Road surface illumination device, and projection lens for road surface illumination device
The road surface illumination device with a projection lens having multiple lens sections with varied optical axes and focal points addresses the issue of blurred patterns by enhancing sharpness and reducing manufacturing costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STANLEY ELECTRIC CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing road surface illumination devices struggle to form sharp and clear individual irradiation patterns, particularly those near the vehicle, due to reduced contrast and blurring.
A road surface illumination device equipped with a projection lens that includes multiple lens sections with differing optical axes and focal points, aligned perpendicularly to the light source's optical axis, forming individual illumination patterns that move sequentially away from the vehicle.
The device effectively suppresses the reduction in sharpness of individual illumination patterns, ensuring clear formation and reduced manufacturing costs through the use of general projection lenses.
Smart Images
Figure 2026076741000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a road surface irradiation device and a projection lens for a road surface irradiation device.
Background Art
[0002] There has been proposed a road surface irradiation device mounted on a vehicle that forms a plurality of individual irradiation patterns so as to sequentially move away from the vehicle on the road surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, in the road surface irradiation device described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that an individual irradiation pattern (particularly an individual irradiation pattern formed near the vehicle) cannot be formed neatly on the road surface. Specifically, there is a problem that the sharpness of the individual irradiation pattern becomes low (for example, the contrast between light and dark of the individual irradiation pattern does not become sharp and appears blurred).
[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and it is possible to neatly form an individual irradiation pattern (particularly an individual irradiation pattern formed near the vehicle) on the road surface. Specifically, it is possible to suppress the sharpness of the individual irradiation pattern from becoming low (for example, the contrast between light and dark of the individual irradiation pattern does not become sharp and appears blurred). An object of the present disclosure is to provide a road surface irradiation device and a projection lens for a road surface irradiation device.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The road surface illumination device according to this disclosure is mounted on a vehicle and forms a plurality of individual illumination patterns on the road surface so as to move sequentially away from the vehicle, comprising a light source and a projection lens positioned in front of the light source, wherein the projection lens includes a plurality of lens sections corresponding to the plurality of illumination patterns, the focal point of each of the plurality of lens sections is set near the same projection target, the optical axis of the light source is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and in a side view, the angles that the optical axes of each of the plurality of lens sections make with respect to the optical axis of the light source are different from each other.
[0007] This configuration allows for the clean formation of individual illumination patterns on the road surface (especially individual illumination patterns formed near vehicles). Specifically, it provides a road surface illumination device that can suppress the reduction in the sharpness of the individual illumination patterns (for example, the difference in brightness between individual illumination patterns not being sharp and appearing blurry).
[0008] In the above-described road surface illumination device, the projection target may be the light-emitting surface of the light source.
[0009] Furthermore, the road surface illumination device may further include a shade positioned between the light source and the projection lens, with a through-hole formed therein through which light from the light source passes, wherein the shape of the through-hole corresponds to the illumination pattern, and the projection target may be the shade.
[0010] Furthermore, in the above-described road surface illumination device, the light-receiving surface of each of the multiple lens sections may be perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens section.
[0011] Furthermore, in the above-described road surface illumination device, the curvature of the light-emitting surfaces of each of the multiple lens sections may differ from one another.
[0012] The projection lens for a road illumination device according to this disclosure is a projection lens positioned in front of a light source in a road illumination device mounted on a vehicle that forms a plurality of illumination patterns on the road surface that move sequentially away from the vehicle, and includes a plurality of lens parts corresponding to the plurality of illumination patterns, the focal point of each of the plurality of lens parts is set near the same projection target, and in a side view, the angles that the optical axes of each of the plurality of lens parts make with respect to the optical axis of the light source are different from each other. [Effects of the Invention]
[0013] This disclosure provides a road surface illumination device and a projection lens for a road surface illumination device that can neatly form individual illumination patterns on the road surface (particularly individual illumination patterns formed near vehicles), specifically, a device that can suppress the reduction in sharpness of the individual illumination patterns (for example, the difference in brightness of the individual illumination patterns not being sharp and appearing blurry). [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the road surface illumination device 10A (10B). [Figure 2] This is an example of the illumination patterns P1 to P4 formed (drawn) on the road surface by the road surface illumination device 10. [Figure 3] (a) A perspective view of the projection lens 30 as seen from the front, and (b) A perspective view of the projection lens 30 as seen from the back. [Figure 4] (a) An example of the angle θ31a made by the optical axis AX31a of the first lens section 31a with respect to the optical axis AX20 of the light source 20, (b) An example of the angle θ31b made by the optical axis AX31b of the second lens section 31b with respect to the optical axis AX20 of the light source 20, and (c) An example of the angle θ31c made by the optical axis AX31c of the third lens section 31c with respect to the optical axis AX20 of the light source 20. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the road surface illumination device 10C (10D). [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0015] Hereinafter, a road surface illumination device 10, which is one embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each figure, corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.
