Steering device

Abstract

To reproduce a target mixed color in a partial area near the outer edge of an irradiation object area.SOLUTION: A steering device includes: a rotating part provided on a movable body so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis; a peripheral part that is connected to the rotating part and disposed farther from the rotation axis than the rotating part; and a first light-emitting unit that emits light radiated to the peripheral part. The first light-emitting unit includes: a first element that emits first light; a second element that emits second light having a color different from that of the first light; and a first light-transmissive cover that covers the first element and the second element. The first light-transmissive cover includes a first diffusion part having irregularities that diffuse the passing light. The first diffusion part is provided in a range including (i) an end of a first passage part in a first arrangement direction in which the first element and the second element are aligned and (ii) at least a portion of a first full-passage part through which both the first light and second light pass, of the first passage part through which the first light or second light passes in the first light-transmissive cover.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a steering device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is an illumination device that illuminates a wheel portion in a steering device of a vehicle. In the steering wheel illumination device of Patent Document 1, light emitting portions that emit visible light are mounted on a pad portion and left and right spoke portions. Each light emitting portion emits light toward the wheel portion. Each light emitting portion includes red, green, and blue LED elements. Each light emitting portion realizes light of an arbitrary color as the emitted light by mixing these three colors of light. As a result, the light illuminating the wheel portion can, for example, prompt a driver to grip the wheel portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Three LED elements that emit three different colors of light cannot be arranged overlapping at exactly the same position in the light emitting portion. That is, three LED elements that emit light of different colors are arranged at different positions in the light emitting portion. For this reason, in a part of the irradiated region near the outer edge of the irradiated region on the object irradiated with the light from the light emitting portion, only the light of one of the three LED elements may be irradiated. As a result, in a part of the region near the outer edge of the irradiated region, the target mixed color is not reproduced, and the color component of that one LED element appears strongly. This problem becomes particularly prominent when the irradiated region on the object is a curved surface having a plurality of portions with different distances from the light emitting portion instead of a plane facing the light emitting portion.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a steering device for a moving body is provided. The steering device includes a rotating portion provided on the moving body so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, a peripheral portion connected to the rotating portion and arranged at a position farther from the rotation axis than the rotating portion, and a first light emitting portion that emits light for irradiating the peripheral portion. The first light emitting portion includes a first element that emits first light, a second element that emits second light having a color different from that of the first light, and a first light-transmitting cover that covers the first element and the second element and transmits light. The first light-transmitting cover includes a first diffusing portion having unevenness for diffusing the passing light. The first diffusing portion is provided in a range including (i) an end of the first passing portion in the first arrangement direction in which the first element and the second element are arranged, and (ii) at least a part of the first full passing portion through which both the first light and the second light pass, in the first passing portion of the first light-transmitting cover where at least one of the first light and the second light passes. By adopting such an aspect, among the irradiated regions on the peripheral portion that receives the light from the first light emitting portion, the portion near one outer edge in the first arrangement direction is irradiated with the light that has passed through the first diffusing portion of the first light-transmitting cover. As a result, near one outer edge of the irradiated region, the light generated by diffusing and mixing the first light and the second light is irradiated. Therefore, when the light of the target color is emitted from the first light emitting portion by adjusting the intensity of the first light and the intensity of the second light, and the peripheral portion is irradiated with that light, it is possible to prevent a situation where only the first light or the second light is irradiated and its color is strongly recognized near one outer edge of the irradiated region. (2) In the above-described steering device, the first light-transmitting cover includes a first surface that receives the first light from the first element and the second light from the second element, and a surface on the side opposite to the first surface, which forms a part of the outer surface of the steering device, and a second surface that emits the light received by the first surface toward the peripheral portion. The unevenness may be provided on the first surface. In this aspect, the function of the first light-transmitting cover that mixes the incident first light and second light by diffusion is realized by the shape of the first surface. Therefore, the shape of the second surface that forms a part of the outer surface of the steering device can be formed into an arbitrary shape according to requirements other than the diffusion of the first light and the second light. (3) In the above-described steering device, the first light-emitting unit is a third element disposed between the second element and the first element, and includes a third element that emits third light having a color that cannot be generated by the mixture of the first light and the second light. The first light-transmitting cover may cover the third element. By adopting such an aspect, by controlling the first element, the second element, and the third element, light having an arbitrary hue can be emitted from the first light-emitting unit. (4) In the above-described steering device, the first light-transmitting cover includes a first transmission portion that does not diffuse the light passing therethrough compared to the first diffusion portion, and an additional diffusion portion having unevenness that diffuses the light passing therethrough. The additional diffusion portion is disposed on the side opposite to the first diffusion portion with respect to the first transmission portion in the first arrangement direction, and is provided in a range including (i) the other end of the first transmission portion in the first arrangement direction and (ii) at least a part of the first entire transmission portion. The ratio of the size of the first diffusion portion in the first arrangement direction in the first transmission portion is 25% or less, and the ratio of the size of the additional diffusion portion in the first arrangement direction in the first transmission portion is 25% or less. In the light passing through the first transmissive portion that does not diffuse light compared to the first diffusive portion, the ratio of light loss that occurs when passing through the first light-transmissive cover is smaller than that of the light passing through the first diffusive portion. Therefore, in the above aspect, it is possible to prevent a situation where the color of the first light or the second light is strongly recognized near the outer edges at both ends of the irradiated region by the light passing through the first diffusive portion and the additional diffusive portion. And, the amount of the entire light that illuminates the irradiated region in the peripheral portion can be increased by the light passing through the first transmissive portion. (5) In the above-described steering device, when the rotating portion is at a reference angular position that indicates the front as the traveling direction with respect to the moving body, on a reference plane that is a plane including the rotation axis and the front, it is arranged on the side opposite to the first light-emitting portion and includes a second light-emitting portion that emits light for irradiating the peripheral portion. The second light-emitting portion includes a fourth element that emits a fourth light having the same color as the first light, a fifth element that emits a fifth light having the same color as the second light, and a second light-transmissive cover that covers the fourth element and the fifth element and transmits light. The second light-transmissive cover includes a second diffusive portion having unevenness for diffusing the passing light. The second diffusive portion is provided in a range including (i) an end of the second passing portion in the second arrangement direction in which the fourth element and the fifth element are arranged, and (ii) at least a part of a second all-passing portion that is a portion through which both the fourth light and the fifth light pass, among second passing portions that are portions of the second light-transmissive cover through which at least one of the fourth light and the fifth light passes. The light emitted from the first light-emitting portion and the light emitted from the second light-emitting portion may be configured to irradiate, on the peripheral portion, regions where a part overlaps with each other. In this aspect, on the other outer edge portion of the region on the peripheral portion irradiated with light by the first light emitting portion in the first arrangement direction, the light emitted from the second light emitting portion is superimposed and irradiated. On the other outer edge portion of the region on the peripheral portion irradiated with light by the second light emitting portion in the second arrangement direction, the light emitted from the first light emitting portion is superimposed and irradiated. Therefore, in these outer edge portions, a situation where only one of the first light or the fourth light and the second light or the fifth light is irradiated and its color is strongly recognized is less likely to occur. On the other hand, at both ends near the outer edge of the irradiated region in the direction of rotation, the light generated by diffusing and mixing the first light and the second light, or the fourth light and the fifth light by the first diffusion portion or the second diffusion portion is irradiated. Therefore, in these outer edge portions as well, a situation where only one of the first light or the fourth light and the second light or the fifth light is irradiated and its color is strongly recognized is less likely to occur. Thus, it is possible to irradiate the entire irradiated region with light having less color unevenness. (6) In the above-described steering device, the first light-transmitting cover includes a first transmitting portion that does not diffuse the light passing therethrough as compared with the first diffusion portion, and the ratio of the size of the first diffusion portion in the first arrangement direction in the first passing portion is 50% or less. The second light-transmitting cover includes a second transmitting portion that does not diffuse the light passing therethrough as compared with the second diffusion portion, and the ratio of the size of the second diffusion portion in the second arrangement direction in the second passing portion is 50% or less. In the light passing through the first transmitting portion that does not diffuse the light as compared with the first diffusion portion, the ratio of the light loss generated when passing through the first light-transmitting cover is smaller than that of the light passing through the first diffusion portion. In the light passing through the second transmitting portion that does not diffuse the light as compared with the second diffusion portion, the ratio of the light loss generated when passing through the second light-transmitting cover is smaller than that of the light passing through the second diffusion portion. Therefore, in the above aspect, the situation where any one of the first light, the second light, the fourth light, and the fifth light is strongly recognized in the vicinity of the outer edge of the irradiated region by the light passing through the first diffusion portion or the second diffusion portion can be sufficiently prevented. And the amount of the entire light illuminating the irradiated region of the peripheral portion can be increased by the light passing through the first transmitting portion or the second transmitting portion. (7) In the above-described steering device, when the rotating part is at a reference angular position where the steering device indicates the front as the traveling direction with respect to the moving body, a second light emitting part that is arranged on the side opposite to the first light emitting part with respect to a reference plane that is a plane including the rotation axis and the front and emits light for irradiating the peripheral part, and a third light emitting part that is arranged at a position overlapping the reference plane and emits light for irradiating the peripheral part are provided. The second light emitting part includes a fourth element that emits a fourth light having the same color as the first light, a fifth element that emits a fifth light having the same color as the second light, and a second light-transmitting cover that covers the fourth element and the fifth element and transmits light. The second light-transmitting cover includes a second diffusing part having unevenness for diffusing the passing light. The second diffusing part is provided in a range including (i) an end of the second passing part in the second arrangement direction in which the fourth element and the fifth element are arranged and (ii) at least a part of the second full passing part that is a part where both the fourth light and the fifth light pass, in the second passing part of the second light-transmitting cover where at least one of the fourth light and the fifth light passes. The first light-transmitting cover includes a first transmitting part that does not diffuse the passing light as compared with the first diffusing part. The second light-transmitting cover includes a second transmitting part that does not diffuse the passing light as compared with the second diffusing part. A ratio of a size of the first diffusing part in the first arrangement direction in the first passing part is 50% or less, and a ratio of a size of the second diffusing part in the second arrangement direction in the second passing part is 50% or less. This can also be an aspect. In the light passing through the first transmissive portion that does not diffuse light as compared with the first diffusive portion, the ratio of light loss that occurs when passing through the first light-transmissive cover is smaller than that of the light passing through the first diffusive portion. In the light passing through the second transmissive portion that does not diffuse light as compared with the second diffusive portion, the ratio of light loss that occurs when passing through the second light-transmissive cover is smaller than that of the light passing through the second diffusive portion. Therefore, in the above-described aspect, it is possible to sufficiently prevent a situation in which any one of the first light, the second light, the fourth light, and the fifth light is strongly recognized near the outer edge of the irradiated region by the light passing through the first diffusive portion or the second diffusive portion. And, the total amount of light that illuminates the irradiated region in the peripheral portion can be increased by the light passing through the first transmissive portion or the second transmissive portion, and the light emitted from the third light-emitting portion. (8) In the above-described steering device, the unevenness may have a shape extending along a direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, and in a cross section perpendicular to the direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, a plurality of triangles protruding in the same direction are adjacent to each other. In such an aspect, by appropriately setting the angle of the inclined surface of the triangle constituting the unevenness, the direction in which the diffused light due to the unevenness travels can be controlled within a target angular range. (9) In the above-described steering device, the unevenness may have a shape extending along a direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, and in a cross section perpendicular to the direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, a plurality of curved portions protruding in the same direction are adjacent to each other. In such an aspect, by appropriately setting the curvature and length of the curved portion constituting the unevenness, the position where the light passing through each curved portion converges, or the range occupied when the light passing through each curved portion hits the irradiation target, can be appropriately controlled according to the target state. (10) In the above-described steering device, the unevenness has a shape extending along a direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, and in a cross-section perpendicular to the direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, a plurality of first-type curved portions protruding in a first direction and a plurality of second-type curved portions protruding in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and each of the plurality of second-type curved portions has a dimension in the first arrangement direction smaller than that of one of the first-type curved portions, and the plurality of second-type curved portions are alternately arranged. In such an aspect, by appropriately setting the curvature and length of the first-type curved portions constituting the unevenness, the position where the light passing through each curved portion is condensed, or the range occupied when the light passing through each curved portion hits the irradiation target, can be appropriately controlled according to the target state. Further, since a second-type curved portion protruding in the reverse direction is arranged between two adjacent first-type curved portions, it is easy to perform die cutting when manufacturing the first light-transmitting cover by casting. The present disclosure can also be realized in various forms other than the steering device of a moving body. For example, it can be realized in the form of a lighting device, a light irradiation device, an environmental control device, a warning device, etc.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 8

