Rear combination lamp

Abstract

To provide a rear combination lamp mounted on a vehicle having a winker lamp display function, a back lamp display function and a brake lamp display function, which can change a display pattern of each lamp display function.SOLUTION: A rear combination lamp W includes an LED display device 1 having an LED matrix panel 10 and a control part 20 that controls a display of the LED matrix panel. The LED matrix panel 10 is formed by arranging a plurality of three-color LED elements in a matrix pattern, and the control part 20 includes: a detector 21 that receives a display control signal transmitted from the ECU 50 and identifies a content of the display control signal; a display processing part 22 that controls the display of the LED matrix panel with a display pattern according to the content of the identified display control signal; and a setting processing part 23 that can change the display pattern of the LED matrix panel 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rear combination lamp mounted on a vehicle (automobile) such as a truck.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, the configuration of a rear combination lamp mounted on the rear and both left and right sides of a vehicle (automobile) such as a truck is known. A rear combination lamp is a signal lamp for notifying a following vehicle or a pedestrian behind the vehicle of vehicle operations such as direction indication, reverse, and braking (applying brakes). It is an integrated unit of a brake lamp, a turn signal lamp, a back lamp, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses the configuration of a rear combination lamp.

[0003] In the rear combination lamp described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of lamps using LEDs as light sources are housed in a rectangular housing (main body). The above housing includes a first housing portion for housing a tail lamp and a brake lamp, and a second housing portion for housing a turn signal lamp (direction indicator lamp) and a back lamp (reverse lamp).

[0004] When the vehicle's headlight is turned on, the tail lamp in the housing lights up in conjunction with it, and red light is irradiated from the tail lamp emission area. Also, when the vehicle is braked, the brake lamp in the housing lights up, and red light is irradiated from the brake lamp emission area. In addition, when the vehicle is in a reverse operation state, the reverse lamp (rearward lamp) in the housing of the rear combination lamp lights up, and white light is irradiated from the reverse lamp light emission area. Further, when the turn signal lever of the vehicle is operated, the turn signal lamp (direction indicator lamp) in the housing blinks, and orange blinking light is irradiated from the direction indicator lamp light emission area.

[0005] In addition, in the above rear combination lamp, the brake lamp (stop lamp), tail lamp (tail light), turn signal lamp (direction indicator lamp), and reverse lamp (rearward lamp) are configured to light or blink in areas respectively assigned and determined within the display area of the entire main body portion. For example, in a conventional rear combination lamp, a red light emission area (stop lamp light emission area) lit by the brake lamp is determined, and a red light emission area (tail light emission area) lit by the tail lamp (tail light) is determined. Also, in a conventional rear combination lamp, an orange light emission area (direction indicator lamp light emission area) that blinks by the turn signal lamp (direction indicator lamp) is determined, and a white light emission area (rearward lamp light emission area) lit by the reverse lamp (rearward lamp) is determined. Note that the configuration of such a rear combination lamp equipped with an LED light source is also disclosed in, for example, Non-Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0007]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] By the way, in a rear combination lamp, for example, when only the brake lamp is lit, if the luminous area of the brake lamp can be increased compared to the case where the brake lamp is lit together with other lamps, it is possible to more reliably inform following vehicles and pedestrians behind the vehicle of the vehicle's operation (the vehicle is braking). Also, in a rear combination lamp, for example, when only the turn signal lamp is lit, if the luminous area of the turn signal lamp can be increased compared to the case where the turn signal lamp is lit together with other lamps, it is possible to more reliably inform following vehicles and pedestrians behind the vehicle of the vehicle's operation (vehicle change or right / left turn). Also, in a rear combination lamp, for example, when only the reverse lamp is lit, if the luminous area of the reverse lamp can be increased compared to the case where the reverse lamp is lit together with other lamps, it is possible to more reliably inform following vehicles and pedestrians behind the vehicle of the vehicle's operation (the vehicle is reversing).