[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the road surface illumination device 10. Figure 2 is an example of illumination patterns P1 to P4 formed (drawn) on the road surface by the road surface illumination device 10A.
[0017] The road surface illumination device 10 is mounted on a vehicle V such as an automobile and, as shown in Figure 2, forms illumination patterns P1 to P4 on the road surface. Illumination patterns P1 and P2 are formed on the road surface when the vehicle V's reverse lights are on. Illumination pattern P1 consists of, for example, three individual white rectangular illumination patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c that are formed to move sequentially away from the vehicle V. Illumination pattern P2 is similar. On the other hand, illumination patterns P3 and P4 are formed on the road surface when the vehicle V's turn signals are on. Illumination pattern P3 consists of, for example, three individual amber chevron-shaped illumination patterns P3a, P3b, and P3c that are formed to move sequentially away from the vehicle V. Illumination pattern P4 is similar.
[0018] Vehicle V is equipped with at least a road surface illumination device 10A that forms illumination pattern P1, a road surface illumination device 10B that forms illumination pattern P2, a road surface illumination device 10C that forms illumination pattern P3, and a road surface illumination device 10D that forms illumination pattern P4.
[0019] First, as a first embodiment, road surface illumination devices 10A and 10B will be described. When the reverse lights of the vehicle V are turned on, the road surface illumination device 10A forms an illumination pattern P1 (see Figure 2) on the road surface consisting of three individual white rectangular illumination patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c. The road surface illumination device 10B is similar. Since the road surface illumination devices 10A and 10B have similar configurations, the road surface illumination device 10A will be described as a representative example below. The road surface illumination device 10A is mounted on both the left and right sides of the rear end of a vehicle V, such as an automobile.
[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the road surface illumination device 10A comprises a light source 20 and a projection lens 30 positioned in front of the light source 20 (light-emitting surface 21).
[0021] The light source 20 is a semiconductor light-emitting element such as an LED that emits white light and is mounted on the substrate K. The light source 20 has a light-emitting surface 21. The light-emitting surface 21 is, for example, a rectangular light-emitting surface with dimensions of 1 mm on each side.
[0022] Optical axis AX of light source 20 20 It extends in a direction that passes through the center of the light-emitting surface 21 and is perpendicular to the light-emitting surface 21. The optical axis AX of the light source 20. 20 It is inclined at an angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal plane.
[0023] Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of the projection lens 30 as seen from the front, and Figure 3(b) is a perspective view of the projection lens 30 as seen from the back.
[0024] The projection lens 30 is made of a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate. As shown in Figures 1, 3(a), and 3(b), the projection lens 30 is a single projection lens that includes multiple lens parts (first lens part 31a, second lens part 31b, third lens part 31c) corresponding to multiple individual illumination patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c (see Figure 2) that constitute the illumination pattern P1. The first to third lens parts 31a, 31b, and 31c are arranged in this order from top to bottom. The first lens part 31a corresponds to individual illumination pattern P1a, the second lens part 31b corresponds to individual illumination pattern P1b, and the third lens part 31c corresponds to individual illumination pattern P1c.
[0025] The focal points F of the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c 31a F 31b F 31c (See Figure 1) is set near the light-emitting surface 21 (an example of the same projection target in this disclosure). 31a F 31b F 31c These may be in the same position or slightly different positions.