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Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] A. First Embodiment: A1. Configuration of Steering Device: FIG. 1 is a front view of a steering device 1 as a first embodiment. The steering device 1 is mounted on a vehicle MV. The steering device 1 is operated by a driver of the vehicle MV to control the traveling direction of the vehicle MV. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the steering device 1 designates the front DF as the traveling direction of the vehicle MV. In FIG. 1, the vertical direction DV and the horizontal direction DH are shown. The horizontal direction DH shown in FIG. 1 is a direction parallel to the paper surface. In contrast, the vertical direction DV shown in FIG. 1 is not a direction parallel to the paper surface.

[0009] The steering device 1 includes a peripheral part 100, a rotating part 200, a light emitting part 210, a central member 300, and mounting members 400, 400.

[0010] The rotating part 200 is provided on the vehicle MV so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis RA (refer to the middle central part of FIG. 1 and the arrow DR). The rotating part 200 is rotated by the driver of the vehicle MV via the peripheral part 100. The traveling direction of the vehicle MV is specified by the orientation of the rotating part 200, that is, the angular position of the rotating part 200. The rotating part 200 includes a so-called spoke part that is connected to the peripheral part 100. In FIG. 1, a part of the rotating part 200 is covered by the central member 300 and the mounting members 400, 400, respectively.

[0011] The central member 300 covers the rotating part 200 and a part of the peripheral part 100 from both sides in the direction of the rotation axis RA of the rotating part 200 (refer to the middle central part of FIG. 1). When the steering device 1 designates the due front DF as the traveling direction of the vehicle MV, the central member 300 covers a part of the peripheral part 100 at the 6 o'clock position on the clock (refer to the lower central part of FIG. 1).

[0012] The mounting members 400, 400 are respectively attached to the rotating part 200 on both sides of the central member 300 (refer to the middle part of FIG. 1). The parts where the mounting members 400, 400 are attached to the rotating part 200 are so-called spoke parts. Specifically, the mounting member 400 is a switch unit for the driver to input an instruction for controlling the vehicle MV.

[0013] The peripheral part 100 is a part that is gripped and rotated by the driver of the vehicle MV (refer to FIG. 1). The peripheral part 100 is arranged at a position farther from the rotation axis RA than the rotating part 200. More specifically, the peripheral part 100 has an annular shape. The peripheral part 100 is also called a wheel part. The peripheral part 100 is connected to the rotating part 200 at the spoke part of the rotating part 200.

