On-vehicle interior lighting system

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle interior lighting system that allows a driver to recognize the current shift position quickly and intuitively.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle interior lighting system (1) includes: an interior lighting device (10) that illuminates an occupant space of a vehicle; and a lighting control device (20) that controls the interior lighting device on the basis of a shift position of the vehicle. The lighting control device transmits an animation display command to the interior lighting device when the shift position is in reverse or drive. Upon receiving the animation display command, the interior lighting device displays an animation in which an object moves toward the travel direction of the vehicle corresponding to the shift position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interior vehicle lighting system. [Background technology]

[0002] The shift position is displayed on the meter panel of a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. For example, when the shift position is in the drive range (D range), the letter "D" is displayed on the meter panel, and when the shift position is in the reverse range (R range), the letter "R" is displayed on the meter panel.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a shift display device that controls the display of the R range lamp by a first electronic control device that has measures to prevent malfunction, and controls the display of the D range lamp by a second electronic control device that has no measures to prevent malfunction.

[0004] According to the shift display device of Patent Document 1, even if the actual shift position is R range but the letter "D" is erroneously displayed due to a malfunction of the second electronic control device, the letter "R" is simultaneously displayed as the current shift position. In this way, when the letters "R" and "D" are displayed simultaneously, the driver can recognize that the R range is the correct shift position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-73416 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As described above, in conventional vehicles, the current shift position is notified to the driver by displaying characters indicating the shift position on the meter panel located in front of the driver. Therefore, the driver cannot recognize the current shift position unless he or she consciously looks at the characters displayed on the meter panel.

[0007] For example, if the driver believes that the current shift position is in D range, even though the actual shift position is in R range, the driver will not consciously look at the characters displayed on the meter panel, and therefore will not realize that he or she is misperceiving the shift position.

[0008] Some vehicles use a sound to inform the driver that the shift position is in the reverse range, but if the driver believes that the current shift position is in the drive range, the driver will not realize that he or she has mistakenly recognized the shift position even if the sound is being heard. This is especially true if music or other such sounds are playing in the car.

[0009] If the driver believes that the current shift position is in D range, the driver will check for safety ahead before stepping on the accelerator. However, because the meter panel is out of the driver's field of vision when checking for safety, the driver will not realize that he or she has mistakenly recognized the shift position unless he or she makes a conscious effort to look at the letters displayed on the meter panel.

[0010] For the reasons above, if the driver believes that the current shift position is in D range even though the actual shift position is in R range, the driver will only realize that the actual shift position is in R range when the driver presses the accelerator and the vehicle begins to move backwards.

[0011] Therefore, there was a demand for the development of technology that would allow the driver to quickly and intuitively recognize the current shift position before stepping on the accelerator, even if the driver had mistakenly recognized the shift position due to an assumption, without having to check the meter panel.

[0012] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide an in-vehicle interior lighting system that allows a driver to quickly and intuitively recognize the current shift position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] An interior lighting device that illuminates an occupant space of a vehicle; a lighting control device that controls the interior lighting device based on a shift position of the vehicle; Equipped with the lighting control device transmits an animation display command to the interior lighting device when the shift position is reverse or drive; When the animation display command is received, the interior lighting device displays an animation in which an object moves in a traveling direction of the vehicle corresponding to the shift position. Automotive interior lighting system. [2] When the shift position is the reverse position, the interior lighting device displays the animation in which the object moves from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle. The vehicle interior lighting system described in [1] above. [3] When the shift position is the drive position, the interior lighting device displays the animation in which the object moves from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle. The vehicle interior lighting system described in [1] above. [4] The interior lighting device displays the animation in which a first period during which a plurality of the objects move in the traveling direction at a certain time interval and then disappear in order and a second period during which the objects are not displayed are alternately repeated; The length of the second period is longer than the time interval. The vehicle interior lighting system described in [1] above. [5] The interior lighting device displays the animation in which a first period during which the objects move in the traveling direction at regular time intervals and then line up in a row in order is alternately repeated with a second period during which the objects are not displayed; The length of the second period is longer than the time interval. The vehicle interior lighting system described in [1] above. [6] The interior lighting device, An ambient light extending along a front-rear direction of the vehicle; A control circuit for controlling the lighting state of the ambient light; Equipped with The ambient light includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged along the front-rear direction, the control circuit controls the light emission timing and light emission brightness of each of the plurality of light emitting elements so that the animation is displayed. 10. An in-vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the in-vehicle interior lighting system is a Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, there is provided an in-vehicle interior lighting system that allows a driver to quickly and intuitively recognize the current shift position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle interior lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of an interior lighting device. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing each process executed by the lighting control device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between a vehicle state and an ambient light state. [Diagram 5] An example of the first anti-illusion animation displayed in ambient light. [Figure 6] An example of the second anti-illusion animation displayed in ambient light. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an in-vehicle interior lighting system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the in-vehicle interior lighting system 1 includes two interior lighting devices 10 and a lighting control device 20. The in-vehicle interior lighting system 1 is a system that is mounted on a vehicle and illuminates the passenger space of the vehicle.

