Road surface drawing device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to improve the ease with which a pattern drawn on a road surface can be seen from the surroundings of the pattern. A road surface drawing device 50 is mounted on a vehicle. When the traveling direction of a vehicle 100 is changed by an operation performed by the driver of the vehicle 100, the road surface drawing device 50 uses light to draw a pattern P in an area of a road surface 500 including the side to which the traveling direction is being changed with respect to the vehicle 100, the pattern P indicating the change in the traveling direction. The pattern P includes a plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 spaced apart in vehicle width directions Di, Do.The plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are such that the closer the band-shaped pattern is to the outer side Do in the vehicle width direction, the longer the pattern is in vehicle longitudinal directions Fr, Rr, and the further the front end of the pattern is positioned toward the front of Fr.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a road surface drawing device that draws a pattern on a road surface by means of light to notify a change in a traveling direction of its own vehicle. Technical background

[0002] Among road surface drawing devices, there are those that draw a predetermined pattern by means of light in an area including the left side of its own vehicle on a road surface when turning left, and in an area including the right side of a vehicle when turning right, that is, in an area on a road surface including a side to which the traveling direction is to be changed relative to the vehicle. Citation ListPatent Document

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese unexamined patent application, Publication No. 2019-192349 Disclosure of the inventionProblems to be solved by the invention

[0004] According to this road surface drawing device, it is possible to notify others around their own vehicle of a change in the vehicle's travel direction through the pattern. However, the present inventors have found that there is room for further improvement regarding the visibility of the pattern from the surroundings. The present inventors have found that by improving visibility, traffic safety is further improved and it becomes possible to contribute to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and its object is to improve the visibility of a pattern drawn on a road surface from the surroundings. Means to solve the problems

[0006] The present inventors discovered that when a pattern drawn on a road surface has multiple band-shaped patterns separated from each other in the vehicle width direction, the further the band-shaped pattern is located toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the longer the band-shaped pattern is in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the farther it is located forward of the front end thereof, the visibility of the pattern from the surroundings is improved, and came up with the present invention. The present invention is a road surface drawing device according to the following (1) to (4).

[0007] (1) A road surface drawing device mounted on a vehicle, wherein the road surface drawing device, when a traveling direction of the vehicle changes based on an operation by a driver of the vehicle, draws a pattern to notify the change of a traveling direction by means of light in an area on a road surface containing a side to which the traveling direction is to be changed, relative to the vehicle, the pattern includes a plurality of band-shaped patterns separated from each other in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle, and the plurality of band-shaped patterns are arranged such that the farther a band-shaped pattern is located on an outer side in the vehicle width direction, one side in a direction away from the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, the longer the band-shaped pattern is in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the farther its front end is located on a front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0008] According to the present configuration, since the farther a band-shaped pattern is on the vehicle width direction outer side, the longer the band-shaped pattern is in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the farther its front end is located to the front, it is intuitively known from the surroundings in which direction the vehicle will turn.

[0009] Furthermore, there are multiple band-shaped patterns in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, even if an obstructing object exists directly adjacent to the front end of the vehicle, it is unlikely that a situation will occur where light from approximately the entire area of ​​all band-shaped patterns is blocked by the obstructing object, resulting in band-shaped patterns almost not being drawn on a road surface. In particular, because the farther a band-shaped pattern is located to the outside in the vehicle width direction, the farther to the front its front end is located, light toward the front end is not easily blocked by the blocking object, even for a band-shaped pattern located on the outside in the vehicle width direction, the front end is easily drawn on the road surface.

[0010] As described above, according to the present configuration, it is possible to improve the visibility of the pattern drawn on a road surface from the surroundings.

[0011] (2) The road surface drawing device according to the above (1), wherein an extending direction of the inside band-shaped patterns including at least one band-shaped pattern arranged on an innermost side in the vehicle width direction is chamfered relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and front ends of the inside band-shaped patterns are arranged further to the inner side in the vehicle width direction than rear ends.

