Display device for saddle-type vehicles

Abstract

This invention provides a display device for saddle-type vehicles that offers both illumination and deflector functions while achieving a simpler configuration. [Solution] The display device 20 is positioned so as to wrap around a part of the windshield 10 of the vehicle 1 when viewed from the front-rear direction (X direction) of the vehicle 1, and has a deflector function that straightens the wind F which is the air flowing towards the driver U side, and comprises a deflector light guide 21 made of a light-transmitting material, and a light source that makes the deflector light guide 21 glow by emitting illumination light to the deflector light guide 21.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device for a saddle-riding type vehicle. [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, wherein each of the light-emitting units diffuses and emits the light guided by the light guide member.

[0003] In the windscreen device for a motorcycle described in Patent Document 2, sub-screens are provided on both sides of a front cowl so as to be positioned below the windscreen, and these sub-screens have a deflector function of guiding air on the lower sides of both sides of the windscreen to flow toward the outside of the vehicle body (see paragraph 0026 and the like of Patent Document 2). [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 7425820 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-173208 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] As described in the above Patent Documents 1 and 2, the lighting display function and the deflector function are exhibited by separate configurations, resulting in a complicated configuration.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device for a saddle-riding type vehicle that can achieve a simpler configuration while exhibiting a lighting display function and a deflector function. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the saddle-type vehicle display device relating to this disclosure is A deflector light guide, formed from a translucent material, is positioned to overlap a portion of the windshield of a saddle-type vehicle when viewed from the front or rear, and has a deflector function to straighten the airflow towards the driver. The system comprises a light source that causes the deflector light guide to glow by emitting illumination light onto the deflector light guide. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, a simpler configuration can be achieved while providing both an indicator light function and a deflector function. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the front of a motorcycle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a front view of a motorcycle with a windshield in the lower position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the front of a motorcycle when the windshield, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, is in the lower position. [Figure 4] (A) is a front view of a vehicle display device from the driver's side according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, (B) is a cross-sectional view of (A) along line BB, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of (B) along line CC. [Figure 5] (A) is a front view of a motorcycle with the windshield in the upper position, and (B) is a side view of the front of the motorcycle with the windshield in the upper position. [Figure 6] (A) in the modified form of the present disclosure is a front view of the vehicle display device from the driver's side, (B) is a cross-sectional view of (A) along line BB, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of (B) along line CC. [Figure 7](A) in the modified form of the present disclosure is a front view of the vehicle display device from the driver's side, (B) is a cross-sectional view of (A) along line BB, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of (B) along line CC. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A display device for a saddle-type vehicle according to one embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, Vehicle 1 is a motorcycle, which is a type of saddle-type vehicle. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of vehicle 1 is defined as the X direction, the width direction (left-right direction) of vehicle 1 is defined as the Y direction, and the vertical direction of vehicle 1 is defined as the Z direction. Vehicle 1 is constructed symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry that extends along the center line C of Vehicle 1 (see Figure 2).

[0011] Vehicle 1 comprises a windshield 10, a display device 20 with a deflector function, one on each side of the windshield 10 in the Y direction, and a rod-shaped handle grip 1H that is held by both hands of the driver U.

[0012] The windshield 10 is a windshield that protects the driver U from rain, wind, or flying objects. The windshield 10 is a curved plate made of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic or polycarbonate. The lower part of the windshield 10 is fixed to the front of the vehicle 1. The windshield 10 is a curved plate that is concave in the Y and Z directions when viewed from the driver U side. The windshield 10 is installed in a direction that slopes downwards as it approaches the front of the vehicle 1 (the direction of vehicle travel).

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the windshield 10 has one protrusion 11 on each side of the lower part in the Y direction. The protrusions 11 are formed to bulge outwards in the Y direction (away from the centerline C of the vehicle 1) when viewed from the front of the vehicle 1. Each protrusion 11 comprises a first inclined edge 11a and a second inclined edge 11b. The first inclined edge portion 11a is inclined inward in the Y direction (toward the center line C side of the vehicle 1) as it goes downward. The second inclined edge portion 11b is continuous with the upper end of the first inclined edge portion 11a, and is inclined inward in the Y direction (toward the center line C side of the vehicle 1) as it goes upward. The length of the first inclined edge portion 11a in the Z direction is formed to be longer than the length of the second inclined edge portion 11b in the Z direction.

