BSM Unit

Abstract

To provide a BSM (blind spot monitor) unit which can be used at a left side and a right side.SOLUTION: A BSM unit according to one embodiment is a BSM unit 10 attached to a side surface 3c, which is oriented to the vehicle body side, of a visor 3 of an outer mirror provided at a vehicle body of a vehicle. The BSM unit 10 includes: a light source; a housing 11 which houses the light source; and a lens 12 which is attached to the housing 11 and emits light from the light source to the outside of the housing 11. The visor 3 has an edge part 3d which is located at the vehicle rear side of the side surface 3c and encloses a mirror of the outer mirror. At least a part of the lens 12 is exposed on the side surface 3c of the visor 3 and a shape of an exposed portion 10b of the lens 12 includes a center 10p of the exposed portion 10b and the edge part 3d and is bilaterally symmetrical with respect to a cross section orthogonal to the side surface 3c of the visor 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a BSM unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various types of BSM units (blind spot monitor units) have been known. A BSM unit is known that notifies the driver of a vehicle of the presence of a vehicle behind the vehicle by lighting an indicator on the mirror (mirror surface) of an outer mirror attached to the vehicle body. However, when lighting an indicator on the outer mirror, the indicator is displayed together with the scenery or sunlight reflected in the mirror, which causes a problem that the indicator is difficult to see.

[0003] US Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0316054 describes a blind spot indicator provided in a mirror assembly including an outer mirror attached to the body of a vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a reflecting mirror facing the rear side of the vehicle and a casing that surrounds and holds the reflecting mirror. The casing is attached to the side of the vehicle via a stem. The casing has a side that faces the vehicle body, and a blind spot indicator is displayed on that side.

[0004] The blind spot indicator is provided on each of the left and right mirror assemblies of the vehicle. The configuration of the blind spot indicator provided on the left mirror assembly and the configuration of the blind spot indicator provided on the right mirror assembly are different from each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0316054 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the case of the BSM unit for the blind spot indicator described above, it is necessary to prepare a BSM unit for the left side of the vehicle and a BSM unit for the right side of the vehicle separately. In other words, since the configuration of the BSM unit differs between the left side and the right side, multiple types of BSM units must be manufactured.

[0007] When producing multiple types of BSM units, it is necessary to adjust the design, connector arrangement, light distribution pattern, and indicator shape between the left and right sides, leaving room for improvement in terms of design freedom. Furthermore, when producing multiple types of BSM units, the design and manufacturing costs increase, and there is a possibility of assembly errors, such as attaching a left-side unit to the right-side unit. Therefore, it is required to be able to share the left-side BSM unit and the right-side BSM unit.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a BSM unit that can be used commonly for both the left and right sides. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A BSM unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a BSM unit attached to a side of a visor of an outer mirror provided on a vehicle body, the BSM unit being attached to a vehicle body side of the visor, the side of the visor facing the vehicle body, the BSM unit including a light source, a housing that accommodates the light source, and a lens that is attached to the housing and emits light from the light source to an outside of the housing; The BSM unit is attached to the side as described above. The visor is located on the rear side of the vehicle on the side and has an edge that surrounds the mirror of the outer mirror, and at least a part of the lens is exposed on the side of the visor, and the shape of the exposed part of the lens is such that, with respect to a cross section that passes through the center of the exposed part, is perpendicular to the edge, and is perpendicular to the side of the visor, AgainstThe housing has a pair of fixing parts fixed to the visor, and the pair of fixing parts has a cross section Against It is said to be the title.

[0010] This BSM unit is provided on the side of the visor of the outer mirror facing the vehicle body. Therefore, since the indicator of the BSM unit is displayed on the visor instead of on the mirror of the outer mirror, the indicator can be displayed in a location other than the scenery reflected in the mirror. Therefore, the indicator can be easily seen. The BSM unit is attached to a housing that accommodates a light source and includes a lens that emits light to the outside of the housing. At least a part of the lens that emits light to the outside is exposed on the side of the visor. The shape of the exposed part of the lens is symmetrical with respect to a cross section that includes the center of the exposed part and the edge of the visor and is perpendicular to the side of the visor. In other words, when the exposed part is viewed from the edge of the visor, the exposed part is symmetrical. Therefore, since the exposed part of the lens has a symmetrical shape, the BSM unit for the left side of the vehicle and the BSM unit for the right side of the vehicle can be made common. As a result, it is possible to reduce costs of design and manufacturing, and errors in assembly, etc. can be suppressed, so that the parts can be easily assembled.

