CORNERING LIGHT FOR A SEMI-TRAILER

Abstract

Cornering light (60) for a semi-trailer truck whose body tilts when cornering, wherein the cornering light (60) has several light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) whose illuminating areas change from an outer side to an inner side in a vehicle width direction depending on an increase in the tilt angle of the semi-trailer truck (1) by increasing the number of switched-on light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) and produce an illumination area which varies from the inner side to the outer side in a vehicle width direction depending on an increase in the tilt angle of the semi-trailer truck (1), wherein the cornering light (60) as a unit comprises the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) which are housed in a single casing (90) arranged below a headlight (12); and the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) are arranged horizontally in the front view of the vehicle body in its non-tilted state, and the cornering light (60) is detachably attached to a mount (41) that receives the headlight (12); the headlight (12) is positioned near the vertically central side of the mount (41); and The cornering light (60) is an integrated unit with a left and right symmetrical shape in which the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) are arranged in a pair of left and right groups (81), each containing at least two lamps, and the cornering light (60) is arranged under the headlight (12) in the middle near the lower side of the receptacle (41) such that the optical axes can be adjusted and it is removable.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cornering light for a semi-trailer truck, and in particular a cornering light for a semi-trailer truck that illuminates a road surface in the direction of the curve when the semi-trailer truck is driving around a curve. [Technical background]

[0002] So far, a semi-trailer vehicle such as a motorcycle has been known to navigate a curve by tilting its vehicle body in the direction of the curve, with the semi-trailer vehicle having cornering lights near headlights that illuminate a road surface in front of the vehicle body, which are switched on and illuminate the road surfaces in the direction of the curve when the semi-trailer vehicle is navigating a curve.

[0003] JP 2013 - 248 988 A discloses a motorcycle with cornering lights, which have three lamps each on the left and right sides of a headlight centrally located in the direction of the vehicle's width. The light points change depending on the tilt angle of the vehicle body. The light sources, namely the three lamps of each cornering light, are arranged such that those located further out in the direction of the vehicle's width are switched on when the tilt angle of the vehicle body increases.

[0004] JP 2006-131 212 A shows a cornering light for a motorcycle, which has several light sources, the light distribution of which changes depending on the motorcycle's lean angle. The cornering light forms a unit that contains the multiple light sources arranged below a headlight. [Summary of the invention][Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, since, according to the arrangement of JP 2013 - 248 988 A, the cornering lights, each with three lamps, are arranged at a distance from each other on the left and right sides of the headlight positioned in between, such that they are progressively higher towards the outer sides in the direction of the vehicle's width, the space in which the cornering lights are arranged tends to be large, and it becomes necessary to adjust the optical axes of the cornering lights on the left and right sides separately.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a cornering light for a semi-trailer vehicle which solves the above problems of the prior art and which is made small in terms of dimensions by incorporating several light sources in an integrated housing which contains left and right light source groups. [Solution to the problem]

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problem, a cornering driving light according to claim 1 is specified according to the invention.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. [Effects of the invention]

[0009] According to a first feature of the present invention, the cornering light (60) for a semi-trailer truck comprises several light sources whose illuminating areas change depending on the tilt angle of the semi-trailer truck. The cornering light is arranged as a unit containing the multiple light sources, which are housed in a single casing located below a headlight. The multiple light sources are arranged substantially horizontally in a front view of the vehicle body. Because the multiple light sources are arranged substantially horizontally and housed in an integrated casing, the cornering light can be made small in size, and the optical axes of the cornering light can all be adjusted together.Since the multiple light sources are essentially arranged horizontally, it is easy to mount the multiple light sources on a single circuit board, thereby reducing the number of parts used.

[0010] According to a second feature of the present invention, the multiple light sources are arranged towards the outer sides of the vehicle, further rearward in relation to the vehicle. Therefore, it is easy to obtain, with the multiple light sources on the outer sides of the vehicle, an illumination light that is necessary to illuminate areas near the vehicle in the outer direction of the vehicle's width.