[0014] The display device 20 exerts both a lighting display function and a deflector function. As the lighting display function, the display device 20 is capable of lighting a lighting area Ar (see FIG. 3) facing the driver U side on the outer side in the Y direction of each convex portion 11 of the windshield 10. The display device 20 functions as a turn signal light by blinking the lighting area Ar. As the deflector function, the display device 20 adjusts the air volume and wind direction to take in wind F for improving the comfort of the driver U, rectifies the wind F (see FIG. 1) that is the air flowing to the handle grip 1H, and softens the wind hitting the hand gripping the handle grip 1H.

[0015] Next, each display device 20 will be described. In the following description, the display device 20 on the right side as viewed from the driver U will be described, but the display device 20 on the left side is the same except that it is symmetrical. As shown in FIGS. 4(A) to 4(C), the display device 20 includes a deflector light guide 21 and an illumination device 75. The illumination device 75 emits illumination light L toward the light incident surface 21a of the deflector light guide 21. The illumination device 75 includes a plurality of light sources 70, a light source substrate 71, and an illumination case 72. The illumination case 72 is formed of a light-shielding resin or metal, and has a box shape opening toward the deflector light guide 21 side. In addition to the light source 70 and the light source substrate 71, the end portion of the deflector light guide 21 on the light incident surface 21a side is accommodated in the illumination case 72. The illumination case 72 is fixed to the vehicle body, and supports the end portion of the deflector light guide 21 on the light incident surface 21a side inside the illumination case 72.

[0016] The light source substrate 71 is positioned to face the light-receiving surface 21a of the deflector light guide 21, and multiple light sources 70 are mounted on the surface facing the light-receiving surface 21a. The multiple light sources 70 are arranged in a single row along the longitudinal direction of the light-receiving surface 21a. Each light source 70 consists of an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the deflector light guide 21 has a thickness along the X direction and is plate-shaped, extending in the Z direction. The deflector light guide 21 is positioned in a sloping orientation so that it moves forward as it goes downward. That is, the deflector light guide 21 is parallel to the protrusion 11 of the windshield 10. The deflector light guide 21 is located on the front side of the base of the handle grip 1H and on the rear side of the windshield 10, and a gap Sk is formed between it and the windshield 10. A portion of the deflector light guide 21 on the side of the center line C overlaps with a portion of the protrusion 11 of the windshield 10. The width W of the deflector light guide 21 along the Y direction (see Figure 4(A)) is shaped to increase towards the bottom. This makes it easier for wind to be drawn in by the deflector light guide 21, and increases the light guiding efficiency of the deflector light guide 21.

[0018] As shown in Figure 4(A), the deflector light guide 21 comprises, on each side surface, a light-receiving surface 21a, two side surfaces 21b and 21c, and two inclined surfaces 21d and 21e. The light-receiving surface 21a is the lower side surface of the deflector light guide 21 and faces each light source 70. The two sides 21b and 21c extend upward from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the light-receiving surface 21a. The height of side 21c relative to the light-receiving surface 21a is greater than the height of side 21b, for example, it is formed to be 3 to 5 times the height of side 21b. Sides 21b and 21c are perpendicular to the light-receiving surface 21a. The inclined surface 21d is connected to the upper end of the side surface 21b, and the inclined surface 21e is connected to the upper end of the side surface 21c. The two inclined surfaces 21d and 21e are inclined so that they move closer to each other as they go upwards. The length of the inclined surface 21d is longer than the length of the inclined surface 21e, for example, it is formed to be 2 to 4 times the length of the inclined surface 21e. The connecting corners of the light-receiving surface 21a, the side surfaces 21b and 21c, and the inclined surfaces 21d and 21e are formed to be curved. As shown in Figure 2, when the windshield 10 is in the lower position, the portion of the deflector light guide 21 near the inclined surface 21d overlaps with the portion of the windshield 10 near the first inclined edge 11a. The overlapping region of the deflector light guide 21 and the windshield 10 is formed with a substantially constant width in the Z direction. The vertical movement of the windshield 10 will be explained later. The light-emitting surface 21f is a surface surrounded by the light-receiving surface 21a, the side surfaces 21b, 21c, and the inclined surfaces 21d, 21e, and is the surface facing the driver U in the deflector light guide 21, and constitutes the illuminated area Ar.

