Vehicle viewing device
The vehicle visual recognition device addresses the issue of bulkiness by using guide members and emitting portions to enhance compactness and light guidance, resulting in improved efficiency and usability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023188917
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle visual recognition devices are bulky and require larger arrangements in the vehicle width direction, which limits their compactness and efficiency.
The vehicle visual recognition device incorporates a visual recognition mechanism assisted by first and second guide members that extend in the vehicle width direction, with emitting portions that irradiate light, allowing for reduced size and improved light guidance.
This configuration enables a more compact vehicle visual recognition device, reduces wiring distances, and enhances light visibility and guidance, thereby improving the overall efficiency and usability of the device.
Smart Images

Figure 2025076935000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a visual recognition device for a vehicle, in which a visual recognition mechanism assists the visual recognition of a vehicle occupant. [Background technology]
[0002] In the vehicle exterior mirror described in Patent Document 1 below, the mirror glass assists the visibility of the vehicle occupants. In addition, one and the other light windows extend in the vehicle width direction, with the tip side of one light window extending outward in the vehicle width direction of the mirror glass and the tip side of the other light window extending inward in the vehicle width direction of the mirror glass. Furthermore, the one and the other light windows guide the light emitted from the one and the other LEDs, respectively, and irradiate it from the tip side.
[0003] In this exterior mirror, one LED is disposed on the inside of one light window in the vehicle width direction, and the other LED is disposed on the outside of the other light window in the vehicle width direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0147614 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a visual confirmation device for a vehicle that can be made compact. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle visualization device comprising: a visualization mechanism for assisting a vehicle occupant in visualization; a first guide member extending in a vehicle width direction with a tip end extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the visualization mechanism; a second guide member extending in a vehicle width direction with a tip end extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the visualization mechanism and aligned in the vertical direction with the first guide member; a first emission portion arranged inward in the vehicle width direction of the first guide member, the first guide member guiding the emitted light and irradiating it from the tip side; and a second emission portion arranged inward in the vehicle width direction of the second guide member, the second guide member guiding the emitted light and irradiating it from the tip side.
[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualizing device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the first guide member extends along the light emission direction of the first emission portion and the second guide member extends along the light emission direction of the second emission portion.
[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualizing device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, which includes a plurality of reflective portions provided at intervals on one of the first guide member and the second guide member, which reflect light guided by one of the first guide member and the second guide member, and which are not opposed to the other of the first guide member and the second guide member.
[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualizing device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, which includes a housing in which the first guide member and the second guide member are housed, and in which a light-shielding portion is provided to block light between the first guide member and the second guide member.
[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle visual confirmation device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein one of the first guide member and the second guide member irradiates light toward an occupant.
[0011] A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle visualizing device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein one of the first guide member and the second guide member is disposed below the other of the first guide member and the second guide member.
[0012] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualizing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, wherein the position at which light is emitted from the tip side of the first guide member and the position at which light is emitted from the tip side of the second guide member overlap in the vertical direction.
[0013] The vehicle visualizing device of an eighth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle visualizing device of any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, wherein a curvature in the extension direction of the first guide member and a curvature in the extension direction of the second guide member are different.
[0014] A ninth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualization device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, comprising a covering portion arranged at a position in the vertical direction of the first guide member and the second guide member and covering the periphery of the visualization mechanism, and a displacement mechanism arranged at a position in the vertical direction of the first guide member and the second guide member and displaces the visualization mechanism. Effect of the Invention
[0015] In the vehicle visualizing device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the visualizing mechanism assists the visualizing of the vehicle occupant. The first guide member and the second guide member extend in the vehicle width direction and have their tip sides extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the visualizing mechanism. The first guide member and the second guide member guide the light emitted by the first emission portion and the second emission portion, respectively, and irradiate the light from the tip side.
[0016] Here, the first guide member and the second guide member are arranged vertically side by side, which makes it possible to reduce the arrangement dimensions of the first guide member and the second guide member in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.
[0017] Furthermore, the first and second emission portions are disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the first and second guide members, respectively, so that the wiring distance from the inner side in the vehicle width direction to the first and second emission portions can be shortened.
[0018] As a result, the vehicle visual recognition device can be made more compact.
[0019] In the vehicle visualizing device of the second aspect of the present invention, the first guide member and the second guide member extend along the light emission directions of the first emission portion and the second emission portion, respectively, so that the first guide member and the second guide member can effectively guide the light emitted by the first emission portion and the second emission portion, respectively.
