Lighting equipment and automobiles

Abstract

To provide a compact lighting device and an automobile capable of switching between vertical and horizontal lighting patterns. [Solution] The lighting device comprises: a light-emitting unit that emits light with a length along a first direction and a length along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction being different, and with a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions being the main directions; an imaging lens unit disposed on the third direction side of the light-emitting unit and into which the light is incident; a first mirror disposed on the third direction side of the imaging lens unit and having a first reflective surface, which can take on a first state in which the light emitted from the imaging lens unit can be reflected toward the first direction by the first reflective surface, and a second state in which the light emitted from the imaging lens unit can be reflected toward the second direction by the first reflective surface; and a second mirror disposed on the second direction side of the first mirror and having a second reflective surface capable of reflecting the light reflected by the first reflective surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments relate to a lighting device and a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] For the main purpose of improving safety in vehicles, road surface drawing devices have been studied. Although various patterns can be considered for the lighting pattern drawn on the road surface, there is a problem that the lighting device becomes large when trying to draw both a vertically long lighting pattern and a horizontally long lighting pattern as viewed from the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the embodiments is to provide a lighting device and a vehicle that are small-sized and can switch between a vertically long lighting pattern and a horizontally long lighting pattern.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The illumination device according to the embodiment includes: a light-emitting unit that emits light with a length along a first direction and a length along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction being different, and with a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions being the main directions; an imaging lens unit disposed on the third direction side of the light-emitting unit and into which the light is incident; a first mirror disposed on the third direction side of the imaging lens unit and having a first reflective surface, capable of taking on a first state in which the light emitted from the imaging lens unit can be reflected toward the first direction by the first reflective surface, and a second state in which the light emitted from the imaging lens unit can be reflected toward the second direction by the first reflective surface; and a second mirror disposed on the second direction side of the first mirror and having a second reflective surface capable of reflecting the light reflected by the first reflective surface.

[0006] The automobile according to this embodiment comprises a vehicle body and the lighting device disposed on the vehicle body. The first direction is the direction from the lighting device toward the road surface surrounding the vehicle body. Light reflected from the first reflective surface of the first mirror and light reflected from the second reflective surface of the second mirror are irradiated onto the road surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the embodiment, a compact lighting device and an automobile can be realized that can switch between vertical and horizontal lighting patterns. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the lighting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the first reflective surface in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the first mirror and drive unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a top view showing an automobile and the surrounding road surface according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5A]FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the operation of the lighting device when the first mirror is in the first state. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a top view showing the operation of the lighting device when the first mirror is in the first state. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing the operation of the lighting device when the first mirror is in the second state. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a front view showing the operation of the lighting device when the first mirror is in the second state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view showing the operation of the automobile according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the lighting pattern formed in the first region. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the lighting pattern formed in the first region. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the lighting pattern formed in the first region. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the lighting pattern formed in the second region. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the lighting pattern formed in the second region. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the lighting pattern formed in the second region. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view showing a part of the lighting device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the first region and the second region in the second embodiment. [Figure 16A] FIG. 16A is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first mirror of the lighting device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 16B] FIG. 16B is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first mirror of the lighting device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 16C] FIG. 16C is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first mirror of the lighting device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the light emitting device according to a specific example. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a light-emitting device according to a specific example. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged plan view showing region XIX shown in FIG. 17.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <First Embodiment> First, the lighting device according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the lighting device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the first reflecting surface in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the first mirror and the drive unit in the present embodiment. Note that each figure is conceptual and is emphasized or simplified as appropriate. The same applies to other figures described later.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a light-emitting device 10, an imaging lens unit 20, a first mirror 30, and a second mirror 40. The lighting device 1 may further include a drive unit 50.

[0011] The light-emitting device 10, the imaging lens unit 20, and the first mirror 30 are arranged in this order along one direction. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is adopted. The direction in which the light-emitting device 10, the imaging lens unit 20, and the first mirror 30 are arranged is defined as the "third direction Z". The direction from the first mirror 30 toward the second mirror 40 is defined as the "second direction Y". The second direction Y is orthogonal to the third direction Z. The direction orthogonal to the second direction Y and the third direction Z is defined as the "first direction X".

[0012] The outer shape of the light-emitting device 10 is substantially rectangular plate-shaped. The light-emitting device 10 has a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged along the first direction X and the second direction Y. The light-emitting device 10 can drive the plurality of light-emitting elements independently of each other to form an arbitrary light-emitting pattern. The light-emitting device 10 emits light L0 with the third direction Z as the main direction. A specific example of the light-emitting device 10 will be described later.