[0014] The light emitting unit 210 is provided on the rotating unit 200. The light emitting unit 210 includes a first light emitting unit 210R and a second light emitting unit 210L (see the central part in the middle row of FIG. 1). The first light emitting unit 210R and the second light emitting unit 210L respectively emit lights LL and LR that irradiate the peripheral part 100. In this specification, when the first light emitting unit 210R and the second light emitting unit 210L are referred to without distinction, they are denoted as the light emitting unit 210.

[0015] A2. Configuration and function of the light emitting unit: When the rotating unit 200 is at the reference angular position where the steering device 1 designates the straight-ahead DF as the traveling direction of the vehicle MV, the first light emitting unit 210R and the second light emitting unit 210L are arranged at symmetric positions with respect to the reference plane PR including the rotation axis RA and the front DF (see the central part in the middle row of FIG. 1). The first light emitting unit 210R and the second light emitting unit 210L respectively emit radial lights LL and LR. The first light emitting unit 210R and the second light emitting unit 210L respectively emit lights LL and LR parallel to each other upward from the horizontal direction DH (see the central part in the upper row of FIG. 1).

[0016] Among the peripheral part 100, the part irradiated with light by the second light emitting unit 210L is shown as the left irradiated part 100iL in FIG. 1 (see the central part in the upper row of FIG. 1). Among the peripheral part 100, the part irradiated with light by the first light emitting unit 210R is shown as the right irradiated part 100iR in FIG. 1. The light LR emitted from the first light emitting unit 210R and the light LL emitted from the second light emitting unit 210L respectively irradiate regions 100iR and 100iL where a part overlaps on the peripheral part 100 (see the central part in the upper row of FIG. 1). When the steering device 1 designates the straight-ahead DF as the traveling direction of the vehicle MV, the region where the left irradiated part 100iL and the right irradiated part 100iR overlap includes the 12 o'clock position with reference to the rotation axis RA of the rotating unit 200.

[0017] Among the peripheral part 100, the part irradiated with light by the first light-emitting part 210R and the second light-emitting part 210L is collectively referred to as the "irradiated part 100i" in this specification. When the steering device 1 designates the due front DF as the traveling direction of the vehicle MV, the irradiated part 100i is an arc-shaped part located in an angular range of approximately 30 degrees centered on the 12 o'clock direction among the annular peripheral part 100 (see the upper central part of FIG. 1).

[0018] With such a configuration, there is no part where light is not irradiated, and the entire irradiated part 100i can be irradiated with light.

[0019] (1) Configuration and function of the first light-emitting part 210R: FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and function of the first light-emitting part 210R. FIG. 2 shows a state where the first light-emitting part 210R is cut by a cross-section parallel to the reference plane PR (see the upper central part and the lower central part of FIG. 1). Since the peripheral part 100 is annular, the dimension Dra in the direction of the rotation axis RA of the irradiated part 100i, which is a part of the peripheral part 100, is smaller than the dimension Ddr in the rotation direction DR of the irradiated part 100i (see the upper left part of FIG. 2 and the upper central part of FIG. 1).

[0020] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the first light-emitting part 210R in more detail. FIG. 3 shows each configuration of the first light-emitting part 210R when viewed from the same direction as FIG. 1. The first light-emitting part 210R includes first to third light-emitting elements 211R, 212R, 213R, a first lens 214R, a first light-transmitting cover 216R, and a first support part 218R.

[0021] The first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R emit light (see the lower part of FIG. 3). The first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R are light emitting diodes. The light emitted by the first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R has colors that cannot be generated by mixing the light emitted by the other two light emitting elements. Specifically, the first light emitting element 211R emits blue light Lb. The second light emitting element 212R emits green light Lg. The third light emitting element 213R emits red light Lr. The lights Lg, Lb, and Lr reach the peripheral portion 100 through the first lens 214R and the first light-transmitting cover 216R.

[0022] The first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R are connected to a control unit (not shown). The intensity of the light emitted from the first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R, the timing at which light is emitted from the first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R, and the timing at which the emission of their light ends are controlled by the control unit.

[0023] In the steering device 1, by controlling the first light emitting element 211R, the second light emitting element 212R, and the third light emitting element 213R, light having an arbitrary hue can be emitted from the first light emitting unit 210R.

[0024] In this specification, the direction in which the first light emitting element 211R and the second light emitting element 212R are arranged is referred to as the "first arrangement direction DAR" (see the central part of the lower part of FIG. 3). The third light emitting element 213R is arranged between the second light emitting element 212R and the first light emitting element 211R. That is, the first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R are arranged side by side along the first arrangement direction DAR. The first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R emit lights Lg, Lb, and Lr having optical axes parallel to each other toward the first lens 214R.

[0025] In FIG. 3, the central axis of the entire light emitted by the first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R is shown as the optical axis OAR (see the central part of FIG. 3). The optical axis OAR has a direction from the second light emitting element 212R toward the irradiated part 100i which is the irradiation target.

[0026] The first lens 214R receives and emits the light Lb, Lg, and Lr emitted by the first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R (see the middle stage of FIG. 3). The first lens 214R is made of acrylic. The first lens 214R narrows the divergence angle of the light emitted by the first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R (see the middle stage of FIG. 3). More specifically, the first lens 214R narrows the divergence angle of the light more strongly in the direction perpendicular to the cross section shown in FIG. 3 than in the direction of the cross section shown in FIG. 3. The first lens 214R does not change the optical axis of the received light. That is, the optical axis of the light emitted by the first lens 214R is the optical axis OAR.

[0027] With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the amount of light that does not hit the peripheral part 100 and passes around the peripheral part 100, and to increase the illuminance of the irradiated part 100i illuminated by the light LR of the light emitting part 210 (see the upper left part of FIG. 2). In addition, it is possible to effectively illuminate the irradiated part 100i having a wide range in the rotation direction DR (see the upper central part of FIG. 1).

[0028] The first support part 218R supports the first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R, the first lens 214R, and the first light transmissive cover 216R (see the lower right part of FIG. 3). The first support part 218R fixes the relative positions of those components.

[0029] The first light-transmitting cover 216R covers the first to third light-emitting elements 211R, 212R, 213R and the first lens 214R (see the middle row of FIG. 3). That is, with respect to the traveling direction of the light emitted by the first to third light-emitting elements 211R, 212R, 213R, the first light-transmitting cover 216R is disposed on the downstream side of the first to third light-emitting elements 211R, 212R, 213R and the first lens 214R. The first light-transmitting cover 216R transmits light. Specifically, the first light-transmitting cover 216R is made of acrylic. The first light-transmitting cover 216R includes a first surface 216RS1 and a second surface 216RS2.

[0030] The first surface 216RS1 receives the light Lb, Lg, Lr emitted by the first to third light-emitting elements 211R, 212R, 213R (see the middle row of FIG. 3). More specifically, the first light-transmitting cover 216R receives, at the first surface 216RS1, the light Lb, Lg, Lr that is emitted by the first to third light-emitting elements 211R, 212R, 213R and transmitted through the first lens 214R.

[0031] The second surface 216RS2 is a surface located on the side opposite to the first surface 216RS1 in the first light-transmitting cover 216R (see the middle row of FIG. 3). The second surface 216RS2 emits the light Lb, Lg, Lr received by the first surface 216RS1 toward the irradiated portion 100i of the peripheral portion 100 (see the upper row of FIG. 3 and the upper row of FIG. 1). The second surface 216RS2, together with the surface of the central member 300 surrounding the first light-transmitting cover 216R of the light-emitting portion 210, constitutes a part of the outer surface of the steering device 1 (see the central portion of the upper row of FIG. 1).

[0032] FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the first light-transmitting cover 216R. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the first light-transmitting cover 216R. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the first light-transmitting cover 216R. The cross-section shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the III-III cross-section in FIG. 6. The first light-transmitting cover 216R includes a first diffusing portion 216DR and a first transmitting portion 216TR (see FIG. 7).

