Road surface drawing device

Abstract

A road surface drawing device is provided with: a plurality of light sources; a plurality of lens bodies disposed so as to face each of the plurality of light sources; and a circuit board on which a plurality of light sources are mounted, the plurality of light sources being arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction on the same surface of the circuit board, and the plurality of lens bodies being arranged so that the spacing facing each of the plurality of light sources gradually decreases from one side toward the other side in the vehicle width direction. By projecting the light emitted from the plurality of light sources toward the road surface through the plurality of lens bodies, the plurality of drawing patterns are drawn side by side in a direction along an optical axis of the light emitted from the light source positioned closest to the vehicle width direction in a plan view of the road surface.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-140820, filed on August 22, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a road surface marking device. Background Technology

[0004] For example, in vehicles, there exists a structure that includes a road marking device that uses light projected toward the road surface to mark the road surface in order to improve driving safety (see, for example, International Publication No. 2022 / 168543).

[0005] Specifically, International Publication No. 2022 / 168543 discloses a road surface marking device configured to form a road surface marking pattern. The device comprises: a first light source unit having a first light source and a first optical component that refracts or reflects light emitted from the first light source; a second light source unit having a second light source and a second optical component that refracts or reflects light emitted from the second light source; and a projection lens that projects light emitted from the first light source and transmitted through the first optical component and light emitted from the second light source and transmitted through the second optical component in a manner that forms the road surface marking pattern. A first area illuminated by the first light source unit is located further away from the road surface marking device than a second area illuminated by the second light source unit. The first and second optical components are configured such that the equivalent light-emitting area when light emitted from the first light source is incident on the projection lens is smaller than the equivalent light-emitting area when light emitted from the second light source is incident on the projection lens.

[0006] However, the invention described in International Publication No. 2022 / 168543 involves arranging the aforementioned first and second light source units together with the projection lens in a vertical (longitudinal) configuration. In this configuration, the vertical (longitudinal) dimension becomes larger. Furthermore, the relationship between each lens and the light source is determined by optical conditions; therefore, reducing the vertical (longitudinal) dimension according to the design would sacrifice optical performance. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention provides a road surface drawing device suitable for road surface drawing.

[0008] The present invention provides the following structure.

[0009] [1] A road surface drawing device mounted on a vehicle, which draws road surface from the vehicle toward the road surface, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of light sources; a plurality of lens bodies disposed opposite to each of the plurality of light sources; and a circuit board on which the plurality of light sources are mounted, the plurality of light sources being arranged in the same plane of the circuit board along the width direction of the vehicle, the plurality of lens bodies being arranged such that the interval between each of the plurality of light sources decreases sequentially from one side of the width direction of the vehicle toward the other, by projecting light emitted from the plurality of light sources toward the road surface through the plurality of lens bodies, a plurality of drawing patterns corresponding to each of the plurality of light sources are drawn side by side on the road surface, and the plurality of drawing patterns are drawn side by side along the direction of the optical axis of light emitted from the light source located on the far side of the width direction of the vehicle when viewed from above.

[0010] [2] According to the road surface drawing device of [1], the drawing pattern corresponding to the light source located on one side of the width direction of the vehicle is drawn further away from the direction in which the multiple drawing patterns are arranged than the drawing pattern corresponding to the light source located on the other side of the width direction of the vehicle.

[0011] [3] The road surface drawing device according to [1] above is characterized in that the circuit board is arranged in a state of tilting relative to the road surface.

[0012] [4] According to the road surface drawing device described in [1] above, the light axis emitted from the light source located on the far side in the width direction of the vehicle and the light axis projected by the lens body opposite to the light source extend in the same direction.

[0013] [5] According to the road surface drawing device described in [1] above, the plurality of lens bodies are relatively larger in shape in such a way that the larger the distance between them and the light source, the larger the incident surface of the light emitted from the light source.

[0014] [6] The road surface drawing device according to [1] above is characterized in that the plurality of lens bodies are integrally formed.

[0015] According to the present invention, a road surface drawing device suitable for road surface drawing is provided. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a top view showing a state in which a road surface drawing device according to one embodiment of the present invention has drawn multiple drawing patterns on the road surface behind a vehicle.

[0017] Figure 2 It means Figure 1A three-dimensional diagram of the structure of the road surface drawing device shown.