[0026] FIG. 4(a) shows the optical axis AX of the light source 20 20 and the optical axis AX of the first lens unit 31a with respect to it 31a forms an angle θ 31a as an example, FIG. 4(b) shows the optical axis AX of the light source 20 20 and the optical axis AX of the second lens unit 31b with respect to it 31b forms an angle θ 31b as an example, FIG. 4(c) shows the optical axis AX of the light source 20 20 and the optical axis AX of the third lens unit 31c with respect to it 31c forms an angle θ 31c as an example. The optical axes AX 31a of the first to third lens units 31a, 31b, 31c, respectively 31b AX 31c AX are included in the same vertical plane.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(b), in side view, with respect to the optical axis AX of the light source 20 20 the optical axes AX 31a AX 31b AX 31c formed by the first to third lens units 31a, 31b, 31c, respectively 31a θ 31b θ 31c are different from each other. In this embodiment, the optical axis AX 20 and the optical axis AX of the first lens unit 31a 31a coincide. Therefore, the angle θ 31a is 0 degrees. By adjusting the angles θ 31a θ 31b θ 31c the interval between the individual irradiation patterns P1a, P1b, P1c can be controlled.
[0028] The first lens unit 31a is not a free-form surface lens, and the focal point F 31a is set near the light emitting surface 21, and it is a part of a general projection lens that is rotationally symmetric with respect to its optical axis AX 31a . The first lens unit 31a includes an incident surface 31a1 on the light source 20 side and an exit surface 31a2 on the opposite side. The incident surface 31a1 is the optical axis AX of the first lens unit 31a 31aIt is a plane perpendicular to the (see Figure 4(a)). The light-receiving surface 31a1 may be a convex lens surface that is convex toward the light source 20. On the other hand, the light-emitting surface 31a2 is a convex lens surface with a predetermined curvature. The distance between the light-receiving surface 31a1 and the light source 20, and the curvature of the light-emitting surface 31a2 are adjusted so that the individual illumination patterns P1a formed on the road surface are of a desired size.
[0029] Similarly, the second lens section 31b is not a free-form surface lens, but rather has a focal length F 31b It is set near the light-emitting surface 21, and its optical axis AX 31b It is part of a general projection lens that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the light source 20. The second lens portion 31b includes an incoming light surface 31b1 on the light source 20 side and an outgoing light surface 31b2 on the opposite side. The incoming light surface 31b1 is along the optical axis AX of the second lens portion 31b. 31b It is a plane perpendicular to the (see Figure 4(b)). Note that the light-receiving surface 31b1 may be a convex lens surface. On the other hand, the light-emitting surface 31b2 is a convex lens surface with a predetermined curvature. The distance between the light-receiving surface 31b1 and the light source 20, and the curvature of the light-emitting surface 31b2 are adjusted so that the individual illumination patterns P1b formed on the road surface are of a desired size.
[0030] Similarly, the third lens section 31c is not a free-form surface lens, but rather has a focal length F 31c It is set near the light-emitting surface 21, and its optical axis AX 31c It is part of a general projection lens that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the light source 20. The third lens portion 31c includes an incoming light surface 31c1 on the light source 20 side and an outgoing light surface 31c2 on the opposite side. The incoming light surface 31c1 is along the optical axis AX of the third lens portion 31c. 31c It is a plane perpendicular to the (see Figure 4(c)). Note that the light-receiving surface 31c1 may be a convex lens surface. On the other hand, the light-emitting surface 31c2 is a convex lens surface with a predetermined curvature. The distance between the light-receiving surface 31c1 and the light source 20, and the curvature of the light-emitting surface 31c2 are adjusted so that the individual illumination patterns P1c formed on the road surface are of a desired size.
[0031] As a result of adjusting the curvature of the light-emitting surface 31a2, the curvature of the light-emitting surface 31b2, and the curvature of the light-emitting surface 31c2 as described above, the curvature of the light-emitting surface 31a2, the curvature of the light-emitting surface 31b2, and the curvature of the light-emitting surface 31c2 may be the same as each other, or they may be different from each other.
[0032] Furthermore, as a result of the light-receiving surfaces 31a1, 31b1, and 31c1 of the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c being configured as described above, a step is formed between adjacent light-receiving surfaces (see Figures 1 and 3(b)).
[0033] Furthermore, as a result of the light-emitting surfaces 31a2, 31b2, and 31c2 of the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c being configured as described above, a step is formed between adjacent light-emitting surfaces (see Figures 1 and 3(a)).