[0013] The length Dx0 along the first direction X of the light-emitting portion of the light-emitting device 10 is different from the length Dy0 along the second direction Y. In the example shown in the present embodiment, the length Dx0 along the first direction X of the light-emitting portion of the light-emitting device 10 is shorter than the length Dy0 along the second direction Y of the light-emitting portion of the light-emitting device 10. That is, Dx0 < Dy0. The aspect ratio of the light-emitting portion, that is, the ratio of the length Dy0 to the length Dx0, is, for example, 1.5 or more and 4 or less. In the present embodiment, for example, Dx0:Dy0 = 1:4.

[0014] The imaging lens unit 20 is disposed on the third direction Z side of the light-emitting device 10, and the light L0 emitted from the light-emitting device 10 is incident thereon. The imaging lens unit 20 is composed of one or more lenses. The light L0 that has passed through the imaging lens unit 20 forms an image after traveling a predetermined distance.

[0015] The first mirror 30 is disposed on the third direction Z side of the imaging lens unit 20, and the light L0 emitted from the imaging lens unit 20 is incident thereon. The first mirror 30 has a first reflection surface 31. The first reflection surface 31 can reflect the light L0. The first mirror 30 can take a "first state" and a "second state". In the first state, the light L0 emitted from the imaging lens unit 20 can be reflected by the first reflection surface 31 in the first direction X. In the second state, the light L0 emitted from the imaging lens unit 20 can be reflected by the first reflection surface 31 in the second direction Y.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the first mirror 30 takes the first state, the first reflection surface 31 is parallel to the second direction Y2 and intersects the first direction X and the third direction Z. For example, the first reflection surface 31 is inclined at 45° with respect to the first direction X and the third direction Z.

[0017] When the first mirror 30 is in the second state, the first reflective surface 31 is parallel to the first direction X and intersects with the second direction Y and the third direction Z. For example, the first reflective surface 31 is inclined at 45° with respect to the second direction Y and the third direction Z.

[0018] The first mirror 30 can switch between a first state and a second state by rotating about the first straight line 32 as an axis. The first straight line 32 is included in the first reflection surface 31_1 when the first mirror 30 is in the first state, and in the first reflection surface 31_2 when the first mirror 30 is in the second state. The first straight line 32 intersects the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z. For example, the angles that the first straight line 32 makes with the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are all 45°. That is, in the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, the first straight line 32 extends in the direction of Miller index

[0111] .

[0019] For the sake of explanation, when the first mirror 30 is in the first state, the light reflected by the first reflective surface 31 toward the first direction X will be called the "first path light L1," and will be represented by a dashed line in the figure. When the first mirror 30 is in the second state, the light reflected by the first reflective surface 31 toward the second direction Y will be called the "second path light L2," and will be represented by a double dashed line in the figure. The light L0 before it enters the first mirror 30 will be represented by a dashed line in the figure.

[0020] As described above, the first mirror 30 can orient its first reflective surface 31 in two directions. In one example, as shown in Figure 3, the shape of the first mirror 30 is hemispherical, and the plane of the hemisphere is the first reflective surface 31. A gear rail 33 is formed on the hemispherical surface of the first mirror 30.

[0021] The drive unit 50 can switch the first mirror 30 between a first state and a second state. For example, the drive unit 50 is provided with a stepping motor 51, a rotating shaft member 52, and a gear 53. The stepping motor 51 rotates the gear 53 by a predetermined angle via the rotating shaft member 52. The gear 53 meshes with the gear rail 33 of the first mirror 30. As a result, the stepping motor 51 rotates the gear 53 via the rotating shaft member 52, thereby changing the orientation of the first mirror 30 and switching between a first state and a second state. However, the configuration of the first mirror 30 and the drive unit 50 is not limited to this example; it is sufficient as long as the above-described first and second states can be achieved.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the second mirror 40 is positioned on the second direction Y side of the first mirror 30, and when the first mirror 30 is in the second state, the second path light L2 reflected by the first reflecting surface 31 is incident on the second mirror 40. The second mirror 40 has a second reflecting surface 41. The second reflecting surface 41 is capable of reflecting the second path light L2 reflected by the first reflecting surface 31. The second reflecting surface 41 is, for example, parallel to the third direction Z and intersects with the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0023] In this embodiment, the second reflective surface 41 is capable of reflecting the second path light L2 reflected by the first reflective surface 31 toward the first direction X. In this case, the second reflective surface 41 is inclined at 45° with respect to the first direction X and the second direction Y. In this embodiment, both the first path light L1 and the second path light L2 are emitted toward the first direction X. Therefore, the main emission direction of the lighting device 1 is the first direction X.

