a light color conversion component 1036 capable of converting white light into red light; and a movable mechanism 1038, which enables the light color conversion component 1036 to be movable relative to the white light source unit 1034 to irradiate either white light or red light toward the front of the lamp.

[0088] The white light source unit 1034 includes a white LED 1040 and an inner lens 1042 for controlling light from the white LED 1040. The movable mechanism 1038 includes a rotation axis 1043 of the light color conversion member 1036 and an actuator (not shown) for rotating the light color conversion member 1036 90° around the rotation axis 1043. The light color conversion member 1036 can select a position on the light irradiation path of the white light source unit 1034 (in the range of 1040 to 1045). Fig.16 ) and a position avoiding the light irradiation path of the white light source unit 1034 (indicated by a solid line in FIG. Fig.16 Any one of the above (shown in dashed lines).

[0089] The movable mechanism 1038 rotates the light color conversion member 1036 based on the information of the vehicle's traveling direction from the ECU of the vehicle 1100. For example, when the vehicle 1100 is traveling in the front direction, the movable mechanism 1038 retracts the light color conversion member 1036 from the light irradiation path of the white light source unit 1034. Thus, white light can be irradiated to the front of the vehicle lamp 1010. On the other hand, when the vehicle 1100 is traveling in the rear direction, the movable mechanism 1038 positions the light color conversion member 1036 on the light irradiation path of the white light source unit 1034. Thus, since the white light from the white light source unit 1034 is converted into red light by the light color conversion member 1036, red light can be irradiated to the front of the vehicle lamp 1010.

[0090] Fig.17 1034. The light color conversion member 1036 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a modified example of the variable light color lamp unit 1026. In this modified example, the light color conversion member 1036 is configured to slide in the vertical direction relative to the white light source unit 1034. The light color conversion member 1036 can select a position on the light irradiation path of the white light source unit 1034 (in the horizontal direction) by a sliding mechanism (not shown). Fig.17 ) and a position that is withdrawn from the light irradiation path of the white light source unit 1034 (indicated by a solid line in FIG. Fig.17 In addition, the light color conversion member 1036 may also be configured to slide relative to the white light source unit 1034 in the horizontal direction.

[0091] Fig.18 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view for explaining another modified example of the variable light color irradiation lamp unit 1026. In this modified example, the variable light color irradiation lamp unit 1026 includes: a white light source unit 1034 capable of irradiating white light; a red light source unit 1044 capable of irradiating red light; and a movable mechanism that enables the white light source unit 1034 and the red light source unit 1044 to move so as to irradiate either white light or red light in front of the lamp.

[0092] The red light source unit 1044 includes a red LED 1046 and an inner lens 1048 for controlling the light from the red LED 1046. The white light source unit 1034 and the red light source unit 1044 are combined to irradiate light in opposite directions. The movable mechanism includes a rotation axis 1050 provided at the center of the white light source unit 1034 and the red light source unit 1044; and an actuator (not shown) for rotating the white light source unit 1034 and the red light source unit 1044 around the rotation axis 1050. Through the movable mechanism, the irradiated light color variable lamp unit 1026 can select any one of a state in which the white light source unit 1034 can irradiate white light to the front of the lamp and a state in which the red light source unit 1044 can irradiate red light to the front of the lamp.

[0093] Fig.19 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of another modified example of the variable light color lamp unit 1026. In this modified example, the white light source unit 1034 and the red light source unit 1044 are arranged in the vertical direction in a direction that can irradiate light to the front of the lamp. In this modified example, the movable mechanism is configured to enable the white light source unit 1034 and the red light source unit 1044 to slide in the vertical direction. Through the sliding mechanism (not shown), the variable light color lamp unit 1026 can select any one of the state in which the white light source unit 1034 can irradiate white light to the front of the lamp and the state in which the red light source unit 1044 can irradiate red light to the front of the lamp. In addition, the white light source unit 1034 and the red light source unit 1044 can also be configured to slide in the horizontal direction.

[0094] Fig. 20 1 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view for explaining another modified example of the irradiated light color variable lamp unit 1026. In this modified example, the irradiated light color variable lamp unit 1026 includes: a white LED 1054 capable of emitting white light; a red LED 1056 capable of emitting red light; a common substrate 1052 on which the white LED 1054 and the red LED 1056 are mounted; and a common inner lens 1058 arranged in front of the white LED 1054 and the red LED 1056.

[0095] When the variable light color lamp unit 1026 of this modification is used, the control circuit lights up either the white LED 1054 or the red LED 1056 according to the traveling direction of the vehicle. When the white LED 1054 is lit, white light is irradiated to the front of the lamp through the inner lens 1058. On the other hand, when the red LED 1056 is lit, red light is irradiated to the front of the lamp through the inner lens 1058.

[0096] As described above, according to the variable light color lamp unit 1026 of this embodiment, since it can irradiate either white light or red light in front of the lamp according to the direction of vehicle travel, it can realize a vehicle lamp suitable for a fully autonomous vehicle that switches the direction of travel according to the surrounding conditions.

[0097] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are illustrative only, and that various modifications may be made to the combination of each component and each process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0098] [Industrial Applicability]

[0099] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp mounted on an autonomous driving vehicle.

[0100] [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0101] 10, 1010, 1011, 1210 vehicle lamps, 12, 1012 lamp body, 16 headlamp unit, 18 turn signal lamp, 20, 1018, 1218 automatic driving marking lamp unit, 22 road surface depicting lamp unit, 24 camera, 26, 1028 millimeter wave radar, 28 LiDAR, 34 light emitting unit, 44, 1041 automatic driving control device, 100, 1100, 1200 vehicle, 1020 automatic driving signal lamp unit, 1026 illumination light color variable lamp unit, 1034 white light source unit, 1036 light color conversion component, 1038 movable mechanism, 1044 red light source unit, 1060 display device, 1220 identification lamp unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: include: an autonomous driving marking lamp unit that emits light while the vehicle is autonomously driving, and An autonomous driving signal lamp unit that can change its light emission pattern based on information about the vehicle's surroundings.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The autonomous driving signal lamp unit is arranged at a predetermined distance from the autonomous driving mark lamp unit.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: It also includes a display device arranged between the lighting unit for the autonomous driving mark and the lighting unit for the autonomous driving signal.

4. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: include: A light unit for autonomous driving markings that emits turquoise light, and A marking light unit emitting red light; The autonomous driving mark lamp unit and the identification lamp unit are arranged so that light emitting areas thereof are separated from each other by a distance greater than a predetermined distance.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, characterized in that: The predetermined distance is greater than 100 mm.

6. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: The invention includes a variable light color lamp unit capable of emitting either white light to be emitted in the direction in which the vehicle is traveling or red light to be emitted in the direction opposite to the direction in which the vehicle is traveling.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 6, characterized in that: The variable light color lamp unit comprises: A white light source unit capable of emitting white light, a light color conversion member capable of converting white light into red light, and The movable mechanism enables the light color conversion member to be movable relative to the white light source unit, so as to irradiate either white light or red light toward the front of the lamp.

8. The vehicle lamp according to claim 6, characterized in that: The variable light color lamp unit comprises: A white light source unit capable of emitting white light, a red light source unit capable of emitting red light, and The movable mechanism enables the white light source unit and the red light source unit to be movable, and irradiates either white light or red light to the front of the lamp.

9. The vehicle lamp according to claim 6, characterized in that: The variable light color lamp unit comprises: A white light source capable of emitting white light, a red light source capable of emitting red light, and The control unit turns on either the white light source or the red light source to irradiate the front of the lamp with either the white light or the red light.

Images