[0034] In the road surface illumination device 10A with the above configuration, when the light source 20 is turned on, the light Ray 1 (see Figure 1) that enters the first lens section 31a from the light-receiving surface 31a1 of the white light emitted by the light source 20 is emitted as parallel light from the light-emitting surface 31a2 of the first lens section 31a. The light Ray 1 emitted from this light-emitting surface 31a2 forms an individual illumination pattern P1a (see Figure 1) on the road surface, which is an image of the light-emitting surface 21 of the light source 20.
[0035] Meanwhile, the light Ray 2 (see Figure 1) that enters the second lens section 31b from the light-receiving surface 31b1 of the white light emitted by the light source 20 is emitted as parallel light from the light-emitting surface 31b2 of the second lens section 31b. This light Ray 2 emitted from the light-emitting surface 31b2 forms an individual illumination pattern P1b (see Figure 1) on the road surface, which is an image of the light-emitting surface 21 of the light source 20. At this time, the angle θ 31b (See Figure 4(a)) where angle θ 31a Because it is larger than (see Figure 4(b)), the individual irradiation pattern P1b is formed closer to the vehicle V than the individual irradiation pattern P1a.
[0036] Furthermore, of the white light emitted by the light source 20, the light Ray 3 (see Figure 1) that enters the third lens section 31c from the light-receiving surface 31c1 is emitted as parallel light from the light-emitting surface 31c2 of the third lens section 31c. This light Ray 3 emitted from the light-emitting surface 31c2 forms an individual illumination pattern P1c (see Figure 1), which is an image of the light-emitting surface 21 of the light source 20, on the road surface. At this time, the angle θ 31c (See Figure 4(c)) where angle θ 31b Because it is larger than (see Figure 4(b)), the individual irradiation pattern P1c is formed closer to the vehicle V than the individual irradiation pattern P1b.
[0037] As described above, individual illumination patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c are formed in a line on the road surface, spaced apart from each other, so as to move away from the vehicle V in sequence (see Figure 1).
[0038] In the road surface illumination device 10A with the above configuration, the focal points F of each of the light-receiving surfaces 31a1, 31b1, 31c1 and the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, 31c are 31a F 31b F 31c By adjusting the distance to the individual illumination patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c, the sizes can be adjusted. For example, the focal points F of each of the light-receiving surfaces 31a1, 31b1, and 31c1 and the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c. 31a F 31b F 31c By increasing the distance from the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c, the size of the individual illumination patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c can be reduced. Conversely, the focal points F of each of the light-receiving surfaces 31a1, 31b1, and 31c1 and the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c can be reduced. 31a F 31b F 31c By reducing the distance to the individual irradiation patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c, the sizes can be increased.
[0039] Furthermore, in the road surface illumination device 10A with the above configuration, the brightness of the individual illumination patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c can be adjusted by adjusting the area of each light-receiving surface 31a1, 31b1, and 31c1. For example, by increasing the area of each light-receiving surface 31a1, 31b1, and 31c1, the brightness of the individual illumination patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c can be increased. Conversely, by decreasing the area of each light-receiving surface 31a1, 31b1, and 31c1, the brightness of the individual illumination patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c can be decreased.
[0040] As described above, the road surface illumination device 10A of this embodiment can neatly form individual illumination patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c on the road surface (particularly the individual illumination pattern P1c formed near the vehicle V). Specifically, it can provide a road surface illumination device 10 that can suppress the reduction in sharpness of the individual illumination patterns (for example, the difference in brightness between individual illumination patterns is not sharp and they appear blurred).
[0041] Unlike the conventional technology described above, the light-receiving surfaces of the projection lens 30 are not the same; instead, the light-receiving surfaces 31a1, 31b1, and 31c1 of the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c are aligned with the optical axis AX of each lens section 31a, 31b, and 31c. 31a AX 31b AX 31c This is due to the fact that it is orthogonal to the given direction.
[0042] In other words, as in the conventional technology described above, if the light-receiving surface of the projection lens 30 is the same, the light from the light source 20 cannot be sufficiently refracted by the light-receiving surface, and it may not be possible to clearly form individual illumination patterns on the road surface (especially individual illumination patterns formed near vehicles). Specifically, the sharpness of the individual illumination patterns may be reduced (for example, the difference in brightness between light and dark in the individual illumination patterns may not be sharp and may appear blurred).