[0018] Figure 3 Based on road surface drawing device Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the first, second, and third drawing units of line segment III-III shown, and the top view schematically representing multiple drawing patterns drawn on the road surface through the first, second, and third drawing units.

[0019] Figure 4A It is a road surface drawing device Figure 2 The first depicting unit of line segment IVA-IVA shown is a cross-sectional view.

[0020] Figure 4B It is a road surface drawing device Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the second depicting unit of line segment IVC-IVC shown.

[0021] Figure 4C It is a road surface drawing device Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the third depicting unit of line segment IVD-IVD shown.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a top view showing a situation where multiple patterns are depicted on the road surface in front of the vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings used in the following description, the scale of the dimensions is sometimes different depending on the component to facilitate observation of each component, and the size ratios of each component may not be the same as the actual dimensions.

[0025] Additionally, in the attached diagram below, an orthogonal XYZ coordinate system is established, with the X-axis representing the front-to-back direction (length direction) of vehicle B, the Y-axis representing the left-to-right direction (width direction) of vehicle B, and the Z-axis representing the up-down direction (height direction) of vehicle B.

[0026] As one embodiment of the present invention, for example, Figures 1-4C The road surface drawing device 1 shown will be explained. Furthermore, Figure 1 This is a top view showing the state in which multiple depiction patterns P1, P2, and P3 are depicted on the road surface T behind vehicle B using the road surface depiction device 1. Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view showing the structure of the road surface drawing device 1. Figure 3 This is a schematic representation based on the road surface drawing device 1. Figure 2The cross-sectional views of the first, second, and third drawing units 11, 12, 13 of line segment III-III shown, and the top view of the multiple drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 drawn on the road surface T by the first, second, and third drawing units 11, 12, 13. Figure 4A It is based on road surface drawing device 1 Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the first drawing unit 11 of line segment IVA-IVA shown. Figure 4B It is based on road surface drawing device 1 Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the second depicting unit 12 of the line segment IVB-IVB shown. Figure 4C It is based on road surface drawing device 1 Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the third depicting unit 13 of the line segment IVC-IVC shown.

[0027] The road surface drawing device 1 in this embodiment is, for example, as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the rear combination lamps RCL, which are mounted on the two corners of the rear end of vehicle B, project multiple (3 in this embodiment) lights L1, L2, L3 toward the road surface T behind vehicle B when vehicle B is reversing as part of the reversing lights. This causes multiple (3 in this embodiment) drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 arranged in the front-rear direction of vehicle B to be drawn on the road surface T.

[0028] Specifically, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the road surface drawing device 1 includes multiple (three in this embodiment) light sources 2a, 2b, 2c and multiple (three in this embodiment) lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c arranged opposite to each of the multiple light sources 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0029] The road surface drawing device 1 of this embodiment has the following structure: it has multiple (three in this embodiment) drawing units 11, 12, 13 that project light L1, L2, L3 emitted from each light source 2a, 2b, 2c through each lens body 3a, 3b, 3c toward the road surface T behind the vehicle B. These multiple drawing units 11, 12, 13 are arranged in the width direction of the vehicle B (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle width direction").

[0030] In this embodiment, the one closest to the vehicle width direction among these three drawing units 11, 12, and 13 is selected. Figure 2 The depiction unit on the left side of the vehicle is set as the first depiction unit 11, and the unit located in the middle of the vehicle width direction ( Figure 2 The middle of the drawing unit is set as the second drawing unit 12, and the unit located on the other side in the vehicle width direction is set as the middle of the drawing unit 12. Figure 2 The right side of the image is divided into the third depiction unit 13.

[0031] Therefore, the first drawing unit 11 is configured to include a light source 2a located on the far side in the vehicle width direction and a lens body 3a, the second drawing unit 12 is configured to include a light source 2b located in the middle in the vehicle width direction and a lens body 3b, and the third drawing unit 13 is configured to include a light source 2c located on the far side in the vehicle width direction and a lens body 3c.

[0032] Multiple light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c are composed of light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes (LDs) that emit white light. Multiple light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c are mounted on one side (front) of the circuit board 4 and arranged in the same width direction on the same side of the circuit board 4.

[0033] Furthermore, the circuit board 4 is arranged in a forward-leaning position relative to the road surface T. As a result, each of the light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c emits light L1, L2, and L3 radially downwards and in front of it (behind the vehicle B). In addition, the circuit board 4 is held by a bracket 50 disposed on its rear side.

