Vehicle lighting display device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lighting display device that can suppress the deterioration of the appearance of the illuminated display. [Solution] The vehicle lighting display device comprises a light source 31 that emits illumination light L1, a visor 20 having an inner surface 25i on the driver side into which the illumination light L1 is incident, and an outer surface 25o on the back side of the inner surface 25i from which the incident illumination light L1 is emitted, and a diffusion part 35 formed on the inner surface 25i that diffuses the illumination light L3 emitted from the outer surface 25o. This makes it possible to suppress the unsightly appearance of the lighting display.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle lighting display device.

Background Art

[0002] The information display device described in Patent Document 1 includes a light source, a light guide member that guides light from the light source, and a pair of light emitting units disposed on the left and right sides of a windscreen (visor), each of which diffuses and emits the light guided by the light guide member.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in the above Patent Document 1, when scratches or stains adhere to the light diffusion surface of the light emitting unit, the light from the light emitting unit is disturbed by the scratches or the like, which may deteriorate the appearance of the display.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle lighting display device capable of suppressing deterioration of the appearance of a lighting display.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To achieve the above object, the vehicle lighting display device according to the present disclosure includes: a light source that emits illumination light; a visor having an inner surface on a driver side onto which the illumination light is incident, and an outer surface on a back side of the inner surface from which the incident illumination light is emitted; and a diffusion portion formed on the inner surface side and diffusing the illumination light.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the appearance of the illuminated display. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of the area around the visor of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic front view of the area around the visor of a vehicle as seen from the driver's side, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a visor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a partial perspective view of a visor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing a state in which a light guide portion is inserted into a notch of a meter unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the area around a notch in a meter unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a meter unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light guide, a diffuser, and a windbreak section showing the optical path of light from a light source according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light guide, diffuser, and windshield according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light guide, diffuser, and windshield according to a modified example of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light guide, diffuser, and windshield according to a modified example of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A vehicle having a vehicle lighting display device according to one embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, vehicle 10 is a motorcycle. In the following explanation, the front-to-back direction of vehicle 10 is defined as the X direction, the width direction (left-to-right direction) of vehicle 10 is defined as the Y direction, and the height direction of vehicle 10 is defined as the Z direction. In the coordinate system of each figure, the direction pointed to by the X direction arrow is forward, the direction pointed to by the Y direction arrow is to the right, and the direction pointed to by the Z direction arrow is upward. Vehicle 10 is equipped with vehicle lighting display devices 30L, 30R, a garnish 50, a headlight 60, and a meter unit 70.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1, 4, 7, and 8, the two vehicle lighting devices 30L and 30R each comprise a visor 20 and two light sources 31. The visor 20 is a windshield that protects the driver from rain, wind, or flying objects. The visor 20 comprises a windshield portion 25, two protrusions 26L and 26R, two light guide portions 33, and two diffusers 35. The two vehicle lighting devices 30L and 30R are configured symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry in the XZ plane that passes through the center of the vehicle 10 in the Y direction.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle lighting display device 30L controls the illumination of illumination area AL, and the vehicle lighting display device 30R controls the illumination of illumination area AR. Illumination areas AL and AR are located on both sides in the X direction of the lower end of the visor 20. Each illumination area AL and AR has a shape that extends in the X direction, and specifically, it has a tapered shape in which the width, which is the length in the Z direction, decreases as it moves towards the front. The vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R are position lights that inform the outside of the presence of the vehicle 10 by illuminating illumination areas AL and AR.

[0012] The headlight 60 is located below the visor 20 and illuminates the area in front of the vehicle 10. The garnish 50 is an exterior part of the vehicle body 10 and is formed in a V-shape that opens upwards to surround the headlight 60 and the lower part of the visor 20.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the meter unit 70 is located on the inner surface 25i side (driver side) of the windshield portion 25, and displays vehicle information such as vehicle speed. As shown in Figure 7, the meter unit 70 includes a display unit 71, a circuit board 72, and a case 73. The display unit 71 includes a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) type liquid crystal display panel, which is not shown in the drawings, and a light source that illuminates the liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 71 is not limited to a liquid crystal display panel, and may be an organic EL panel.

[0014] The circuit board 72 is located on the back side of the display unit 71 (opposite side from the driver). A control unit (not shown) that controls the display unit 71 and the light source 31 are mounted on the circuit board 72. The light source 31 is mounted on the back surface of the circuit board 72.

[0015] The case 73 is formed of a light-shielding material, which is resin or metal, and accommodates the display unit 71 and the circuit board 72. The case 73 is elongated in the Y direction and formed in a rectangular parallelepiped with the thickness direction set in the X direction. Both upper outer portions of the case 73 in the Y direction are fitted into the respective projections 26L and 26R described later.