[0011] According to a third feature of the present invention, the multiple light sources are arranged in a pair of left and right groups, each containing at least two lamps; and the light points of the multiple light sources move further inwards in the direction of the vehicle's width as the tilt angle of the semi-trailer increases. Therefore, as the tilt angle increases, it is easier to illuminate road surfaces outside the vehicle.

[0012] According to a fourth feature of the present invention, the multiple light sources comprise light-emitting diodes mounted on a circuit board (80). Therefore, by using a single circuit board, it becomes possible to reduce the number of parts used and the number of assembly man-hours.

[0013] According to a fifth feature of the present invention, the multiple light sources are mounted on the underside of a circuit board, which has a flat surface section oriented vertically with respect to the vehicle; and the light emitted by the multiple light sources is reflected in front of the vehicle by reflectors arranged under the circuit board. Therefore, the multiple light sources are less easily visible from the outside of the vehicle, which makes it possible to improve the appearance of the cornering lights.

[0014] According to a sixth feature of the present invention, a driver for controlling the multiple light sources is arranged between a pair of left and right light source groups and behind the housing. Therefore, the driver is positioned centrally in the width direction in a space where no light sources are located, which makes it possible to reduce the total space occupied by the cornering lights.

[0015] According to a seventh feature of the present invention, the cornering light is detachably attached to a mounting on a housing that receives the headlight. Therefore, a headlight unit with the cornering light and a headlight unit without the cornering light can easily be manufactured separately. Even if the cornering light is removed, the shape of the headlight remains unchanged, and the degree of freedom in the vehicle design is high compared to an arrangement in which the cornering light is separate from the headlight. [Brief description of the drawings] Fig. Figure 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle in which a cornering light for a semi-trailer vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed. Fig. Figure 2 is an enlarged front view of a section of the motorcycle. Fig. Figure 3 is a front view of the headlight unit. Fig. Figure 4 is a front view of the headlight unit, with an outer cover plate removed from the headlight unit. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the headlight unit when viewed from above the vehicle body, with the outer cover lens removed from the headlight unit. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the headlight unit when viewed from below the vehicle body. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cornering lights when viewed from the front of the vehicle body. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cornering lights when viewed from behind the vehicle body. Fig. Figure 9 is a block diagram that illustrates the configuration of a lighting control system for cornering lights. Fig. Figure 10 is a diagram that shows a lighting pattern produced by the cornering light. Fig. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the shapes of the illumination area produced by the headlight and of a first illumination area produced by the first light source. Fig. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the shapes of an illumination area produced by the headlight and an illumination area produced by the second light source. Fig. Figure 13 is a diagram showing the shapes of an illumination area produced by the headlight and an illumination area produced by the third light source. Fig. Figure 14 is a diagram that compares the shapes of the first lighting area, the second lighting area, and the third lighting area. Fig. Figure 15 is a diagram showing illumination areas produced by a cornering light according to a modification of the present invention. [Description of the execution]

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle 1 into which a cornering light 60 for a semi-trailer truck according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed. The motorcycle 1 is a multi-purpose semi-trailer truck that travels by transmitting the driving force from a motor E as the drive source to a rear wheel WR via a drive chain 21. The motorcycle 1 has a body frame F comprising a pair of left and right main frames F2 and a head tube F1, which is arranged at the front ends of the main frames F2 with respect to the body, wherein a steering shaft (not shown) is pivotably mounted on the head tube F1. A front wheel WF is rotatably mounted on a pair of left and right front fork legs 13, which are mounted on an upper bridge 6 and a lower bridge 11, which are attached to the steering shaft above and below the head tube F1, respectively.A pair of left and right rearview mirrors 5 and a pair of left and right ankle protectors are attached to a handlebar 4 which is attached to the upper bridge 6.