[0011] Ha The housing has a pair of fixing parts, which are symmetrical on the left and right sides, so that the assembly structure and assembly method of the housing can be standardized for the left and right sides of the vehicle, which contributes to reducing design and manufacturing costs.

[0012] The lens includes an outer lens exposed on a side surface of the visor and an inner lens that guides light from a light source to the outer lens. The inner lens has a lens cut through which the light from the light source passes. The lens cut is AgainstIn this case, the inner lens can be made common to the left and right sides of the vehicle. Therefore, the light emission pattern can be easily made common during assembly. In addition, since the inner lens can be made common to the left and right sides, it contributes to reducing the cost of the inner lens.

[0013] The BSM unit described above includes a connector portion electrically connected to the light source, and the shape of the connector portion is Against In this case, the shape of the connector portion can be made common between the left side and the right side of the vehicle, which makes it easy to assemble the connector portion and contributes to reducing the cost of the connector portion.

[0014] The visor may have a wall surface located inside the mirror of the outer mirror, and the housing may be fixed to the wall surface. In this case, the housing is fixed to the wall surface located inside the mirror, and the fixing part of the housing can be prevented from being exposed to the side surface of the visor, so that the unevenness of the side surface of the visor can be reduced. Therefore, the structure of the side surface of the visor can be simplified, and it is possible to simplify the configuration of the mold used when molding the visor. As a result, the design and manufacturability of the visor can be improved.

[0015] The lens includes an outer lens exposed on the side of the visor and an inner lens that guides light from the light source to the outer lens, and the inner lens has a reflecting portion that reflects light from the light source and an emitting portion that emits the light reflected at the reflecting portion toward the outer lens, and a lens cut may be formed on at least one of the reflecting portion and the emitting portion. In this case, since the lens cut is formed on at least one of the reflecting portion and the emitting portion of the inner lens, the light diffusion effect of the inner lens can be enhanced. Therefore, the light from the lens can be diffused over a wider range, and the visibility of the BSM unit can be improved. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a BSM unit that can be used commonly for both the left and right sides. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary outer mirror equipped with a BSM unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the side and edge of the lens of the BSM unit and the visor of the outer mirror in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a perspective view of the visor in FIG. 2, seen from a different direction than in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic view of a BSM unit attached to the visor shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the BSM unit and the visor of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the BSM unit of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the BSM unit of FIG. 6 taken along line AA. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a side view of the housing of the BSM unit of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the BSM unit of FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an inner lens of the BSM unit of FIG. 6. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view of the inner lens of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a BSM unit and a visor according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the BSM unit according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In addition, the drawings may be partially simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios and the like are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0019] First, an exemplary outer mirror 1 to which the BSM unit 10 according to this embodiment is applied will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the outer mirror 1 is an outer mirror provided on the body of the host vehicle, for example, diagonally in front of the driver's seat of the host vehicle. In this disclosure, "host vehicle" refers to a vehicle equipped with the BSM unit according to this disclosure, and "other vehicle" refers to another vehicle different from the host vehicle. "Other vehicle" may include a vehicle following the host vehicle, a vehicle on the rear side of the host vehicle, or an overtaking vehicle.

[0020] The BSM unit 10 is provided, for example, on each of the outer mirror 1 on the right side of the host vehicle and the outer mirror 1 on the left side of the host vehicle. The BSM unit 10 is, for example, visible not only to the host vehicle but also to other road users. The other road users include pedestrians who visually recognize the host vehicle equipped with the BSM unit 10, and passengers of other vehicles. The BSM unit 10 is visible to other road users, so that the other road users can be made aware of the presence of the host vehicle.

[0021] The outer mirror 1 according to this embodiment includes, for example, a mirror 2, which is a mirror body having a mirror surface 2b, and a visor 3 that surrounds the mirror surface 2b of the mirror 2 and holds the mirror 2. As an example, the color of the visor 3 is black. In the present disclosure, black includes not only black, but also navy blue, purple, brown, gray, and dark green that are colored close to black.