[0012] According to the present configuration, at the base of the array of multiple band-shaped patterns, a direction in which the band-shaped patterns are spaced is slanted toward the vehicle side. Therefore, it is easy to recognize that the band-shaped pattern is emitted from the vehicle when viewed from the surroundings.

[0013] (3) The road surface drawing device according to the above (2), wherein widths of the rear ends of the inside band-shaped patterns are respectively smaller than widths of the front ends.

[0014] When the extension direction of the inside band-shaped patterns is slanted relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction as described in (2), the further to the rear, the shorter the intervals between the band-shaped patterns. This raises a possibility that it becomes difficult to recognize the band-shaped patterns separately when viewed from the surroundings. In this regard, according to the present configuration, the widths of the rear ends of the inside band-shaped patterns are smaller than the widths of the respective front ends. Therefore, it is possible to ensure sufficient spaces between the rear ends of the band-shaped patterns at the base part of the row of the plurality of band-shaped patterns. Therefore, it is easy to recognize the band-shaped patterns separately when viewed from the surroundings.

[0015] (4) The road surface drawing device according to the above (1) or (2) includes a drawing control unit that draws the plurality of band-shaped patterns in order from a band-shaped pattern on the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] According to the present configuration, since the band-shaped patterns are drawn in order from the band-shaped pattern on the inside in the vehicle width direction, it is easier to recognize in which direction the vehicle will turn when viewing the band-shaped patterns from the surroundings. Effects of the invention

[0017] As described above, according to the above configuration (1), it is possible to improve the visibility of a pattern drawn on a road surface. Furthermore, according to the above configurations (2) to (4) related to (1), their respective additional advantages are obtained. Description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a road surface drawing device of a first embodiment of an area therearound; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing band-shaped patterns drawn on a road surface; Fig. 3 shows plan views showing a character control unit; Fig. 4 is a plan view of right turning in a comparative example; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the right turn in the present embodiment; Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a case where there is a blocking object on the right when turning right in the comparative example; Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a case where there is a blocking object on the right during right turning in the present embodiment; Fig. 8 is a plan view showing a left-turn pattern in the comparative example; Fig. Figure 9 is a diagram of the same pattern viewed from the far left; Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the band-shaped patterns when turning left in the present embodiment; Fig. Figure 11 is a diagram of the same band-shaped patterns, seen from the far left; Fig. 12 is a plan view showing band-shaped patterns when turning left in a second embodiment; Fig. 13 is a diagram of the same band-shaped patterns seen from the far left; Fig. 14 is a plan view showing band-shaped patterns when turning left in a third embodiment; Fig. Figure 15 is a diagram of the same band-shaped patterns seen from the far left; Fig. 16 is a plan view showing band-shaped patterns when turning left in a fourth embodiment; Fig. Figure 17 is a diagram of the same band-like pattern seen from the far left. Preferred mode for carrying out the invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments at all and can be modified and practiced within a range that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [First version]

[0019] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a road surface drawing device 50 of a first embodiment and a region therearound. Hereinafter, a vehicle equipped with the road surface drawing device 50 is referred to as "vehicle 100." Further, the front side of the vehicle 100 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is referred to as "front Fr," the opposite side thereto is referred to as "rear Rr"; the left side in the front Fr state is referred to as "left Lh," and the opposite side thereto is referred to as "right Rh."

[0020] The road surface drawing device 50 is mounted on each of the left and right ends of the front end of the vehicle 100. In particular, Fig. 1 the road surface drawing device 50 on the left Lh side, which in Fig. 1 is not shown, left Lh of a headlight 80 is provided on the left Lh side, and the road surface drawing device 50 is provided on the right Rh side, which in Fig. 1, right Rh of a headlight 80 is provided on the right Rh side.

[0021] When the vehicle 100 turns left based on operation by the driver of the vehicle 100, the road surface drawing device 50 on the left side draws a pattern P to notify the left turn of the vehicle 100 on a road surface 500 using light in an area including the left Lh side of the vehicle 100. When the vehicle 100 turns right based on operation by the driver of the vehicle 100, the road surface drawing device 50 on the right side draws a pattern P to notify the right turn of the vehicle 100 on the road surface 500 using light in an area including the right Rh side of the vehicle 100.