[0009] However, in the case of the above-described conventional rear combination lamp, even when only the brake lamp is to be displayed, since the red display area where the brake lamp lights up is fixed, it is not possible to display the brake lamp larger. Also, for example, in the case of a conventional rear combination lamp, even when only the turn signal lamp is to be displayed, since the orange display area where the turn signal lamp blinks is fixed, it is not possible to display the turn signal lamp larger. The same applies to the back lamp (reverse lamp) and the tail lamp in the conventional rear combination lamp. That is, in the above-described conventional rear combination lamp, for each lamp display function (turn signal lamp display function, rear lamp display function, back lamp display function, and brake lamp display function), since the display area is fixed, it cannot be set to display in various display pattern designs corresponding to the driving state of the vehicle.

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a rear combination lamp mounted on a vehicle having a turn signal lamp display function, a back lamp display function, and a brake lamp display function, and capable of varying the display pattern of each lamp display function.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The present invention made to solve the above problems is a rear combination lamp mounted on a vehicle having at least a turn signal lamp display function, a back lamp display function, and a brake lamp display function, comprising: an LED display device having an LED matrix panel; and a control unit electrically connected to an ECU mounted on the vehicle and performing display control of the LED matrix panel. The LED matrix panel is formed by arranging a plurality of three-color LED elements in a matrix shape. The ECU transmits a display control signal corresponding to the operating state of the vehicle to the control unit. The operating state of the vehicle includes a direction indicating operation, a reverse operation, and a brake operation. The control unit includes a detection unit that receives the display control signal transmitted from the ECU and specifies the content of the display control signal, and a display processing unit that causes the LED matrix panel to display a brake lamp that lights up in red, a turn signal lamp that blinks in orange, or a back lamp that lights up in white according to the content of the specified display control signal, and a setting processing unit that receives a request from a user and changes the display pattern of the LED matrix panel according to the content of the display control signal.

[0012] Thus, in the present invention, an LED display device of a rear combination lamp that has an LED matrix panel formed by arranging a plurality of three-color LED elements in a matrix shape is adopted, and a setting processing unit for changing the display pattern of the LED matrix panel is provided in the control unit. According to this configuration, for each lamp display function (turn signal lamp display function, back lamp display function, and brake lamp display function), it is possible to set display patterns of various designs corresponding to the driving state of the vehicle. For example, when only the back lamp is to be displayed, the light emission pattern can be set so as to increase the light emission area of the back lamp compared to the case where the back lamp is displayed together with other lamps. Therefore, according to the present invention, for each lamp display function, it is possible to display a desired design pattern for each user.

[0013] Further, when the display processing unit causes the LED matrix panel to display any one of the turn signal lamp, the back lamp, and the brake lamp alone, it is desirable that the display control of the LED matrix panel be performed such that the display area is larger than the display areas of the respective lamps when two or more of the turn signal lamp, the back lamp, and the brake lamp are displayed. Further, when the display processing unit causes the LED matrix panel to display any one of the turn signal lamp, the back lamp, and the brake lamp alone, it is desirable that each lamp be displayed over the entire area of the LED matrix panel.

[0014] According to this configuration, it is possible to more reliably notify a following vehicle, a pedestrian, etc. behind the vehicle of a vehicle operation (for example, that the vehicle is braking or that the turn signal is blinking).

[0015] Further, the display control signal includes a display control signal ID for specifying the content of the display control signal, and the control unit stores a display pattern table in which display patterns to be displayed on the LED matrix panel are associated and stored for each display control signal ID for specifying the content of the display control signal. It is desirable to specify a display pattern corresponding to the content of the received display control signal from the display signal ID included in the received display control signal and the display pattern table, and cause the LED matrix panel to display the lamp display of the specified display pattern.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rear combination lamp mounted on a vehicle having a turn signal lamp display function, a back lamp display function, and a brake lamp display function, and capable of changing the display pattern of each lamp display function.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, the rear combination lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] 《Schematic Configuration》 First, the schematic configuration of the rear combination lamp of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the rear combination lamp of the present embodiment.

[0020] The rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment has a turn signal lamp display function, a back lamp display function, a brake lamp display function, and a welcome lamp display function, and is configured to be mounted on both left and right sides at the rear of a vehicle (automobile) such as a truck. Note that the above brake lamp display function includes the function of a brake lamp (red lighting) displayed during a normal braking operation and the function of an emergency brake lamp (red flashing) displayed during an emergency braking operation.