[0017] Each of the two interior lighting devices 10 is a lighting device that illuminates a passenger space of the vehicle. Of the two interior lighting devices 10, one of the interior lighting devices 10 is installed in the right front door of the vehicle and emits illumination light from the interior panel of the right front door toward the passenger space. Of the two interior lighting devices 10, the other interior lighting device 10 is installed in the left front door of the vehicle and emits illumination light from the interior panel of the left front door toward the passenger space.

[0018] Although details will be described later, each interior lighting device 10 includes an ambient light 17 extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The ambient light 17 is exposed from the interior panel of each of the right front door and the left front door, and emits illumination light.

[0019] Each interior lighting device 10 is electrically connected to the lighting control device 20 via a LIN (Local Interconnect Network) communication bus B1. Each interior lighting device 10 communicates with the lighting control device 20 via the LIN communication bus B1. That is, each interior lighting device 10 communicates with the lighting control device 20 in accordance with the LIN communication standard.

[0020] The lighting control device 20 communicates with each interior lighting device 10 via the LIN communication bus B1 and controls each interior lighting device 10 based on the vehicle's shift position. The lighting control device 20 recognizes the current shift position by receiving an electrical signal indicating the shift position from the vehicle's shift lever 2. In the following description, the electrical signal indicating the shift position is referred to as a shift position signal.

[0021] Although details will be described later, when the shift position is reverse, the lighting control device 20 transmits an animation display command to each interior lighting device 10. When each interior lighting device 10 receives the animation display command, it displays an animation in which an object moves in the traveling direction of the vehicle corresponding to the shift position. In other words, when the shift position is reverse, the interior lighting device 10 displays an animation in which an object moves from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle. Such animation is displayed by the ambient light 17.

[0022] Each interior lighting device 10 and lighting control device 20 is electrically connected to a positive terminal of an in-vehicle battery (not shown) and is also electrically connected to the ground of the vehicle. A battery voltage VBAT output from the in-vehicle battery is supplied as a power supply voltage to each interior lighting device 10 and lighting control device 20. For example, the battery voltage VBAT is a DC voltage of 12V.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of the interior lighting device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the interior lighting device 10 includes a backflow prevention diode 11, a regulator 12, a DC-DC converter 13, a LIN communication driver 14, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15, a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication driver 16, an ambient light 17, and an LED driver 18.

[0024] The interior lighting device 10 also includes a power supply terminal P1, a ground terminal P2, and a communication terminal P3 as external connection terminals. The power supply terminal P1 is electrically connected to a positive terminal of an in-vehicle battery. A battery voltage VBAT output from the in-vehicle battery is input to the interior lighting device 10 via the power supply terminal P1. The ground terminal P2 is electrically connected to the ground of the vehicle. The communication terminal P3 is electrically connected to the LIN communication bus B1.