[0043] In contrast, according to the road surface illumination device 10A of this embodiment, the light-receiving surfaces 31a1, 31b1, and 31c1 are aligned with the optical axis AX of the respective lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c. 31a AX 31b AX 31c Because it is orthogonal to the light source 20, the light from the light source 20 can be sufficiently refracted by the light-receiving surfaces 31a1, 31b1, and 31c1, and individual illumination patterns (especially the individual illumination pattern P1c formed near the vehicle) can be clearly formed on the road surface. Specifically, the road surface illumination device 10A of this embodiment can suppress the reduction in sharpness of the individual illumination patterns (for example, the difference in brightness of the individual illumination patterns does not become sharp and appears blurry).
[0044] Furthermore, according to the road surface illumination device 10A of this embodiment, since the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c use general projection lenses rather than free-form surface lenses, clear individual illumination patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c can be formed on the road surface regardless of the size of the light source 20 (light-emitting surface 21).
[0045] Furthermore, according to the road surface illumination device 10A of this embodiment, since the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c use general projection lenses rather than free-form lenses which require advanced technology and equipment, the manufacturing cost of the road surface illumination device can be reduced.
[0046] Next, as a second embodiment, road surface illumination devices 10C and 10D will be described. When the turn signal of the vehicle V is illuminated, the road surface illumination device 10C forms an illumination pattern P3 (see Figure 2) on the road surface consisting of three individual amber chevron-shaped illumination patterns P3a, P3b, and P3c. The road surface illumination device 10D is similar. Since the road surface illumination devices 10C and 10D have similar configurations, the road surface illumination device 10C will be described as a representative example below. The road surface illumination device 10C is mounted on both the left and right sides of the front end of a vehicle V, such as an automobile.
[0047] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the road surface illumination device 10C (10D).
[0048] As shown in Figure 5, the road surface illumination device 10C of this embodiment is equivalent to the road surface illumination device 10A of the first embodiment with the addition of a shade 40. Otherwise, it is the same as the road surface illumination device 10A of the first embodiment. The following description will focus on the differences from the road surface illumination device 10A of the first embodiment, and components similar to those of the road surface illumination device 10A of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.
[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the shade 40 is positioned between the light source 20 (light-emitting surface 21) and the projection lens 30, and has a through-hole 41 through which light from the light source 20 passes. The shape of the through-hole 41 corresponds to the individual illumination patterns P3a, P3b, and P3c (chevron shape). The light source 20 is a semiconductor light-emitting element such as an LED that emits amber-colored light and is mounted on the substrate K.
[0050] The focal points F of the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c 31a F 31b F 31c (See Figure 5) is set near the through-hole 41 of the shade 40 (an example of the same projection target in this disclosure). 31a F 31b F 31c These may be in the same position or slightly different positions.
[0051] In the road surface illumination device 10C with the above configuration, when the light source 20 is turned on, the amber light emitted by the light source 20 that passes through the through-hole 41 of the shade 40 and enters the first lens section 31a from the light-entering surface 31a1, is emitted as parallel light from the light-emitting surface 31a2 of the first lens section 31a. The light Ray 4 emitted from this light-emitting surface 31a2 forms individual illumination patterns P3a (see Figure 5) on the road surface, which are images of the through-hole 41 of the shade 40.
[0052] Meanwhile, the amber light emitted by the light source 20 that passes through the through-hole 41 of the shade 40 and enters the second lens section 31b from the light-entering surface 31b1, is emitted as parallel light from the light-emitting surface 31b2 of the second lens section 31b. This light Ray 5 emitted from the light-emitting surface 31b2 forms an individual illumination pattern P3b (see Figure 5) on the road surface, which is an image of the through-hole 41 of the shade 40. At this time, the angle θ 31b (See Figure 4(a)) where angle θ 31a Because it is larger than (see Figure 4(b)), the individual irradiation pattern P3b is formed closer to the vehicle V than the individual irradiation pattern P3a.
[0053] Furthermore, the amber light emitted by the light source 20, specifically the light Ray 6 (see Figure 5) that passes through the through-hole 41 of the shade 40 and enters the third lens section 31c from the light-entering surface 31c1, is emitted as parallel light from the light-emitting surface 31c2 of the third lens section 31c. This light Ray 6 emitted from the light-emitting surface 31c2 forms individual illumination patterns P3c (see Figure 5) on the road surface, which are images of the through-hole 41 of the shade 40. At this time, the angle θ 31c (See Figure 4(c)) where angle θ 31b Because it is larger than (see Figure 4(b)), the individual irradiation pattern P3c is formed closer to the vehicle V than the individual irradiation pattern P3b.