[0020] In a vehicle visualizing device of a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of reflective portions are provided at intervals on one of the first guide member and the second guide member, and the reflective portions reflect light guided by one of the first guide member and the second guide member.
[0021] Here, the reflecting portion does not face the other of the first guide member and the second guide member, which makes it possible to prevent light leaking between the reflecting portions of one of the first guide member and the second guide member from being incident on the other of the first guide member and the second guide member.
[0022] In the vehicle visual confirmation device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first guide member and the second guide member are housed in a housing, and a light blocking portion of the housing blocks light between the first guide member and the second guide member, thereby making it possible to prevent light from being incident between the first guide member and the second guide member.
[0023] In the vehicle visual confirmation device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, one of the first guide member and the second guide member irradiates light toward the occupant, so that the occupant can visually confirm the light.
[0024] In the vehicle visual confirmation device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, one of the first guide member and the second guide member is disposed below the other of the first guide member and the second guide member, thereby improving the visibility of the light irradiated by one of the first guide member and the second guide member.
[0025] In the vehicle visual confirmation device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the position of the light emitted from the tip end of the first guide member and the position of the light emitted from the tip end of the second guide member overlap in the vertical direction, so that the position of the light emitted from the tip end of the first guide member and the position of the light emitted from the tip end of the second guide member can be easily arranged.
[0026] In the vehicle visual confirmation device of the eighth aspect of the present invention, the first guide member and the second guide member have different curvatures in their extending directions, which increases the degree of freedom in arranging the first guide member and the second guide member.
[0027] In the vehicle visualizing device of the ninth aspect of the present invention, the covering portion covers the periphery of the visualizing mechanism, and the displacement mechanism displaces the visualizing mechanism.
[0028] Here, the covering portion and the displacement mechanism are disposed at positions in the up-down direction of the first guide member and the second guide member. Therefore, even if the covering portion and the displacement mechanism are present, the arrangement dimensions of the first guide member and the second guide member in the vehicle front-rear direction can be reduced as described above, thereby preventing the vehicle visualizing device from becoming large in size in the vehicle front-rear direction. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0029] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a door mirror device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1A is a rear view seen from the rear of the vehicle, and 1B is a front view seen from the front of the vehicle. [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view showing a main part of a door mirror device according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the outside in a vehicle width direction. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing a door mirror device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3A-3A in FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B in FIG. 1B. [Figure 4]1A and 1B are diagrams showing a lamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1A is a front view seen from the front of a vehicle, and 1B is a rear view seen from the rear of the vehicle. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the main parts of a lamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is a front view seen from the front of the vehicle, and 1B is a top view seen from above. [Figure 6] (A) and (B) are front views seen from the front of the vehicle showing the first light guide and second light guide of a lamp device in an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the base ends of the first light guide and the second light guide, and (B) shows the intermediate portions of the first light guide and the second light guide. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing in detail the base ends of a first light guide and a second light guide of a lamp device in an embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is a front view seen from the front of the vehicle, and 1B is an oblique view seen from the front of the vehicle and from the outside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the tip portions of a first light guide and a second light guide of a lamp device in an embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is a front view seen from the front of the vehicle, and 1B is an oblique view seen from the front side of the vehicle and from the inside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a first light guide and a second light guide of a lamp device in an embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is a front view seen from the front of the vehicle, and 1B is a rear view seen from the rear of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Fig. 1(A) shows a rear view of a door mirror device 10 as a vehicle visual confirmation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the rear of the vehicle, and Fig. 1(B) shows a front view of the door mirror device 10 as seen from the front of the vehicle. Furthermore, Fig. 3(A) shows a cross-sectional view of the door mirror device 10 as seen from above (cross-sectional view taken along line 3A-3A in Fig. 1(B)), and Fig. 3(B) shows a cross-sectional view of the door mirror device 10 as seen from above (cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B in Fig. 1(B)). In the drawings, the front of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow FR, the outward direction in the vehicle width direction (to the right of the vehicle) is indicated by an arrow OUT, and the upward direction is indicated by an arrow UP.
[0031] The door mirror device 10 in this embodiment is installed at the front end of a side door (front side door, not shown) on the vehicle body side of a vehicle (automobile) in the vertical middle portion, and disposed on the vehicle exterior side of the side door.