[0025] The reverse current prevention diode 11 is a diode that prevents current from flowing back from the interior lighting device 10 to the vehicle battery. The anode terminal of the reverse current prevention diode 11 is electrically connected to the positive terminal of the vehicle battery via the power supply terminal P1. The cathode terminal of the reverse current prevention diode 11 is electrically connected to each of the input terminal of the regulator 12, the input terminal of the DC-DC converter 13, and the power supply terminal (VB terminal) of the LIN communication driver 14.

[0026] An input terminal of regulator 12 is electrically connected to a cathode terminal of reverse current prevention diode 11. An output terminal of regulator 12 is electrically connected to a power supply terminal (VD terminal) of CPU 15 and a power supply terminal (VD terminal) of CAN communication driver 16. A battery voltage VBAT is input to regulator 12. Regulator 12 generates a DC voltage of, for example, 5 V by stepping down battery voltage VBAT. Regulator 12 outputs the DC voltage of 5 V to each of the VD terminals of CPU 15 and CAN communication driver 16.

[0027] The LIN communication driver 14 is electrically connected to the LIN communication bus B1 via a communication terminal P3, and is electrically connected to the CPU 15 via two communication lines L1 and L2. A VB terminal of the LIN communication driver 14 is electrically connected to the cathode terminal of the backflow prevention diode 11. A ground terminal (GND terminal) of the LIN communication driver 14 is electrically connected to the vehicle ground via a ground terminal P2 of the interior lighting device 10.

[0028] The battery voltage VBAT is input to a VB terminal of the LIN communication driver 14 as a power supply voltage for the LIN communication driver 14. The LIN communication driver 14 communicates with the lighting control device 20 via a LIN communication bus B1 in accordance with the LIN communication standard. The LIN communication driver 14 also communicates with the CPU 15 via two communication lines L1 and L2 in accordance with a serial communication standard such as UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter). The LIN communication driver 14 functions as a communication interface circuit that relays communication between the CPU 15 and the lighting control device 20.

[0029] The CAN communication driver 16 is electrically connected to the CPU 15 via two communication lines L3 and L4, and is electrically connected to the LED driver 18 via a CAN communication bus B2. A VD terminal of the CAN communication driver 16 is electrically connected to an output terminal of the regulator 12. A ground terminal (GND terminal) of the CAN communication driver 16 is electrically connected to the vehicle ground via a ground terminal P2 of the interior lighting device 10.

[0030] The output voltage of regulator 12 is input to a VD terminal of CAN communication driver 16 as a power supply voltage for CAN communication driver 16. CAN communication driver 16 communicates with CPU 15 via two communication lines L3 and L4 according to a serial communication standard such as UART. CAN communication driver 16 also communicates with LED driver 18 via a CAN communication bus B2 according to the CAN communication standard. CAN communication driver 16 functions as a communication interface circuit that relays communication between CPU 15 and LED driver 18.

[0031] The CPU 15 is electrically connected to the LIN communication driver 14 via two communication lines L1 and L2, and is electrically connected to the CAN communication driver 16 via two communication lines L3 and L4. A VD terminal of the CPU 15 is electrically connected to an output terminal of the regulator 12. A ground terminal (GND terminal) of the CPU 15 is electrically connected to the vehicle ground via a ground terminal P2 of the interior lighting device 10.

[0032] The output voltage of regulator 12 is input to a VD terminal of CPU 15 as a power supply voltage for CPU 15. CPU 15 communicates with a LIN communication driver 14 and a CAN communication driver 16 in accordance with a serial communication standard such as UART. CPU 15 communicates with a lighting control device 20 via the LIN communication driver 14, and with an LED driver 18 via the CAN communication driver 16.

[0033] The CPU 15 outputs an enable signal EN to the DC-DC converter 13. As described below, when the CPU 15 receives an ambient light-on command from the lighting control device 20, it outputs an active-level enable signal EN to the DC-DC converter 13. For example, the active-level enable signal EN is a high-level signal. On the other hand, when the CPU 15 receives an ambient light-off command from the lighting control device 20, it outputs an inactive-level enable signal EN to the DC-DC converter 13. For example, the inactive-level enable signal EN is a low-level signal.