[0022] The visor 3 includes, for example, an upper surface 3b facing vertically upward, a side surface 3c facing the vehicle body (located on the driver's seat side), and an edge portion 3d surrounding the mirror 2. The upper surface 3b and the side surface 3c are, for example, smoothly connected to each other. The edge portion 3d is, for example, facing the rear side of the vehicle, and has an opening 3f facing the rear side of the vehicle. The mirror surface 2b of the mirror 2 is exposed in the opening 3f.

[0023] 1 and 2, the BSM unit 10 is exposed on a side surface 3c of the visor 3. The BSM unit 10 is exposed from an opening 3g formed on the side surface 3c of the visor 3. At least a portion of the BSM unit 10 protrudes, for example, from the side surface 3c in an outward direction of the surface of the side surface 3c. The exposed portion 10b (exposed portion) of the BSM unit 10 is illuminated by a light source 15 (see FIG. 7) provided inside the BSM unit 10, and an indicator is displayed by the illumination of the exposed portion 10b.

[0024] For example, the exposed portion 10b of the BSM unit 10 is in a quadrangular shape (e.g., rectangular shape) having a pair of long sides 10c extending along a first direction D1 in which the edge 3d extends, and a pair of short sides 10d extending in a second direction D2 intersecting the edge 3d. For example, the second direction D2 is perpendicular to the first direction D1. The exposed portion 10b of the BSM unit 10 is provided on the rear side of the vehicle on the side surface 3c of the visor 3, for example, at a position close to the edge 3d of the visor 3.

[0025] The BSM unit 10 is located, for example, on the rear side of the vehicle (on the edge portion 3d side) of a reference line L1 that passes through the center of the side surface 3c of the visor 3 in the second direction D2 and extends in the first direction D1. As an example, the BSM unit 10 is located on the upper surface 3b side of a reference line L2 that passes through the center of the side surface 3c in the first direction D1 and extends in the second direction D2. The BSM unit 10 is provided at a position adjacent to the edge portion 3d, and, for example, a linear portion 3h extending along the first direction D1 is formed between the BSM unit 10 and the edge portion 3d.

[0026] The exposed portion 10b of the BSM unit 10 includes, for example, a smooth surface 10f recessed into the side surface 3c of the visor 3 and a protruding portion 10g protruding from the side surface 3c. The smooth surface 10f is, for example, a flat surface. The protruding portion 10g includes an inclined surface 10h that gradually becomes higher from the end opposite the edge portion 3d, and an apex 10j located on the edge portion 3d side of the inclined surface 10h.

[0027] Due to the inclined surface 10h and the apex 10j, the exposed portion 10b of the BSM unit 10 becomes higher toward the rear side (edge ​​3d side) of the vehicle. For example, the convex portion 10g may further include a first side surface 10k extending from the inclined surface 10h to the smooth surface 10f and a second side surface 10m extending from the apex 10j to the smooth surface 10f. The shape and position of the exposed portion 10b are not limited to the above examples and can be changed as appropriate.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an opening 3g of the visor 3 as viewed from the inside of the visor 3. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a BSM unit 10 attached to a side surface 3c of the visor 3 from the inside of the visor 3. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the visor 3 has a wall surface 3p extending from an edge portion 3d to the inside of the visor 3. The BSM unit 10 is attached to the wall surface 3p, for example. The wall surface 3p is, for example, a portion that is not visible from the outside of the visor 3.

[0029] The wall surface 3p includes a first wall surface 3q extending along the upper surface 3b of the visor 3, a second wall surface 3r facing the side surface 3c, and a third wall surface 3s extending downward from an end portion of the first wall surface 3q opposite to the edge portion 3d. A cylindrical portion 3t protrudes from the second wall surface 3r and the third wall surface 3s, and as an example, the BSM unit 10 is attached to the cylindrical portion 3t. The third wall surface 3s extends along the mirror 2 on the back side of the mirror 2 held by the visor 3.

[0030] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a mounting structure of the BSM unit 10 to the side surface 3c of the visor 3. As shown in Fig. 5, the BSM unit 10 includes a housing 11 that houses a light source 15 described later. For example, the housing 11 may be fixed to the wall surface 3p of the visor 3 via a screw 16.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the BSM unit 10. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 6. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the shape of the exposed portion 10b of the BSM unit 10 is symmetrical with respect to the cross-section taken along the line AA in Fig. 6. The cross-section taken along the line AA is a cross-section S that includes the center 10p of the exposed portion 10b and the edge portion 3d of the visor 3 and is perpendicular to the side surface 3c of the visor 3. The cross-section S extends, for example, in both the second direction D2 described above and the third direction D3 perpendicular to the side surface 3c.