[0032] As shown in Fig. 1 (A) and (B) and Fig. 3 (A) and (B), the door mirror device 10 is provided with a visor 12 in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box as a covering body, and the visor 12 is supported at its inner side in the vehicle width direction by the side door, and protrudes in the direction toward the rear of the vehicle as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle front wall and the vehicle width outer wall of the visor 12 are continuously curved, and the vehicle front wall of the visor 12 is inclined in the direction toward the rear of the vehicle as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction, and the vehicle width outer wall of the visor 12 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. The vehicle rear wall of the visor 12 is a concave covering plate 12A (see Fig. 2) as a covering part, and the inside of the covering plate 12A is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is open to the rear of the vehicle.
[0033] A long, substantially rectangular exposure hole 14 is formed penetrating from the vehicle front wall to the vehicle width direction outer wall of the visor 12, and the exposure hole 14 extends from the vehicle width direction middle part of the visor 12 to the vehicle width direction outer end part. The exposure hole 14 opens the inside of the visor 12 to the vehicle front side and the vehicle width direction outer side, and the vehicle width direction outer end part of the exposure hole 14 opens to the vehicle rear side. A rectangular opening hole 16 is formed penetrating the vehicle width direction outer wall of the covering plate 12A of the visor 12, and the opening hole 16 opens in the direction toward the vehicle width direction inner side as it goes toward the vehicle rear (toward the occupant (particularly the driver)).
[0034] An adjustment device 18 (see FIG. 2) serving as a displacement mechanism is fixed inside the visor 12, and the adjustment device 18 penetrates the vehicle front side wall (bottom wall) of the cover plate 12A of the visor 12 and is inserted into the cover plate 12A.
[0035] A substantially rectangular mirror 20 serving as a viewing mechanism is supported on the vehicle rear side of the adjustment device 18, and the mirror 20 is disposed within the covering plate 12A, and the entire outer periphery and the vehicle front side are covered by the covering plate 12A. The front side of the mirror 20 faces the vehicle rear side and is exposed to the vehicle rear side of the visor 12, and the vehicle occupant can view the reflected light of the mirror 20, thereby assisting the occupant in viewing the vehicle rear side. In addition, by operating the adjustment device 18, the mirror 20 is tilted (displaced) in the vertical direction and the vehicle width direction, and the direction viewed by the occupant through the mirror 20 is adjusted.
[0036] A lamp device 22 (see Figures 2, 4A and 4B) is provided within the visor 12, and the lamp device 22 is disposed at a position above and below the cover plate 12A of the visor 12 and the adjustment device 18.
[0037] The lamp device 22 is provided with a long, approximately rectangular box-shaped housing 24 (see Figures 5 (A) and (B)) that serves as a container, and the housing 24 is fixed within the visor 12, and the lamp device 22 is fixed within the visor 12.
[0038] An assembly box 24A having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is provided at the inner end of the housing 24 in the vehicle width direction, and the inside of the assembly box 24A is open to the front side of the vehicle. An arrangement box 24B having a long, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is provided integrally with the assembly box 24A on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the inside of the arrangement box 24B is connected to the inside of the assembly box 24A. The arrangement box 24B is curved toward the rear of the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and the inside of the arrangement box 24B is open to the front side of the vehicle and to the outer side in the vehicle width direction.
[0039] A rectangular light shielding plate 26 is integrally provided as a light shielding portion on the bottom surface (rear side of the vehicle) of the arrangement box 24B on the vehicle width direction outer side of the assembly box 24A, and the light shielding plate 26 protrudes toward the front side of the vehicle and is arranged vertically in the up-down direction. A pair of substantially rectangular regulating claws 28 are integrally provided on the bottom surface of the arrangement box 24B on the vehicle width direction outer side of the light shielding plate 26, and the regulating claws 28 protrude toward the front side of the vehicle and are arranged vertically in the up-down direction. The pair of regulating claws 28 are opposed to each other in the up-down direction, and a substantially triangular prism-shaped claw portion 28A is integrally provided at the tip portion, and the claw portions 28A of the upper and lower regulating claws 28 protrude downward and upward, respectively. The lower regulating claw 28 is aligned with the light shielding plate 26 in the vehicle width direction, and the lower regulating claw 28 functions as a light shielding portion and a regulating portion (second regulating portion). A long rectangular plate-shaped shading rib 30 serving as a shading portion is integrally provided on the bottom surface of the placement box 24B, on the vehicle width outer side of the lower regulating claw 28, and the shading rib 30 protrudes toward the front of the vehicle and is arranged vertically in the up-down direction, extending in the vehicle width direction.