[0034] An input terminal of the DC-DC converter 13 is electrically connected to the cathode terminal of the reverse current prevention diode 11. An output terminal of the DC-DC converter 13 is electrically connected to each of the ambient light 17 and the power supply terminal (VS terminal) of the LED driver 18. A battery voltage VBAT is input to the DC-DC converter 13. When an enable signal EN of an active level is input, the DC-DC converter 13 outputs a DC voltage having a voltage value different from the battery voltage VBAT. When an enable signal EN of an inactive level is input, the DC-DC converter 13 does not output a DC voltage.

[0035] The ambient light 17 has an elongated shape extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. As described above, the interior lighting device 10 is installed in each of the right front door and the left front door so that the ambient light 17 is exposed from the interior panel of each of the right front door and the left front door.

[0036] The ambient light 17 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 17a arranged along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. For example, the light-emitting elements 17a are LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). An anode terminal of each of the light-emitting elements 17a is electrically connected to an output terminal of the DC-DC converter 13. The output voltage of the DC-DC converter 13 is input to the anode terminal of each of the light-emitting elements 17a. A cathode terminal of each of the light-emitting elements 17a is electrically connected to an LED driver 18.

[0037] The LED driver 18 is electrically connected to the CAN communication driver 16 via the CAN communication bus B2. A VS terminal of the LED driver 18 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the DC-DC converter 13. A ground terminal (GND terminal) of the LED driver 18 is electrically connected to the vehicle ground via a ground terminal P2 of the interior lighting device 10.

[0038] The output voltage of the DC-DC converter 13 is input to a VS terminal of the LED driver 18 as a power supply voltage for the LED driver 18. The LED driver 18 communicates with the CAN communication driver 16 via a CAN communication bus B2 in accordance with the CAN communication standard. The LED driver 18 communicates with the CPU 15 via the CAN communication driver 16.

[0039] The LED driver 18 controls the light emission timing and light emission brightness of each light emitting element 17a by controlling the current flowing through each light emitting element 17a based on an instruction from the CPU 15. In this manner, the light emission timing and light emission brightness of each light emitting element 17a are controlled, whereby the lighting state of the ambient light 17 is controlled.

[0040] Among the components of the interior lighting device 10, the LIN communication driver 14, the CPU 15, the CAN communication driver 16, and the LED driver 18 constitute a control circuit 19 that controls the lighting state of the ambient light 17. This control circuit 19 controls the light emission timing and light emission brightness of each of the multiple light-emitting elements 17a so that an animation is displayed in which an object moves in the traveling direction of the vehicle corresponding to the shift position.

[0041] Next, the operation of the in-vehicle interior lighting system 1 configured as above will be described. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing each process executed by the lighting control device 20. As shown in Fig. 3, when the lighting control device 20 detects that the vehicle is ON (step S1), it transmits an ambient light turn-on command to each interior lighting device 10 via the LIN communication bus B1 to instruct the lighting control device 20 to turn on the ambient light 17 (step S2). "Vehicle ON" means that the ignition switch or start switch of the vehicle is switched to the ON state.

[0042] When the CPU 15 of each interior lighting device 10 receives an ambient light turn-on command via the LIN communication driver 14, it switches the level of the enable signal EN output to the DC-DC converter 13 from an inactive level to an active level. This causes the DC-DC converter 13 to output a DC voltage to the ambient light 17 and the LED driver 18.

[0043] Furthermore, when the CPU 15 of each interior lighting device 10 receives the ambient light turn-on command, it transmits the ambient light turn-on command to the LED driver 18 via the CAN communication driver 16. When the LED driver 18 receives the ambient light turn-on command from the CPU 15, it controls the current flowing through each light-emitting element 17a so that all the light-emitting elements 17a emit light with the same luminance. As a result, all the ambient lights 17 arranged in the right front door and the left front door are turned on.

[0044] After transmitting the ambient light turn-on command to each interior lighting device 10, the lighting control device 20 determines whether the current shift position is reverse (R) or not based on the shift position signal output from the shift lever 2 (step S3).