[0024] Next, the automobile according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a top view showing the automobile and the surrounding road surface according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the automobile 100 according to this embodiment is positioned on a road surface 110 and is either stationary or moving. The road surface 110 is the surface of the road on which the automobile 100 travels and is substantially flat enough for the automobile 100 to travel on. The automobile 100 has a vehicle body 101 and a lighting device 1. The lighting device 1 is positioned on the vehicle body 101. The first direction X of the lighting device 1 is the direction from the lighting device 1 toward the road surface 110 surrounding the vehicle body 101.

[0025] In the lighting device 1, the first path light L1 reflected by the first reflective surface 31 when the first mirror 30 is in the first state, and the second path light L2 reflected by the second reflective surface 41 of the second mirror 40 when the first mirror 30 is in the second state, are irradiated onto the road surface 110. The first path light L1 and the second path light L2 form an image on the road surface 110. As a result, the lighting device 1 can draw a lighting pattern on the road surface 110 that corresponds to the light emission pattern of the light emission device 10.

[0026] In the following explanation, the terms "forward," "rear," "right," "left," "upward," and "downward" all refer to directions as seen from the perspective of vehicle 100. For example, "forward" is the primary direction of travel for vehicle 100, and "rear" is the opposite direction of "forward." "Right" and "left" are directions as seen from the perspective of a driver facing forward. "Right" and "left" are collectively referred to as "side." "Downward" is the shortest direction from vehicle 100 to the road surface 110, and "upward" is the opposite direction of "downward."

[0027] For example, the vehicle body 101 is equipped with a pair of left and right headlights 102 and a pair of left and right taillights 103. The lighting device 1 is positioned in one or more of the following locations: a pair of front positions 105 located outside the pair of headlights 102 on the front of the vehicle body 101, a rear position 106 located between the pair of taillights 103 on the rear of the vehicle body 101, and a pair of side positions 107 located on the sides of the vehicle body 101. However, the positions in which the lighting device 1 is positioned are not limited to these examples.

[0028] When the lighting device 1 is positioned in the front position 105, the first direction X is slightly downward and forward, and the first path light L1 and the second path light L2 illuminate the road surface 110 on the front left or front right side of the vehicle body 101. When the lighting device 1 is positioned in the rear position 106, the first direction X is slightly downward and backward, and the first path light L1 and the second path light L2 illuminate the road surface 110 behind the vehicle body 101. When the lighting device 1 is positioned in the side position 107, the first direction X is slightly downward and sideways, and the first path light L1 and the second path light L2 illuminate the road surface 110 on the side of the vehicle body 101.

[0029] Next, the operation of the lighting device and the automobile according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5A is a perspective view showing the operation of the lighting device when the first mirror is in the first state. Figure 5B is a top view showing the operation of the lighting device when the first mirror is in the first state. Figure 6A is a perspective view showing the operation of the lighting device when the first mirror is in the second state. Figure 6B is a front view showing the operation of the lighting device when the first mirror is in the second state. Figure 7 is a top view showing the operation of the automobile according to this embodiment.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the light-emitting device 10 forms a light-emitting pattern by selectively lighting up multiple light-emitting elements. The largest area where the light-emitting pattern is formed is the light-emitting part of the light-emitting device 10. As described above, the length Dx0 along the first direction X of the light-emitting part is shorter than the length Dy0 along the second direction Y of the light-emitting part. Therefore, the shape of the largest area where the light-emitting pattern is formed is rectangular. The following explanation assumes that all light-emitting elements are lit.

[0031] The main direction of propagation of the light L0 emitted from the light-emitting section of the light-emitting device 10 is the third direction Z. The light L0 emitted from the light-emitting device 10 passes through the imaging lens section 20 and reaches the first reflective surface 31 of the first mirror 30. After reaching the first reflective surface 31, the path of the light L0 branches depending on whether the first mirror 30 is in the first state or the second state.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the first mirror 30 is in the first state, the first path light L1 reflected by the first reflection surface 31 travels in the first direction X and is emitted from the lighting device 1. At this time, the shape of the light beam B1 of the first path light L1 is such that the length Dz1 along the third direction Z is shorter than the length Dy1 along the second direction Y. That is, Dz1 < Dy1. Such a shape of the light beam is referred to as "vertically long". Note that the "shape of the light beam" refers to the shape of the region where the light intensity is above a certain value in a plane orthogonal to the main traveling direction of the light. For example, it refers to the region where the intensity is 10% or more of the maximum intensity. In FIGS. 1 and 5A, for ease of viewing, the light beam B1 is shown at a position deviated from the first path light L1.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the first mirror 30 is in the second state, the second path light L2 reflected by the first reflection surface 31 travels in the second direction Y and reaches the second reflection surface 41 of the second mirror 40. Then, the second path light L2 is reflected by the second reflection surface 41 toward the first direction X and is emitted from the lighting device 1. At this time, the shape of the light beam B2 of the second path light L2 is such that the length Dz2 along the third direction Z is longer than the length Dy2 along the second direction Y. That is, Dz2 > Dy2. Such a shape of the light beam is referred to as "horizontally long". In FIGS. 1 and 6A, for ease of viewing, the light beam B2 is shown at a position deviated from the second path light L2.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 7, when the first mirror 30 is in the first state, the shape of the light beam B1 of the first path light L1 reflected by the first reflection surface 31 is vertically long, and the first path light L1 irradiates the first region R1 of the road surface 110. When the first mirror 30 is in the second state, the shape of the light beam B2 of the second path light L2 reflected by the second reflection surface 41 is horizontally long, and the second path light L2 irradiates the second region R2 on the road surface 110. The second region R2 does not coincide with the first region R1.