[0032] When the BSM unit 10 is viewed along the third direction D3, the BSM unit 10 has a short side extending in the first direction D1 and a long side extending in the second direction D2, and also has a protruding portion 10q protruding toward the edge portion 3d. The protruding portion 10q protrudes toward the edge portion 3d (to the right in FIG. 6) in a region including the center of the BSM unit 10 in the first direction D1.

[0033] For example, the shapes of the parts of the BSM unit 10 are symmetrical with respect to the cross section S. In this way, since the parts of the BSM unit 10 are symmetrical with respect to the cross section S, the BSM unit 10 attached to the right side of the vehicle and the BSM unit 10 attached to the left side of the vehicle can have the same configuration.

[0034] The BSM unit 10 includes a light source 15, a housing 11 that accommodates the light source 15, and a lens 12 that emits light H from the light source 15 to the outside of the BSM unit 10. The light source 15 is, for example, an LED light source. The BSM unit 10 emits light H from the exposed portion 10b to the outside of the BSM unit 10, thereby displaying an indicator that alerts the driver of the vehicle and makes other road users aware of the presence of the vehicle. The lens 12 is attached to the housing 11. For example, the BSM unit 10 further includes a circuit board 13, which is a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the light source 15 is mounted, and a connector unit 14 that is electrically connected to the light source 15 via the circuit board 13.

[0035] At least a portion (exposed portion 10b) of the lens 12 is exposed to the side surface 3c of the visor 3. The lens 12 includes an outer lens 17 having the exposed portion 10b of the BSM unit 10, and an inner lens 18 located inside the outer lens 17. The outer lens 17 and the inner lens 18 are, for example, separate from each other.

[0036] The outer lens 17 is, for example, symmetrical with respect to the cross section S. As an example, the outer lens 17 has a base portion 17b that is placed on the housing 11, a first convex portion 17c that protrudes from the base portion 17b, and a second convex portion 17d that further protrudes from the first convex portion 17c.

[0037] When viewed from the third direction D3, the base portion 17b is located inside the housing 11, the first convex portion 17c is located inside the base portion 17b, and the second convex portion 17d is located inside the first convex portion 17c. When viewed from the third direction D3, the shape of at least a part of the base portion 17b and the first convex portion 17c is, for example, a rectangular shape with rounded corners.

[0038] The base portion 17b has a first protruding portion 17f constituting the protruding portion 10q of the BSM unit 10, and the first protruding portion 17c has a second protruding portion 17g constituting the protruding portion 10q. The first protruding portion 17f and the second protruding portion 17g both protrude toward the edge portion 3d. The second protruding portion 17d is provided, for example, on the second protruding portion 17g of the first protruding portion 17c, and the shape of the second protruding portion 17d as viewed from the third direction D3 is rectangular. As an example, the above-mentioned exposed portion 10b is provided on the end side (edge ​​portion 3d side) of the second protruding portion 17d in the second direction D2.

[0039] The outer lens 17 is a lens partly exposed on the side surface 3c of the visor 3. Light H emitted from the light source 15 enters the outer lens 17 via the inner lens 18 and is emitted from the outer lens 17 to the outside of the BSM unit 10. This causes the lens 12 to light up, making the BSM unit 10 visible. For example, the BSM unit 10 displays an indicator that lights up when another vehicle is approaching by lighting up the lens 12, thereby alerting the driver of the vehicle and making other road users aware of the presence of the vehicle.

[0040] The transmittance of the light H of the outer lens 17 is lower than the transmittance of the light H of the inner lens 18, for example. As an example, the transmittance of the light H of the outer lens 17 is about 40%, and the transmittance of the light H of the inner lens 18 is about 90%. For example, the inner lens 18 is colorless and transparent, and the outer lens 17 is colored and transparent in black. In this way, by making the color of the outer lens 17 black and transparent, the color of the outer lens 17 can be made closer to the black color of the visor 3, and therefore the design of the visor 3 can be improved.