[0022] Hereinafter, the left Lh for the road surface drawing device 50 on the left side and the right Rh for the road surface drawing device 50 on the right side are referred to as “vehicle width direction outside Do”, and the right for the road surface drawing device 50 on the left side and the left Lh for the road surface drawing device on the right side are referred to as “vehicle width direction inside Di”.

[0023] Each of the left and right road surface drawing devices 50 draws a predetermined pattern P on the road surface 500. The pattern P has a plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, at intervals in the vehicle width direction Di, Do. Specifically, in the present embodiment, there are four band-shaped patterns P1 to P4. Hereinafter, these four band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are referred to as "first band-shaped pattern P1," "second band-shaped pattern P2," "third band-shaped pattern P3," and "fourth band-shaped pattern P4" in this order, starting from the band-shaped pattern P1 on the vehicle width direction inner side Di. Although the pattern P Fig. 1 consists of the four band-shaped patterns P1 to P4, it may also contain other patterns. Furthermore, the number of band-shaped patterns may be equal to or less than three or equal to or greater than five.

[0024] Each of the left and right road surface drawing devices 50 includes a drawing machine 30 that draws the pattern P and a drawing control unit 20 that controls the drawing machine 30.

[0025] For example, as in Fig. 1, the drawing machine 30 includes a first drawing unit 31 that draws the first band-shaped pattern P1, a second drawing unit 32 that draws the second band-shaped pattern P2, a third drawing unit 33 that draws the third band-shaped pattern P3, and a fourth drawing unit 34 that draws the fourth band-shaped pattern P4. The four drawing units 31 to 34 each include light sources, shades, and lenses. The shades include translucent parts in the shapes of the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 drawn by the drawing units 31 to 34, to which the shadows respectively belong. In the drawing units 31 to 34, the light emitted from the light sources passes through the translucent parts of the shades and is transmitted through the lenses. Then, the light reaches the road surface 500.As a result, the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are drawn on the road surface 500 based on the drawing units 31 to 34.

[0026] Instead of the above, the drawing machine 30 may, for example, be such that it includes a light source and a film, and draws part or all of the four band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 described above on the road surface 500 by transmitting light from the one light source through the film.

[0027] Fig. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the pattern P seen from above, wherein the pattern P is drawn when turning left onto the road surface 500 by the road surface drawing device 50 on the left side shown in Fig. 1 is not shown. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the center line of each of the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 in plan view is referred to as the "extension direction dE." The first band-shaped pattern P1 extends obliquely relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr. That is, the extension direction dE of the first band-shaped pattern P1 is slanted relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr. A front end P1f of the first band-shaped pattern P1 is located further to the vehicle width direction inner side Di than its rear end P1r.

[0028] The second band-shaped pattern P1 also extends slightly obliquely relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr, and a front end P2f of the second band-shaped pattern P2 is located slightly further toward the vehicle width direction inner side dE than its rear end P2r. The second band-shaped pattern P2 is longer in the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr than the first band-shaped pattern P1, and the front end P2f is located further toward the front Fr than the front end P1f of the first band-shaped pattern P1.

[0029] Hereinafter, a band-shaped pattern extending obliquely relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr, such as the first band-shaped pattern P1 and the second band-shaped pattern P2, is referred to as an "inside band-shaped pattern." Although there are two inside band-shaped patterns, the first band-shaped pattern P1 and the second band-shaped pattern P2, in the present embodiment, there may be only one inside band-shaped pattern, or there may be three or more inside band-shaped patterns. According to the inside band-shaped patterns P1 and P2, directions dG in which the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are spaced apart are slanted toward the vehicle 100 side at the base part of the row of the plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4.