[0033] The first diffusion part 216DR includes unevenness 216ir that diffuses the passing light (see the lower part of FIG. 7). In contrast, the first transmission part 216TR does not diffuse the passing light compared to the first diffusion part 216DR. That is, the first transmission part 216TR does not have a configuration corresponding to the unevenness 216ir of the first diffusion part 216DR.

[0034] The unevenness 216ir is provided on the first surface 216RS1 (see the right part in the middle of FIG. 3). The first surface 216RS1 is a surface that receives the light Lb, Lg, and Lr emitted by the first to third light-emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the function of the first light-transmitting cover 216R that mixes the incident light Lb, Lg, and Lr by diffusion is realized by the shape of the first surface 216RS1. Therefore, the shape of the second surface 216RS2 that constitutes a part of the outer surface of the steering device 1 can be formed into an arbitrary shape according to requirements other than the diffusion of the light Lb, Lg, and Lr, for example, design requirements.

[0036] In this specification, a portion through which at least one of the light Lb and the light Lg passes in the first light-transmitting cover 216R is referred to as the "first passing part ApR" (see the left part in the middle of FIG. 3). A portion through which both the light Lb and the light Lg pass in the first light-transmitting cover 216R is referred to as the "first full-passing part ApbR" (see the central part in the upper part of FIG. 3). The first diffusion part 216DR is provided in a range including the end EapR of the first passing part ApR in the first arrangement direction DAR, a part of the first full-passing part ApbR, in the first passing part ApR (see the upper part of FIG. 3). The end of the first passing part ApR in the first arrangement direction DAR included in the range where the first diffusion part 216DR is provided is the end farther from the reference plane PR among both ends of the first passing part ApR. A part of the first full-passing part ApbR included in the range where the first diffusion part 216DR is provided is a part including the end farther from the reference plane PR among both ends of the first full-passing part ApbR.

[0037] With such a configuration, among the right irradiated portion 100iR on the peripheral portion 100 that receives light from the first light emitting portion 210R, in the vicinity of one outer edge in the first arrangement direction DAR, the light that has passed through the first diffusion portion 216DR of the first light transmissive cover 216R is irradiated (see the upper right portion of FIG. 3 and the upper right portion of FIG. 1). As a result, in the vicinity of one outer edge of the right irradiated portion 100iR, the light generated by diffusing and mixing the lights Lb, Lg, and Lr with each other by the first diffusion portion 216DR is irradiated. For this reason, when emitting the light of the target color from the first light emitting portion 210R by adjusting the intensity of each of the lights Lb, Lg, and Lr and irradiating the peripheral portion 100 with the light, it is possible to prevent a situation where only the light Lb or the light Lg is irradiated and its color is strongly recognized in the vicinity of one outer edge of the right irradiated portion 100iR.

[0038] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the first light emitting portion 210RC of the reference example. The first light transmissive cover 216RC of the first light emitting portion 210RC does not include the first diffusion portion 216DR. In such a mode, when emitting the light of the target color from the first light emitting portion 210R by adjusting the intensity of each of the lights Lb, Lg, and Lr and irradiating the peripheral portion 100 with the light, only the light Lb is irradiated in the vicinity of one outer edge of the right irradiated portion 100iR, and its color is strongly recognized by the driver of the vehicle MV (see the upper right portion of FIG. 1 and the upper right portion of FIG. 8). For example, when the irradiated portion 100i is irradiated with the light of turquoise blue by making the intensity of the blue light Lb and the intensity of the green light Lg approximately the same, the blue color component appears strongly at the right end of the irradiated portion 100i. Such an adverse effect becomes more prominent when the light is narrowed in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction DAR of the light emitting elements by the lens and the intensity of the light is increased.

[0039] The unevenness 216ir of the first diffusion part 216DR has shaped parts that extend while maintaining the same shape along directions DC1 and DC2 that intersect the first arrangement direction DAR (refer to the right part in the middle row of Fig. 3 and the lower row of Fig. 7). The direction DC2 is a direction perpendicular to the first arrangement direction DAR when viewed along the optical axis OAR. The direction DC1 forms an angle of approximately 5 degrees with respect to the direction DC2. The ratio of the size of the first diffusion part 216DR with respect to the first arrangement direction DAR in the first passing part ApR is 40 - 45% (refer to the upper right part of Fig. 3 and the lower row of Fig. 7).

[0040] Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the cross-sectional shape of the unevenness 216ir of the first diffusion part 216DR. The unevenness 216ir has a shape in which a plurality of triangles TR protruding in the same direction are adjacent in a cross-section perpendicular to the direction DC1 at a site extending along the direction DC1 (refer to Fig. 9). The plurality of triangles TR have the same shape as each other. The unevenness 216ir has a shape in which a similar plurality of triangles TR protruding in the same direction are adjacent in a cross-section perpendicular to the direction DC2 at a site extending along the direction DC2.

[0041] In such a configuration, by appropriately setting the angle of the inclined surface of the triangle TR constituting the unevenness 216ir, the direction in which the diffused light generated by refraction and reflection by the unevenness 216ir travels can be controlled within a target angular range.

[0042] (2) Configuration and function of the second light-emitting part 210L: The second light-emitting part 210L is arranged on the side opposite to the first light-emitting part 210R with respect to the reference plane PR (refer to the left part in the middle row of Fig. 1). The second light-emitting part 210L has the same configuration and function as the first light-emitting part 210R, except that the arrangement order of the light-emitting elements that emit lights Lg, Lb, and Lr, and the arrangement and shape of the diffusion part and the transmission part are reversed with respect to the reference plane PR. In this specification, for the configuration of the second light-emitting part 210L that has the same function as the configuration provided in the first light-emitting part 210R, L is attached instead of R at the end of the reference sign.

[0043] The second light-emitting unit 210L includes fourth to sixth light-emitting elements 211L, 212L, and 213L. The fourth light-emitting element 211L emits blue light Lb. The fifth light-emitting element 212L emits green light Lg. The sixth light-emitting element 213L emits red light Lr.

[0044] In the first light-emitting unit 210R, the light-emitting elements 212R, 213R, and 211R are arranged in the order of moving away from the reference plane PR in the right direction (see the lower part of FIG. 3 and the central part of the middle stage of FIG. 1). In contrast, in the second light-emitting unit 210L, the light-emitting elements 212L, 213L, and 211L are arranged in the order of moving away from the reference plane PR in the left direction.

[0045] The second light-emitting unit 210L includes a second light-transmitting cover 216L. The second light-transmitting cover 216L has the same configuration and function as the first light-transmitting cover 216R of the first light-emitting unit 210R. That is, the second light-transmitting cover 216L covers the fourth to sixth light-emitting elements 211L, 212L, 213L and the lens and transmits light.

[0046] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the first diffusion part 216DR and the first transmission part 216TR of the first light-emitting unit 210R, and the second diffusion part 216DL and the second transmission part 216TL of the second light-emitting unit 210L. The second light-transmitting cover 216L includes a second diffusion part 216DL and a second transmission part 216TL. The second diffusion part 216DL and the second transmission part 216TL have the same configuration and function as the first diffusion part 216DR and the first transmission part 216TR of the first light-emitting unit 210R, respectively (see FIG. 7 and the central part of the upper stage and the upper right part of FIG. 3). That is, the second diffusion part 216DL includes irregularities 216ir for diffusing the passing light. In contrast, the second transmission part 216TL does not diffuse the passing light as compared with the second diffusion part 216DL. The second transmission part 216TL does not have a configuration corresponding to the irregularities 216ir of the second diffusion part 216DL.