[0017] An area in front of the handlebars 4 is covered by a front fairing 9, which carries a headlight 12 and a windscreen 8. A pair of left and right front turn signals 16a are arranged between the front fairing 9 and the handlebars 4. The front fairing 9 also carries a cornering light 60, which is arranged below the headlight 12. The cornering light 60 illuminates an area in the direction of the turn, depending on the lean angle of the motorcycle 1, when the motorcycle 1 enters the curve. A front fender 14, which covers an upper section of the front wheel WF, is attached to the front fork legs 13. A front bumper 33 is arranged laterally and in front of the front fairing.

[0018] The engine E is arranged below the main frame F2, and a lower cover 34 is provided to protect the front sections of the crankcase 37 and the exhaust pipes 36, as well as an engine guard 35 to protect the side sections of the crankcase 37. Combustion gases from the engine E are discharged through the exhaust pipes 36 from an exhaust muffler 24 on the right side in the direction of the vehicle's width.

[0019] A pair of left and right pivot frames F3, each carrying a joint 18 for a swing arm 20 on which a rear wheel WR is rotatably mounted, is connected to lower sections of the rear ends of the main frames F2. The swing arm 20 has a front end section that is pivotally mounted on the joint 16. The swing arm 20 is suspended from the main frame F2 by a rear damper 19 at a position behind the joint 18. A pair of left and right footrests 23 are attached to lower end sections of the pivot frames F3. A side stand 70 is pivotally mounted to the vehicle body frame F behind the footrest 23 on the left side (in the direction of the vehicle's width). A drive chain 21 has an upper section covered by a chain guard 39, which is attached to an upper section of the swing arm 2.

[0020] An electrical equipment box 30, which houses a vehicle-mounted battery and the like, is located between the main frames F2 and the motor E, in front of the steering linkages F3. A tilt angle sensor 17a for detecting the vehicle's tilt angle is located between the left and right main frames F2, above the electrical equipment box 30. A vehicle speed sensor 17b for detecting the vehicle speed based on the rotational speed of the rear wheel WR is located near the axle of the rear wheel WR.

[0021] A fuel tank 2 is arranged above the main frame F2, and a seat frame SF, extending upwards rearward with respect to the vehicle body, is connected to rear sections of the main frame F2. A pair of left and right passenger footrest brackets 31, each supporting a passenger footrest 32, is attached to a lower section of the seat frame SF.

[0022] A front seat 7 and a rear seat 29, mounted on the seat frame SF, are arranged behind the fuel tank 2. The outer sides of the seat frame SF, in the direction of the vehicle's width, are covered by a rear fairing 28, and a rear support 27, mounted on the seat frame SF, is positioned outside the rear seat 29 in the direction of the vehicle's width. A rear lamp assembly 26 and a rear wheel guard 25 are arranged behind the rear fairing 28. A pair of left and right rear indicator assemblies 16b are attached to a base section of the rear wheel guard 25.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 is an enlarged front view of a section of the motorcycle 1. An upper opening 9a and a pair of left and right lower openings 9b are formed in the front fairing 9, with the upper openings 9a pointing towards the headlight 12 in the center, in the direction of the vehicle's width, and the lower openings 9b pointing towards the cornering light 60 at a position below the headlight 12. When the vehicle body leans to the right, a right lighting section 15r, pointing towards the right lower opening 9b, is activated, and when the vehicle body leans to the left, a left lighting section 15L, pointing towards the left lower opening 9b, is activated. The headlight 12 and the cornering light 60 are housed in a headlight unit 40, which is mounted on the rear of the front fairing 9.

[0024] Fig. Figure 3 is a front sectional view of the headlight unit 40. Fig. Figure 4 is a front view of the headlight unit 40, with an outer cover plate 42 removed from the headlight unit 40. The headlight unit 40 includes a receptacle 41 made of plastic or the like, wherein the headlight 12 and the cornering light 60 are received in the receptacle 41, and the front of the receptacle 41 is covered by the integrally formed outer cover plate 42.