[0040] A predetermined number of plate-shaped upper convex portions 32 (see FIG. 6(B)) serving as restricting portions (second restricting portions) are integrally provided on the upper surfaces of the light-shielding plate 26 and the light-shielding rib 30, and the upper convex portions 32 protrude upward with their upper surfaces arranged vertically in the up-down direction. A predetermined number of plate-shaped lower convex portions 34 serving as restricting portions (first restricting portions) are integrally provided on the lower surface of the light-shielding rib 30, and the lower convex portions 34 protrude downward with their lower surfaces arranged vertically in the up-down direction.
[0041] A first lens 38 having a long, substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape as a first transmitting member is provided on the vehicle front side of the housing 24. The first lens 38 is transparent and allows light to pass therethrough.
[0042] A covering box 38A having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is provided at the inner end of the first lens 38 in the vehicle width direction, and the inside of the covering box 38A is open to the vehicle rear side. The covering box 38A is fitted and fixed to the mounting box 24A of the housing 24, and the covering box 38A covers the vehicle front side of the mounting box 24A. A long, substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-shaped transmission box 38B is integrally provided on the outer side of the covering box 38A in the vehicle width direction, and the inside of the transmission box 38B is communicated with the inside of the covering box 38A. The transmission box 38B is curved in the direction toward the rear of the vehicle as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction, and the inside of the transmission box 38B is open to the vehicle rear side and the vehicle width direction inner side. The transmission box 38B is fitted and fixed to the arrangement box 24B of the housing 24, and the transmission box 38B covers the vehicle front side and the vehicle width direction outer side of the arrangement box 24B.
[0043] An exposed portion 38C having a U-shaped cross section is formed in the vertical middle portion of the first lens 38, and the exposed portion 38C protrudes to the front side of the first lens 38 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the first lens 38. The exposed portion 38C is fitted into the exposed hole 14 of the visor 12, and the exposed portion 38C is exposed to the outside of the visor 12. An outer end wall in the vehicle width direction of the exposed portion 38C is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the arrangement box 24B, and the outer end wall in the vehicle width direction of the exposed portion 38C is exposed in a direction toward the outside in the vehicle width direction as it moves from the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the exposed hole 14 toward the rear of the vehicle.
[0044] A substantially rectangular box-shaped second lens 40 (see Figs. 4(B) and 5(B)) as a second transparent member penetrates and is fitted into the vehicle width direction outer end wall of the housing 24 (disposition box 24B), and the second lens 40 is made transparent to transmit light, and the inside is open to the vehicle front side. The second lens 40 protrudes from the housing 24 to the vehicle rear side, and the vehicle rear side (bottom surface) of the second lens 40 faces in a direction toward the inside of the vehicle width direction (toward the occupant) as it approaches the vehicle rear. The second lens 40 is fitted into the open hole 16 of the cover plate 12A of the visor 12, and the vehicle rear side of the second lens 40 is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the cover plate 12A. In addition, the vehicle rear side of the second lens 40 overlaps in the vertical position with the vehicle width direction outer end wall of the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38.
[0045] A substantially rectangular plate-shaped circuit board 42 is accommodated in the assembly box 24A of the housing 24, and the circuit board 42 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. A substantially rectangular plate-shaped first LED 44 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) serving as a first emission section is fixed to a lower portion of the vehicle width direction outer surface of the circuit board 42, and the first LED 44 emits light and emits light from the vehicle width direction outer surface. A substantially rectangular plate-shaped second LED 46 (see FIG. 7A) serving as a second emission section is fixed to an upper portion of the vehicle width direction outer surface of the circuit board 42, and the second LED 46 emits light and emits light from the vehicle width direction outer surface.
[0046] A rod-shaped first light guide 48 (see Figs. 5A and 5B, Figs. 9A and 9B) is accommodated within the housing 24 below the light shielding plate 26, the lower regulating claw 28 and the light shielding rib 30 as a first guide member, and the first light guide 48 is made transparent so as to be able to transmit and guide light. The first light guide 48 is curved in a direction toward the rear of the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and the first light guide 48 faces the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38. The movement of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction, up-down direction and front-rear direction within the housing 24 is restricted, and the lower convex portion 34 of the light shielding rib 30 restricts the upward movement of the first light guide 48 (see Fig. 6B).