[0047] In this specification, the direction in which the fourth light-emitting element 211L and the fifth light-emitting element 212L are arranged is referred to as the "second arrangement direction DAL" (see the lower left part of FIG. 1 and the lower left part of FIG. 10). Both the second arrangement direction DAL in the second diffusion part 216DL and the first arrangement direction DAR in the first light-emitting part 210R are parallel to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis RA. In the second light-transmitting cover 216L, a portion through which at least one of the light Lb emitted by the fourth light-emitting element 211L and the light Lg emitted by the fifth light-emitting element 212L passes is referred to as the "second passing part ApL" (see ApR in FIG. 3). In the second light-transmitting cover 216L, a portion through which both the light Lb emitted by the fourth light-emitting element 211L and the light Lg emitted by the fifth light-emitting element 212L pass is referred to as the "second full-passing part ApbL" (see ApbR in FIG. 3).

[0048] The second diffusion part 216DL is provided in a range including an end of the second passing part ApL in the second arrangement direction DAL and a part of the second full-passing part ApbL among the second passing parts ApL (see 216DR in FIG. 3). The end of the second passing part ApL in the second arrangement direction DAL included in the range where the second diffusion part 216DL is provided is the end farther from the reference plane PR among both ends of the second passing part ApL. In other words, the end of the second passing part ApL in the second arrangement direction DAL included in the range where the second diffusion part 216DL is provided is the end farther from the first light-emitting part 210R among both ends of the second passing part ApL.

[0049] In this embodiment, the light emitted by the second light-emitting part 210L is superimposed and irradiated on the left outer edge part of the region 100iR on the peripheral part 100 irradiated with light by the first light-emitting part 210R in the first arrangement direction DAR (see the upper central part of FIG. 1). The light emitted by the first light-emitting part 210R is superimposed and irradiated on the right outer edge part of the region 100iL on the peripheral part 100 irradiated with light by the second light-emitting part 210L in the second arrangement direction DAL. For this reason, in those outer edge parts, a situation where only one of the light Lb and the light Lg is irradiated and its color is strongly recognized is less likely to occur.

[0050] On one hand, at both ends near the outer edge of the irradiated portion 100i with respect to the direction of rotation DR, the light Lb, Lg, Lr emitted by the light emitting elements 211R, 212R, 213R is diffused and mixed by the first diffusion portion 216DR to generate light, or the light Lb, Lg, Lr emitted by the light emitting elements 211L, 212L, 213L is diffused and mixed by the second diffusion portion 216DL to generate light, which is irradiated. Therefore, in these outer edge portions, it is difficult for a situation to occur where only one of the light Lb and the light Lg is irradiated and its color is strongly recognized. Thus, for the entire irradiated portion 100i, light with less color unevenness can be irradiated.

[0051] The ratio of the size of the second diffusion portion 216DL with respect to the second arrangement direction DAL in the second passage portion ApL is 40 - 45% (refer to the left middle part of FIG. 10). On the other hand, as described above, the ratio of the size of the first diffusion portion 216DR with respect to the first arrangement direction DAR in the first passage portion ApR is 40 - 45% (refer to the right middle part of FIG. 10).

[0052] In the light passing through the first transmission portion 216TR that does not diffuse light compared to the first diffusion portion 216DR, the ratio of the light loss generated when passing through the first light-transmitting cover 216R is smaller than that of the light passing through the first diffusion portion 216DR (refer to the upper part of FIG. 3). Similarly, in the light passing through the second transmission portion 216TL that does not diffuse light compared to the second diffusion portion 216DL, the ratio of the light loss generated when passing through the second light-transmitting cover 216L is smaller than that of the light passing through the second diffusion portion 216DL.

[0053] Therefore, in this embodiment, the situation where one of the colors of the light Lb and the light Lg is strongly recognized near the outer edge of the irradiated portion 100i can be sufficiently prevented by the light passing through the first diffusion portion 216DR or the second diffusion portion 216DL. And the amount of the entire light illuminating the irradiated portion 100i of the peripheral portion 100 can be increased by the light passing through the first transmission portion 216TR or the second transmission portion 216TL.

[0054] A3. Modification example of the first embodiment: In the first embodiment, the unevenness 216ir included in the first diffusion part 216DR has a shape in which a plurality of triangles TR protruding in the same direction are adjacent to each other in a cross section perpendicular to the directions DC1 and DC2 intersecting the first arrangement direction DAR (see FIG. 9). However, the unevenness included in the first diffusion part 216DR can have other shapes.

[0055] (1) Modification Example 1 of the First Embodiment: FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the cross-sectional shape of the unevenness 216ir2 included in the first diffusion part 216DR in Modification Example 1 of the first embodiment. In Modification Example 1 of the first embodiment, the unevenness 216ir2 included in the first diffusion part 216DR has a shape extending along the directions DC1 and DC2 intersecting the first arrangement direction DAR, similar to the unevenness 216ir in the first embodiment. However, in Modification Example 1 of the first embodiment, the unevenness 216ir2 included in the first diffusion part 216DR has a shape in which a plurality of curved portions CP protruding in the same direction are adjacent to each other in a cross section perpendicular to the directions DC1 and DC2 intersecting the first arrangement direction DAR. The plurality of curved portions CP have the same shape as each other. Specifically, the curved portion CP is an arc. Other points of the steering device according to Modification Example 1 of the first embodiment are the same as those of the steering device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0056] In such a manner, by appropriately setting the curvature and length of the curved portion CP constituting the unevenness 216ir2, the position where the light passing through each curved portion CP is focused, or the range occupied on the irradiation target when the light passing through each curved portion CP hits the irradiation target, can be appropriately controlled according to the target state.

[0057] (2) Modification Example 2 of the First Embodiment: FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of the unevenness 216ir3 included in the first diffusion part 216DR in Modification 2 of the first embodiment. In Modification 2 of the first embodiment, the unevenness 216ir3 included in the first diffusion part 216DR has a shape extending along directions DC1 and DC2 intersecting with the first arrangement direction DAR, similar to the unevenness 216ir in the first embodiment. However, in Modification 2 of the first embodiment, the unevenness 216ir3 has a shape in which a plurality of first type curve portions CP1 and a plurality of second type curve portions CP2 are alternately arranged in a cross-section perpendicular to the directions DC1 and DC2 intersecting with the first arrangement direction DAR.

[0058] The plurality of first type curve portions CP1 protrude in the first direction D1. The plurality of curve portions CP1 have the same shape as each other. Specifically, the curve portion CP1 is an arc. The plurality of second type curve portions CP2 protrude in the second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1. The plurality of curve portions CP2 have the same shape as each other. Each of the plurality of second type curve portions CP2 has a dimension in the first arrangement direction DAR smaller than that of one of the first type curve portions CP1. Specifically, the curve portion CP2 is an arc having a radius smaller than the radius of the curve portion CP1. Other points of the steering device according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment are the same as those of the steering device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0059] In such a manner, by appropriately setting the curvature and length of the first type curve portions CP1 constituting the unevenness 216ir3, the position where the light passing through each curve portion CP is condensed, or the range occupied when the light passing through each curve portion hits the irradiation target, can be appropriately controlled according to the target state. Further, since the second type curve portions CP2 protruding in the reverse direction are arranged between two adjacent first type curve portions CP1, it is easy to remove the mold when manufacturing the first light-transmitting cover 216R by casting.

[0060] In this embodiment, the vehicle MV is also referred to as a "mobile body". The first light-emitting element 211R is also referred to as the "first element". The second light-emitting element 212R is also referred to as the "second element". The third light-emitting element 213R is also referred to as the "third element". The fourth light-emitting element 211L is also referred to as the "fourth element". The fifth light-emitting element 212L is also referred to as the "fifth element". The sixth light-emitting element 213L is also referred to as the "sixth element".