[0025] The headlight 12, which contains two left and right lamps, has headlight reflectors 43 that are bilaterally symmetrical, light guide elements 44 with a circular cross-section that are curved along the lower edges of the headlight reflectors 43, and light guide plates 47, whose left and right sections are formed integrally, arranged in front of and near the light guide elements 44 to emit light by surface emission based on the illumination light from the light guide elements 44. Light guide element light sources 50 are arranged near the upper ends of the light guide elements 44. Each of the light guide elements 44 and the light guide plates 47 can be made of colorless or colored transparent plastic or the like. The light guide element light sources 50 can be LEDs (light-emitting diodes) or the like. Fig. 4 The headlight reflector 43 on the left side in the direction of vehicle width is omitted from the illustration.

[0026] Above each of the headlight reflectors 43, adjacent to it, are arranged a low-beam circuit board 55, on which a low-beam light source 55a is mounted as the headlight light source, and a high-beam circuit board 56, on which a high-beam light source 56a is mounted. Each of the headlight reflectors 43 contains a low-beam reflector 45 and a high-beam reflector 46 for reflecting the illumination light from the light sources in the forward direction of the vehicle. A hood element 43a, extending in the forward direction of the vehicle body, is connected to upper sections of the reflectors 45 and 46. Openings (not shown) are formed in the hood element 43a, which point towards the two light sources. A headlight driver 59 for controlling the light output of the low-beam light source 55a and the high-beam light source 56a is arranged on an upper section centrally in the width direction of the vehicle within the housing 41.

[0027] Below the headlight 12 is a cornering light unit 60 (hereinafter simply referred to as "cornering light 60"), which has a housing 90 comprising left and right sections integrally connected to each other. The housing 90 has an upper section centrally located in the direction of the vehicle's width, which is mounted on the receptacle 41 by a central shaft 51.

[0028] The housing 90 is bilaterally symmetrical and has three openings 71, 72, 73 in each of its left and right sections, each with three light sources pointing downwards towards the openings 71, 72, 73, and three cornering light reflectors 61, 62, 63 (hereinafter simply referred to as "reflectors 61, 62 and 63") to reflect illuminating light from the respective light sources in the forward direction of the vehicle body. Each of the headlight light sources and the cornering light sources can be implemented as an LED.

[0029] Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the headlight unit 40, with the outer cover 42 removed from the headlight unit 40, viewed from above the vehicle body. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the headlight unit 40 as seen from below the vehicle body. The mount 41 has a rear wall where a wiring harness 58 for the electrical supply of the headlight 12 is inserted in a substantially central area of ​​the mount 41. A cover element 57 (in Fig. 5 (only a right half-side is shown) in the form of a thin, stepwise curved circuit board is arranged in front of the cable harness 58.

[0030] The three reflectors in each of the left and right sections, i.e., the first reflector 61, the second reflector 62, and the third reflector 63, are positioned further rearward on the outer side of the vehicle body in the direction of the vehicle's width. With this arrangement, the cornering light 60, when viewed from above relative to the vehicle body, has an essentially V-shaped outer profile, which slopes rearward from the center of the vehicle towards the left and right sides in the direction of the vehicle's width. The cornering light 60 thus has a particularly well-designed appearance and can be positioned close to the center of the vehicle in the direction of its width.

[0031] The first reflector 61 on the outer side (in the direction of vehicle width) has an outer reflector section 61a at one end of a curved surface projecting towards the rear of the vehicle body, closer to the center of the vehicle body. This reflector section reflects the illumination light from the light source towards the outer side (in the direction of vehicle width). Circuit boards 80, on which the cornering light sources, pointing downwards through openings 71, 72 and 73, are mounted, are each arranged above the reflectors 61, 62 and 63.

[0032] In relation to Fig. The headlight 12 is attached to a base element 48, which is held at the receptacle 41 at an angle adjustable by a knob 49. Actuating the knob 49 adjusts the optical axis of the headlight 12. The housing 90 of the cornering light 60 is mounted centrally in the vehicle width direction at the receptacle 41 by the central shaft 51 and a pair of left and right bearing sections 64. The optical axis of the cornering light 60 can be adjusted by screw mechanisms combined with the central shaft 51 and the bearing sections 64.