[0041] The housing 11 includes an insertion portion 11d into which the connector portion 14 is inserted, on a surface 11c facing the opposite side to the surface 11b on which the outer lens 17 is placed. The insertion portion 11d is, for example, cylindrical and recessed from the surface 11c, and the connector portion 14 is inserted into the circuit board 13 by inserting the connector portion 14 into the insertion portion 11d. In this manner, the connector portion 14 is inserted into the circuit board 13, whereby power is supplied to the light source 15 via the connector portion 14 and the circuit board 13.

[0042] Fig. 8 is a side view showing the housing 11. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the BSM unit 10. As shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the housing 11 is symmetrical with respect to the cross section S. The shape of the housing 11 when viewed along the second direction D2 is, for example, rectangular, and the housing 11 has a pair of fixing portions 11f fixed to the visor 3.

[0043] The pair of fixing portions 11f are, for example, symmetrical with respect to the cross section S. The fixing portion 11f is, for example, plate-shaped having a hole 11g into which the above-mentioned screw 16 is inserted. As an example, each fixing portion 11f is inclined toward the center of the housing 11 in the second direction D2 with respect to the third direction D3. For example, the screw 16 is inserted into the hole 11g of each fixing portion 11f and screwed into the wall surface 3p, whereby the BSM unit 10 is firmly fixed to the visor 3.

[0044] The housing 11 has an accommodation space 11h that accommodates the circuit board 13 on which the light source 15 is mounted and the inner lens 18. The circuit board 13 is, for example, in the form of a plate extending in both the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. The circuit board 13 has a rectangular first portion 13b and a second portion 13c that is located on the inner side of the accommodation space 11h of the first portion 13b and that narrows toward the inner side of the accommodation space 11h. As an example, the second portion 13c has a trapezoidal shape.

[0045] A light source 15 and a receptacle portion 19 that receives the connector portion 14 are mounted on a surface 13d of the circuit board 13 facing the outer lens 17. For example, the connector portion 14 and the receptacle portion 19 may be symmetrical with respect to the above-mentioned cross section S. The connector portion 14 is electrically connected to the light source 15 via the circuit board 13 by being inserted into the receptacle portion 19.

[0046] On the surface 13d of the circuit board 13 facing the inside of the housing 11, the light source 15 and the receptacle portion 19 are arranged, for example, lined up vertically. As an example, the light source 15 is mounted on the first portion 13b of the circuit board 13, and the receptacle portion 19 is mounted on the second portion 13c of the circuit board 13. An inner lens 18 is arranged to face the light source 15. The inner lens 18 faces the light source 15, for example, along the second direction D2.

[0047] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the inner lens 18. Fig. 11 is a side view of the inner lens 18 viewed along the second direction D2. As shown in Figs. 7, 10 and 11, the inner lens 18 is, for example, in the form of a plate that gradually becomes thinner with increasing distance from the circuit board 13. The inner lens 18 is, for example, symmetrical with respect to the cross section S.

[0048] The inner lens 18 has an entrance portion 18b where the light H from the light source 15 is incident, a reflection portion 18c that reflects the light H incident from the entrance portion 18b toward the outer lens 17, and an exit portion 18d where the light H reflected at the reflection portion 18c is emitted to the outside of the inner lens 18. The entrance portion 18b faces the light source 15 along the second direction D2, and has, for example, an entrance surface 18f that extends along the light source 15 and causes the light H to be incident inside the inner lens 18.

[0049] For example, the reflecting portion 18c is provided on an inner surface 18g (facing the back side of the housing 11 or the opposite side of the outer lens 17) of the inner lens 18 opposite the light source 15. As an example, the thickness of the inner lens 18 at the reflecting portion 18c becomes thinner toward the end side in the second direction D2.

[0050] The emission portion 18d is provided on an outer surface 18h of the inner lens 18 (a surface facing the outside of the housing 11 or the outer lens 17) opposite to the light source 15. For example, the emission portion 18d extends along a plane extending in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, and the reflection portion 18c extends obliquely so as to approach the emission portion 18d toward the end of the inner lens 18 in the second direction D2.

[0051] The reflecting portion 18c is formed with a lens cut 18j. The lens cut 18j includes a plurality of projections and recesses 18k arranged in parallel along the second direction D2. Each projection and recess 18k extends along the first direction D1 and curves downward toward the center of the first direction D1. The projections and recesses 18k are shaped, for example, in a triangular wave shape that continues along the second direction D2.