[0047] An inner end surface (base end surface) in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 faces an outer side surface (light emission surface) in the vehicle width direction of the first LED 44 of the circuit board 42, and an inner end portion (base end portion) in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 extends along the light emission direction of the first LED 44 (direction perpendicular to the circuit board 42) (see FIG. 7(A)). An outer end portion (tip portion) in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 is disposed outside the mirror 20 in the vehicle width direction, and an outer end surface (tip surface) in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 is disposed in the vicinity of an outer end wall in the vehicle width direction of the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38.
[0048] A locking piece 48A having a plate-like shape with a substantially L-shaped cross section is integrally provided on the upper and lower sides of the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 as a locking portion, and a base end portion of the locking piece 48A protrudes toward the front side of the vehicle. A tip end portion of the locking piece 48A protrudes toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the circuit board 42 is locked to the tip end portions of the upper and lower locking pieces 48A from the rear side of the vehicle. A fitting recess 48B having a rectangular cross section is formed as a fitting portion on the base end portion of the upper locking piece 48A, and the fitting recess 48B penetrates the upper locking piece 48A in the vehicle width direction and is open to the rear side of the vehicle.
[0049] The back surface (vehicle rear surface) of the first light guide 48 is arranged parallel to the vertical direction. A plurality of convex reflection surfaces 48C having a V-shaped cross section are integrally formed as reflection sections on the back surface of the first light guide 48, and the plurality of reflection surfaces 48C extend in the vertical direction and are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the extension direction of the first light guide 48.
[0050] A rod-shaped second light guide 50 (see FIG. 5(A), FIG. 9(A) and FIG. 9(B)) is accommodated in the housing 24 above the light shielding plate 26, the lower restricting claw 28 and the light shielding rib 30 as a second guide member, and the second light guide 50 is made transparent so as to be able to transmit and guide light. The second light guide 50 is curved in the direction toward the rear of the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and the second light guide 50 is disposed above the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38. The second light guide 50 is restricted from moving in the vehicle width direction, the up-down direction and the front-rear direction within the housing 24, and the light shielding plate 26 and the upper convex portion 32 of the light shielding rib 30 restrict the second light guide 50 from moving downward (see FIG. 6(B)). The second light guide 50 is fitted between the pair of restricting claws 28 by elastic deformation of the pair of restricting claws 28, and the pair of restricting claws 28 restrict the movement of the second light guide 50 in the up-down direction, and the claw portions 28A of the pair of restricting claws 28 restrict the movement of the second light guide 50 toward the front of the vehicle. The second light guide 50 penetrates and fits into the fitting recess 48B of the upper locking piece 48A of the first light guide 48, and the upper locking piece 48A restricts the movement of the second light guide 50 in the up-down direction and toward the front of the vehicle (see FIG. 6(A)).
[0051] The inner end surface (base end surface) of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction faces the outer side surface (light emission surface) of the second LED 46 of the circuit board 42 in the vehicle width direction, and the inner end portion (base end portion) of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction extends along the light emission direction of the second LED 46 (direction perpendicular to the circuit board 42) (see (A) and (B) of FIG. 7). The vicinity of the outer end portion (tip portion) of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction has a larger curvature toward the inside in the vehicle width direction than the vicinity of the outer end portion of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction, and the outer end portion of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction is inserted into the second lens 40 from the front side of the vehicle (see (A) and (B) of FIG. 8) and is disposed on the outer side of the mirror 20 in the vehicle width direction.
[0052] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0053] In the door mirror device 10 having the above configuration, in the lamp device 22, the first LED 44 of the circuit board 42 emits light to the vehicle width direction inner end surface of the first light guide 48, so that the first light guide 48 guides the light incident on the vehicle width direction inner end surface and irradiates it from the vehicle width direction outer end surface. Furthermore, the light irradiated from the vehicle width direction outer end surface of the first light guide 48 is transmitted through the vehicle width direction outer end wall of the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38, and is radiated in a direction toward the vehicle width direction outer side as it moves toward the rear of the vehicle through the vehicle width direction outer end surface of the exposed hole 14 of the visor 12. The color of the light radiated from the first lens 38 is amber, and the first LED 44, the first light guide 48, and the first lens 38 function as a turn lamp of the vehicle to notify the outside of the vehicle of the traveling direction of the vehicle.