[0045] If the lighting control device 20 determines that the current shift position is reverse (step S3: YES), it executes the processes of steps S4, S5, and S6, and then proceeds to the process of step S7. On the other hand, if the lighting control device 20 determines that the current shift position is not reverse (step S3: NO), it skips the processes of steps S4, S5, and S6 and proceeds to the process of step S7.

[0046] When the lighting control device 20 determines that the current shift position is reverse, it transmits an animation display command for instructing each interior lighting device 10 to turn on the animation mode via the LIN communication bus B1 (step S4).

[0047] When the CPU 15 of each interior lighting device 10 receives the animation display command via the LIN communication driver 14, it transmits the animation display command to the LED driver 18 via the CAN communication driver 16. When the LED driver 18 receives the animation display command from the CPU 15, it operates in the animation mode.

[0048] Specifically, while operating in the animation mode, the LED driver 18 controls the light emission timing and light emission brightness of each of the multiple light emitting elements 17a so that an animation of an object moving from the front to the rear of the vehicle is displayed in the ambient light 17. As a result, an animation of an object moving from the front to the rear of the vehicle is displayed in the ambient light 17 arranged in each of the right and left front doors.

[0049] After transmitting the animation display command to each interior lighting device 10, the lighting control device 20 determines whether the current shift position is reverse or not based on the shift position signal output from the shift lever 2 (step S5).

[0050] When the lighting control device 20 determines that the current shift position is reverse (step S5: YES), it monitors the shift position by repeating the process of step S5. On the other hand, when the lighting control device 20 determines that the current shift position is not reverse (step S5: NO), it transmits an animation end command to each interior lighting device 10 via the LIN communication bus B1 to instruct the animation mode to be turned OFF (step S6).

[0051] When the CPU 15 of each interior lighting device 10 receives an animation end command via the LIN communication driver 14, it transmits the animation end command to the LED driver 18 via the CAN communication driver 16. When the LED driver 18 receives the animation end command from the CPU 15, it ends the animation mode and controls the current flowing through each light-emitting element 17a so that all the light-emitting elements 17a emit light with the same brightness. As a result, all the ambient lights 17 arranged on the right front door and the left front door are turned on.

[0052] When it is determined in step S3 that the current shift position is not reverse, or after the process of step S6 is completed, the lighting control device 20 determines whether or not the vehicle is turned off (step S7). The vehicle being turned off means that the ignition switch or the start switch of the vehicle is switched to the OFF state.

[0053] If the lighting control device 20 does not detect that the vehicle is off (step S7: NO), it returns to the process of step S3 and continues to monitor the shift position. On the other hand, if the lighting control device 20 detects that the vehicle is off (step S7: YES), it transmits an ambient light turn-off command to each interior lighting device 10 via the LIN communication bus B1 to instruct the turning-off of the ambient light 17 (step S8).

[0054] When the CPU 15 of each interior lighting device 10 receives the ambient light turn-off command via the LIN communication driver 14, it switches the level of the enable signal EN output to the DC-DC converter 13 from an active level to an inactive level. This stops the voltage output from the DC-DC converter 13 to the ambient light 17 and the LED driver 18. This turns off the ambient lights 17 arranged in the right front door and the left front door.

[0055] 4 is a diagram showing the correspondence relationship between the state of the vehicle 100 and the state of the ambient light 17 in a situation where the vehicle 100 is parked in reverse in a parking lot of a facility 200 such as a convenience store. As shown in FIG. 4, the ambient light 17 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100 is disposed on each of the right and left front doors of the vehicle 100.

[0056] No. 1 in Fig. 4 shows a state in which the vehicle 100 is stopped with the shift position in drive (D) or parking (P). In this case, as can be understood from the above operation description, all of the ambient lights 17 disposed on the right and left front doors of the vehicle 100 are turned on.

[0057] No. 2 in Fig. 4 shows a state immediately after the shift position is switched to reverse (R) while the vehicle 100 is stopped. In this case, as can be understood from the above operation description, an animation of an object LB moving from the front to the rear of the vehicle 100 starts to be displayed in the ambient lights 17 arranged on the right and left front doors. No. 2 in Fig. 4 shows a state in which the object LB appears at the front end of the ambient light 17.