[0033] Since the reflectors 61, 62, and 63 in each of the left and right sections of the cornering light 60 are positioned further rearward relative to the vehicle body, towards the outer side in the direction of the vehicle's width, the cornering light 60 has a predetermined space between the rear of the housing 90 and the receptacle 41. According to the present embodiment, a cornering light driver 83 (here also simply referred to as "driver 83") for controlling the illumination of the cornering light sources 81a, 81b, and 81c is arranged in this space. A wiring harness 84 for supplying electrical power to the cornering light 60 is inserted into the receptacle 41 on the left side of the driver 83 in the direction of the vehicle's width. Because the housing 90 is positioned in front of the driver 83 and the wiring harness 84 relative to the vehicle, the driver 83 and the wiring harness 84 are concealed from view from the outside.

[0034] Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cornering light 60 when viewed from the front of the vehicle body. Fig. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the cornering light 60 as seen from behind the vehicle body. The first light source 81, corresponding to the first reflector 61, the second light source 81b, corresponding to the second reflector 62, and the third light source 81c, corresponding to the third reflector 63, are arranged essentially horizontally in the front view of the vehicle body. Since the multiple light sources are thus arranged essentially horizontally and housed in the integrated casing 90, the cornering light 60 is compact. In the illustrated embodiment, the light sources are mounted on circuit boards 80, which are independent of each other. However, because the light sources are arranged horizontally, it is easy to mount the multiple light sources on a single circuit board, resulting in a reduction in the number of parts used.

[0035] Furthermore, since the first light source 81a, the second light source 81b, and the third light source 81c are arranged further rearward relative to the vehicle body, towards the outer side in the direction of the vehicle's width, it is easy to obtain the required illumination when the light source on the outer side in the direction of the vehicle's width illuminates the outer side near the vehicle. According to the present embodiment, the light source that is switched on when the lean angle of the motorcycle 1 is small is positioned on the outermost side in the direction of the vehicle's width. With this arrangement, it is easy to illuminate a road surface near the vehicle when the lean angle is small.

[0036] The first light source 81a, the second light source 81b, and the third light source 81c are mounted on the undersides of the circuit boards 80, whose flat surface sections are oriented vertically with respect to the vehicle body. Since the illumination light from the light sources 81a, 81b, and 81c is reflected forward by the reflectors 61, 62, and 63 located beneath the circuit boards 80, the light sources 81a, 81b, and 81c are less visible from the outside of the vehicle, thus improving the appearance of the cornering light 60. Furthermore, the central shaft 51 is supported by an upper projection 65, which is covered by a central section of the front fairing 9. The upper projection 65 is therefore concealed from the outside when the vehicle is completed.Flat surface sections 94, which extend forward in relation to the vehicle body from the respective lower ends of the reflectors 61, 62 and 63, act as the lower edge of a lighting area.

[0037] The cornering light 60 is detachably attached to the mounting 41. When the headlight is assembled, it is possible to easily produce separate versions with and without the cornering light 60. Since the shape of the headlight unit 40 remains unchanged according to the specifications without the cornering light 60, the degree of freedom for designing the vehicle body is high compared to an arrangement in which the headlight 12 and the cornering light 60 are separate.

[0038] Fig. Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting control system for the cornering light 60. An ECU (electronic control unit) 100 contains a light-on control section 102 and a cornering light activation determination section 101. If the headlight 12 is of the normal illumination type, when an IG (ignition) switch 103 is turned on, the light-on control section 102 sends a driver command to a headlight driver 59. The cornering light activation determination section 101 determines whether the cornering light sources 81a, 81b, 81c should only illuminate while the light-on control section 102 is in operation.