[0052] In the emission portion 18d, for example, a lens cut 18m having a shape different from the lens cut 18j is formed. The lens cut 18m includes, for example, a plurality of protrusions 18p arranged along the first direction D1. Each of the protrusions 18p extends along the second direction D2. For example, the shape of each of the protrusions 18p is a curved surface that protrudes toward the center of the first direction D1.

[0053] Lens cut 18j of reflecting portion 18c and lens cut 18m of emitting portion 18d form a light distribution pattern of light H and have the function of diffusing light H in a desired manner. Light H reflected and diffused by lens cut 18j of reflecting portion 18c is diffused again by lens cut 18m of emitting portion 18d and emitted to the outside of BSM unit 10 from exposed portion 10b of outer lens 17. Since this light H can illuminate substantially the entire exposed portion 10b, it becomes possible to visually recognize exposed portion 10b of BSM unit 10.

[0054] Next, the effects and advantages obtained from the BSM unit 10 will be described in detail. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the BSM unit 10 is provided on a side surface 3c of the visor 3 of the outer mirror 1, which faces the vehicle body. Therefore, since the indicator of the BSM unit 10 is displayed on the visor 3, not on the mirror 2 of the outer mirror 1, the indicator can be displayed in a location separate from the scenery reflected in the mirror 2. This makes it possible to make the indicator easier to see.

[0055] The BSM unit 10 is attached to a housing 11 that accommodates a light source 15 and includes a lens 12 that emits light H to the outside of the housing 11. At least a portion of the lens 12 (exposed portion 10b) protrudes from the side surface 3c of the visor 3 in an out-of-plane direction of the side surface 3c. Therefore, since at least a portion of the lens 12 that emits light H to the outside protrudes in an out-of-plane direction of the side surface 3c of the visor 3, drivers of other vehicles and the like can see the light H from the lens 12.

[0056] If the light emission surface from the lens were flush with the side surface of the visor, the emission direction of the light would be limited to the driver's side of the vehicle. However, in the BSM unit 10, at least a part of the lens 12 protrudes from the side surface 3c of the visor 3, so that the emission direction of the light H from the lens 12 is not limited to the driver's side of the vehicle but includes a wide range such as the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the light from the lens 12 can be visually recognized by the driver of the other vehicle on the rear side, so that the driver of the other vehicle can be made aware of the presence of the vehicle.

[0057] The height of the lens 12 relative to the side surface 3c of the visor 3 may be increased toward the rear of the vehicle. In this case, since the height of the lens 12 increases toward the rear, the lens 12 can be easily viewed by a driver of a vehicle on the rear side. In addition, when the height of the lens 12 increases toward the rear, the BSM unit 10 can be easily attached to the visor 3.

[0058] The lens 12 may also be provided on the rear side of the vehicle on the side surface 3c of the visor 3. In this case, the lens 12 is provided on the rear side of the vehicle on the side surface 3c of the visor 3, so that the lens 12 is provided in a position close to the mirror 2 of the outer mirror 1. Therefore, the distance from the line of sight of the driver of the vehicle who views the mirror 2 to the lens 12 can be shortened, so that the lens 12 can be more easily viewed by the driver of the vehicle. Also, the lens 12 is provided on the rear side of the side surface 3c of the visor 3, so that the shining lens 12 can be more easily viewed by drivers of other vehicles on the rear side.

[0059] 6 and 8, in the BSM unit 10, the shape of the exposed portion of the lens 12 (exposed portion 10b) is symmetrical with respect to a cross section S that includes a center 10p of the exposed portion 10b and an edge portion 3d of the visor 3 and is perpendicular to the side surface 3c of the visor 3. In other words, when the exposed portion 10b is viewed from the edge portion 3d of the visor 3, the exposed portion 10b is symmetrical.

[0060] Therefore, by making the exposed portion 10b of the lens 12 symmetrical in shape, it is possible to standardize the BSM unit 10 for the left side of the vehicle and the BSM unit 10 for the right side of the vehicle. As a result, it is possible to reduce design and manufacturing costs, and also to reduce assembly errors, making it possible to assemble parts easily and with high accuracy.