[0061] The light Lb emitted by the first light-emitting element 211R is also referred to as the "first light". The light Lg emitted by the second light-emitting element 212R is also referred to as the "second light". The light Lr emitted by the third light-emitting element 213R is also referred to as the "third light". The light Lb emitted by the fourth light-emitting element 211L is also referred to as the "fourth light". The light Lg emitted by the fifth light-emitting element 212L is also referred to as the "fifth light". The light Lr emitted by the sixth light-emitting element 213L is also referred to as the "sixth light".

[0062] B. Second Embodiment: In the first embodiment, the steering device 1 includes two first light-emitting units 210R and second light-emitting units 210L as light-emitting units that irradiate one irradiation range 100i of the peripheral portion 100 (see the middle center portion of FIG. 1). The steering device of the second embodiment further includes a third light-emitting unit 210C in the rotating unit 200 as a light-emitting unit that irradiates one irradiation range of the peripheral portion 100. Other points of the steering device of the second embodiment are the same as those of the steering device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0063] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the first light-emitting unit 210R, the second light-emitting unit 210L, and the third light-emitting unit 210C. The third light-emitting unit 210C is arranged at a position overlapping with the reference plane PR. The third light-emitting unit 210C emits light that irradiates the peripheral portion 100. The light emitted by the third light-emitting unit 210C is emitted from the third light-emitting unit 210C along the reference plane PR toward the peripheral portion 100.

[0064] The third light-emitting unit 210C includes a light-transmitting cover 216C. In this specification, among the configurations of the third light-emitting unit 210C, for the configurations having the same functions as those of the configurations included in the first light-emitting unit 210R, C is attached instead of R at the end of the reference numeral.

[0065] The light-transmitting cover 216C of the third light-emitting unit 210C includes a third transmission part 216TC corresponding to the first transmission part 216TR of the first light-emitting unit 210R (see the central part at the lower stage of FIG. 13). The light-transmitting cover 216C of the third light-emitting unit 210C does not include a configuration corresponding to the first diffusion part 216DR of the first light-emitting unit 210R. Other points of the third light-emitting unit 210C are the same as those of the first light-emitting unit 210R.

[0066] Also in the second embodiment, the situation where any one of the colors of the lights Lb, Lr, and Lg is strongly recognized in the vicinity of the outer edge of the irradiated part 100i can be sufficiently prevented by the light passing through the first diffusion part 216DR of the first light-emitting unit 210R or the second diffusion part 216DL of the second light-emitting unit 210L. And the total amount of light for illuminating the irradiated part 100i of the peripheral part 100 can be increased by the light passing through the first transmission part 216TR or the second transmission part 216TL, and the light emitted from the third light-emitting unit 210C.

[0067] C. Third Embodiment: In the first embodiment, the steering device 1 includes two first light-emitting units 210R and second light-emitting units 210L as light-emitting units for irradiating one irradiation range 100i of the peripheral part 100 (see the central part at the middle stage of FIG. 1). In contrast, the steering device of the third embodiment includes only one light-emitting unit 210C3 instead of the first light-emitting unit 210R and the second light-emitting unit 210L as a light-emitting unit for irradiating one irradiation range of the peripheral part 100. Other points of the steering device of the third embodiment are the same as those of the steering device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0068] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the light emitting unit 210C3 in the third embodiment. The light emitting unit 210C3 is arranged at a position overlapping the reference plane PR. The light emitting unit 210C3 emits light that irradiates the peripheral portion 100. The light is emitted from the light emitting unit 210C3 along the reference plane PR toward the peripheral portion 100. In the light emitting unit 210C3 in the third embodiment, the configuration of the light transmissive cover 216C3 is different from the configuration of the light transmissive cover 216C of the third light emitting unit 210C in the second embodiment. Other points of the light emitting unit 210C3 in the third embodiment are the same as those of the third light emitting unit 210C in the third embodiment.

[0069] The light emitting unit 210C3 includes three light emitting elements, a lens, a light transmissive cover 216C3, and a support portion. The three light emitting elements emit blue light Lb, red light Lr, and green light Lg, respectively.

[0070] In the present embodiment, the direction in which the three light emitting elements are arranged is referred to as the "arrangement direction DAC". Among the light transmissive cover 216C3, the portion through which at least one of the light Lb and the light Lg emitted from the light emitting elements at both ends passes is referred to as the "passage portion". The portion through which both the light Lb and the light Lg emitted from the light emitting elements at both ends pass in the third light transmissive cover 216C3 is referred to as the "full passage portion".

[0071] The light transmissive cover 216C3 of the light emitting unit 210C3 includes diffusion portions 216DR3, 216DL3, and a transmissive portion 216TC3.

[0072] The diffusion portion 216DR3 corresponds to the first diffusion portion 216DR of the first light emitting unit 210R. The diffusion portion 216DR3 has the same configuration and function as the first diffusion portion 216DR of the first light emitting unit 210R. However, in the third light emitting unit 210C, the ratio of the size of the diffusion portion 216DR3 in the arrangement direction DAC in the passage portion is 20 to 22%. Other points of the diffusion portion 216DR3 are the same as those of the first diffusion portion 216DR.

[0073] The diffusion part 216DL3 is arranged on the side opposite to the diffusion part 216DR3 with respect to the transmission part 216TC in the arrangement direction DAC. The diffusion part 216DL3 is provided in a range including the other end of the passing part in the arrangement direction DAC among the passing parts and a part of all the passing parts. The region where the diffusion part 216DL3 is arranged is a region symmetric to the region where the diffusion part 216DR3 is arranged with respect to the reference plane PR. The ratio of the size of the diffusion part 216DL3 in the passing part in the arrangement direction DAC is 20 - 22%. Other points of the diffusion part 216DL3 are the same as those of the first diffusion part 216DR.

[0074] The transmission part 216TC3 has dimensions in the arrangement direction DAC that are smaller than those of the transmission part 216TC of the second embodiment. Other points of the transmission part 216TC3 are the same as those of the transmission part 216TC of the second embodiment.

[0075] In the third embodiment, it is possible to prevent a situation where the color of the light Lb or Lg is strongly recognized near the outer edges of both ends of the right irradiated part 100iR by the light passing through the diffusion parts 216DR3 and 216DL3. And the amount of the entire light illuminating the right irradiated part 100iR of the peripheral part 100 can be increased by the light passing through the transmission part 216TC.

[0076] The light-transmissive cover 216C3 in this embodiment is also referred to as the "first light-transmissive cover". The diffusion part 216DR3 is also referred to as the "first diffusion part". The transmission part 216TC3 is also referred to as the "first transmission part". The diffusion part 216DL3 is also referred to as the "additional diffusion part". The arrangement direction DAC in which the three light-emitting elements are arranged is also referred to as the "first arrangement direction". The passing part through which at least one of the light Lb and Lg emitted from the light-emitting elements at both ends passes is also referred to as the "first passing part". The entire passing part through which both the light Lb and Lg emitted from the light-emitting elements at both ends pass is also referred to as the "first entire passing part".

[0077] D. Other embodiments: D1. Other embodiment 1: (1) In the above-described first embodiment, the first light-emitting unit 210R includes a first lens 214R and a first light-transmitting cover 216R (see FIG. 3). However, the light-emitting unit may not include a lens. Further, the light-emitting unit may include a single optical element having both the functions of a lens and a light-transmitting cover.

[0078] (2) In the above-described first embodiment, the plurality of triangles TR of the unevenness 216ir have the same shape as each other (see FIG. 9). In Modification 1 of the first embodiment, the plurality of curved portions CP have the same shape as each other. In Modification 2 of the first embodiment, the plurality of curved portions CP1 have the same shape as each other. In Modification 2 of the first embodiment, the plurality of curved portions CP2 have the same shape as each other.