[0019] As shown in Figures 4(A) to (C), the deflector light guide 21 comprises a light guide layer 22, a protective layer 24, and a flow straightening rib 28. The light guide layer 22 and the protective layer 24 are made of materials with different refractive indices and are stacked in the thickness direction of the deflector light guide 21. Preferably, the light guide layer 22 has a higher refractive index than the protective layer 24. The light guide layer 22 is located on the light-emitting surface 21f side of the protective layer 24.

[0020] The light guide layer 22 is a layer that guides light from the light source 70 through the light-receiving surface 21a. The protective layer 24 is a layer that protects the light guide layer 22 from scratches, water droplets, and dirt. The protective layer 24 is exposed on the front side of the deflector light guide 21 (the side in the direction of travel of the vehicle 1). The surface of the protective layer 24 may be treated with a hard coat, a water-repellent coat, or an anti-fouling coat. Due to the difference in refractive index between the material of the protective layer 24 and the light guide layer 22, illumination light L is not guided to the protective layer 24. As shown in Figures 4(B) and 4(C), the light guide layer 22 and the protective layer 24 are provided with a vertical interface S1 perpendicular to the light-receiving surface 21a and inclined interface surfaces S2 and S3 that are inclined with respect to the vertical interface S1. The inclined interface S2 is located at the end of the vertical interface S1 furthest from the light-receiving surface 21a, and is inclined to approach the light-emitting surface 21f as it moves away from the vertical interface S1. The inclined interface S3 is located at both ends in the direction of the width W of the vertical interface S1, and is inclined to approach the light-emitting surface 21f as it moves away from the vertical interface S1. The inclined interface surfaces S2 and S3 reflect the illumination light L directed toward the side surface of the protective layer 24 toward the light-emitting surface 21f.

[0021] Here, we will explain the effect of light on the display device 20. The illumination light L from the light source 70 enters the light guide layer 22 via the light-receiving surface 21a. The illumination light L spreads within the light guide layer 22 and is reflected towards the driver U at the interface surfaces S1 to S3. As a result, the light-emitting surface 21f emits light, and the illuminated area Ar lights up.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the rectifying rib 28 is formed convexly on the front surface of the deflector light guide 21 so as to guide the wind F received on the front surface opposite to the light-emitting surface 21f of the deflector light guide 21 towards the inside of the vehicle 1. As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the rectifier rib 28 is located at the front end of the deflector light guide 21 and extends along the side surface 21c and the inclined surface 21e. The rectifier rib 28 is formed to be taller than the thickness of the deflector light guide 21 relative to the front surface of the deflector light guide 21. The rectifier rib 28 is integrally formed from the same material as the protective layer 24. The rectifier rib 28 prevents the wind F received by the deflector light guide 21 from reaching the outside of the vehicle 1 in the Y direction, and consequently, the hands gripping the handle grip 1H. As shown in Figure 4(B), when the deflector light guide 21 is viewed in cross-section along the width W direction, the rectifier rib 28 is formed together with the protective layer 24 to form a substantially L-shape.

[0023] Vehicle 1 is equipped with a windshield movable mechanism (not shown) that allows the windshield 10 to move up and down. The direction of movement of the windshield 10 is along the inclination direction of the windshield 10 and the deflector light guide 21. As shown in Figure 2, when the windscreen 10 is in the lower position, the deflector light guide 21 is positioned to overlap the first inclined edge 11a and the second inclined edge 11b of the windscreen 10. As shown in Figure 5(A), when the windscreen 10 is in the upper position, the deflector light guide 21 overlaps only the first inclined edge 11a of the windscreen 10, and not the second inclined edge 11b. As shown in Figures 3 and 5(B), a gap Sk is maintained between the deflector light guide 21 and the windscreen 10 regardless of the vertical movement of the windscreen 10.