[0039] The cornering light activation control section 101 activates one of the cornering light sources 81a, 81b, and 81c when a tilt angle θ detected by the inclination angle sensor 17a is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and a vehicle speed V detected by the vehicle speed sensor 17b is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Specifically, if the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than 5 km / h and the tilt angle θ is equal to or greater than 10° and less than 20°, the cornering light activation control section 101 activates the first light source 81a. If the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than 5 km / h and the tilt angle θ is equal to or greater than 20° and less than 30°, the cornering light activation control section 101 activates both the first light source 81a and the second light source 81b.If the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than 5 km / h and the angle of inclination θ is equal to or greater than 30°, the cornering light activation control section 101 switches on the three light sources 81a, 81b and 81c.

[0040] According to the above activation process, the greater the tilt angle, the greater the number of light sources that are switched on, moving from the outer side (in the direction of vehicle width) to the inner side. However, the number of light sources to be switched on can be limited to one, for example, and only the illuminated position needs to be shifted when the tilt angle increases. Alternatively, the first light source 81a can be dimmed when the second light source 81b is switched on. In the latter case, when the third light source 81c is switched on, the second light source 81b can be dimmed and the first light source 81a can be switched off.

[0041] Fig. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the illumination produced by the cornering light 60. When the vehicle body tilts during cornering, an illumination area A, formed by the headlight 12 on a road surface G, moves in the opposite direction to the curve. According to the present embodiment, the cornering light 60 produces the illumination area in the direction of the curve, which is insufficient when the vehicle is cornering, using light sources that are separate and independent from the headlight 12. Fig. Figure 10 shows a situation in which, when the vehicle body tilts to the right during a right-hand bend, the cornering light 60 forms a lighting area B in the direction of the bend.

[0042] Fig. Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the shapes of a lighting area A1 produced by the headlight 12 and a first lighting area B1 produced by the first light source 81a. Since the headlight 12 emits illuminating light forward and below the vehicle body from a high position adjacent to an upper section of the vehicle body, when the vehicle body tilts to the right, the lighting area 1 formed on the road surface G1 moves to the left and its outer edge r1 tilts to the left.

[0043] According to the present embodiment, the illumination area B1, generated by the first light source 81a, which is positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, has a main beam section C1 extending in front of the vehicle body and an auxiliary beam section C2 extending outwards in the vehicle width direction from a position near a rear region of the main beam section C1 with respect to the vehicle body. The main beam section C1, which has an elliptical shape and extends in front of the vehicle body, has a right side edge B1 positioned to the right of the illumination area A1 formed by the headlight 12, which represents the illumination area in the direction of curves.The auxiliary bundle section C2, which extends from the right side edge D1 of the main bundle section C1 essentially in the direction of the vehicle width, is oriented further outwards in the direction of the vehicle width and therefore plays a different role than the main bundle section C1.

[0044] The auxiliary beam section C2 is primarily formed by the shape of the reflector 61 corresponding to the first light source 81 and the outer reflective section at the end of the first reflector 61. The auxiliary beam section C2 thus formed makes it possible to simultaneously illuminate an area in front of the vehicle body and an area extending outwards in the vehicle's width direction. When the vehicle travels around a curve at high speed and a small bank angle, the main beam section C1 illuminates a suitable area in the direction of the curve. If the bank angle is small while the vehicle is turning right or left at an intersection or similar location, pedestrians can easily be detected with the aid of the auxiliary beam section C2 extending outwards in the vehicle's width direction, thus improving the vehicle's visibility to others.Furthermore, since the cornering light 60 is arranged below the headlight 12, even in a case where the cornering light 60 illuminates an area near the vehicle body, it is unlikely that the illumination light from the cornering light 60 will interfere with the illumination light from the headlight 12, thus enabling efficient illumination.

[0045] Fig. Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the shapes of the illumination area A1 produced by the headlight 12 and a second illumination area B2 produced by the second light source 81b. When the tilt angle is equal to or greater than 20° and less than 30°, the illumination area A2 produced by the headlight 12 moves relative to the one shown in Figure 12. Fig. 11 the depicted state to the left, and its outer edge r2 is inclined further to the left.