[0030] The width of the rear end P1r of the first band-shaped pattern P1 is smaller than the width of the front end P1f of the first band-shaped pattern P1, and the width of the rear end P2r of the second band-shaped pattern P2 is smaller than the width of the front end P2f of the second band-shaped pattern P2. That is, the widths of the rear ends P1r and P2r of the inner side band-shaped patterns P1 and P2 are smaller than the widths of the front ends P1f and P2f. The width referred to here is a length in the direction orthogonal to the extension direction dE as viewed from above.

[0031] Each of the third band-shaped patterns P3 and the fourth band-shaped patterns P4 extends approximately straight in the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr. The third band-shaped pattern P3 is longer in the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr than the second band-shaped pattern P2, and its front end P3f is located further forward Fr than the front end P2f of the second band-shaped pattern P2. The fourth band-shaped pattern P4 is longer in the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr than the third band-shaped pattern P3, and its front end P4f is located further forward Fr than the front end P3f of the third band-shaped pattern P3. That is, these four band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are arranged such that the farther a band-shaped pattern is to the vehicle width direction outer side Do, the longer the band-shaped pattern is in the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr and the farther forward Fr its front end is located.

[0032] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the front ends P1f to P4f of the band-shaped patterns P1 are arranged on a front-side virtual straight line Lf extending in an oblique direction between the front Fr and the vehicle width direction outer side Do, and the rear ends P1r to P4r of the band-shaped patterns P1 are arranged on a rear-side virtual straight line Lr extending in the vehicle width direction outer side Do. In the present embodiment, the rear-side virtual straight line Lr is slightly oblique relative to the vehicle width direction Di, Do; and the band-shaped patterns P4 to P1 are arranged such that the further a band-shaped pattern is to the vehicle width direction outer side Do, the further forward Fr its rear end is located.Instead, however, the back virtual straight line Lr may extend directly to the side, and the rear ends P4r to P1r of the band-shaped patterns P4 to P1 may be lined up side by side. Furthermore, unlike . Fig. 2, the rear virtual straight line Lr may be slanted to a side where the band-shaped patterns P4 to P1 are arranged, so that the farther a band-shaped pattern is located on the vehicle width direction outer side Do, the farther rearward Rr its rear end is located.

[0033] The above description refers to the pattern P on the left side, which is drawn when the vehicle 100 turns left. The description of the pattern P on the right side, which is drawn when the vehicle 100 turns right, can be made similarly, interchanging left and right in the above description.

[0034] Fig. 3 shows plan views showing the control of the drawing machine 30 by the drawing control unit 20. For example, when turning left, the drawing control unit first turns on the light source of the first drawing unit 31 in a state where all the light sources of the drawing units 31 to 34 are off, that is, in a state where none of the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are drawn on the road surface 100, as shown in the upper left of FIG. Fig. 3. This draws the first band-shaped pattern P1 on the road surface 500 as shown in Fig. 3 shown top right.

[0035] Then, while the light source of the first drawing unit 31 remains switched on, the light source of the second drawing unit 32 is also switched on. This also draws the second band-shaped pattern P2 on the road surface 500, as shown in the center left of Fig. 3 shown.

[0036] While the light sources of the first drawing unit 31 and the second drawing unit 32 remain switched on, the light source of the third drawing unit 33 is also switched on. As a result, the third band-shaped pattern P3 is also drawn on the road surface 500, as shown in the lower right of Fig. 3 shown.

[0037] While the light sources of the first drawing unit 31, the second drawing unit 32 and the third drawing unit 33 remain switched on, the light source of the fourth drawing unit 34 is also switched on. This also draws the fourth band-shaped pattern P4 on the road surface 500, as shown in the lower left of Fig. 3 shown.

[0038] After that, the light sources of the four drawing units 31 to 34 are switched off. As a result, the four band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 disappear from the road surface 500, as shown in the upper left of Fig. 3. The above operation is repeated. This repeatedly executes the operation of the four band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 drawn in order from a band-shaped pattern on the inner side of the vehicle width direction Di.