[0054] In addition, the second LED 46 of the circuit board 42 emits light to the inner end surface of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction, so that the second light guide 50 guides the light incident on the inner end surface in the vehicle width direction and irradiates it from the outer end surface in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the light irradiated from the outer end surface in the vehicle width direction of the second light guide 50 is transmitted through the vehicle rear wall of the second lens 40 and is radiated in a direction toward the inside of the vehicle width direction (toward the occupant) as it moves toward the rear of the vehicle through the open hole 16 of the visor 12. The color of the light radiated from the second lens 40 is amber (different in brightness and intensity from the light radiated from the first lens 38), and the second LED 46, the second light guide 50, and the second lens 40 function as a BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) of the vehicle to notify the occupant of the approach of another vehicle to the rear of the vehicle and to the outside in the vehicle width direction.
[0055] Here, the extending portion of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction and the extending portion of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction are aligned in the up-down direction. Therefore, the arrangement dimensions in the vehicle front-rear direction of the extending portion of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction and the extending portion of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction can be reduced.
[0056] Furthermore, the first LED 44 and the second LED 46 of the circuit board 42 are disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50, respectively. Therefore, the wiring distance from the inner side in the vehicle width direction (vehicle body side) to the first LED 44 and the second LED 46 can be shortened, and the wiring arrangement space in the vehicle width direction can be reduced.
[0057] As a result, the door mirror device 10 can be made smaller in size in the vehicle front-rear direction and in the vehicle width direction.
[0058] Moreover, the vicinity of the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 and the vicinity of the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the second light guide 50 are aligned in the up-down direction. Therefore, the arrangement dimensions in the vehicle width direction of the vicinity of the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 and the vicinity of the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the second light guide 50 can be reduced, and the door mirror device 10 can be made even smaller in size in the vehicle width direction.
[0059] Furthermore, the cover plate 12A and the adjustment device 18 of the visor 12 are disposed at positions in the up-down direction of the lamp device 22 (including the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50). Therefore, even if the cover plate 12A and the adjustment device 18 are present on the vehicle rear side of the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50, the arrangement dimensions of the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50 in the vehicle front-rear direction can be reduced as described above, thereby preventing the door mirror device 10 from becoming large in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[0060] Further, the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 and the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the second light guide 50 extend along the light emission directions of the first LED 44 and the second LED 46, respectively. Therefore, the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50 can properly guide the light emitted by the first LED 44 and the second LED 46, respectively.
[0061] Furthermore, the light blocking plate 26, the light blocking rib 30 and the lower restricting claw 28 of the housing 24 block light between the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50. This makes it possible to prevent light from being incident between the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50, and to prevent the light guided by the first light guide 48 and the light guided by the second light guide 50 from mixing.
[0062] Moreover, the first light guide 48 is disposed below the second light guide 50. Therefore, while the lower portion of the mirror 20 reflecting the road surface becomes darker than the upper portion of the mirror 20 reflecting the sky, the first lens 38 can be brought closer to the lower portion of the mirror 20, and the contrast between the light irradiated by the first light guide 48 and emitted by the first lens 38 and the lower portion of the mirror 20 can be increased, thereby improving the visibility of the light.
[0063] Further, a plurality of reflective surfaces 48C are provided at intervals on the first light guide 48, and the reflective surfaces 48C reflect the light guided by the first light guide 48. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light guided by the first light guide 48 from leaking from the first light guide 48.
[0064] Furthermore, the reflective surface 48C is provided on the back surface of the first light guide 48 and does not face the second light guide 50. This makes it possible to prevent light leaking between the reflective surfaces 48C of the first light guide 48 from entering the second light guide 50 and mixing with the light guided by the second light guide 50.
[0065] Also, the vicinity of the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the second light guide 50 has a larger curvature toward the inside in the vehicle width direction compared to the vicinity of the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48. Therefore, the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the second light guide 50 can be disposed inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48, and it is not necessary to align the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 and the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the second light guide 50 in the vertical direction, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in disposing the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 and the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the second light guide 50.
[0066] Furthermore, the position where light is emitted from the outer end of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction (the outer end wall of the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38 in the vehicle width direction) and the position where light is emitted from the outer end of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction (the rear side wall of the second lens 40) are overlapped in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to reduce the vertical arrangement dimensions of the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38 and the second lens 40, and makes it easy to arrange the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38 and the second lens 40.