[0054] As described above, individual illumination patterns P3a, P3b, and P3c are formed in a line on the road surface, spaced apart from each other, so as to move away from the vehicle V in sequence (see Figure 5).
[0055] As described above, the road surface illumination device 10C of this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the road surface illumination device 10A.
[0056] Next, I will explain some variations.
[0057] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which three lens parts, namely the first lens part 31a, the second lens part 31b, and the third lens part 31c, are used as the multiple lens parts, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, two or more lens parts may be used as the multiple lens parts.
[0058] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which rectangular individual illumination patterns P1a, P1b, and P1c are used as the individual illumination patterns formed on the road surface when the reverse lights of vehicle V are turned on, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, circular or other shaped individual illumination patterns may be used as the individual illumination patterns formed on the road surface when the reverse lights of vehicle V are turned on.
[0059] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which chevron-shaped individual illumination patterns P3a, P3b, and P3c are used as individual illumination patterns formed on the road surface when the turn signals of vehicle V are illuminated, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, arrow-shaped, triangular, or other shaped individual illumination patterns may be used as individual illumination patterns formed on the road surface when the turn signals of vehicle V are illuminated.
[0060] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the optical axis AX of the light source 20 20 and the optical axis AX of the first lens section 31a 31a I have explained an example where they match, but this is not the only example. For example, the optical axis AX of light source 20 20 and the optical axis AX of the second lens section 31b 31b They may coincide, or the optical axis AX of the light source 20 may be the same. 20 and the optical axis AX of the third lens section 31c 31c They may be the same.
[0061] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c are integrally configured, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the first to third lens sections 31a, 31b, and 31c may be configured as separate lens sections.
[0062] The numerical values shown in the above embodiments are all examples, and it goes without saying that other appropriate numerical values can be used.
[0063] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects. The invention is not to be construed as limiting by the description of the embodiments above. The invention can be carried out in various other ways without departing from its spirit or main features. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0064] 10(10A, 10B, 10C, 10D)…road irradiation device 20...Light source 21…Luminous surface 30…Projection lens 31a...First lens section 31a1…Light incident surface 31a2…Idemitsu surface 31b...Second lens section 31b1…Light entrance surface 31b2…Idemitsu surface 31c...Third lens section 31c1…Light entrance surface 31c2…Idemitsu surface 40... Shade 41…Through hole K... Circuit board P1~P4... Irradiation patterns P1a, P1b, P1c, P3a, P3b, P3c... Individual irradiation patterns V...vehicle
Claims
1. A road surface illumination device mounted on a vehicle that forms a plurality of individual illumination patterns on the road surface so as to move sequentially away from the vehicle, Light source and The light source comprises a projection lens positioned in front of the light source, The projection lens includes a plurality of lens portions corresponding to a plurality of irradiation patterns, The focal point of each of the multiple lens units is set near the same projection target. The optical axis of the aforementioned light source is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. A road surface illumination device in which, when viewed from the side, the angles that the optical axes of each of the multiple lens parts make with respect to the optical axis of the light source are different from each other.
2. The road surface illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the projection target is the light-emitting surface of the light source.
3. The system further comprises a shade positioned between the light source and the projection lens, having a through-hole through which light from the light source passes, The shape of the through-hole corresponds to the shape of the irradiation pattern. The road surface illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the projection target is the shade.
4. The road surface illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light-receiving surface of each of the multiple lens portions is perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens portion.
5. The road surface illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the curvature of the light-emitting surfaces of each of the multiple lens portions differs from that of the others.
6. A projection lens positioned in front of a light source in a road surface illumination device mounted on a vehicle that forms multiple illumination patterns on the road surface so as to move sequentially away from the vehicle, Including multiple lens sections corresponding to multiple irradiation patterns, The focal point of each of the multiple lens units is set near the same projection target. A projection lens for a road surface illumination device, wherein, in a side view, the angles that the optical axes of each of the multiple lens sections make with respect to the optical axis of the light source are different from each other.