[0021] Specifically, as shown in the figure, the rear combination lamp W includes an LED display device 1 including an LED matrix panel 10 formed by arranging a plurality of three-color LED elements 11 in a matrix (vertical × horizontal matrix), a control circuit (control unit) 20 electrically connected to the LED matrix panel 10 and performing display control of the LED matrix panel 10, and a power supply circuit 30 for supplying power to the LED display device 10 and the control circuit 20. A power supply (battery) not shown is connected to the power supply circuit 30.

[0022] In addition, the control circuit 20 is connected to a lighting pattern selection switch 40a for a user (for example, an engineer of an operator who manufactures and sells (or sells) the rear combination lamp) to select and change the display pattern (design) of each lamp displayed on the LED matrix panel 10, and an option selection switch 40b for setting a display pattern (for example, a display pattern for displaying characters) uniquely set by the user. Note that one surface of the LED matrix panel 10 is a display surface 10a.

[0023] In addition, the control circuit 20 is electrically connected to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 50 mounted on a vehicle, receives a display control signal transmitted from the ECU 50, and performs display control of the LED matrix panel 10 according to the content of the received display control signal.

[0024] For example, when the control circuit 20 receives a display control signal instructing "turn on the brake lamp (brake light)" from the ECU 50, it displays a brake lamp (stop lamp) that lights up in red on the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10. Further, for example, when the control circuit 20 receives a display control signal instructing "turning on the brake lamp (brake light) and flashing the left turn signal" from the ECU 50, it causes both "a red-lit brake lamp and an orange-flashing turn signal" to be displayed on the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10. In this case, for example, a red brake lamp (brake light) is lit in a part of the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10, and an orange turn signal lamp (left turn signal lamp) is flashed in another part of the display surface 10a.

[0025] Also, for example, when the control circuit 20 receives a display control signal instructing "turning on the brake lamp (brake light) and turning on the back lamp (reverse lamp)" from the ECU 50, it causes both "a red-lit brake lamp (brake light) and a white-lit back lamp (reverse lamp)" to be displayed on the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10. In this case, for example, a red brake lamp (brake light) is lit in a part of the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10, and a white back lamp (reverse lamp) is lit in another part of the display surface 10a.

[0026] Hereinafter, the rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment and the ECU 50 connected to the rear combination lamp W will be described. Note that since the ECU 50 is a well-known technology, only the parts necessary for the function of the rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment will be described.

[0027] 《ECU50》 First, among the functions of the ECU 50 connected to the rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment, the functions related to the present embodiment will be described. The ECU 50 generates a display control signal instructing "display of the rear combination lamp W" according to the operating state of the vehicle (direction indicator operation, reverse operation, brake operation, welcome signal display operation), and transmits the display control signal to the control circuit 20.

[0028] This display control signal includes a signal for instructing the lighting and extinguishing of the "brake lamp", a signal for instructing the lighting and extinguishing of the "left turn signal", a signal for instructing the lighting and extinguishing of the "right turn signal", a signal for instructing the lighting and extinguishing of the "reverse lamp", a signal for instructing the lighting and extinguishing of the "emergency brake lamp", a signal for instructing the lighting and extinguishing of the "welcome lamp", and a signal for instructing the lighting and extinguishing of the "left and right turn signal lamps". Note that the display control signal for instructing the lighting of the "left and right turn signal lamps" becomes a signal for instructing the lighting of the hazard lamp.

[0029] For example, when the driver of the vehicle operates the brake, the ECU 50 generates a display control signal for instructing the lighting of the "brake lamp" and transmits the generated display control signal to the control circuit 20. Note that when the driver of the vehicle stops the brake operation (releases the brake), the ECU 50 transmits a display control signal for instructing the extinguishing of the "brake lamp" to the control circuit 20. Also, when the driver of the vehicle operates the turn signal lever to blink either the left or right turn signal lamp, the ECU 50 generates a display control signal for instructing the blinking of either the left or right turn signal lamp and transmits the generated display control signal to the control circuit 20. Note that when the driver of the vehicle stops operating the turn signal lever, the ECU 50 transmits a display control signal for instructing the extinguishing of the "turn signal lamp" to the control circuit 20.

[0030] Also, when the driver of the vehicle performs a reverse operation of the vehicle, the ECU 50 generates a display control signal for instructing the lighting of the "reverse lamp" and transmits the generated display control signal to the control circuit 20. Note that when the driver of the vehicle stops the reverse operation, the ECU 50 transmits a display control signal for instructing the extinguishing of the "reverse lamp" to the control circuit 20.