[0079] However, the plurality of triangular portions included in the unevenness may have different shapes and dimensions from each other. The plurality of curved portions CP protruding in the same direction included in the unevenness may have different shapes and dimensions from each other.

[0080] (3) In the above-described first embodiment, the unevenness 216ir of the first diffusing portion 216DR has a shape portion that extends while maintaining the same shape along the direction DC1, and a shape portion that extends while maintaining the same shape along the direction DC2 (see the upper-middle right portion of FIG. 3 and the lower portion of FIG. 7). However, the unevenness may include only one shape portion that extends while maintaining the same shape along a certain direction. Further, the unevenness may include three or more shape portions that each extend while maintaining the same shape along a certain direction.

[0081] (4) In the above-described first embodiment, the unevenness 216ir of the first diffusing portion 216DR has a shape portion that extends while maintaining the same shape along the directions DC1 and DC2 (see the upper-middle right portion of FIG. 3 and the lower portion of FIG. 7). However, the unevenness included in the diffusing portion may be unevenness that changes two-dimensionally. Further, the unevenness included in the diffusing portion may be regular unevenness that changes two-dimensionally, or may be, for example, irregular unevenness that changes two-dimensionally like frosted glass.

[0082] (5) In the above first embodiment, the first transmissive portion 216TR does not have a configuration corresponding to the unevenness 216ir of the first diffusive portion 216DR (see FIG. 7). The second transmissive portion 216TL does not have a configuration corresponding to the unevenness 216ir of the second diffusive portion 216DL. However, each transmissive portion may have a change in shape other than the unevenness of the diffusive portion. However, it is preferable that the root mean square height Sq of the surface of each transmissive portion is smaller than the root mean square height Sq of the surface of the diffusive portion.

[0083] (6) In the above first embodiment, the first diffusive portion 216DR is provided in a range including a part of the first full passage portion ApbR among the first passage portions ApR (see the upper part of FIG. 3). The second diffusive portion 216DL is provided in a range including a part of the second full passage portion ApbL among the second passage portions ApL. However, each diffusive portion may be provided in a range including all of the corresponding full passage portions.

[0084] (7) In the above first embodiment, the first light emitting portion 210R includes the first to third light emitting elements 211R, 212R, and 213R (see the central part of the lower part of FIG. 3). However, the light emitting portion may be configured to include two light emitting elements that respectively emit light of two different colors. Further, it may include four or more light emitting elements that respectively emit light of four or more different colors.

[0085] (8) In the above first embodiment, the steering device 1 is a device that controls the traveling direction of the vehicle MV. However, the steering device may be a device that controls the traveling direction of various moving bodies such as ships, airplanes, spacecraft, and trains.

[0086] D2. Other Embodiment 2: In the above embodiment, the unevenness 216ir is provided on the first surface 216RS1 (see the right part of the middle part of FIG. 3). However, the unevenness that diffuses the passing light may be provided on the surface of the light transmissive cover from which the light transmissive cover emits light.

[0087] D3. Other Embodiment 3: In the above-described second embodiment, the steering device includes a first light-emitting unit 210R, a second light-emitting unit 210L, and a third light-emitting unit 210C so as to irradiate one irradiation range of the peripheral portion 100 (see FIG. 13). However, the steering device may include two light-emitting units as in the steering device 1 of the first embodiment, or may include only one light-emitting unit as in the steering device of the third embodiment, as a configuration for irradiating one irradiation range. Further, the steering device may include four or more light-emitting units as a configuration for irradiating one irradiation range.

[0088] D4. Other Embodiment 4: (1) In the above-described third embodiment, the light-transmitting cover 216C3 of the light-emitting unit 210C3 includes diffusion portions 216DR3 and 216DL3, and a transmission portion 216TC3 (see FIG. 14). And the ratio of the size of the diffusion portion 216DR3 in the arrangement direction DAC in the passage portion is 22%. The ratio of the size of the diffusion portion 216DL3 in the arrangement direction DAC in the passage portion is 22%. However, in an aspect where only one light-emitting unit is provided as a light-emitting unit that irradiates one irradiation range 100i of the peripheral portion 100, the light-transmitting cover may include only one diffusion portion. Further, the light-transmitting cover may not include a transmission portion and may include a diffusion portion extending over the entire passage portion.

[0089] (2) In the third light-emitting unit 210C of the above-described third embodiment, the ratio of the size of the diffusion portion 216DR3 in the arrangement direction DAC in the passage portion is 20 to 22% (see FIG. 14). The ratio of the size of the diffusion portion 216DL3 in the arrangement direction DAC in the passage portion is 20 to 22%. However, in a light-emitting unit including two diffusion portions, the ratio of the size of each diffusion portion in the arrangement direction in the passage portion may be other sizes of 25% or less, such as 10% and 15%, or may be sizes exceeding 25%, such as 25% and 30%. However, in a light-emitting unit including two diffusion portions, the ratio of the size of each diffusion portion in the arrangement direction in the passage portion is preferably 25% or less, and more preferably 22% or less.

[0090] D5. Another Embodiment 5: In the first embodiment described above, the steering device 1 includes a first light emitting unit 210R and a second light emitting unit 210L (see the middle center part of FIG. 1). The first light transmissive cover 216R of the first light emitting unit 210R includes a first diffusing part 216DR and a first transmissive part 216TR (see FIGS. 7 and 10). The second light transmissive cover 216L of the second light emitting unit 210L includes a second diffusing part 216DL and a second transmissive part 216TL (see FIG. 10). However, one or both of the two light emitting units may not include a transmissive part and may include a diffusing part extending over the entire passage part. Also, one or both of the light emitting units may not include a diffusing part and may include a transmissive part extending over the entire passage part.

[0091] D6. Another Embodiment 6: In the above embodiment, the ratio of the size of the first diffusing part 216DR with respect to the first arrangement direction DAR in the first passage part ApR is 40 to 45% (see the upper right part of FIG. 3 and the lower part of FIG. 7). The ratio of the size of the second diffusing part 216DL with respect to the second arrangement direction DAL in the second passage part ApL is 40 to 45% (see the middle left part of FIG. 10). However, in a light emitting unit having one diffusing part, the ratio of the size of the diffusing part with respect to the arrangement direction in the passage part may be other sizes of 50% or less, such as 30% or 35%, or may be sizes exceeding 50%, such as 55% or 60%. However, in a light emitting unit having one diffusing part, the ratio of the size of each diffusing part with respect to the arrangement direction in the passage part is preferably 50% or less, and more preferably 45% or less.

[0092] D7. Another Embodiment 7: In the above-described second embodiment, the steering device includes a first light-emitting unit 210R, a second light-emitting unit 210L, and a third light-emitting unit 210C as light-emitting units that irradiate one irradiation range of the peripheral portion 100 (see FIG. 13). The ratio of the size of the first diffusion unit 216DR with respect to the first arrangement direction DAR in the first passage portion ApR is 40 to 45%. The ratio of the size of the second diffusion unit 216DL with respect to the second arrangement direction DAL in the second passage portion ApL is 40 to 45%.

[0093] However, the aspect of including three light-emitting units as the light-emitting units that irradiate one irradiation range 100i of the peripheral portion 100 can also be configured as follows. That is, in the light-emitting unit including one diffusion unit, the ratio of the size of the diffusion unit with respect to the arrangement direction in the passage portion may be other sizes of 50% or less, such as 30% or 35%, or may be sizes exceeding 50%, such as 55% or 60%. However, regardless of the number of light-emitting units provided in the steering device, in the light-emitting unit including one diffusion unit, the ratio of the size of each diffusion unit with respect to the arrangement direction in the passage portion is preferably 50% or less, and more preferably 45% or less.