[0035] The first region R1 is relatively vertically elongated from the perspective of the automobile 100, and the second region R2 is relatively horizontally elongated from the perspective of the automobile 100. Parts of the first region R1 and parts of the second region R2 may overlap, and the first region R1 and the second region R2 may be separated from each other, but the first region R1 and the second region R2 do not completely coincide. Lighting patterns corresponding to the light emission patterns of the light emission device 10 are drawn in the first region R1 and the second region R2.

[0036] The lighting pattern may be a still image or a video. It may also be a single-color pattern, a pattern using multiple colors, or a full-color pattern.

[0037] Figures 8 to 10 show examples of lighting patterns formed in the first region. The lighting patterns shown in Figures 8 to 10 are all monochrome videos. Figures 8 to 10 show the illumination patterns drawn in the first region R1 in chronological order. That is, as time progresses, the illumination patterns change from left to right in the figures. More specifically, after depicting the leftmost illumination pattern, the second illumination pattern from the left is depicted, and then the third illumination pattern from the left is depicted. In the illumination patterns shown in each figure, bright areas are shown in white and dark areas are shown in gray. The same applies to Figures 11 to 13.

[0038] The lighting pattern shown in Figure 8 involves the arrow-shaped lighting sections P1 lighting up one by one from positions close to the car 100 in the first region R1 to positions farther away from it. After all positions are lit, the lights in the entire first region R1 are turned off, and this cycle is repeated.

[0039] The lighting pattern shown in Figure 9 involves a vertically elongated rectangular lighting section P2 that lights up from a position close to the car 100 in the first region R1, moving towards a position farther away from the car. After lighting up the entire length of the first region R1, the lights turn off from a position close to the car 100, moving towards a position farther away from the car, repeating a cycle until the entire first region R1 is turned off.

[0040] In Figure 10, the leftmost lighting pattern in the upper row is depicted, then the process moves one by one to the right, and after depicting the rightmost lighting pattern in the upper row, the leftmost lighting pattern in the lower row is depicted, and then the process moves one by one to the right. The lighting pattern shown in Figure 10 repeats a cycle in which multiple arrow-shaped lighting sections P3 move in a gradual increase in size from a position close to the automobile 100 in the first region R1 to a position farther away from it.

[0041] When the lighting device 1 is positioned at the front position 105, the lighting patterns shown in Figures 8 to 10 are projected onto the road surface to the front left or front right of the vehicle 100. These lighting patterns are illuminated, for example, when the vehicle 100 is about to change lanes, along with the turn signals, to alert surrounding vehicles and other objects.

[0042] Figures 11 to 13 show examples of lighting patterns formed in the second region. The lighting pattern shown in Figure 11 is a monochrome still image. Lighting device 1 displays a lighting section P4 in the second region R2 that represents the string "CAUTION". However, the string to be displayed is not limited to this, and a string intended to draw attention to or communicate with other vehicles or pedestrians may be displayed. If there are many characters to be displayed, a dynamic display that flows from left to right may be used.

[0043] The lighting patterns shown in Figures 12 and 13 are monochrome animations. In Figures 12 and 13, the lighting patterns change from bottom to top as time progresses. The lighting pattern shown in Figure 12 repeats a cycle in which the trapezoidal lighting area P5 expands from a position close to the car 100 in the second region R2 to a position farther away, and finally turns off.

[0044] The lighting pattern shown in Figure 13 involves a rectangular lighting area P6 that extends from the center of the second region R2 to the left and right, spreading across the entire second region R2, and then fading out from the center of the second region R2 to the left and right, repeating this cycle.

[0045] When the lighting device 1 is positioned in the rear position 106, the lighting patterns shown in Figures 11 to 13 are projected onto the road surface behind the vehicle 100, for example, when the vehicle 100 is about to back up, to alert pedestrians and others.