[0031] Also, for example, when the driver of the vehicle operates the welcome lamp to turn it on, the ECU 50 generates a display control signal instructing "turn on the welcome lamp" and transmits the generated display control signal to the control circuit 20. Note that when the driver of the vehicle operates the welcome lamp to turn it off, the ECU 50 transmits a display control signal instructing "turn off the welcome lamp" to the control circuit 20.

[0032] Also, for example, when the driver of the vehicle operates the wiper lever to blink the right turn signal lamp while applying the brake, the ECU 50 generates a display control signal instructing "turn on the brake lamp" and transmits the generated display control signal instructing "turn on the brake lamp" to the control circuit 20. At the same time, the ECU 50 generates a display control signal instructing "blink the right turn signal lamp" and transmits the generated display control signal instructing "blink the right turn signal lamp" to the control circuit 20.

[0033] Also, for example, when the driver of the vehicle applies the brake and performs a reverse operation of the vehicle, the ECU 50 generates a display control signal instructing "turn on the brake lamp" and transmits the generated display control signal instructing "turn on the brake lamp" to the control circuit 20. At the same time, the ECU 50 generates a display control signal instructing "turn on the reverse lamp" and transmits the generated display control signal instructing "turn on the reverse lamp" to the control circuit 20.

[0034] Note that the display control signal includes a display control signal ID that specifies the content of the display control signal. For example, "BR" is assigned as the display control signal ID to the display control signal instructing "turn on the brake lamp", and "BK" is assigned as the display control signal ID to the display control signal instructing "turn on the reverse lamp". Also, for example, "EMBR" is assigned as the display control signal ID to the display control signal instructing "turn on the emergency brake lamp". Also, for example, the display control signal that only indicates the "flashing of the right turn signal" is assigned the display control signal ID "WR", and the display control signal that only indicates the "flashing of the left turn signal" is assigned the display control signal ID "WL". Also, for example, the display control signal that indicates the "lighting of the welcome lamp" is assigned the display control signal ID "WC".

[0035] 《LED Display Device 1》 Next, the LED display device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Note that FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the LED display device that constitutes the rear combination lamp of the present embodiment. The LED display device 1 includes a hollow rectangular box-shaped housing 3 with an open front surface, and an LED matrix panel 10 housed in the housing 3. The display surface 10a of the LED display panel 10 is arranged at the opening of the front surface of the housing 3.

[0036] The LED matrix panel 10 receives, for example, a display pattern signal transmitted from the control circuit 20, and in response to the display pattern signal, displays a brake lamp (brake light) that lights up red on the display surface 10a, or an emergency brake lamp (brake light) that blinks red on the display surface 10a, or a back lamp (reverse lamp) that lights up white on the display surface 10a, or a turn signal lamp (turn signal light) that blinks orange on the display surface 10a, or a hazard lamp that blinks orange. Also, for example, the LED matrix panel 10 is controlled by the control circuit 20 to display the brake lamp while flashing the turn signal lamp on the display surface 10a, or to display the turn signal lamp while flashing the back lamp (reverse lamp) on the display surface 10a.

[0037] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the LED matrix panel 10 has a configuration in which a plurality of three-color LED elements 11 are arranged in a matrix in the vertical × horizontal direction (in the illustrated example, "44 columns vertically" × "12 rows horizontally"). The three-color LED element 11 is mounted with a red LED (R) chip 12, a green LED (G) chip 13, and a blue LED (B) chip 14. By varying the emission intensity (0 to 100%) of each LED chip 12, 13, 14, the three-color LED element 11 can emit light in "red" to display a brake lamp, emit light in "orange" to display a turn signal and a hazard lamp, or emit light in "white" to display a reverse lamp. In this embodiment, the LED matrix panel 10 uses a configuration of a well-known technique.