[0034] Multiple lens bodies 3a, 3b, and 3c are constructed from transparent resins such as polycarbonate and acrylic, or light-transmitting components such as glass. The road surface drawing device 1 of this embodiment includes a lens component 5 comprising multiple lens bodies 3a, 3b, and 3c integrated into one unit. This lens component 5 is disposed opposite to the front side of the circuit board 4. Furthermore, the lens component 5 is mounted to the bracket 50 by means of threaded fixing or the like.

[0035] Furthermore, the multiple lens bodies 3a, 3b, and 3c are not necessarily limited to being integrally formed by the aforementioned lens component 5; they can also be arranged separately.

[0036] Multiple lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c are arranged with intervals D1, D2, D3 opposite to each of the multiple light sources 2a, 2b, 2c, respectively, decreasing in size from one side to the other in the vehicle width direction.

[0037] Specifically, in this embodiment, when the interval between the light source 2a located on the far side in the vehicle width direction and the lens body 3a is set to T1, the interval between the light source 2b located in the middle in the vehicle width direction and the lens body 3b is set to T2, and the interval between the light source 2c located on the far other side in the vehicle width direction and the lens body 3c is set to T3, the result becomes D1>D2>D3.

[0038] In addition, each lens body 3a, 3b, and 3c is composed of a convex lens with its rear focal point aligned with the light emission point of each light source 2a, 2b, and 2c, with each interval D1, D2, and D3 adjusted.

[0039] Specifically, each lens body 3a, 3b, 3c has a flat incident surface 41 located on the side opposite to each light source 2a, 2b, 2c, and an exit surface 42 located on the opposite side of the incident surface 41 and curved into a convex shape.

[0040] Each lens body 3a, 3b, 3c, after causing the light L1, L2, L3 emitted radially from each light source 2a, 2b, 2c to enter into the interior from each incident surface 41, converges (parallelizes) the light L1, L2, L3 emitted from each light source 2a, 2b, 2c in a manner parallel to the optical axes AX1, AX2, AX3 of the light L1, L2, L3 emitted from each light source 2a, 2b, 2c, and emits it outward from each exit surface 42.

[0041] Furthermore, the relatively larger shapes of the multiple lens bodies 3a, 3b, and 3c result in larger intervals D1, D2, and D3 between them and the respective light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c, and a larger incident surface 41 for the light L1, L2, and L3 emitted from the light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c. Consequently, the larger the intervals D1, D2, and D3 between the multiple lens bodies 3a, 3b, and 3c and the respective light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c, the greater the incident amount of light L1, L2, and L3 emitted from the light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c, and the more far the light L1, L2, and L3 from the light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c can be projected.

[0042] In the road surface drawing device 1 of this embodiment, in the first drawing unit 11, the optical axis AX1 of the light L1 emitted from the light source 2a located on the far side in the vehicle width direction and the optical axis BX1 of the light L1 projected from the lens body 3a opposite to the light source 2a are... Figure 3 The XY section shown and Figure 4A The XZ cross-sections shown extend in the same direction.

[0043] On the other hand, in the second drawing unit 12, relative to the optical axis AX2 of the light L2 emitted from the light source 2b located in the middle of the vehicle width direction, the optical axis BX2 of the light L2 projected from the lens body 3b opposite to the light source 2b is... Figure 3 The XY section shown is inclined towards the side facing the vehicle width direction, and... Figure 4B The XZ section shown is inclined downwards.

[0044] On the other hand, in the third drawing unit 13, relative to the optical axis AX3 of the light L3 emitted from the light source 2b located on the far side in the vehicle width direction, the optical axis BX3 of the light L3 projected from the lens body 3c opposite to the light source 2c is... Figure 3 The XY section shown is inclined towards the side facing the vehicle width direction, and... Figure 4C The XZ section shown is inclined downwards.

[0045] In addition, Figure 3 and Figure 4B , Figure 4C In the second drawing unit 12 and the third drawing unit 13 shown, the optical axis BX3 of the light L3 projected from the lens body 3c located on the other side in the vehicle width direction is larger than the optical axis BX2 of the light L2 projected from the lens body 3b located in the middle in the vehicle width direction, and is tilted towards one side in the vehicle width direction and downwards.

[0046] In the road surface drawing device 1 of this embodiment, which has the structure described above, such as Figure 2 As shown, light L1, L2, and L3 emitted from multiple light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c are projected onto the road surface T behind vehicle B through multiple lenses 3a, 3b, and 3c.