[0024] (effect) According to the embodiment described above, the following effects are achieved. (1) The display device 20, which is an example of a display device for a saddle-type vehicle, is positioned so as to wrap around a part of the windshield 10 of the vehicle 1 when viewed from the front-rear direction (X direction) of the vehicle 1, which is an example of a saddle-type vehicle, and has a deflector function that straightens the wind F, which is the air that flows towards the driver U side, and comprises a deflector light guide 21 made of a light-transmitting material and a light source 70 that makes the deflector light guide 21 glow by emitting illumination light L to the deflector light guide 21. This configuration allows the deflector light guide 21 to have both a deflector function and an indicator light function, resulting in a simpler design. Furthermore, it reduces the number of components. Furthermore, by making the light-emitting surface 21f of the deflector light guide 21 have a large surface area, it becomes possible to realize an illuminated indicator that is easily noticeable to the driver U.

[0025] (2) The deflector light guide 21 is composed of a light guide layer 22 and a protective layer 24, which are layers with different refractive indices. The light guide layer 22 is laminated on the driver U side relative to the protective layer 24. This configuration separates the protective layer 24, which is prone to scratches, water droplets, and dirt, from the light-guiding layer 22, which guides light. This prevents light diffusion due to scratches, water droplets, and dirt in the protective layer 24, and prevents poor light guidance in the light-guiding layer 22.

[0026] (3) The deflector light guide 21 is shaped like a plate and is tilted along the windshield 10 so that it moves forward as it goes downward when viewed from the driver U, and its width W in the left-right direction increases as it goes downward. The deflector light guide 21 has a light-receiving surface 21a located on the lower surface of the deflector light guide 21 that receives illumination light L from the light source 70. With this configuration, the deflector light guide 21 is installed at an angle similar to that of the windscreen 10, so widening the area below the deflector light guide 21, which is the air intake, makes it easier for the deflector light guide 21 to take in wind F. In addition, since the light source 70 is positioned below the deflector light guide 21, the light-receiving surface 21a of the deflector light guide 21 can be widened, thereby increasing the light guiding efficiency.

[0027] (4) The deflector light guide 21 is provided with a straightening rib 28 that is erected on the front surface of the deflector light guide 21 and extends in the vertical direction (Z direction) to suppress the wind F taken in from the gap Sk between the deflector light guide 21 and the windshield 10 located in front of the deflector light guide 21 from being directed toward the handle grip 1H of the saddle-type vehicle. With this configuration, the rectifying rib 28 guides the wind F received in front of the deflector light guide 21 towards the inside of the vehicle 1 (towards the centerline C), thereby suppressing strong wind hitting the hands of the driver U who is gripping the handle grip 1H.

[0028] (5) The windscreen 10 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction and is positioned with a gap Sk in front of the deflector light guide 21. The gap Sk is set so that the windscreen 10 and the deflector light guide 21 do not interfere with each other when the windscreen 10 moves in the vertical direction. With this configuration, since the deflector light guide 21 is made of transparent material, it can be installed without obstructing the view to the front. Furthermore, by installing the deflector light guide 21 at a step relative to the windshield 10 so as not to overlap with the range of motion of the windshield 10, both the deflector function and the light guide function can be achieved without hindering the vertical movement of the windshield 10.

[0029] 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.

[0030] (modified version) In the above embodiment, the position and shape of the rectifying rib 28 can be changed as appropriate. For example, as shown in Figures 6(A) to (C), the rectifier rib 128 is formed on the front surface of the deflector light guide 21, parallel to the side surface 21c and the inclined surface 21e, and spaced apart from the side surface 21b and the inclined surface 21e. The upper end of the rectifier rib 128 reaches perpendicular to the inclined surface 21d. The lower end of the rectifier rib 128 reaches perpendicular to the light-receiving surface 21a. When the deflector light guide 21 is viewed in cross-section along the width W direction, the rectifier rib 128 is formed together with the protective layer 24 to form a substantially T shape. Furthermore, the rectifying ribs 28 and 128 may be made of a separate component from the protective layer 24. Furthermore, the rectifying ribs 28 and 128 may be omitted.