[0038] 《Control Circuit 20》 Next, the control circuit 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Note that FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the functional configuration of the control circuit that constitutes the rear combination lamp of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of the control circuit that constitutes the rear combination lamp of this embodiment.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 20 includes a signal detection unit 21 that receives a display control signal transmitted from the ECU 50 and identifies the content of the display control signal, and a display processing unit 22 that causes the LED matrix panel 10 to display a brake lamp that lights red, an emergency brake lamp that blinks red, a turn signal lamp that blinks orange, a reverse lamp that lights white, or a welcome lamp according to the content of the identified display control signal. It also includes a setting processing unit 23 that accepts a request from the user and changes the display pattern of the LED matrix panel 10 according to the content of the display control signal, a data transfer unit 24 that exchanges data with the LED matrix panel 10, and a storage unit 25. In addition, the storage unit 25 stores a display pattern table 26 that associates and registers a display pattern for each content of the display control signal transmitted from the ECU 50, and an option pattern table 27.

[0040] Specifically, the display pattern table 26 is composed of a plurality of database groups in table format. For each database in table format, a display control signal ID that specifies the content of the display control signal and a display pattern to be displayed on the LED matrix panel 10 are associated and stored. Different display patterns (lighting pattern information) are registered in each database in table format. A database ID is assigned to each database in table format. By the user operating the lighting pattern selection switch (input device) 40a to input the database ID, the setting processing unit 23 sets the database in table format to be used for display on the LED matrix panel 10.

[0041] In each database in table format, for example, a display control signal ID (e.g., "BK") that specifies a display control signal for instructing "lighting of the back lamp (reverse lamp)" is associated with a display pattern in which the three-color LED elements 11 arranged in a predetermined area of the LED matrix panel 10 are lit white (lighting the back lamp). Also, for example, a combination (e.g., "BR, BK") of a display control signal ID (e.g., "BK") that specifies a display control signal for instructing "lighting of the back lamp (reverse lamp)" and a display control signal ID (e.g., "BR") that specifies a display control signal for instructing "lighting of the brake lamp (stop lamp)" is associated with a display pattern in which the three-color LED elements 11 arranged in a partial area of the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10 are lit red (lighting the brake lamp), and the three-color LED elements 11 arranged in the other area of the display surface 10a are lit white (lighting the back lamp). Also, for example, to a display control signal ID (WR) that specifies a display control signal for instructing only "flashing of the right turn signal lamp", a display pattern in which the three-color LED elements 11 arranged in a predetermined area of the LED matrix panel 10 flash in orange is associated.

[0042] Further, in the present embodiment, the display area when displaying only one lamp (rear lamp, turn signal, brake lamp) is set such that the display pattern has a larger area than the display area of each lamp when displaying a plurality of lamps (for example, both the rear lamp and the brake lamp) together. With this configuration, for example, when displaying only the brake lamp, the light-emitting area of the brake lamp can be increased as compared with the case of displaying the brake lamp together with other lamps. Also, for example, when displaying only the turn signal, the light-emitting area of the turn signal can be increased as compared with the case of displaying the turn signal together with other lamps. As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to more reliably notify a following vehicle or a pedestrian behind the vehicle of the vehicle operation (the vehicle is braking).

[0043] The option pattern table 27 is a database that stores in association a display control signal ID that specifies the content of the display control signal and a display pattern (for example, a display pattern for displaying characters) uniquely set by the user. For example, the option pattern table 27 stores in association a display pattern (for example, a display pattern for displaying characters) input by the user with a display control signal ID (WC) that specifies a display control signal for instructing "lighting of the welcome lamp".

[0044] The setting processing unit 23 receives a database ID input by a user (for example, an engineer of an operator who manufactures and sells (or sells) the rear combination lamp) by operating the lighting pattern selection switch 40a. The database ID received by the setting processing unit 23 is stored in a predetermined area of the storage unit 25. In addition, the setting processing unit 23 receives an option pattern (e.g., a display pattern of characters) input by a user (e.g., an engineer of a business operator who manufactures and sells (or sells) rear combination lamps) operating the option selection switch 40b, and a display control signal ID for displaying the option pattern. The setting processing unit 23 associates the received display control signal ID with the option pattern (e.g., a display pattern of characters) and registers it in the option pattern table 27 stored in the storage unit 15.

[0045] In addition, the setting processing unit 23 can receive from the user a change to the "display pattern for each content of the display control signal" registered in the display pattern table 26 via an input device (not shown) connected to the control circuit 20. In this case, the setting processing unit 23 updates the information registered in the display pattern table 26 so that it becomes the display pattern for each content of the display control signal received from the user.