[0046] The lighting patterns formed on the road surface are not limited to the examples described above. For example, when the lighting device 1 is positioned at the front position 105, a warning to the driver of the vehicle 100 may be displayed in the horizontally elongated second area R2. An example of a warning is, for instance, road freezing. When the lighting device 1 is positioned at the rear position 106, a warning to following vehicles may be displayed in the vertically elongated first area R1. Furthermore, when the lighting device 1 is positioned at the side position 107, the entire horizontally elongated second area R2 may be illuminated to make it easier to see the ground when people get in or out of the vehicle 100. Additionally, a lighting pattern that draws attention to following vehicles may be displayed when attempting to open the door of the vehicle 100.

[0047] Furthermore, in the examples shown in Figures 8 to 13, bright areas are shown in white and dark areas in gray, but this relationship can be reversed. That is, the areas shown in white in Figures 8 to 13 may be made darker, and the areas shown in gray may be made brighter. In addition, lighting patterns may be formed by varying the brightness or color between the areas shown in white and the areas shown in gray.

[0048] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. According to this embodiment, by setting the shape of the light-emitting part of the light-emitting device 10 to a shape with an aspect ratio greater than 1 and setting the first mirror 30 to a first state, a lighting pattern can be formed in a vertically elongated first region R1, and by setting the first mirror 30 to a second state, a lighting pattern can be formed in a horizontally elongated second region R2. Therefore, without excessively enlarging the light-emitting part of the light-emitting device 10, both vertically elongated and horizontally elongated lighting patterns can be formed by utilizing the shape of the light-emitting part. As a result, according to this embodiment, a compact lighting device capable of switching between vertically elongated and horizontally elongated lighting patterns, and an automobile equipped with this lighting device can be realized.

[0049] The "lighting pattern" formed by the lighting device 1 on the road surface 110 is an "image" that is perceived visually by the observer. If the observer is outside the automobile 100 and the lighting pattern is formed between the automobile 100 and the observer, a vertically elongated lighting pattern will be perceived by the observer as a vertically elongated image, and a horizontally elongated lighting pattern will be perceived by the observer as a horizontally elongated image. Similarly, if the observer is inside the automobile 100, for example, if the observer is the driver, a vertically elongated lighting pattern will be perceived by the observer as a vertically elongated image, and a horizontally elongated lighting pattern will be perceived by the observer as a horizontally elongated image.

[0050] Furthermore, in the lighting device 1 according to this embodiment, there are no movable parts other than the drive unit 50 and the first mirror 30. Therefore, the switching time for the lighting pattern can be shortened. In addition, since the configuration of the lighting device 1 can be simplified, the cost, size, and reliability of the lighting device 1 can be reduced.

[0051] In this embodiment, the light-emitting part of the light-emitting device 10 is rectangular in shape, the cross-sectional shapes of the luminous fluxes B1 and B2 are rectangles corresponding to this rectangle, and the shapes of the first region R1 and the second region R2 are trapezoids formed by the projection of the cross-sectional shapes of the luminous fluxes B1 and B2 onto the road surface 110. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. The light-emitting part of the light-emitting device 10 can be any shape. Alternatively, by selectively lighting up the light-emitting elements included in the light-emitting device 10, a region of any shape can be made to emit light. In this case as well, if the length of the light-emitting part along the first direction X and the length along the second direction are different, the illumination pattern projected onto the road surface 110 can be switched between vertical and horizontal by switching the first mirror 30 between the first state and the second state.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is shown where the length Dy0 of the light-emitting part along the second direction Y is longer than the length Dx0 of the light-emitting part along the first direction X. However, the length Dx0 of the light-emitting part along the first direction X may also be longer than the length Dy0 along the second direction Y.

[0053] <Second Embodiment> Figure 14 is a side view showing a part of the lighting device according to this embodiment. Figure 15 shows the positional relationship between the first region and the second region in this embodiment. Note that in Figure 14, the light-emitting device 10 and the imaging lens unit 20 are omitted from the illustration.

[0054] As shown in Figure 14, the lighting device 2 according to this embodiment has a different angle of the second reflective surface 41 of the second mirror 40 compared to the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment. In lighting device 2, the angle θ, which is the sum of the angle of incidence of the second path light L2 incident on the second reflective surface 41 and the angle of reflection of the second path light L2 reflected by the second reflective surface 41, is greater than 90°. As a result, the second reflective surface 41 can reflect the second path light L2 reflected by the first reflective surface 31 of the first mirror 30 in a direction between the first direction X and the second direction Y. Note that the angle θ may be less than 90°. In this case, the second path light L2 can be reflected in a direction between the first direction X and the opposite direction (-Y) of the second direction Y.