[0067] Furthermore, the first LED 44 and the second LED 46 are provided on the outer surface (the same surface) in the vehicle width direction of the circuit board 42. Therefore, unlike a case in which the first LED 44 and the second LED 46 are provided on the outer surface and the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the circuit board 42, respectively, the configuration of the circuit board 42 can be simplified, and costs can be reduced.
[0068] In this embodiment, the light emitted from the first lens 38 and the light emitted from the second lens 40 are the same color (amber). However, the light emitted from the first lens 38 and the light emitted from the second lens 40 may be different colors.
[0069] In the present embodiment, the second LED 46, the second light guide 50, and the second lens 40 function as a BSM. However, the second LED 46, the second light guide 50, and the second lens 40 may have a function other than the BSM to notify the occupants of the vehicle.
[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first light guide 48 is disposed below the second light guide 50. However, the second light guide 50 may be disposed below the first light guide 48. In this case, the lower part of the mirror 20 reflecting the road surface is darker than the upper part of the mirror 20 reflecting the sky, but the second lens 40 can be brought closer to the lower part of the mirror 20, and the difference in brightness between the light irradiated by the second light guide 50 and emitted by the second lens 40 and the lower part of the mirror 20 can be increased, thereby improving the visibility of the light.
[0071] In this embodiment, the first light guide 48 is provided with the reflective surface 48C. However, the second light guide 50 may be provided with the reflective surface 48C.
[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle width direction outer end (tip) of the first light guide 48 and the vehicle width direction outer end (tip) of the second light guide 50 may overlap in position in the up-down direction.
[0073] In this embodiment, the viewing mechanism is the mirror 20. However, the viewing mechanism may be a camera, and the passenger's viewing may be assisted by an image captured by the camera. [Explanation of symbols]
[0074] 10 door mirror device (vehicle visual recognition device), 12A covering plate (covering portion), 18 adjusting device (displacement mechanism), 20 mirror (visual recognition mechanism), 24 housing (accommodating body), 26 light shielding plate (light shielding portion), 28 regulating claw (light shielding portion), 30 light shielding rib (light shielding portion), 44 first LED (first emission portion), 46 second LED (second emission portion), 48 first light guide (first guide member), 48C reflective surface (reflective portion), 50 second light guide (second guide member)
Claims
1. A visual recognition mechanism for assisting the visual recognition of a vehicle occupant; a first guide member extending in a vehicle width direction and having a tip end extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the visual confirmation mechanism; a second guide member that extends in a vehicle width direction and has a tip side that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the visual confirmation mechanism and is aligned in the up-down direction with the first guide member; A first emission portion that is disposed on an inner side of the first guide member in a vehicle width direction and that guides the emitted light by the first guide member and irradiates the light from a tip side; A second emission portion that is disposed on an inner side of the second guide member in a vehicle width direction and that guides the emitted light by the second guide member and irradiates the emitted light from a tip side; A vehicle visual confirmation device comprising:
2. The visual recognition device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the first guide member extends along a light emission direction of the first emission portion, and the second guide member extends along a light emission direction of the second emission portion.
3. 2. The vehicle visual confirmation device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of reflective portions provided at intervals on one of the first guide member and the second guide member, the reflective portions reflecting light guided by one of the first guide member and the second guide member and not facing the other of the first guide member and the second guide member.
4. 2. The visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a housing in which the first guide member and the second guide member are housed, and in which a light blocking portion that blocks light between the first guide member and the second guide member is provided.
5. 2. The visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein one of the first guide member and the second guide member irradiates light toward an occupant.
6. 6. The visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein one of the first guide member and the second guide member is disposed below the other of the first guide member and the second guide member.
7. 2. The visual recognition device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a position at which light is emitted from a tip end side of the first guide member and a position at which light is emitted from a tip end side of the second guide member overlap in a vertical direction.
8. 2. The visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a curvature of the first guide member in the extending direction is different from a curvature of the second guide member in the extending direction.
9. a covering portion that is disposed at a position in the up-down direction of the first guide member and the second guide member and covers the periphery of the visual confirmation mechanism; a displacement mechanism that is disposed at a position in the up-down direction of the first guide member and the second guide member and displaces the visual confirmation mechanism; The visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 1 .
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Lighting unit
US20120147614A1