[0046] The signal detection unit 21 receives the display control signal transmitted from the ECU 50, reads out the display control signal ID included in the received display control signal (to specify the content of the display control signal), and notifies the display processing unit 22 of the display control signal ID.

[0047] When the display processing unit 22 acquires the display control signal ID from the signal detection unit 21, it acquires the "database ID (the database ID stored in the storage unit 25)" set in the setting processing unit 23, and reads out the database to which the acquired "database ID" is assigned from the database group in the table format of the display pattern table 25 in the storage unit 24. Then, the display processing unit 22 refers to the read database, generates a display pattern signal that becomes the display pattern associated with the acquired display control signal ID, and transmits the display pattern signal to the LED matrix panel 10 via the data transfer unit 24, so as to display a lamp with a display pattern (e.g., a brake lamp, a back lamp) on the LED matrix panel 10.

[0048] In addition, when the display processing unit 22 acquires the display control signal ID from the signal detection unit 21, as a preprocessing step for acquiring the "database ID" set in the setting processing unit 23, it accesses the option pattern table 27 and determines whether the acquired display control signal ID is registered in the option pattern table 27. And if the display control signal ID acquired by the display processing unit 22 is registered in the option pattern table 27, the display processing unit 22 generates a display pattern signal that is the display pattern associated with the "acquired display control signal ID" that is registered, and transmits the display pattern signal to the LED matrix panel 10 via the data transfer unit 24 (in this case, the process of accessing the display pattern table 25 becomes unnecessary). On the other hand, if the display control signal ID acquired by the display processing unit 22 is not registered in the option pattern table 27, the display processing unit 22 acquires the "database ID" set in the setting processing unit 23 as described above, accesses the display pattern table 25, and generates a display pattern signal that becomes the corresponding display pattern.

[0049] The data transfer unit 24 transmits the display pattern signal generated by the display processing unit 22 to the LED matrix panel 10.

[0050] Also, the hardware configuration of the control circuit 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the control circuit 20 may be configured as shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit 20 includes a detection circuit 201 that receives and detects the display control signal transmitted from the ECU 50, a CPU 202 and a crystal clock 202a, an LED data transfer circuit 203, a FLASH ROM 204, and a RAM 205. Also, the FLASH ROM 204 stores a program for realizing the functions of the "display processing unit 22, setting processing unit 23".

[0051] The functions of the "display processing unit 22 and setting processing unit 23" are realized by the CPU 202 loading and executing the program stored in the FLASH ROM 204 into the RAM 205. Also, the function of the signal detection unit 21 is realized by the detection circuit 201. Also, the function of the data transfer unit 24 is realized by the LED data transfer circuit 203. Also, the storage unit 25 is formed in a predetermined area of the FLASH ROM 204.

[0052] 《Example of the display pattern of the rear combination lamp W》 Next, an example of the display pattern of the rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment will be described. When the rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment displays only the brake lamp, for example, most of the area of the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10 (for example, the entire display surface 10a) is lit in red. Also, when the rear combination lamp W displays the turn signal lamp together with the brake lamp, for example, one area of the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10 is lit in red, and the other area of the LED matrix panel 10 is blinked in orange.

[0053] In this way, the rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment can set the display pattern so that the display area lit in red when only the brake lamp is displayed is larger than the display area lit in red when the brake lamp is displayed together with the turn signal lamp.

[0054] Also, when the rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment displays only the turn signal, for example, most of the area of the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10 (for example, the entire display surface 10a) is blinked in orange. In this way, for the rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment, the display pattern can be set such that the display area that blinks in orange when only the turn signal lamp is displayed is larger than the display area that blinks in orange when the turn signal lamp is displayed together with the brake lamp.

[0055] Also, when only the back lamp is to be displayed, for example, the rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment lights up most of the area (for example, the entire display surface 10a) of the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10 in white. Also, when the turn signal lamp is to be displayed together with the back lamp, for example, the rear combination lamp W lights up one area of the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10 in white and blinks another area of the LED matrix panel 10 in orange.

[0056] In this way, for the rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment, the display pattern can be set such that the display area that lights up in white when only the back lamp is displayed is larger than the display area that blinks in white when the back lamp is displayed together with the turn signal lamp.