[0016] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the case 73 is formed with two notches 73a for exposing the light source 31 inside the case 73 to the outside. The two notches 73a are formed on both sides in the Y direction on the back side of the case 73. The notch 73a is formed in a range spanning the top surface and the back surface of the case 73. The notches 73a are formed as slits extending in the Z direction, and the end portion on the incident surface 33i side of each light guide portion 33 is inserted into each notch 73a. The slit width of the notch 73a in the Y direction is formed larger than the thickness of the light guide portion 33.

[0017] The windshield section 25 is the main body of the visor 20 and is a curved plate made of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic or polycarbonate. The windshield section 25 is a curved plate that is concave in the X and Z directions when viewed from the driver's side. The windshield section 25 is installed in a direction that is inclined downwards as it approaches the front of the vehicle.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the windshield portion 25 has a semi-elliptical shape that opens downwards in the YZ cross-section. This semi-elliptical shape gradually decreases in size as it moves towards the front of the vehicle.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the windshield portion 25 comprises an inner surface 25i exposed to the driver and an outer surface 25o exposed to the front of the vehicle. The two protrusions 26L and 26R are formed so that parts of both sides of the windshield 25 bulge in the Y direction. The protrusions 26L and 26R are positioned aligned in the Y direction at the lower end of the windshield 25. Each protrusion 26L and 26R is box-shaped, opening inward and downward in the Y direction. The protrusions 26L and 26R are located next to the rear of the vehicle at the end of each light guide section 33 on the incident surface 33i side. Part of the upper surface of the meter unit 70 is fitted into each protrusion 26L and 26R.

[0020] The two light sources 31 are illuminated under the control of a control unit (not shown). Each light source 31 consists of an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The two light sources 31 are arranged one on each of the openings in the Y direction of the protrusions 26L and 26R.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the light guide section 33 is formed on the inner surface 25i side of the windshield section 25, extending over areas corresponding to the illuminated regions AL and AR. The light guide section 33 is a curved plate shape that extends along the inner surface 25i of the windshield section 25 with a gap Sk (see Figure 4). The front end of the light guide section 33 (right side in Figure 4) is connected to the inner surface 25i of the windshield section 25, and the gap Sk gradually increases as it moves away from this connected portion 33e in the X direction. The light guide section 33 is integrally formed from the same material as the windshield section 25.

[0022] As shown in Figure 8, the light guide portion 33 has an incident surface 33i and a reflecting portion 33r. The incident surface 33i is the end face of the light guide portion 33 opposite to the connecting portion 33e. The incident surface 33i is located inward in the Y direction of each projection 26L, 26R. The end of the light guide portion 33 on the incident surface 33i side faces the light source 31 within the notch portion 73a of the case 73, as shown in Figure 5. The light guide portion 33 receives illumination light L1 from the light source 31 through the incident surface 33i and guides this incident illumination light L1 inside the light guide portion 33.

[0023] As shown in Figure 8, the reflecting portion 33r is provided with a plurality of right-angled triangular prism-shaped protrusions 33a arranged in a sawtooth pattern in the X direction. The plurality of protrusions 33a are formed on the surface opposite to the surface facing the inner surface 25i of the light guide portion 33. The vertex 33p of each protrusion 33a is located at the end of the light propagation direction (the direction from the incident surface 33i toward the connecting portion 33e) in which the illumination light L1 and L2 propagate within the light guide portion 33. The reflecting portion 33r reflects the illumination light L1 guided into the interior of the light guide portion 33 and reflects the reflected illumination light L2 toward the inner surface 25i of the windshield portion 25, i.e., toward the diffusion portion 35. Specifically, when the plurality of protrusions 33a receive illumination light L1 incident from the incident surface 33i, they concentrate this illumination light L1 at the vertex 33p. Therefore, the light guide portion 33 receives the illumination light L1 and shines on the line formed by each vertex 33p. This allows the light-guiding portion 33 to periodically arrange the areas that emit light. Therefore, the light-emitting pattern of the light-guiding portion 33 can be stabilized. Furthermore, of the two surfaces of the light guide portion 33, the surface facing the inner surface 25i is formed as a flat surface that does not bend light.

[0024] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the diffuser portion 35 is formed on the inner surface 25i of the windshield portion 25 and extends over the area facing the light guide portion 33. The diffuser portion 35 may be formed by applying a textured finish to the inner surface 25i of the windshield portion 25, or it may be formed by a diffuser plate separate from the windshield portion 25. The textured finish can be achieved, for example, by sandblasting, micro-machining, or etching. The diffuser 35 diffuses the illumination light L2 from the light guide 33 and emits this diffused illumination light L3. The illumination light L3 enters from the inner surface 25i of the windshield 25, passes through the thickness direction of the windshield 25, and exits from the outer surface 25o. Illumination light L3 emitted from the outer surface 25o illuminates the illuminated areas AL and AR.