[0031] In the above embodiment, the interface surfaces S1 to S3 were formed as flat surfaces, but they are not limited to flat surfaces and may have a diffuse lens structure with irregularities. Specifically, as shown in Figures 7(A) to (C), the vertical interface surface S4 may be formed as a diffuse lens structure in which triangular prism-shaped peaks extending in the direction of width W are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of width W. This makes it possible to make the luminescence brightness of the light-emitting surface 21f uniform. The diffuse lens structure may be any structure and may also be formed on the inclined interface surfaces S2 and S3.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the windscreen 10 was configured to be vertically movable, but it may also be configured to be non-vertically movable. In the above embodiment, vehicle 1 is not limited to a motorcycle, but may also be a trike or a bicycle, as long as it is a saddle-type vehicle. In the above embodiment, the light-emitting surface 21f of the deflector light guide 21 faced the driver U side, but it may also face the front side of the vehicle 1. In the above embodiment, the display device 20 functioned as a turn signal light by flashing the illuminated area Ar, but it may also perform other illumination indicator functions such as a position light. In the above embodiment, the relative positions of the light guide layer 22 and the protective layer 24 may be reversed. In the above embodiment, the protective layer 24 may be a light-shielding layer. Furthermore, the protective layer 24 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the display device 20 may include a liquid crystal panel illuminated by the light emitted from the light-emitting surface 21f. In the above embodiment, the number of display devices 20 is not limited to two; it may be one or three or more. In the above embodiment, the lower side surface of the deflector light guide 21 was the light-receiving surface 21a. However, any side surface other than the lower side surface of the deflector light guide 21 (one or more of the side surfaces 21b, 21c and the inclined surfaces 21d, 21e) may also be the light-receiving surface 21a. In this case, it is necessary to change the position of the lighting device 75 relative to the deflector light guide 21. In the above embodiment, the deflector light guide 21 was formed in the shape of a pentagonal plate, but it is not limited to this, and may be in the shape of a polygon such as a triangular plate or a square plate, or a semicircular plate. In the above embodiment, the shape of the windscreen 10 can be changed as appropriate; for example, each protrusion 11 may be omitted. Also, the positional relationship of the deflector light guide 21 with respect to the windscreen 10 can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1...Vehicle, 1H...Handle grip 10...windshield, 11...protrusion, 11a...first inclined edge, 11b...second inclined edge 20…Display device 21...Deflector light guide, 21a...Light entrance surface, 21b, 21c...Side surface, 21d, 21e...Slanted surface, 21f...Emitting surface, 22...Light guide layer, 24...Protective layer, 28,128...Rectifying rib 70...Light source, 71...Light source substrate, 72...Lighting case, 75...Lighting device C...Center line, F...Wind, L...Illumination light, S1, S4...Vertical boundary surface, S2, S3...Slope boundary surface, U...Driver, Ar...Lighting area, Sk...Gap

Claims

1. A deflector light guide, formed from a translucent material, is positioned to overlap a portion of the windshield of a saddle-type vehicle when viewed from the front or rear, and has a deflector function to straighten the airflow towards the driver. The system comprises a light source that causes the deflector light guide to glow by emitting illumination light onto the deflector light guide. Display device for saddle-type vehicles.

2. The deflector light guide is composed of a light guide layer and a protective layer, which are layers with different refractive indices. The light guide layer is laminated on the driver side relative to the protective layer. Display device for a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The deflector light guide is shaped like a plate that is inclined along the windshield, so as viewed from the driver, it moves forward as it moves downward, and its width in the left-right direction increases as it moves downward. The deflector light guide body has a lower surface which is a light-receiving surface that receives the illumination light from the light source. A display device for a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The deflector light guide body is provided with a flow straightening rib that is erected on the front surface of the deflector light guide body and extends vertically, in order to suppress the air taken in through the gap between the deflector light guide body and the windshield located in front of the deflector light guide body from being directed toward the handle grip side of the saddle-type vehicle. A display device for a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The windshield is configured to be movable in the vertical direction and is positioned with a gap in front of the deflector light guide. The gap is set so that the windshield and the deflector light guide do not interfere with each other due to the vertical movement of the windshield. A display device for a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

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