[0061] Furthermore, the housing 11 may have a pair of fixing portions 11f fixed to the visor 3, and the pair of fixing portions 11f may be symmetrical with respect to the cross section S. In this case, the housing 11 has a pair of fixing portions 11f, and the pair of fixing portions 11f are symmetrical. Therefore, the assembly structure and assembly method of the housing 11 can be standardized between the left side and the right side of the vehicle. This contributes to reducing costs of design, manufacturing, and the like.

[0062] As shown in Figures 7 and 11, the lens 12 includes an outer lens 17 exposed to the side 3c of the visor 3, and an inner lens 18 that guides light H from the light source 15 to the outer lens 17, and the inner lens 18 has lens cuts 18j, 18m through which the light H from the light source 15 passes, and the lens cuts 18j, 18m may be symmetrical with respect to the cross section S.

[0063] In this case, the lens cuts 18j, 18m of the inner lens 18 can be made common to the left and right sides of the vehicle. Therefore, the emission pattern of the light H can be easily made common during assembly. In addition, since the inner lens 18 can be made common to the left and right sides, it contributes to reducing the cost of the inner lens 18.

[0064] Furthermore, the BSM unit 10 includes a connector portion 14 electrically connected to the light source 15, and the shape of the connector portion 14 may be symmetrical with respect to the cross section S. In this case, the shape of the connector portion 14 can be made common between the left side and the right side of the vehicle. This makes it easy to assemble the connector portion 14, and contributes to reducing the cost of the connector portion 14.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, the visor 3 may have a wall surface 3p located inside the mirror 2 of the outer mirror 1, and the housing 11 may be fixed to the wall surface 3p. In this case, the housing 11 is fixed to the wall surface 3p located inside the mirror 2, and the fixing portion 11f of the housing 11 is not exposed to the side surface 3c of the visor 3, so that the unevenness of the side surface 3c of the visor 3 can be reduced. Therefore, the structure of the side surface 3c of the visor 3 can be simplified, so that the configuration of the mold used when molding the visor 3 can be simplified. As a result, the design and manufacturability of the side surface 3c of the visor 3 can be improved.

[0066] As shown in Figures 7 and 11, the lens 12 includes an outer lens 17 exposed to the side 3c of the visor 3, and an inner lens 18 that guides light H from the light source 15 to the outer lens 17, and the inner lens 18 may have a reflective portion 18c that reflects the light H from the light source 15, and an emitting portion 18d that emits the light H reflected at the reflective portion 18c toward the outer lens 17.

[0067] In addition, the lens cut 18j may be formed in the reflecting portion 18c, and the lens cut 18m may be formed in the emitting portion 18d. In this case, the lens cuts 18j and 18m are formed in both the reflecting portion 18c and the emitting portion 18d of the inner lens 18, so that the diffusion effect of the light H by the inner lens 18 can be enhanced. Therefore, the light H from the lens 12 can be diffused over a wider range, so that the visibility of the BSM unit 10 can be improved. Note that the form of the lens cut is not limited to the form of the lens cuts 18j and 18m described above, and for example, the lens cut may be formed in either the reflecting portion 18c or the emitting portion 18d.

[0068] The above describes an embodiment of the BSM unit according to the present disclosure. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be modified or applied to other things without changing the gist of the claims. In other words, the shape, size, number, material, and arrangement of each part of the BSM unit according to the present disclosure can be appropriately changed within the scope of the above gist.

[0069] For example, in the above embodiment, the BSM unit 10 at least a part of which protrudes from the side surface 3c of the visor 3 in the outward direction of the side surface 3c has been described. However, the BSM unit may not protrude from the side surface 3c of the visor 3. Also, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the BSM unit 10 is provided at a position adjacent to the edge portion 3d, and a linear portion 3h extending along the first direction D1 is formed between the BSM unit 10 and the edge portion 3d. However, the location of the BSM unit is not limited to the above example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0070] 12 shows a BSM unit 20 according to a modified example. The BSM unit 20 includes, for example, a lens 22 that emits light H, and at least a portion of the lens 22 is exposed to the side surface 3c of the visor 3. At least a portion of the lens 22 reaches the edge portion 3d of the visor 3.