[0025] Next, we will explain the operation of the vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R. When the light source 31 is turned on, illumination light L1 is emitted from the light source 31 into the light guide section 33 via the incident surface 33i. The incident illumination light L1 spreads inside the light guide section 33 and is reflected by the reflecting section 33r towards the diffusion section 35. In addition to the illumination light L2 reflected by the reflecting section 33r, the illumination light L1 that spreads inside the light guide section 33 without being reflected by the reflecting section 33r is also directed towards the diffusion section 35. The illumination light L1 and L2 are diffused in the diffusion section 35, and this diffused illumination light L3 is radiated toward the outer surface 25o of the windshield section 25. As a result, the illumination areas AL and AR are illuminated by the vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R. When light source 31 is turned off, the illuminated areas AL and AR are turned off.

[0026] (effect) According to the embodiment described above, the following effects are achieved. (1) The vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R include a light source 31 that emits illumination light L1, a visor 20 having an inner surface 25i on the driver side into which the illumination light L1 is incident, and an outer surface 25o on the back side of the inner surface 25i that emits the incident illumination light L1, and a diffusion part 35 formed on the inner surface 25i side that diffuses the illumination light emitted from the outer surface 25o. With this configuration, the illumination light is diffused by the diffusion section 35 on the inner surface 25i of the visor 20, so that even if the outer surface 25o is scratched or dirty, the appearance of the illumination display by the vehicle illumination display devices 30L and 30R is suppressed.

[0027] (2) The visor 20 comprises a windbreak portion 25 formed of a light-transmitting material as the main body of the visor 20, and a light guide portion 33 located on the inner surface 25i side of the windbreak portion 25 opposite the diffuser portion 35, through which illumination light L1 from the light source 31 is incident and travels inside. The light guide portion 33 includes a reflector portion 33r that reflects the illumination light L1 traveling inside towards the diffuser portion 35 as illumination light L2. With this configuration, since the light guide section 33 and the diffuser section 35 are located on the inner surface 25i side of the windshield section 25, even if the outer surface 25o is scratched or dirty, the appearance of the illuminated display by the vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R is suppressed. The strength of the visor 20 is increased by creating a two-layer structure for the windshield section 25 and the light guide section 33. The diffusion section 35 makes the reflective section 33r less visible from the outer surface 25o side of the windshield section 25, thus improving the appearance of the vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R.

[0028] (3) The light guide section 33 has a shape that tapers towards the tip furthest from the light source 31. With this configuration, the cross-sectional area of ​​the light guide 33 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction decreases as it moves further away from the light source 31. As a result, the brightness of the tip of the light guide 33 that is farther from the light source 31 is improved. Therefore, a distinctive appearance can be achieved for the illumination display by the vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R.

[0029] (4) The reflective portion 33r of the light guide portion 33 has a sawtooth shape in which triangular prism-shaped protrusions 33a are arranged in the direction of light propagation (forward direction) in which the illumination light L1 travels within the light guide portion 33, and the vertex 33p of each protrusion 33a is located on the side of the direction of light propagation (forward side) within the protrusion 33a. With this configuration, the shape of the reflective portion 33r allows the light guide portion 33 to be illuminated uniformly. By positioning the apex 33p of the projection 33a on the side in the direction of light propagation within the projection 33a, the emission of illumination light L1 from the inclined surface of the projection 33a to the outside of the light guide portion 33 is suppressed, and the emission of illumination light L1 to the inner surface 25i side of the windshield portion 25, thus preventing wasted light, is suppressed. Furthermore, forming the reflective portion 33r with multiple protrusions 33a is desirable from the viewpoint of mold removal during injection molding of the visor 20.

[0030] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and drawings described above. Modifications (including the deletion of components) can be made as appropriate, provided they do not alter the essence of this disclosure. An example of such a modification is described below.