[0046] The second illumination area B2, generated by the second light source 81b, has a shape that extends in front of the vehicle body and is free of an auxiliary beam section like the first illumination area B1. The second illumination area B2 is positioned further to the right than the first illumination area B1 and has a right lateral edge D2 that is positioned further to the right than the right lateral edge D1 of the first illumination area B1.

[0047] Fig. Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the shapes of a lighting area A3 produced by the headlight 12 and a third lighting area B3 produced by the third light source 81c. When the tilt angle of the vehicle body is equal to or greater than 30°, the lighting area A3 produced by the headlight 12 moves relative to the one shown in Figure 13. Fig. 12 the depicted state to the left, and its outer edge r3 is inclined further to the left.

[0048] The third illumination area B3, generated by the third light source 81c, has a shape that extends in front of the vehicle body, like the second illumination area B2, and is free of an auxiliary beam section, like the first illumination area B1. The third illumination area B3 is positioned further to the right than the second illumination area B2 and has a right lateral edge D3 that is positioned further to the right than the right lateral edge D2 of the second illumination area B2.

[0049] Fig. Figure 14 is a diagram that compares the shapes of the first lighting area B1, the second lighting area B2, and the third lighting area B3. According to the present design, only the first lighting area B1 has the auxiliary beam section C2, so that only one section, necessary for optimizing the lighting area, has an auxiliary beam section. The auxiliary beam section C2 has a right side edge D4, which is positioned further to the right than the right side wall D3 of the third lighting area B3. This makes it possible to illuminate the right side near the vehicle body even in cases where the angle of inclination is small. The lighting area of ​​the cornering light 60 described above applies similarly to the left side in the direction of the vehicle's width.

[0050] The right side edge D2 of the second illumination area B2 is positioned further to the right than the right side edge D1 of the main beam area C1 generated by the first light source 81a, and the right side edge D3 of the third illumination area D3 is positioned further to the right than the right side edge D2 of the second illumination area B2, which makes it possible to illuminate an area more efficiently in the direction of the curve as the angle of inclination increases.

[0051] Furthermore, because the first light source 81a, the second light source 81b, and the third light source 81c are arranged further rearward in the housing 90 of the cornering light 60, relative to the vehicle body, towards the outer side in the direction of the vehicle's width, it is likely to maintain a wide illumination area near the vehicle body, with the light source on the outer side in the direction of the vehicle's width being activated when the angle of inclination increases. Since, when viewed from above, the cornering light has an essentially V-shaped outer profile relative to the vehicle body, which slopes rearward from the center towards the left and right sides in the direction of the vehicle's width, the cornering light has a particularly well-designed appearance and can easily be installed close to the center of the vehicle in the direction of its width.

[0052] Fig.Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating illumination areas produced by a cornering light according to a modification of the present invention. The present modification is based on the fact that the first illumination area B1 produced by the first light source 81a has an outer edge E1 on its inner side in the direction of vehicle width, the second illumination area B2 produced by the second light source 81b has an outer edge E2 on its inner side in the direction of vehicle width, and the third illumination area B3 produced by the third light source 81c has an outer edge E3 on its inner side in the direction of vehicle width, wherein the outer edges E1, E2, and E3 overlap, and only the shapes of the edges of these illumination areas differ from one another on their outer sides in the direction of vehicle width.This arrangement reduces any differences between the lighting areas, making it possible to illuminate a suitable position without giving the driver of the vehicle a strong feeling that the light sources that are switched on have changed.

[0053] According to the present modification, such settings can be made that when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than 5 km / h and the angle of inclination θ is equal to or greater than 10° and less than 20°, the first light source 81a is switched on; when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than 5 km / h and the angle of inclination θ is equal to or greater than 20° and less than 30°, the second light source 81b is switched on; and when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than 5 km / h and the angle of inclination θ is equal to or greater than 30°, the third light source 81c is switched on.