[0055] As shown in Figure 15, when the angle θ is θ1, the second region R2 is located in front of the first region R1 when viewed from the car 100. When the angle θ is greater than θ1 (θ2), the second region R2 overlaps with the front end of the first region R1 when viewed from the car 100. When the angle θ is greater than θ2 (θ3), the second region R2 overlaps with the middle part of the first region R1 when viewed from the car 100.

[0056] In this way, by increasing the angle θ, the position of the second region R2 relative to the first region R1 can be set to a position further away from the automobile 100. Thus, by selecting the angle θ, the positional relationship between the first region R1 and the second region R2 can be set. As a result, for example, when displaying a warning directed at the driver of the automobile 100 in the second region R2 in front of the automobile 100, it is possible to avoid the second region R2 being hidden by the shadow of the automobile 100 from the driver's perspective. The configuration, operation, and effects in this embodiment other than those described above are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0057] <Third Embodiment> Figures 16A to 16C illustrate the operation of the first mirror of the lighting device according to this embodiment. As shown in Figures 16A to 16C, the lighting device 3 according to this embodiment differs from the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment in that the first mirror is driven by two axes.

[0058] As shown in Figures 16A to 16C, the first reflective surface 31a of the first mirror 30a of the lighting device 3 is rectangular. In this embodiment, the first reflective surface 31a when the first mirror 30a is in the first state is referred to as "first reflective surface 31a_1", the first reflective surface 31a when the first mirror 30a is in the second state is referred to as "first reflective surface 31a_2", and the first reflective surface 31a when the first mirror 30a is in an intermediate state is referred to as "first reflective surface 31a_3".

[0059] The following describes the case where the first mirror 30a transitions from the first state to the second state. As shown in Figure 16A, the first mirror 30a in the first state is rotated around the second straight line 34 as an axis. This causes the first mirror 30a to transition to an intermediate state. In the intermediate state, the first reflective surface 31a_3 has a pair of diagonally opposite corners that coincide with the first reflective surface 31a_2 in the second state, but the direction in which the normal vectors extend is different.

[0060] Next, as shown in Figure 16B, the first mirror 30a, which is in an intermediate state, is rotated around the third straight line 35 as its axis. The third straight line 35 is the straight line connecting the pair of corners of the first reflective surface 31a_3 described above. As a result, the first mirror 30a enters the second state, as shown in Figure 16C. Consequently, the first reflective surface 31a moves to the position of the first reflective surface 31a_2.

[0061] To transition the first mirror 30a from the second state to the first state, the first mirror 30a should be rotated around the third straight line 35 as an axis, and then rotated around the second straight line 34 as an axis.

[0062] According to this embodiment, not only the orientation of the first reflective surface 31a but also the position of the outer edge of the first reflective surface 31a can be controlled. The second line 34 may be included in the first reflective surface 31a_1 in the first state, and the third line 35 may be included in the first reflective surface 31a_2 in the second state, but is not limited to this, and the second line 34 may intersect the first reflective surface 31a_1, and the third line 35 may intersect the first reflective surface 31a_2. The configuration, operation, and effects of this embodiment other than those described above are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0063] <Specific examples of light-emitting devices> Next, a specific example of the light-emitting device 10 will be described. Figure 17 is a plan view showing the light-emitting device according to this specific example. Figure 18 is a perspective view showing the light-emitting device according to this specific example. Figure 19 is a partially enlarged plan view showing region XIX as shown in Figure 17.

[0064] As shown in Figures 17-19, the light-emitting device 10 according to this specific example is provided with a module substrate 230. A wiring substrate 210 is arranged on the upper surface of the module substrate 230. The wiring substrate 210 is, for example, a substrate on which wiring is provided inside and on the surface of an insulating base material, and is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) substrate. A control unit 211 is formed inside the wiring substrate 210.

[0065] A light-emitting section 219 is provided on a portion of the upper surface of the wiring board 210. In plan view, the shape of the light-emitting section 219 is, for example, rectangular. As described above, the length Dx0 of the light-emitting section 219 in the first direction X is shorter than the length Dy0 in the second direction Y.

[0066] Multiple light-emitting elements 220 are arranged, for example, in a matrix within the light-emitting section 219. In one example, the light-emitting elements 220 are arranged in a matrix of 256 along the longitudinal direction (second direction Y) and 64 along the short direction (first direction X) of the light-emitting section 219. In this case, the light-emitting device 10 has 16,384 light-emitting elements 220.