[0057] Also, when only the emergency brake lamp is to be displayed, for example, the rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment blinks most of the area (for example, the entire display surface 10a) of the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10 in red.

[0058] Also, when the welcome lamp is to be displayed, for example, the rear combination lamp W of the present embodiment displays a display pattern (for example, text information) set by the user on the display surface 10a of the LED matrix panel 10.

[0059] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the LED display device 1 of the rear combination lamp adopts one having an LED matrix panel 10 formed by arranging a plurality of three-color LED elements in a matrix shape, and the control unit 20 is provided with a setting processing unit 23 for changing the display pattern of the LED matrix panel 10. According to this configuration, for each lamp display function (turn signal lamp display function, back lamp display function, and brake lamp display function), it becomes possible to set display patterns of various designs corresponding to the driving state of the vehicle. For example, when only the back lamp is displayed, the light emission pattern can be set so that the light emission area of the back lamp is increased compared to the case where the back lamp is displayed together with other lamps. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for each lamp display function, it can be displayed in a display pattern of a desired design for each user.

[0060] Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to more reliably notify a following vehicle, a pedestrian, etc. behind the vehicle of a vehicle operation (for example, the vehicle is braking or the turn signal is blinking).

[0061] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist thereof. For example, the rear combination lamp W described above uses one having a turn signal lamp display function, a back lamp display function, a brake lamp display function, and a welcome lamp display function, but is not particularly limited thereto. For example, in addition to the above lamp display functions, the rear combination lamp W may be provided with a rear lamp display function that lights up together with the headlight.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] W... Rear combination lamp 1... LED display device 3... Housing 10…LED matrix panel 10a…Display surface 11…Three-color LED element 12…Red LED (R) chip 13…Green LED (G) chip 14…Blue LED (B) chip 20…Control circuit (control unit) 21…Signal detection unit 22…Display processing unit 23…Setting processing unit 24…Data transfer unit 25…Memory unit 26…Display pattern table 27…Option pattern table 201…Detection circuit 202…CPU 202a…Crystal clock 203…LED data transfer circuit 204…FLASH ROM 205…RAM 30…Power supply circuit 40a…Lit pattern selection switch 40b…Option selection switch 50…ECU

Claims

1. A rear combination lamp mounted on a vehicle having at least a turn signal lamp display function, a back lamp display function, and a brake lamp display function, an LED display device including an LED matrix panel, and a control unit that is electrically connected to an ECU mounted on the vehicle and controls the display of the LED matrix panel, wherein the LED matrix panel is formed by arranging a plurality of three-color LED elements in a matrix, the ECU is configured to transmit a display control signal corresponding to an operation state of the vehicle to the control unit, the operation state of the vehicle includes a direction indicator operation, a reverse operation, and a brake operation, the control unit includes, a detection unit that receives a display control signal transmitted from the ECU and identifies the content of the display control signal, a display processing unit that causes the LED matrix panel to display a brake lamp that lights up in red, a turn signal lamp that blinks in orange, or a back lamp that lights up in white according to a display pattern corresponding to the content of the identified display control signal, and a setting processing unit that receives a request from a user and changes a display pattern of the LED matrix panel according to the content of the display control signal. The rear combination lamp is characterized by this.

2. The rear combination lamp according to claim 1, wherein when the display processing unit separately displays any one of the turn signal lamp, the back lamp, and the brake lamp on the LED matrix panel, a display area is larger than display areas of the respective lamps when two or more of the turn signal lamp, the back lamp, and the brake lamp are displayed, and the display of the LED matrix panel is controlled accordingly.

3. The rear combination lamp according to claim 1, wherein when the display processing unit separately displays any one of the turn signal lamp, the back lamp, and the brake lamp, each lamp is displayed over the entire area of the LED matrix panel.

4. The display control signal includes a display control signal ID for identifying the content of the display control signal, the control unit includes, A display pattern table is stored, which associates and stores a display pattern to be displayed on the LED matrix panel for each display control signal ID that specifies the content of the display control signal. The rear combination lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that a display pattern corresponding to the content of the received display control signal is specified from the display signal ID included in the received display control signal and the display pattern table, and the lamp of the specified display pattern is caused to be displayed on the LED matrix panel.

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