[0054] As in the embodiment described above, the first illumination area B1 produced by the first light source 81a has a main beam section C1 extending in front of the vehicle body, and an auxiliary beam section C2 extending outwards from a position near a rear portion of the main beam section C1 relative to the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction, so that an area near the vehicle on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is particularly well illuminated when the angle of inclination is small. On the other hand, according to the second illumination area B2 and the third illumination area B3, an illuminated area on the outer side in the vehicle width direction becomes progressively smaller as the angle of inclination increases, in order to optimize the configuration of the illumination area.

[0055] The configuration of the motorcycle, the shape and structure of the headlight, the shape and structure of the mount, the position where the cornering light is arranged, the shape and structure of the housing and reflectors, the shape and structure of the circuit boards, the number of light sources and their positions, and the shape of the cornering light's illumination areas, etc., are not limited to the above design but can be altered or modified in numerous ways. For example, the cornering light according to the present invention is not only used on motorcycles but is also applicable to three-wheeled vehicles or the like whose bodies tilt while driving.

[0056] 1... Motorcycle (semi-trailer), 12... Headlight, 40... Headlight unit, 41... Mount, 42... Outer cover lens, 60... Cornering light unit (cornering light), 61, 62, 63... Cornering light reflector (reflector), 80... Circuit board, 81... Cornering light source (first light source, second light source, third light source), 83... Cornering light driver, 90... Housing, B1... First illumination area (illumination area), B2... Second illumination area, B3... Third illumination area, C1... Main beam section, C2... Auxiliary beam section, D1... Right side section of the main beam section (outer edge on the outer side of the main beam section in the direction of vehicle width), D2... Right side edge section of the second illumination area (outer edge on the outer side of the second illumination area in the direction of vehicle width), D3...right side edge section of the third lighting area (outer edge of the outside of the third lighting area in the direction of vehicle width), G ... road surface.

Claims

[1] Cornering light (60) for a semi-trailer truck whose body tilts when cornering, wherein the cornering light (60) has several light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) whose illuminating areas change from an outer side to an inner side in a vehicle width direction depending on an increase in the tilt angle of the semi-trailer truck (1) by increasing the number of switched-on light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) and produce an illumination area which varies from the inner side to the outer side in a vehicle width direction depending on an increase in the tilt angle of the semi-trailer truck (1), wherein the cornering light (60) as a unit comprises the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) which are housed in a single casing (90) arranged below a headlight (12); and the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) are arranged horizontally in the front view of the vehicle body in its non-tilted state, and the cornering light (60) is detachably attached to a mount (41) that receives the headlight (12); the headlight (12) is positioned near the vertically central side of the mount (41); and The cornering light (60) is an integrated unit with a left and right symmetrical shape in which the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) are arranged in a pair of left and right groups (81), each containing at least two lamps, and the cornering light (60) is arranged under the headlight (12) in the middle near the lower side of the receptacle (41) such that the optical axes can be adjusted and it is removable. [2] The cornering light (60) for a semi-trailer vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) are arranged further rearward in relation to the vehicle towards the outer sides in the direction of the vehicle width. [3] The cornering light (60) for a semi-trailer truck according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pairs of left and right groups (81) of the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) each contain at least two lamps; and the luminous areas of the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) move further inwards in the direction of the vehicle width as the tilt angle of the semi-trailer (1) increases. [4] The cornering light (60) for a semi-trailer vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) comprise light-emitting diodes mounted on a circuit board (80). [5] The cornering light (60) for a semi-trailer truck according to claim 4, wherein the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) are mounted on the underside of a circuit board (80) which contains a flat surface section oriented vertically with respect to the vehicle; and The light emitted by the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) is reflected in front of the vehicle by reflectors (61, 62, 63) arranged under the circuit board (80). [6] The cornering light (60) for a semi-trailer vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a driver (83) for controlling the lighting of the multiple light sources (81a, 81b, 81c) is arranged between the pair of left and right light source groups (81) and behind the housing (90).

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