[0067] A frame-shaped resin 240 is provided on the module substrate 230 and the wiring substrate 210 so as to surround the light-emitting section 219. Wires 241 connecting the terminals of the module substrate 230 to the terminals of the wiring substrate 210 may be arranged within the resin 240. In addition, wavelength conversion members may be arranged on multiple light-emitting elements 220 in the light-emitting section 219. The shape of the wavelength conversion member may be, for example, plate-shaped or sheet-shaped, and may include, for example, a phosphor. Note that if the wavelength conversion member or the like is arranged on the light-emitting element 220, Figure 19 is a view through which the wavelength conversion member or the like has been transmitted.

[0068] As shown in Figure 19, in a plan view, the shape of each light-emitting element 220 is rectangular. The light-emitting element 220 is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED). In a plan view, when the array distance of the light-emitting elements 220 in the short direction (first direction X) of the light-emitting section 219 is Px, and the array distance of the light-emitting elements 220 in the long direction (second direction Y) of the light-emitting section 219 is Py, then the distance d1 between the centers of adjacent light-emitting elements 220 in the first direction X is Px, the distance d2 between the centers of adjacent light-emitting elements 220 in the second direction Y is Py, and the distance d3 between the centers of adjacent light-emitting elements 220 in the diagonal direction is d3 = √(Px 2 +Py 2 )

[0069] More generally, the distance d between the center of one light-emitting element 220 and the center of another light-emitting element 220 located a units away in the first direction X and b units away in the second direction Y from this first light-emitting element 220. ab is, d ab =√{(a×Px) 2 +(b×Py) 2}. Note that if the shape of the light-emitting element 220 is rectangular in plan view, the center of the light-emitting element 220 is the intersection of the diagonals of the outer edge of the light-emitting element 220. In one example, the array distances Px and Py are 50 μm each.

[0070] In the light-emitting device 10, the control unit 211 controls the emission of multiple light-emitting elements 220 based on an external signal. For example, the control unit 211 controls the light-emitting elements 220 in 256 gradations using time-division multiplexing. The control unit 211 can control each of the light-emitting elements 220 individually. Alternatively, the control unit 211 may control the emission of each light-emitting element 220 by controlling the magnitude of the current supplied to each element. In this way, by controlling the gradation of emission for each of the multiple light-emitting elements 220, the control unit 211 can realize various emission patterns for the entire set of light-emitting elements 220. However, the configuration of the light-emitting device 10 is not limited to this specific example.

[0071] The embodiments and specific examples described above are examples that embody the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and specific examples. For example, the present invention is also included in the embodiments and specific examples described above, in which some components or processes are added, deleted, or modified. Furthermore, the embodiments described above can be implemented in combination with each other.

[0072] The present invention includes the following embodiments.

[0073] (Note 1) A light-emitting unit having a length along a first direction and a length along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and emitting light with a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions as the main direction, An imaging lens portion is positioned on the third direction side of the light-emitting portion, into which the light is incident, A first mirror is positioned on the third direction side of the imaging lens portion and has a first reflective surface, and can take on a first state in which the light emitted from the imaging lens portion can be reflected by the first reflective surface toward the first direction, and a second state in which the light emitted from the imaging lens portion can be reflected by the first reflective surface toward the second direction, A second mirror is positioned on the second direction side of the first mirror and has a second reflective surface capable of reflecting the light reflected by the first reflective surface, A lighting device equipped with this.

[0074] (Note 2) The lighting device according to Appendix 1, wherein the second reflective surface is parallel to the third direction and intersects with the first and second directions.

[0075] (Note 3) The lighting device according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the second reflective surface is capable of reflecting the light reflected by the first reflective surface toward the first direction.

[0076] (Note 4) The lighting device according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the second reflective surface is capable of reflecting the light reflected by the first reflective surface in a direction between the first direction and the second direction.

[0077] (Note 5) The lighting device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, wherein when the first mirror takes the first state, the first reflective surface is parallel to the second direction and intersects with the first direction and the third direction.

[0078] (Note 6) The lighting device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 5, wherein when the first mirror takes the second state, the first reflective surface is parallel to the first direction and intersects with the second and third directions.

[0079] (Note 7) The first mirror can switch between the first state and the second state by rotating about the first straight line as an axis. The lighting device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 6, wherein the first straight line is included in the first reflective surface when the first mirror is in the first state, and is included in the first reflective surface when the first mirror is in the second state, and intersects with respect to the first direction, the second direction and the third direction.

[0080] (Note 8) The lighting device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 6, wherein the first mirror can switch between the first state and the second state by rotating about the second straight line and about the third straight line.

[0081] (Note 9) The lighting device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 8, further comprising a drive unit for switching the first mirror between the first state and the second state.