[0071] The BSM unit 20, like the BSM unit 10 described above, is provided on the side surface 3c of the visor 3 facing the vehicle body, so that the indicator can be displayed in a location separate from the scenery reflected in the mirror 2. This makes it possible to make the indicator easily visible. At least a portion of the lens 22 is exposed to the side surface 3c of the visor 3 and reaches the edge portion 3d of the visor 3.

[0072] Therefore, since the lens 22 that emits light H to the outside is exposed on the side surface 3c of the visor 3 and reaches the edge portion 3d of the visor 3, the emission direction of light from the lens 22 is not limited to the driver of the vehicle, but includes a wide range such as the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the light H from the lens 22 can be visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle on the rear side, so that the driver of another vehicle can be made aware of the presence of the vehicle. As described above, the BSM unit 20 can provide the same effects as the BSM unit 10 described above.

[0073] Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the lens 12 includes the outer lens 17 and the inner lens 18 that are separate from each other. However, the lens of the BSM unit may be a single lens. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the BSM unit 10 was described in which the shapes of each part are symmetrical with respect to the cross section S. However, some of the BSM unit may not be symmetrical with respect to the cross section S. For example, at least one of the housing 11, the lens 12, the circuit board 13, and the connector part 14 may not be symmetrical with respect to the cross section S.

[0074] As described above, the shape of each part of the BSM unit can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the above-mentioned gist. Furthermore, the shape, size, type, and arrangement of the outer mirror to which the BSM unit is attached can also be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1...outer mirror, 2...mirror, 2b...mirror surface, 3...visor, 3b...upper surface, 3c...side surface, 3d...edge portion, 3f, 3g...opening, 3h...linear portion, 3p...wall surface, 3q...first wall surface, 3r...second wall surface, 3s...third wall surface, 3t...tubular portion, 10, 20...BSM unit, 10b...exposed portion, 10c...long side, 10d...short side, 10f...smooth surface, 10g...convex portion, 10h...inclined surface, 10j...top, 10k...first side surface, 10m...second side surface, 10p...center, 10q...protruding portion, 11...housing, 11b, 11c...surface, 11d...insertion portion, 11f...fixing portion, 11g...hole portion, 11h...accommodating space, 12, 22...le lenses, 13...circuit board, 13b...first portion, 13c...second portion, 13d...surface, 14...connector portion, 15...light source, 16...screw, 17...outer lens, 17b...base portion, 17c...first convex portion, 17d...second convex portion, 17f...first protruding portion, 17g...second protruding portion, 18...inner lens, 18b...incident portion, 18c...reflective portion, 18d...exiting portion, 18f...incident surface, 18g...inner surface, 18h...outer surface, 18j, 18m...lens cut, 18k...unevenness, 18p...convex portion, 19...receptacle portion, D1...first direction, D2...second direction, D3...third direction, H...light, L1, L2...reference line, S...cross section.

Claims

1. A BSM unit that is attached to a side surface of a visor of an outer mirror provided on a vehicle body, the side surface facing the vehicle body, A light source; a housing for accommodating the light source; a lens attached to the housing and configured to direct light from the light source to an outside of the housing; Equipped with the BSM unit is attached to the side surface, the visor is located on the side surface toward the rear of the vehicle and has an edge portion surrounding the mirror of the outer mirror, At least a portion of the lens is exposed on the side surface of the visor; The shape of the exposed portion of the lens is symmetrical with respect to a cross section that passes through a center of the exposed portion, is perpendicular to the edge, and is perpendicular to the side surface of the visor; The housing has a pair of fixing portions fixed to the visor, The pair of fixing portions are symmetrical with respect to the cross section. BSM unit.

2. The lens includes an outer lens exposed to the side surface of the visor and an inner lens that guides light from the light source to the outer lens, The inner lens has a lens cut through which light from the light source passes, The lens cut is symmetrical with respect to the cross section. The BSM unit of claim 1 .

3. a connector portion electrically connected to the light source, The shape of the connector portion is symmetrical with respect to the cross section. A BSM unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The visor has a wall surface located inside the mirror of the outer mirror, The housing is fixed to the wall. A BSM unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The lens includes an outer lens exposed on a side surface of the visor and an inner lens that guides light from the light source to the outer lens, The inner lens has a reflecting portion that reflects light from the light source and an emitting portion that emits the light reflected at the reflecting portion toward the outer lens, A lens cut is formed in at least one of the reflecting portion and the emitting portion. A BSM unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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