[0031] (modified version) In the above embodiment, the illuminated areas AL and AR were inconspicuous in shape on the outer surface 25o of the windshield 25. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the shapes of the illuminated areas AL and AR on the windshield 25 may be made different from the shapes of the other areas to make them more noticeable. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the windshield 25 comprises a main windshield 251 and a shape-changing section 252. The main windshield 251 is formed in the shape of a curved plate that curves in the XY direction. The shape-changing section 252 is the part of the windshield 25 that faces the light guide section 33 and is located below the main windshield 251. The shape-changing section 252 is formed in a different shape from the main windshield 251. Specifically, the shape-changing section 252 is connected to the main windshield 251 with a step so as to bulge outward relative to the main windshield 251. The shape-changing section 252 comprises a base section 25k extending outward from the lower end of the main windshield section 251, and an extension section 25j extending downward from the base section 25k. The extension section 25j faces the light guide section 33. This makes the illuminated areas AL and AR more noticeable. This modification produces the following effects: The windshield section 25 comprises a main windshield section 251 formed in the shape of a curved plate, and a shape-changing section 252 connected to the main windshield section 251 by a discontinuous shape. The light guide section 33 is located on the inner surface 25i side of the shape-changing section 252. This configuration allows for different lighting effects using the same light source 31. Furthermore, the base portion 25k of the shape-changing section 252 is formed so that its angle changes abruptly from the main windshield portion 251. As a result, the outer corners of the shape-changing section 252 shine with a higher brightness than other parts. This enables a novel lighting effect.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the light guide portion 33 was in the shape of a curved plate, but it may have other shapes. For example, as shown in Figure 11, the light guide portion 133 may be cylindrical. In this case, the diffusion portion 35 is formed on the inner surface 25i side of the light guide portion 133, and the reflecting portion 33r is formed on the side of the light guide portion 133 that is farther from the inner surface 25i. In the above embodiment, the reflective portion 33r is not limited to a sawtooth shape, but may be formed by a mirror layer. In the above embodiment, the gap Sk between the light guide portion 33 and the windshield portion 25 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the number of vehicle lighting display devices 30L, 30R may be one or three or more. In the above embodiment, the illuminated areas AL and AR had a shape that tapered towards the tip furthest from the light source 31, but they may have a shape of constant width or a shape that widens towards the tip furthest from the light source 31. In the above embodiment, the reflective portion 33r of the light guide portion 33 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, an optical element such as a lens may be provided in the optical path between the light source 31 and the incident surface 33i of the light guide 33. This lens may have a shape that improves the directivity of the light rays from the light source 31 toward the light guide 33. In the above embodiment, the light guide section 33 may be omitted. In this case, the illumination light from the light source 31 is radiated directly to the diffuser section 35 without passing through the light guide section 33. In the above embodiment, the visor 20 was formed only of a transparent resin material, but the end faces may be protected with opaque paint or tape to prevent light emission from the visor's end faces. These end faces refer to all end faces of the visor 20 that are exposed to the outside. Furthermore, the visor 20 may be made transparent only in the windshield portion 25 facing the light guide portion 33, while the other windshield portions 25 may be formed by two-color molding of black or dark smoke. In the above embodiment, the vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R were position lights, but they may also be turn signals or warning lights. In the above embodiment, the incident surface 33i was formed as a plane, but it is not limited to a plane and may have other shapes. For example, the incident surface 33i may have a structure that increases optical incident efficiency, such as a convex shape. In the above embodiment, the diffusion portion 35 may be positioned so as to face the inner surface 25i with a gap between them. In the above embodiment, the light guide section 33 and the windshield section 25 may be configured as separate parts. In the above embodiment, the vehicle 10 is not limited to a motorcycle, but may be other automobiles or construction machinery vehicles, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 10... Vehicles 20... Visor 25...windshield section, 25i...inner surface, 25o...outer surface, 25j...extension section, 25k...base section, 26L,26R...protrusions, 251...main windshield section, 252...shape change section 30L, 30R… Vehicle lighting indicators 31...Light source 33,133...light guide section, 33a...projection, 33e...connecting section, 33i...incident surface, 33p...vertex, 33r...reflecting section, 35...diffusing section 50...Garnish, 60...Headlight 70... Meter unit, 71... Display unit, 72... Circuit board, 73... Case, 73a... Notch L1, L2, L3… Illumination light, AL, AR… Illumination area, Sk… Gap

Claims

1. A light source that emits illumination light, A visor having an inner surface on the driver side into which the illumination light is incident, and an outer surface on the back side of the inner surface from which the incident illumination light is emitted, The system comprises a diffusion portion formed on the inner surface side for diffusing the illumination light, Vehicle lighting display device.

2. The aforementioned visor is, The main body of the visor is a windbreak made of a light-transmitting material, The windshield portion comprises a light guide portion located on the inner surface side of the windshield portion, facing the diffusion portion, through which the illumination light from the light source enters and travels inside, The light guide section includes a reflecting section that reflects the illumination light traveling through the interior toward the diffusion section. The vehicle lighting display device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned windshield section is The main windshield section is formed in the shape of a curved plate, It comprises a shape-changing section that is discontinuous with the main windshield section and connected to the main windshield section, The light guide portion is located on the inner surface side of the shape-changing portion. The vehicle lighting display device according to claim 2.

4. The light guide portion has a shape that tapers towards the tip furthest from the light source. The vehicle lighting display device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The reflective portion of the light guide portion has a sawtooth shape in which triangular prism-shaped protrusions are arranged in the direction of light propagation in which the illumination light travels within the light guide portion, and the vertex of each of the protrusions is located on the side of the direction of light propagation within the protrusion. The vehicle lighting display device according to claim 2 or 3.

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