[0047] Thus, on the road surface T behind vehicle B, the depiction patterns P1, P2, and P3, which reflect the shape of light emitted by each light source 2a, 2b, and 2c (e.g., rectangular), are drawn side by side as rectangular depiction patterns P1, P2, and P3 extending toward the rear of vehicle B and gradually increasing in width.

[0048] Furthermore, the shapes of each depicted pattern P1, P2, and P3 can be set to rhomboid shapes extending backward toward the road surface T, depending on the in-plane orientation of each light source 2a, 2b, and 2c. Additionally, the shapes of each depicted pattern P1, P2, and P3 can be appropriately altered by changing the light emission shape of each light source 2a, 2b, and 2c, or by placing a light-shielding component (sunshade) in front of each light source 2a, 2b, and 2c.

[0049] In addition, in the road surface drawing device 1 of this embodiment, when looking down at the road surface T, multiple drawing patterns P1, P2, and P3 are drawn side by side along the optical axis AX1 of the light L emitted from the light source 2a located on the far side in the vehicle width direction.

[0050] Furthermore, in the road surface drawing device 1 of this embodiment, the drawing pattern corresponding to the light source on one side of the vehicle width direction among the plurality of drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 is drawn further away in the direction in which the plurality of drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 are arranged than the drawing pattern corresponding to the light source on the other side of the vehicle width direction.

[0051] Specifically, in this embodiment, among the plurality of depiction patterns P1, P2, and P3, the depiction pattern P1 formed by the first depiction unit 11 located on the farthest side in the vehicle width direction is depicted further away from the direction in which the plurality of depiction patterns P1, P2, and P3 are arranged than the depiction pattern P2 formed by the second depiction unit 12 located in the middle in the vehicle width direction. The depiction pattern P2 formed by the second depiction unit 12 located in the middle in the vehicle width direction is depicted further away from the direction in which the plurality of depiction patterns P1, P2, and P3 are arranged than the depiction pattern P3 formed by the third depiction unit 13 located on the farthest side in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] Furthermore, compared to the adjacent spacing of the multiple drawing units 11, 12, 13 arranged along the vehicle width direction, the distances of the light L1, L2, L3 projected from these multiple drawing units 11, 12, 13 toward the road surface T are large enough that the offset of the center of the multiple drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 in the vehicle width direction can be almost ignored.

[0053] In the road surface drawing device 1 of this embodiment, in the above-mentioned... Figure 1 When vehicle B is reversing, by drawing multiple patterns P1, P2, and P3 side by side on the road surface T behind vehicle B, it is possible to draw the attention of pedestrians and others located behind vehicle B to the fact that vehicle B is reversing.

[0054] In addition, in the road surface drawing device 1 of this embodiment, when the vehicle B is reversing, while switching the illumination of multiple drawing units 11, 12, and 13 in sequence, the device repeatedly performs the lighting action of lighting multiple drawing patterns P1, P2, and P3 in sequence toward the road surface T, thereby enabling the presentation of road surface drawing based on the light flow of multiple drawing patterns P1, P2, and P3.

[0055] In addition, regarding the lighting action of sequentially lighting multiple depiction patterns P1, P2, and P3, the following methods can be repeatedly performed: starting from a completely off state, lighting multiple depiction patterns P1, P2, and P3 one by one in turn towards the rear, and then turning them all off; and starting from a completely off state, adding multiple depiction patterns P1, P2, and P3 one by one in turn towards the rear, lighting them all up, and then turning them all off.

[0056] However, when multiple drawing units 11, 12, 13 arranged along the vehicle width direction are drawn side by side toward the rear of vehicle B, the drawing pattern P1 drawn at the farthest point is prone to becoming blurred and distorted.

[0057] In contrast, in the road surface drawing device 1 of this embodiment, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4AAs shown, when looking down at the road surface T, multiple drawing patterns P1, P2, and P3 are drawn side by side along the direction of the optical axis AX1 of the light L1 emitted from the light source 2a located on the far side in the vehicle width direction, and the optical axis AX1 of the light L1 emitted from the light source 2a located on the far side in the vehicle width direction is aligned with the direction of the optical axis BX1 of the light L1 projected from the lens body 3a opposite to the light source 2a.