[0039] However, if the drawing machine 30 includes only one light source and one film instead of the four drawing units 31 to 34 as described above, dynamic drawing similar to the above can be repeatedly performed by executing the control of the film and the same location of the above control.

[0040] Furthermore, the method for illuminating the four band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 is not limited to the above. For example, after simultaneously illuminating the first band-shaped pattern P1 and the second band-shaped pattern P2, the third band-shaped pattern P3 and the fourth band-shaped pattern P4 may be simultaneously illuminated. Furthermore, after illuminating the four band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 with reduced light, the light may be increased in the order of the first band-shaped pattern P1, the second band-shaped pattern P2, the third band-shaped pattern P3, and the fourth band-shaped pattern P4.

[0041] The above description refers to the left turn of the vehicle 100. Similar control also occurs when the vehicle turns right, with left and right being interchanged in the above description.

[0042] The following describes the functions of this version in relation to the Fig. 4 to 11. Hereinafter, an aspect of drawing only a band-shaped pattern Px extending in an oblique direction between the front Fr and the vehicle width direction outer side Do will be referred to as the pattern P as a comparative example. Further, another vehicle near the vehicle 100 will be referred to as "the other vehicle 200."

[0043] Fig. 4 is a plan view showing a comparative example when the vehicle 100 turns right. In this comparative example, since the pattern P consists of only one band-shaped pattern Px, the total area of ​​the pattern P drawn on the road surface 500 is small.

[0044] In comparison, Fig. 5 is a plan view showing when the vehicle 100 turns right in the present embodiment. In the case of the present embodiment, in addition to the pattern P including the plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 in the vehicle width direction Di, Do, the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr, and therefore the total area of ​​the pattern P drawn on the road surface 500 is large. Therefore, it is easy for the driver of the other vehicle 200 to visually recognize the patterns P. Moreover, the plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are arranged such that the farther to the vehicle width direction outer side Do a band-shaped pattern is located, the longer in the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr the band-shaped pattern is, and its front end is located in the front Fr.Therefore, it is easy for the driver of the other vehicle 200 to intuitively recognize the direction to which the vehicle 100 intends to change direction, i.e., that the vehicle 100 is about to turn right. The above description refers to the case where the vehicle 100 is turning right. A similar function is obtained for the case where the vehicle 100 is turning left, where left and right are interchanged in the above description.

[0045] Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a case where, when the vehicle 100 in the comparative example turns right, an obstructing object 600, such as a wall, a signboard, or a utility pole, is present to the right Rh of the front end of the vehicle 100. Since the pattern P in this comparative example consists only of a band-shaped pattern Px, the light is slightly blocked by the obstructing object, approximately the entire area of ​​the pattern P.

[0046] In comparison, Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a case where, when the vehicle 100 turns right in the present embodiment, the blocking object 600 exists on the right Rh of the front end of the vehicle 100. In the case of the present embodiment, in addition to the plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 being present in the vehicle width direction Di, Do, the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr as described above. Therefore, even if the blocking object 600 exists as described above, it is unlikely that a situation occurs that the light approximately to the entire area of ​​all the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 is blocked by the blocking object 600, and the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are approximately not completely drawn on the road surface 500.Specifically, the band-shaped patterns P4 to P1 are arranged such that the farther a band-shaped pattern is located on the vehicle width direction outer side Do, the farther forward its front end Fr is located. Therefore, even for the fourth band-shaped pattern P4 on the outermost vehicle width direction outer side Do, light toward the front end is not easily blocked by the blocking object 600, and the front end is easily drawn on the road surface 500. The above description refers to the case where the vehicle 100 turns right as an example. A similar function is obtained in the case where the vehicle 100 turns left, where left and right are interchanged in the above description.

[0047] Fig. 8 is a plan view of the band-shaped pattern Px when turning left in the comparison example, seen from above. Fig. 9 is a diagram of the band-shaped pattern Px viewed from far in the vehicle width direction outside Do, that is, far from the left side Lh. When the band-shaped pattern Px is viewed from as far as in Fig. 9, the shape of the band-shaped pattern Px is compressed in the vehicle width direction Do, Di, and the angle in the extending direction of the band-shaped pattern PX relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr becomes small. Therefore, there is a possibility that it becomes difficult to actually recognize in which direction the vehicle 100 will turn.