[0058] For example, the object LB is a light point having a higher brightness than the area other than the object LB of the ambient light 17. One object LB may be displayed by illuminating one light-emitting element 17a, or one object LB may be displayed by simultaneously illuminating two or more adjacent light-emitting elements 17a.

[0059] No. 3 in Fig. 4 shows a state in which the vehicle 100 is moving backwards with the shift position in reverse. In this case, as can be understood from the above operation description, an animation of an object LB moving from the front to the rear of the vehicle 100 continues to be displayed in the ambient lights 17 arranged on the right and left front doors. No. 3 in Fig. 4 shows a state in which the object LB has moved from the front end to the center of the ambient light 17. When the object LB reaches the rear end of the ambient light 17, it disappears and reappears at the front end of the ambient light 17.

[0060] That is, when the shift position is in reverse, the ambient light 17 displays an animation in which the following series of actions (1) to (3) are repeated. (1) An object LB appears at the front edge of the ambient light 17. (2) The object LB moves from the front end to the rear end of the ambient light 17. (3) The object LB disappears at the rear end of the ambient light 17. In addition, in the ambient light 17, only one object LB may be displayed, or multiple objects LB may be displayed simultaneously.

[0061] As described above, according to the in-vehicle interior lighting system 1 of this embodiment, when the vehicle's shift position is reverse, an animation of the object LB moving in the traveling direction of the vehicle corresponding to the shift position, i.e., from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle, is displayed on the ambient lights 17 arranged on the right and left front doors of the vehicle. As a result, even if the driver believes that the current shift position is drive despite the actual shift position being reverse, the driver can quickly and intuitively recognize that the current shift position is reverse without checking the meter panel before stepping on the accelerator.

[0062] If the object LB moving from the front to the rear of the vehicle is displayed continuously at a constant time interval, the driver may have the illusion that part of the scenery is moving backwards as the vehicle moves forward. In this way, in order to prevent the driver from having the illusion that the vehicle is moving forward even though the actual shift position is reverse, it is preferable to display the animation so that all the time intervals of the object LB moving from the front to the rear of the vehicle are not the same.

[0063] Specifically, the interior lighting device 10 displays an animation in which a first period in which a plurality of objects LB move in the traveling direction of the vehicle corresponding to the shift position, i.e., from the front to the rear of the vehicle, at a fixed time interval and then disappear in sequence, and a second period in which the objects LB are not displayed are alternately repeated. Here, the length of the second period is longer than the time interval in which the plurality of objects LB move in sequence in the first period. In the following description, such an animation is referred to as a first illusion prevention animation.

[0064] Fig. 5 is an example of the first illusion prevention animation displayed on the ambient light 17. In Fig. 5, the right side of the ambient light 17 corresponds to the front side of the vehicle, and the left side of the ambient light 17 corresponds to the rear side of the vehicle.

[0065] 5, when the display of the first illusion prevention animation starts, first, at time t1, a first object LB1 appears at the front end of the ambient light 17 and starts moving toward the rear of the vehicle. At time t2, a predetermined time after time t1, the first object LB1 reaches the center of the ambient light 17, and a second object LB2 appears at the front end of the ambient light 17 and starts moving toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0066] At time t3, a predetermined time after time t2, the first object LB1 reaches the rear end of the ambient light 17, the second object LB2 reaches the center of the ambient light 17, and the third object LB3 appears at the front end of the ambient light 17 and starts moving toward the rear of the vehicle. When the first object LB1 reaches the rear end of the ambient light 17, it disappears.

[0067] At time t4, a predetermined time after time t3, the second object LB2 reaches the rear end of the ambient light 17, and the third object LB3 reaches the center of the ambient light 17. When the second object LB2 reaches the rear end of the ambient light 17, it disappears.