[0058] Therefore, blurring and distortion of the depicted pattern P1 drawn from the farthest point of the first depiction unit 11 are suppressed. In addition, since the output of the first depiction unit 11, which draws the depicted pattern P1 at the farthest point, is the largest, the first depiction unit 11 is positioned at the farthest point in the vehicle width direction in order not to cause heat generation to the remaining second and third depiction units 12 and 13.

[0059] Furthermore, in the road surface drawing device 1 of this embodiment, the relative intervals D1, D2, D3 between the light sources 2a, 2b, 2c constituting each drawing unit 11, 12, 13 and the lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c, and the size of the lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c are adjusted so that the drawing pattern corresponding to the light source on one side of the vehicle width direction among the plurality of drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 is drawn further away in the direction in which the plurality of drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 are arranged than the drawing pattern corresponding to the light source on the other side of the vehicle width direction.

[0060] In this case, such as Figure 3 As shown, relative to the optical axis BX1 of the light L1 projected from the first drawing unit 11 to the farthest point, the angle α of the optical axis BX2 of the light L2 projected from the second drawing unit 12 and the angle β of the optical axis BX3 of the light L3 projected from the third drawing unit 13 are tilted further toward the side opposite to the vehicle width direction of the first drawing unit 11 (αβ).

[0061] In contrast, in the road surface drawing device 1 of this embodiment, by drawing the drawing pattern P3 of the third drawing unit 13 with the largest tilt angle β from the optical axis BX3 to the closest position, the influence of the tilt of the optical axis BX3 is reduced and the blurring and deformation of the drawing pattern P3 are suppressed.

[0062] As described above, in the road surface drawing device 1 of this embodiment, when multiple drawing patterns P1, P2, and P3 are drawn side by side from the multiple drawing units 11, 12, and 13 arranged along the vehicle width direction toward the road surface T behind the vehicle B, the road surface drawing of these multiple drawing patterns P1, P2, and P3 can be performed appropriately.

[0063] Furthermore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0064] For example, the road surface marking device 1 described above can be configured not only inside the rear combination light, but also separately from the rear combination light, or in the form of a rear bumper.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, as part of the reversing lights, an example is illustrated where multiple white-lit patterns P1, P2, and P3 depict the road surface T facing behind vehicle B when vehicle B is reversing. On the other hand, as... Figure 5 As shown, the road surface marking device of the present invention can also be applied when the vehicle B turns, as part of the turn signals mounted on the two corners of the front end of the vehicle B, and when the vehicle B turns, multiple marking patterns P1, P2, and P3 that emit orange light to the road surface T diagonally in front of the turning side of the vehicle B are used to mark the road surface.

[0066] Thus, for example, in a scenario where vehicle B is involved in an accident while turning at an intersection, when the turn signal is on, multiple depiction patterns P1, P2, and P3 drawn on the road surface T can draw the attention of two-wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, etc., located in the blind spot of vehicle B to the turning of vehicle B.

Claims

1. A road surface marking device mounted on a vehicle, performing road surface marking from the vehicle toward the road surface, characterized in that it comprises: Multiple light sources; Multiple lenses, each positioned opposite one of the aforementioned multiple light sources; and The circuit board is equipped with the aforementioned multiple light sources. The aforementioned multiple light sources are arranged along the width direction of the vehicle on the same surface of the aforementioned circuit board. The aforementioned multiple lenses are arranged with a spacing that decreases sequentially from one side of the vehicle's width toward the other, opposite to each of the aforementioned multiple light sources. By projecting light emitted from the multiple light sources onto the road surface through the multiple lenses, multiple patterns corresponding to each of the multiple light sources are drawn side by side on the road surface, and When viewed from above, the aforementioned multiple depicted patterns are drawn side by side along the direction of the optical axis of the light emitted from the light source located on the far side of the width direction of the aforementioned vehicle.

2. The road surface drawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The depiction pattern corresponding to the light source located on one side of the vehicle's width direction is depicted further away from the direction in which the plurality of depiction patterns are arranged than the depiction pattern corresponding to the light source located on the other side of the vehicle's width direction.

3. The road surface drawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit board is configured with its orientation tilted relative to the road surface.

4. The road surface drawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical axis of the light emitted from the light source located on the far side in the width direction of the vehicle and the optical axis of the light projected by the lens body opposite the light source extend in the same direction.

5. The road surface drawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of lenses are relatively large in size, such that the greater the distance between them and the light source, the larger the incident surface of the light emitted from the light source.

6. The road surface drawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple lenses are integrally formed.

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