[0094] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary of the invention can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0095] 1… Steering device, 100… Peripheral part, 100i… Irradiated part, 100iL… Left irradiated part, 100iR… Right irradiated part, 200… Rotating part, 210… Light emitting part, 210C… Third light emitting part, 210C3… Light emitting part, 210L… Second light emitting part, 210R… First light emitting part, 210RC… First light emitting part of the reference example, 211R… First light emitting element, 212R… Second light emitting element, 213R… Third light emitting element, 214R… First lens, 216DL3… Diffusion part, 216DR3… Diffusion part, 216DL… Second diffusion part, 216DR… First diffusion part, 216L… Second light transmissive cover, 216R… First light transmissive cover, 216RC… First light transmissive cover of the reference example, 216RS1… First surface, 216RS2… Second surface, 216TC… Third transmissive part, 216TC3… Transmissive part, 216TL… Second transmissive part, 216TR… First transmissive part, 216ir… Concavity and convexity, 216ir2… Concavity and convexity, 216ir3… Concavity and convexity, 218R… First support part, 300… Central member, 400… Mounting member, ApR… First passage part, ApbR… First total passage part, CP… Curved part, CP1… Curved part, CP2… Curved part, D1… First direction, D2… Second direction, DAC… Arrangement direction, DAL… Second arrangement direction, DAR… First arrangement direction, DC1… Direction in which the concavity and convexity extends, DC2… Direction in which the concavity and convexity extends, DF… Front of the vehicle, DH… Horizontal direction, DR… Rotation direction, DV… Vertical direction, Ddr… Dimension in the rotation direction of the irradiated part, Dra… Dimension in the direction of the rotation axis of the irradiated part, EapR… End of the first passage part with respect to the first arrangement direction, LL… Light, LR… Light, Lb… Blue light, Lg… Green light, Lr… Red light, MV… Vehicle, OAR… Optical axis, PR… Reference plane, RA… Rotation axis, TR… Triangle

Claims

1. A steering device for a moving body, comprising: a rotating part provided on the moving body so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis; a peripheral part connected to the rotating part, the peripheral part being arranged at a position farther from the rotation axis than the rotating part; a first light emitting part that emits light for irradiating the peripheral part; The first light emitting part includes: a first element that emits first light; a second element that emits second light having a color different from that of the first light; a first light-transmitting cover that covers the first element and the second element and transmits light; The first light-transmitting cover includes a first diffusing part having unevenness for diffusing the passing light; The first diffusing part is provided in a range including (i) an end of the first passing part in a first arrangement direction in which the first element and the second element are arranged, and (ii) at least a part of the first full passing part that is a part where both the first light and the second light pass, among the first passing parts where at least one of the first light and the second light passes in the first light-transmitting cover. Steering device.

2. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein: The first light-transmitting cover includes: a first surface that receives the first light from the first element and the second light from the second element; a second surface that is on the side opposite to the first surface, forms a part of the outer surface of the steering device, and emits the light received by the first surface toward the peripheral part; The unevenness is provided on the first surface. Steering device.

3. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein: The first light emitting part includes: a third element arranged between the second element and the first element, the third element emitting third light having a color that cannot be generated by mixing the first light and the second light; The first light-transmitting cover covers the third element, which is a steering device.

4. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the first light-transmitting cover comprises a first transmitting portion that does not diffuse the light passing therethrough compared to the first diffusing portion, and an additional diffusing portion having irregularities that diffuse the light passing therethrough, and the additional diffusing portion is arranged on the side opposite to the first diffusing portion with respect to the first transmitting portion in a first arrangement direction, and is provided in a range including (i) the other end of the first transmitting portion in the first arrangement direction and (ii) at least a part of the first entire transmitting portion, the ratio of the size of the first diffusing portion in the first arrangement direction in the first transmitting portion is 25% or less, and the ratio of the size of the additional diffusing portion in the first arrangement direction in the first transmitting portion is 25% or less, which is a steering device.

5. The steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the rotating portion is at a reference angular position indicating the front as the traveling direction with respect to the moving body, a second light-emitting portion is provided on the side opposite to the first light-emitting portion with respect to a reference plane that is a plane including the rotation axis and the front, and emits light for irradiating the peripheral portion, the second light-emitting portion comprises a fourth element that emits a fourth light having the same color as the first light, a fifth element that emits a fifth light having the same color as the second light, and a second light-transmitting cover that covers the fourth element and the fifth element and transmits light, the second light-transmitting cover comprises a second diffusing portion having irregularities that diffuse the light passing therethrough, The second diffusion part is provided in a range including (i) an end of the second passing part in the second arrangement direction in which the fourth element and the fifth element are arranged, among the second passing parts which are parts of the second light-transmitting cover through which at least one of the fourth light and the fifth light passes, and (ii) at least a part of the second full-passing part which is a part through which both the fourth light and the fifth light pass. A steering device that irradiates, on the peripheral part, regions where part of the light emitted from the first light-emitting part and part of the light emitted from the second light-emitting part overlap.

6. The steering device according to claim 5, The first light-transmitting cover includes a first transmitting part that does not diffuse the light passing through it compared to the first diffusion part. The ratio of the size of the first diffusion part in the first arrangement direction in the first passing part is 50% or less. The second light-transmitting cover includes a second transmitting part that does not diffuse the light passing through it compared to the second diffusion part. The steering device, wherein the ratio of the size of the second diffusion part in the second arrangement direction in the second passing part is 50% or less.

7. The steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The steering device When the rotating part is at a reference angular position indicating the front as the traveling direction with respect to the moving body, a second light-emitting part that is arranged on the side opposite to the first light-emitting part with respect to a reference plane which is a plane including the rotation axis and the front, and emits light for irradiating the peripheral part. A third light-emitting part that is arranged at a position overlapping the reference plane and emits light for irradiating the peripheral part. The second light-emitting part A fourth element that emits a fourth light having the same color as the first light. A fifth element that emits a fifth light having the same color as the second light. A second light-transmitting cover that covers the fourth element and the fifth element and transmits light. The second light-transmitting cover includes a second diffusing portion having unevenness for diffusing light passing therethrough. The second diffusing portion is provided in a range including (i) an end of the second passing portion in the second arrangement direction in which the fourth element and the fifth element are arranged, among the second passing portions where at least one of the fourth light and the fifth light passes through the second light-transmitting cover, and (ii) at least a part of the second full-passing portion where both the fourth light and the fifth light pass through. The first light-transmitting cover includes a first transmitting portion that does not diffuse light passing therethrough as compared with the first diffusing portion. The second light-transmitting cover includes a second transmitting portion that does not diffuse light passing therethrough as compared with the second diffusing portion. The ratio of the size of the first diffusing portion in the first arrangement direction in the first passing portion is 50% or less. The ratio of the size of the second diffusing portion in the second arrangement direction in the second passing portion is 50% or less, the steering device.

8. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the unevenness has a shape extending along a direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, and in a cross section perpendicular to the direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, has a shape in which a plurality of triangles protruding in the same direction are adjacent to each other.

9. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the unevenness has a shape extending along a direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, and in a cross section perpendicular to the direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, has a shape in which a plurality of curved portions protruding in the same direction are adjacent to each other.

10. The steering device according to claim 1, The unevenness has a shape extending along a direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, and in a cross section perpendicular to the direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, a plurality of first type of curved portions protruding in a first direction and a plurality of second type of curved portions protruding in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein each of the plurality of second type of curved portions has a dimension in the first arrangement direction smaller than that of one of the first type of curved portions, and the plurality of second type of curved portions and the plurality of first type of curved portions are alternately arranged. The steering device has such a shape.

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