[0068] At time t5, which is a predetermined time after time t4, the third object LB3 reaches the rear end of the ambient light 17. When the third object LB3 reaches the rear end of the ambient light 17, it disappears.

[0069] At time t6, a predetermined time after time t5, the object LB is not displayed in the ambient light 17, and at time t7, a predetermined time after time t6, the first object LB1 appears again at the front end of the ambient light 17 and starts moving toward the rear of the vehicle. That is, the object LB is not displayed in the ambient light 17 during the period from time t5 to time t7.

[0070] The period from time t1 to time t5 corresponds to a first period in which a plurality of objects LB move from the front to the rear of the vehicle at regular time intervals and then disappear in sequence. The period from time t5 to time t7 corresponds to a second period in which the objects LB are not displayed. For example, when the length of the ambient light 17 is 1000 mm, it is preferable that the first object LB1 to the third object LB3 are displayed in sequence at regular time intervals (0.1 seconds or more and less than 0.5 seconds) in the first period, and the object LB is not displayed for 0.5 seconds or more in the second period.

[0071] As described above, by making the length of the second period during which the object LB is not displayed longer than the time interval during which the first object LB1 to the third object LB3 are displayed in sequence during the first period, it is possible to prevent the driver from getting the illusion that the vehicle is moving forward even when the actual shift position is in reverse.

[0072] The interior lighting device 10 may also display an animation in which a first period in which a plurality of objects LB move at regular time intervals in the traveling direction of the vehicle corresponding to the shift position, i.e., from the front to the rear of the vehicle, and then line up in a row, and a second period in which the objects LB are not displayed are alternately repeated. Here, the length of the second period is longer than the time interval in which the plurality of objects LB move in sequence in the first period. In the following description, such an animation is referred to as a second illusion prevention animation.

[0073] Fig. 6 is an example of the second illusion prevention animation displayed on the ambient light 17. In Fig. 6, the right side of the ambient light 17 corresponds to the front side of the vehicle, and the left side of the ambient light 17 corresponds to the rear side of the vehicle.

[0074] 6, when the display of the second illusion prevention animation starts, first, at time t11, the first object LB1 appears at the front end of the ambient light 17 and starts moving toward the rear of the vehicle. At time t12, a predetermined time after time t11, the first object LB1 reaches the rear end of the ambient light 17, and the second object LB2 appears at the front end of the ambient light 17 and starts moving toward the rear of the vehicle. The first object LB1 does not disappear even when it reaches the rear end of the ambient light 17.

[0075] At time t13, a predetermined time after time t12, the second object LB2 reaches the right side of the first object LB1, and the third object LB3 appears at the front end of the ambient light 17 and starts moving toward the rear of the vehicle. The second object LB2 does not disappear even when it reaches the right side of the first object LB1.

[0076] At time t14, a predetermined time after time t13, the third object LB3 reaches the right side of the second object LB2. After the third object LB3 reaches the right side of the second object LB2, the first object LB1 to the third object LB3, which are lined up in a row, disappear.

[0077] At time t15, a predetermined time after time t14, the object LB is not displayed in the ambient light 17, and at time t16, a predetermined time after time t15, the first object LB1 appears again at the front end of the ambient light 17 and starts moving toward the rear of the vehicle. That is, the object LB is not displayed in the ambient light 17 during the period from time t14 to time t16.

[0078] The period from time t11 to time t14 corresponds to a first period during which the objects LB move from the front to the rear of the vehicle at regular time intervals and then line up in a row, and the period from time t14 to time t16 corresponds to a second period during which the objects LB are not displayed.

[0079] Even when the second illusion prevention animation as described above is adopted, by making the length of the second period during which the object LB is not displayed longer than the time interval during which the first object LB1 to the third object LB3 are displayed in sequence during the first period, it is possible to prevent the driver from getting the illusion that the vehicle is moving forward even though the actual shift position is reverse. Also, by having a plurality of objects LB move at regular time intervals during the first period and then line up in a row in sequence, it is possible to suppress the driver from getting the impression that the object LB is moving according to the speed of the vehicle, and therefore it is possible to more strongly suppress the driver from getting the illusion that the vehicle is moving forward.