[0048] In comparison, the Fig. 10 is a plan view of the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 when turning left in the present embodiment, viewed from above. Fig. 11 is a diagram of the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 viewed from far on the left side Lh. The shapes of the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 of the present embodiment are also compressed in the vehicle width direction Di, Do when viewed from far away. However, these plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are lined up at intervals in the vehicle width direction Di, Do, and the band-shaped patterns P4 to P1 are also arranged such that the farther a band-shaped pattern is to the vehicle width direction outside Do, the longer the band-shaped pattern is in the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr, and the further its front end is located forward Fr. Therefore, it is easy to visually know in which direction the vehicle 100 is turning even when viewing the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 from as far as in Fig. 11. The above description assumes that vehicle 100 turns left, as an example. A similar function is obtained if vehicle 100 turns right, where left and right are interchanged in the above description.

[0049] The configuration and advantages of this design are summarized below.

[0050] The band-shaped patterns P4 to P1 are arranged such that the farther a band-shaped pattern is located on the vehicle width direction outer side Do, the longer the band-shaped pattern is in the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr, and the farther forward Fr its front end is located. Therefore, it is easy to intuitively recognize in which direction the vehicle 100 is turning when the band-shaped patterns P4 to P1 are viewed from the surroundings. Furthermore, since the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 have these shapes, it is easy to visually recognize in which direction the vehicle 100 is turning even when the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are viewed from far away, that is, when the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are compressed in the vehicle width direction Di, Do.

[0051] Furthermore, in addition to the existence of the plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 of the vehicle width direction Di, Do, the band-shaped patterns P4 to P1 are arranged such that the farther to the vehicle width direction outer side Do the band-shaped pattern is located, the farther forward Fr its front end is located. Therefore, if the blocking object 600 exists directly adjacent to the front end of the vehicle 100, it is unlikely that such a situation occurs that light approximately to the entire area of ​​all the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 is blocked by the blocking object 600, and the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are almost not drawn on the road surface 500.Specifically, the band-shaped patterns P4 to P1 are arranged such that the farther a band-shaped pattern is from the vehicle width direction outer side Do, the further forward Fr its front end is located, and therefore, even with the fourth band-shaped pattern P4 located at the outermost side of the vehicle width direction outer side Do, light toward the front end is not easily blocked by the blocking object 600, and the front end is easily drawn on the road surface 500.

[0052] As described above, according to the present configuration, it is possible to improve the visibility of the pattern P drawn on the road surface 500.

[0053] Furthermore, the extending directions dE of the inner side of the band-shaped patterns P1 and P2 are slanted relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr, and the front ends P1f and P2f on the inner side of the band-shaped patterns P1 and P2 are located further to the vehicle width direction inner side Di than the rear ends P1r and P2r. That is, at the base part of the row of the plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4, a direction dG in which the band-shaped patterns P1 and P2 are spaced apart is slanted toward the vehicle 100. Therefore, it is easy to confirm that the plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 are emitted from the vehicle 100 as seen from the surroundings.

[0054] Furthermore, it is possible to avoid the adverse effect shown below. That is, when the extension directions dE of the inner side band-shaped patterns P1 and P2 are slanted relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr as described above, the further back Rr is, the shorter the interval between the band-shaped patterns P1 and P2 becomes. Therefore, there is a possibility that it becomes difficult to recognize the band-shaped patterns P1 and P2 separately when viewed from the surroundings.

[0055] In this regard, as for the inner side band-shaped patterns P1 and P2 of the present embodiment, the widths of the rear ends P1r and P2r are smaller than the widths of the front ends P1f and P2f. Therefore, it becomes possible to ensure a space between the rear ends P1r and P2r of the band-shaped patterns P1 and P2 at the base part of the row of the plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4. Therefore, it is easy to clearly recognize the band-shaped patterns P1 and P2 separately when viewed from the surroundings.