[0082] (Note 10) The lighting device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 9, wherein the length of the light-emitting portion along the first direction is shorter than the length of the light-emitting portion along the second direction.

[0083] (Note 11) The lighting device according to any one of appendices 1 to 10, wherein the light-emitting part has a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged along the first direction and the second direction.

[0084] (Note 12) The car body and, A lighting device described in any one of the appendices 1 to 11, which is located on the vehicle body, Equipped with, The first direction is the direction from the lighting device toward the road surface surrounding the vehicle body, The light reflected from the first reflective surface of the first mirror and the light reflected from the second reflective surface of the second mirror are directed onto the road surface of the automobile.

[0085] (Note 13) When the first mirror is in the first state, the light reflected by the first reflective surface is irradiated onto the first region of the road surface. The automobile according to Appendix 12, wherein when the first mirror is in the second state, the light reflected by the second reflective surface illuminates a second region on the road surface that does not coincide with the first region. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1, 2, 3 Lighting devices 10 Light-emitting device 20. Imaging lens section 30 First Mirror 31, 31_1, 31_2, 31a, 31a_1, 31a_2, 31a_3 1st reflective surface 32 1st straight line 33 Gear Rail 34 Second straight line 35 3rd straight line 40 Second Mirror 41 Second reflective surface 50 Drive unit 51 Stepping motor 52 Rotating shaft member 53 Gears 100 automobiles 101 Car body 102 Headlights 103 Taillights 105 Front Position 106 Rear Position 107 Side Position 110 Road surface 210 Wiring board 211 Control Unit 219 Light-emitting part 220 light-emitting elements 230 Module Board 240 resin 241 Wire B1 Light beam of the first path light L1 B2 Light beam of the second path light L2 d1, d2, d3, dab distance Dx0 Length along the first direction X of the light-emitting part Dy0 Length along the second direction Y of the light-emitting part Dy1 Length of the luminous beam of the first path light L1 along the second direction Y Dz1 Length of the luminous beam of the first path light L1 along the third direction Z Dy2 is the length of the luminous beam of the second path light L2 along the second direction Y. Dz2 is the length of the luminous beam of the second path light L2 along the third direction Z. L0 light L1 1st road light L2 2nd Road Light Lighting sections P1~P6 Px, Py alignment distance R1, Domain 1 R2, Second Domain X, first direction Y 2nd direction Z, direction 3 θ angle

Claims

1. A light-emitting unit having a length along a first direction and a length along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and emitting light with a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions as the main direction, An imaging lens portion is positioned on the third direction side of the light-emitting portion, into which the light is incident. A first mirror is positioned on the third direction side of the imaging lens portion and has a first reflective surface, and can take on a first state in which the light emitted from the imaging lens portion is reflected by the first reflective surface toward the first direction, and a second state in which the light emitted from the imaging lens portion is reflected by the first reflective surface toward the second direction, A second mirror is positioned on the second direction side of the first mirror and has a second reflective surface capable of reflecting the light reflected by the first reflective surface, A lighting device equipped with this.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the second reflective surface is parallel to the third direction and intersects with the first and second directions.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the second reflective surface is capable of reflecting the light reflected by the first reflective surface toward the first direction.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the second reflective surface is capable of reflecting the light reflected by the first reflective surface in a direction between the first direction and the second direction.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein when the first mirror takes the first state, the first reflective surface is parallel to the second direction and intersects with the first and third directions.

6. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein when the first mirror takes the second state, the first reflective surface is parallel to the first direction and intersects with the second and third directions.

7. The first mirror can switch between the first state and the second state by rotating about the first straight line as an axis. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the first straight line is included in the first reflective surface when the first mirror is in a first state, and is included in the first reflective surface when the first mirror is in a second state, and intersects with respect to the first direction, the second direction and the third direction.

8. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the first mirror can be switched between the first state and the second state by rotating about the second straight line and about the third straight line.

9. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a drive unit for switching the first mirror between a first state and a second state.

10. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the light-emitting portion along the first direction is shorter than the length of the light-emitting portion along the second direction.

11. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting portion has a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged along the first direction and the second direction.

12. The car body and, A lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, arranged on the vehicle body, Equipped with, The first direction is the direction from the lighting device toward the road surface surrounding the vehicle body, The light reflected from the first reflective surface of the first mirror and the light reflected from the second reflective surface of the second mirror are directed onto the road surface of the automobile.

13. When the first mirror is in the first state, the light reflected by the first reflective surface is irradiated onto the first region of the road surface. The automobile according to claim 12, wherein when the first mirror is in the second state, the light reflected by the second reflective surface is irradiated onto a second region on the road surface that does not coincide with the first region.

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