[0080] [Modifications] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0081] (1) In the above embodiment, an animation is displayed in which the object LB moves in the traveling direction of the vehicle corresponding to the shift position, i.e., from the front to the rear of the vehicle, when the vehicle's shift position is in reverse. The present invention is not limited to this, and an animation may be displayed in which the object LB moves in the traveling direction of the vehicle corresponding to the shift position, i.e., from the rear to the front of the vehicle, when the vehicle's shift position is in drive.

[0082] In this case, when the shift position is in drive, the lighting control device 20 transmits an animation display command to the interior lighting device 10. Then, when the interior lighting device 10 receives the animation display command, it displays an animation of an object LB moving from the rear to the front of the vehicle. More specifically, the control circuit 19 of the interior lighting device 10 controls the light emission timing and light emission brightness of each of the multiple light emitting elements 17a so that an animation of an object LB moving from the rear to the front of the vehicle is displayed on the ambient light 17.

[0083] As a result, even if the driver believes that the current shift position is reverse when the actual shift position is drive, the driver can quickly and intuitively recognize that the current shift position is drive without checking the meter panel before stepping on the accelerator. Note that even in this case, an animation in which the object LB moves from the rear to the front of the vehicle may be displayed, as in the first illusion prevention animation and the second illusion prevention animation described in the above embodiment.

[0084] (2) In the above embodiment, the object LB is a light point having a higher brightness than the area of ​​the ambient light 17 other than the object LB, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the object LB may be a dark point having a lower brightness than the area other than the object LB. Alternatively, the object LB may be a light point having a different color or pattern from the area other than the object LB.

[0085] (3) In the above embodiment, the interior lighting device 10 includes the ambient light 17, and illumination light is emitted from the ambient light 17. The present invention is not limited to this, and an indirect lighting type interior lighting device may be used. The indirect lighting type interior lighting device projects illumination light onto a projection surface installed inside the vehicle to illuminate the passenger space. Such an indirect lighting type interior lighting device may display an animation on the projection surface in which an object moves in the traveling direction of the vehicle corresponding to the shift position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1...In-vehicle interior lighting system, 2...Shift lever, 10...Interior lighting device, 20...Lighting control device, 11...Reverse current prevention diode, 12...Regulator, 13...DC-DC converter, 14...LIN communication driver, 15...CPU, 16...CAN communication driver, 17...Ambient light, 17a...Light emitting element, 18...LED driver, 19...Control circuit, LB...Object

Claims

1. an interior lighting device that illuminates an occupant space of a vehicle; a lighting control device that controls the interior lighting device based on a shift position of the vehicle; Equipped with the lighting control device transmits an animation display command to the interior lighting device when the shift position is reverse or drive; When the animation display command is received, the interior lighting device displays an animation in which an object moves in a traveling direction of the vehicle corresponding to the shift position. Automotive interior lighting system.

2. When the shift position is in the reverse position, the interior lighting device displays the animation in which the object moves from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle interior lighting system of claim 1.

3. When the shift position is in the drive position, the interior lighting device displays the animation in which the object moves from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle interior lighting system of claim 1.

4. the interior lighting device displays the animation in which a first period during which a plurality of the objects move in the traveling direction at a constant time interval and then disappear in order and a second period during which the objects are not displayed are alternately repeated; The length of the second period is longer than the time interval.

10. The vehicle interior lighting system of claim 1.

5. the interior lighting device displays the animation in which a first period during which a plurality of the objects move in the traveling direction at regular time intervals and then line up in a row in order is alternately repeated with a second period during which the objects are not displayed; The length of the second period is longer than the time interval.

10. The vehicle interior lighting system of claim 1.

6. The interior lighting device comprises: An ambient light extending along a front-rear direction of the vehicle; A control circuit for controlling the lighting state of the ambient light; Equipped with The ambient light includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged along the front-rear direction, the control circuit controls the light emission timing and light emission brightness of each of the plurality of light emitting elements so that the animation is displayed.

6. A vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 1.

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