[0056] The drawing control unit 20 draws the plurality of band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 in this order starting from a band-shaped pattern on the inside in the vehicle width direction Di. Therefore, it is easy to recognize more clearly in which direction the vehicle 100 is turning by seeing the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 from the surroundings. [Second version]

[0057] Now, a second embodiment will be described. For the following embodiment, points that differ from the first embodiment will be described based on the first embodiment, and the description of points that are the same as or similar to the first embodiment will be omitted accordingly.

[0058] Fig. 12 is a plan view of the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 when turning left in the present embodiment, as seen from above. Fig. 13 is a diagram of the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 as viewed from far on the vehicle width direction outer side Do. In the present embodiment, the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 include front / rear extending portions p1a to p4a extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr, and inner side extending portions p1b to p4b each extending from the front ends of the front / rear extending portions p1a to p4a to the vehicle width direction inner side Di.

[0059] According to the present embodiment, it is also possible, compared to the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, to improve the visibility of the pattern P drawn on the road surface 500 and the like. [Third version]

[0060] Fig. 14 is a plan view of the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 when turning left in a third embodiment, seen from above. Fig. 15 is a diagram of the band-shaped patterns P1 to P5 viewed from far on the vehicle width direction outer side Do. In the present embodiment, not only the first band-shaped pattern P1 and the second band-shaped pattern P2 but all the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 extend obliquely relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr. Also in this case, the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 can be said to be separated from each other in the vehicle width direction Do because they are all lined up in a vector direction holding the vehicle width direction Do as components.

[0061] According to the present embodiment, it is also possible to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, to improve the visibility of the pattern P drawn on the road surface 500 and the like. [Fourth version]

[0062] Fig. 16 is a plan view of the band-shaped patterns P1 to P6 when turning left in a fourth embodiment, seen from above. Fig. 17 is a diagram of the band-shaped patterns P1 to P4 viewed from far on the vehicle width direction outer side Do.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the first band-shaped pattern P1 is divided into a plurality of partial patterns P1d, and each partial pattern P1d represents an inside band-shaped pattern extending obliquely relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction Fr, Rr.

[0064] According to the present embodiment, it is also possible, compared to the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, to improve the visibility of the pattern P drawn on the road surface 500 and the like. Explanation of the reference lines 20 character control unit 30 drawing machine 50 Road surface drawing device 100 vehicles 500 road surface P1 first band-shaped pattern (inside band-shaped pattern) P1f front end of the first band-shaped pattern P2 second band-shaped pattern (inside band-shaped pattern) P2f front end of the second band-shaped pattern P3 third band-shaped pattern P3f front end of the third band-shaped pattern P4 fourth band-shaped pattern P4f front end of the fourth band-shaped pattern

Claims

[1] Road surface drawing device mounted on a vehicle, wherein the road surface drawing device, when a traveling direction of the vehicle changes based on an operation by a driver of the vehicle, draws a pattern to notify the change of a traveling direction by means of light in an area on a road surface containing a side to which the traveling direction is to be changed, relative to the vehicle, the pattern includes a plurality of band-shaped patterns separated from each other in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle, and the plurality of band-shaped patterns are arranged such that the further a band-shaped pattern is located on an outer side in the vehicle width direction, the one side in a direction away from the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, the longer the band-shaped pattern is in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the further its front end is located on a front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction. [2] The road surface drawing device according to claim 1, wherein an extending direction of inside band-shaped patterns including at least one band-shaped pattern arranged on an inner side most in the vehicle width direction is slanted relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and front ends of the inside band-shaped patterns are arranged further in the vehicle width direction than rear ends. [3] The road surface drawing device according to claim 2, wherein widths of the rear ends of the inside band-shaped patterns are smaller than widths of the front ends, respectively. [4] The road surface drawing device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a drawing control unit that draws the plurality of band-shaped patterns in order from a band-shaped pattern on the inside in the vehicle width direction.

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